The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-06-06
SELECT STORY.
AN ADVERTISEMENT.


Reynolds, smoothing the folds OF Grape
on her black dress, 81 don't know
what we are to do. The landlord
wants his money, and the butcher had
the impudence 10 tell me this morning
that he could not serve us lon ger un-
less the account was settled. E,he-
line" she continued plaintively, turu.
ing toward her daughter, who stood in
the bay window eagerly scanning one
of the advertising columns of the Her
aid 81 do think you might pay lit
tie more attention to your mother
"What is it, mamma 2 the girl ask
ed, raising her bright gray eyes from
the printed sheet.
"My dear, l simply asked you how
we are going to manage to get money
to pay all these people,
"Why earn ii, of COURSE" her daugh-
ter answered.
"Well, that 1 should ever live to see
the day." the good lady said, drawing
a long breath, shat child of mine
would suggest such thing to me.
The idea of my earning my living. |
am shocked, Etheline, that knowing
the state of my health you should
mention anything of the kind. l am
sure when your dear papa wa s
Living the lady sobbed behind her
black bordered handkerchief, 't-h-a.t
h-e-he always s.h-i eide d me from
from
Further speech was cut short as two
girlish arms were thrown around her
neck, and sweet voice cried;
"Mamma - mamma / did not
mean that you should work. Dearest
mammal you shall stay here and keep
this pretty nest warm for your bird
ling, who, when her wings are weary
can fly safely back to the parent home.
Mamma, listen to this the girl ex-
claimed, springing to her feet and
catching up the discarded paper.
AS Mrs. Reynolds Strengthened her
widows cap which her daughters i'm
petuous embrace had disarranged, the
girl read the following advertisement
in clear, ringing tones:
tire charge of a widower's house. Only
one who is competent to manage large
retinue of servants need reply. Address
S. STEWART NJ, New Jersey.
"There, mamma Etheline said
gleefully, ''isnt that splendid If l
am fortunate enough to get the posi-
tion, you need not trouble your dear
old head about the sordid demands of
the butcher and that horrid landlord
"Etheline!" Mrs. Reynolds inter-
rupted in a shocked voice. "How can
you even for one moment think of
such an improper arrangement ?"
"Why, mamma, ! do not see any
thing improper in the advertisement,
and you know, mamma, that thor
oughly understand the management of
servants. Remember that owing to
your ill-health after my return from
boarding school, | superintended all
the domestic arrangements of our large
house before papa lost his money, and
| am sure, mamma, since papa died, |
have managed nicely in this little cot
tagc, with one maid all work, so
that | am competent to control either
a large or a small number of servants
Do let me try this once,' the girl said
coaxingly, taking her mothers hand in
hers, and pattng it softly, as one
would child's.
"But, dear, suppose he is some
young man who-who-'
And the elder lady broke off abrupt
ly for want of suitable word tc ex
press her somewhat hazy idea.
"There, mamma, you are mistaken
instead of a gay Lothario, he is for
lorn old gentleman with silvery hair
and kind benevolent face"
"Well, | only hope your sketch will
be a true one her mother said peev
ishly.
Ethlines only answer was weary
| sigh as she seated herself at the writing
desk and prepared to answer the ad
vertisement.
Within the following week there en-
sued quite lengthy correspondence
between our heroine and S. Stewart
the result being that at the close of
glorious May day there alighted from
the cars at the small country station o
Nj graceful petite figure, at
tired in deep mourning. AS the iro
monster with puff and snort starte
the girl looked wistfully around the de
serted platform, as if in search of som
one. Before she could address tn
station master, who was lounging il
the doorway of the small depot, an
who was gazing curiously at her ant
inwardly admiriug the pretty foot tina
peeped tantaizingly from beneath tn
girls short travelling dress, braughan
drawn by superb pair of horses dashe'
up, and as the coachman drew rein
the footman alighted and crossin,
quickly to the waiting gill, touched hi
hat.
| sis this Miss Reynolds ?" he inquil
ed respectfully. Receiving an answe
in the affirmative, he continued: "Be,
pardon for being late, miss-but one o
the horses cast shoe on the way, an,
we were compelled to stop at tn
blacksmiths."
| In another moment Etheline wa
seated among the soft cushions, whirl
ing rapidly along sweet-scente
country lane.
| After drive of perhaps an hour
during which the sun set and tn
dreamy twilight settled down over
landscape which exhibited features O
peculiar beauty, the vehicle entered
spacious park, and then speeding alon
a broad avenue, came at last to a gran
old mansion built in the Elizabetha
style of architecture, from the ope
door of which great flashes of light fe
upon the velvety lawn without, The
the carriage suddenly stopped, an
Etheline realized, with a feeling some
what akin to terror, that she had reacf
ed her journeys end,
| She was Immediately ushered by
| liveried servant into brilliantly ligh
ed drawing room. A stately gentl
man of about 40 rose from his sea
where he had been reading, and can
gracefully forward to meet her +,
tending his hand cordially, he said
| "Welcome to the Grange. Miss Re,