Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-12-31


there is somethiDg--in my feeling towards
him which would always prevent me ad
mitting any closer relation than that O.
friendship. Indeed" she continued
laughing, II think I could be quite as hap
py with honest John, the footman, wht
wants to walk with me very much.n
sBut, Janet, YOU surely would not think
of John?" cried Mrs. Lane, aghast.
s'Oh, dear, mop replied Janet; ''far from
that. am going to dismiss poor John. A
footman will be of no use to me. No man
servant will be of any use except as pro
lection to the house. and as tha butler hal
been here such lorg time, ! shlll asl
him to undertake that ofice.''
"But he has given me notice, my dear, ,
said Mrs. Lane. 'sHe is going to MARI,
Mary
GAIL the BETTER" replied Janet, briskly
sHe will be more reliable if he has a wife
He will not want to firt with maids"
''But he won't stay" reiterated Mrs
Lane; 81 feel sure he won't! He has mads
up his mind to set up housekeeping fol
himself"
'sThen l must get some one else," salt
Janet.
"Poor JohnF' breathed Mrs. Lane. 90
always liked tie young man."
"And 80 GO L. said Janet; ''and if he
had not been SO foolish as to fancy ne wa.
in love with me would have asked him tt
remain in the buffers place; but. under
the circumstar ces, think it woul1 be
best for him to go; don't you?"
II don't know" replied Mrs. Lane.
Suppose we speak to him before we de.
cide?''
"Certainly," said Janet, ringing the
bell.
And in few minutes John appeared,
looking SO very modest and respectful, that
Mrs. Lane was more than ever prepossessed
is his favor, and made up her mind that he
should stay if she could manage it without
entailing an annoyance to Janet.
"John," said the good old dame, after
great hesitation, 1--WE have sent for you to
tell you that-that the authorities Mrs.
Lane did not know what else to say-''do
not think it necessary to keep such IA
large establishment during the absence of
the master.'
''Oh, dear, ma'am," gasped John, "I
hope you won't make it smaller by turning
me offp'
"Well, 1 am afraid we must, john, "
said Mrs. Lane, with evident feeling.
"No, no." cried John; sit can't be-it
must not be now I've made up my mind to
stay! Miss Janet, can't you speak word
for me?''
ooh, yes, john" answered Janet, look
ing down; S,1'll give you the best of char
actersf'
''But that's not enough, miss?' exclaim-
ed John, with the tears in his eyes.
"Please ask for me to stay. Let me stay.
1 shall never feel comfortable nowhere
else."
'sBnt. John," hesitated Mrs. Lane, 81
am afraid if we consent to your request
you will find it trying to your feelings.
Miss Mason has told me in confidence of
your honorable offer to her, and"
eyes," cried John, excitedly; "and as
she can't accept it-leastwise, at present
she thinks I'd better leave; ain t that so?'
Mrs. Lane Eodded reluctantly.
"Because she thinks ID plague her, eh?''
continued John. "Well, now, that's a
good one, that is! I wouldn't do such a
thing for silver s1xpence"
Il am sure you would not John,' said
ranet, smiling; "but still think it would
be best for you to 60. like you very
much, and should wish you to remain at
the Hall; but under tho circumstances, l
am sure the situation would not be COM
Portable
"I'm willing to risk that, miss said
John, bluntly.
"What shall do?" thought Janet. she
is determined TO stay" Then she said,
"But, John, it is an unnecessary expense
to keep a footman for the next three
years"
"Oh, don't mention thatP' answered
John, quickly. eff that's all agin my
staying, I'll stay. Give me victuals, and
drink, and I'll serve you for nothing. My
liveries are no ways shabby, and I've got
some odd top clothes besides, which belize
YOU wouldn't mind me wearing to save the
regimentals.'
s.But, really John" began Janet
again.
eyes, miss; please don't say no more
about it," interrupted John. "If you
think don't know that I've got to treat
the laay as is housekeeper different to the
lady wish to walk with, you re quite mis-
taken. Keep me, and I'll prove my words
Il WILL upon my honor. I'll worship
you at dis, ance, same as l did when La
dy Maud was livingv'
"J'd rather you did not worship me at
all, said Janet, smiling again.
"Can't help it, replied John, laeonlcal-
". But" he added, Il repeat, miss, my
worship sha'nt be no annoyance"
SIN that case, Janet said Mrs. Lane'
81 think would give him trial-say for
"a month";
every well," answered Janet, anxious
to end the interview, and seeing no escape
from the proposition of the retiring house
keeper.
John instantly disappeared, to make a
triumphant entry into the kitchen;
and Mrs. Lane rose to put on her bonnet
for the shades of evening were falling, ana
she wished to be at her new home peiors
dark.
Janet had arranged to accompany her; SC
in few minutes the housekeeper and mel
successor were sauntering through the
park, pausiug here and there to gather a
wild. flower or pretty leaf to mako the
new cottage smart.
t. was the season of wild hyacinths and
March marigolds, and Janet had quite a
load of these brilliant blossoms when they
stepped at the north lOdge-gafe, ana canle