The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-07-08
Selert Stury.
Four Families of Quality Row

1t was not Of the slightest consequence
to you whether do. or not mention the
exact location Of Quality Row. There.
fore l will simply state that the row in
question consists OF four handsome
Gothic cottages belonging to the wealth..
est families in certain small village
The name was at first given derisively by
the less favored Inhabitants of the place
but has clung to them with such tenacity
that the houses are now designated in NJ
other way.
A single glance at Quality Row would
lead you to imagine that q pleasante,
home could not be found elsewhere
You d readily noe that there they enjoy
the beauties and delights Of country life
without suffering from its disadvantages
1t would he easy to see that within lbe
more thickly settled ports of this village
one could find many pleasures and bene.
i's which are generally monopoized BY
our large cities. As to the cottages
themselves, If you we're able to look al
them and still succeed in keeping the
tenth commandment you would merit my
warmest admiration
Yet, In spite Of all this, servants can
not be kept in these beautiful homes
Ererv month one of the families is
searching Tor a girl, and when suitable
person is found she never remains more
than five or six weeks-sometimes a
much shorter time. Would you know
why? Pace this "invisible" ring on
your finger and come with me to solve
the mystery.
Ah! we have arrived. Cottage No. l
Is owned by the Rikerstoffs. We eIter.
The lady whom we observe seated in the
luxurious arm chair is Mrs. Rikerstoff.
That bov reclining on the sofa Is son
John. The pretty little girl who is ad-
miring herself before the glass is daugh
ter Clara. The boy that is tormentine 9
the cat is Willie Rikerstoff And the
four. year.old gentleman by the door is
Davie. Now we will take our stand in
the kitchen for 9 while. Here we come
upon Mary, maid-ot- ot-all-work, who is con-
fronting table of dirty dishes. We see
her prepare the hot water in tue pan and
jnst commence operations when Mrs. Ri
kerstof1 calls cut 10 q very melliduous
voice:
"Mary, hear baby crying. Won't
you run up stairs and get her ?"
What q sweet mistressr you say.
Don't Judge too hastily. Just wait.
Mary wipes her bands and goes for
baby
Having once more started tn work she
is again interrupted by those silvery
tones.
"Mary. run up, please, and get my
knitting"
The knitting is procured and into the
water 60 Mary's hands. Then,
"Oh, Mary, I hate to bother you, but
won't You go for my needle ?"
II she hates to bother her why does
she we wonder.
Mary finds the needle and returns to
her dishes, this time to hear from Da-
vie:
"Mawy, / want some bed and 'lasses."
"Yes, Mary" says Mrs. Rikerstof, do
give him some bread and molasses. The
poor child scarcely ate any breakfast"
The reason why he scarcely ate any
breakfast, Mary might tell her, was be-
cause he kept her running to The closet
every little while to get cake for him
while she was preparing that meal. But
as Mrs. Rkerstoff sanctioned the cake
order each time 1t would avail nothing
for Mary to speak OF that fact. For the
fourth time she leaves her work and pa.
,iently does as required. Nor is it the
last interruptio For now Mr.. Riker-
stoff comes down stsirs and sends her on
several errands around the house. He
could just as we'll send one OF the chill.
dren but be feels that he pays the girl 10