The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-03-20
A GENERAL DELUsION.

"Rat, tat, tat"
Responsive to the vigorous poundings
upon his from door that had produced the
above sounds, Farmer Williams dropped
the paper he was reading n went to the
door, at the close of an afternoon in early
May.
II have called to see if you are in want
man-evidently not far from twenty-five
upon whom Mr.. Williams looked as he
opened the door.
"Well,I am short of help this season."
was the reply.
81 should like to engage to work for
you"
"Come in snd we will talk the matter
over, Mr.O-
"Ainslee-Charles Ainslee."
And the two entered the house.
fare you accustomed to farm work." in
Quired Mr.. Williams, as the newcomer
seated himself and placed a valise, which he
carried, on the floor beside him. "You do
not look as If you were, or very strong
either."
And, indeed, the farmers words were
true. Mr.. Ainslee was tail and of a deli
cate frame, while his pale features and
slender white hands indicated, if not i'll
health, an unfamiliarity with manual out
of-door labor.
al never did a days work on a farm in
my life," was the frank response. 81 have
always lived in the city where my chief oc-
cupation has been to get rid of the time.
As you suggested, my health is not very
good, and ! thought a change of scene
would prove beneficial. Owing to q sud-
den-but I win not trouble you with a re-
cital of mypersonal affairs"
Mr.. Williams imagined he saw before
him a yodnE man who, by q reverse of for
tune, had been brought from affiuence to
poverty, n compelled to depend upon his
own efforts for support. And, kind heart
ed as he was, his sympathy at ono went
out toward the applicant for a situation.
81 should prefer not to say anything
about my FAMILY or home" coRSinued Mr..
Ainslee, ''tAough I assure yon the former
is an honorGbls one, and that I nave never
don aught to disgrace it."
81 believe yoa and appreciate your feel
ings," said MI. Wilkins, his heart entire
ly. conquered by the speakers candor.
81 do not expect 1 can do much work at
first, but perhaps enough to pay my board.
Eventually, / think / shall prove worthy OF
something more"
81 am confident you will, and I assure
you | shall be willing to pay you all your
yourself engaged, and this place yourhome
for the present."
81 ana glad to know 1t, as it will save me
further search.n 8
As the days passed, the '.hired mann
made good his assertion that he thought he
WOulu prove WOIbly OIL some compensation
above his board. He was active and in
dustrious, striving in every way to worl
for the interests of the man who had giver
him employment without any recommends
ton save his own word. Indeed, not un
frequently, Mr.. Williams cautioned him
about OVERRIDING, lest he become ill. But
farm-work seemed to agree with him ex
cellently; he grew robust, the pallor of his
c~ountenance faded away, as his delicate
hands took on a suggestion of BROWNIES
and numerous c~allouses.
His refinement of speech and manner
never deserted him, however, and Mrs.
Williams declared him "just splendid,-ex
actly such a person as she should wish {
son to be.o She was childless. All VIII,
formed his acquaintance conceived an ar
dent liking for him, pitied and respected
him, too, believing as they did that he hac
moved in the best society, and, forced tx
it by untoward circumstances
courageously undertaken to earn his owl
livelihood.
He was found to be an accomplished mu
stefan, and chosen organist and leader O
the choir in the one church which Camptol
the town where he was stopping boosted
no person being more earnest to lave hin
serve in this dual capacity than the elderl,
man who had officiated thus for man
years, and was painfully conscious of hi
1ncompeteucy. Thence forward, this par
of the religious exercises was especially
pleasing; and the attendance upon divin
service rapidly increased, many coming t
hear the singing, who would not have com
simply for the purpose of listening to tn
pastors somewhat prosy discourses.
Naturally, as chorister, he gained tn
goodwill of all the church members. an
was invited to the various entertainment
directly under the auspices of the "society.
His fertility in devising nov~elfeatures tina
would add to the interest of these gather
ings was heartily appreciated, and eve
the "sewing-circle" was pronounced ''dulli
If he CHANGED to be absent therefrom.
The citizens of Campton decided to hay
a grand celebration on the Fourth of July
and a committee was chosen to invite Nj
Ainslee-he had come to be regarded a
equal to any emergency-to act as orato
of the day.
81 do not feel myself competent to &C
cept, though l thank you for the proffere
honor,o he observed, with q smile, to til
young man who waited upon him; Sand
beside, l think there are p~leasanter WAYS G
passing the day than in listening to a
GRAFTON. 1t seems to me, a patriotic pla
would be a novelty and Interestingly.
SIT certainly would, but I know of no on
who will taxi the matter in hand, unless
be yourself.n
81 have had quite an experience in ams
teur theatricals, and shall be willing to d
all l can in the way of selecting an apprc
pirate play, and casting the characters,
oNNA bS "Aoh VI JOuA SO111Iu1ulc6 U
exercises
81 can assure you it will, and that the
will thank you for your kindly assistance.
So MI. Ainslee-we speak of him thu
formally because the people of Campto
never addressed him as Charles, ther
being about him a certain dignity, entirel
free from haughtiness, that restrained thel
from such familiarity-sent for the nece
sary copies of a play which he considere
suitable for the occasion, and then selecte
those who should personate the difere1
characters.
Not from egotism, but because he WI
confident that he could do it better tina
any one else in Campton, he took the pa
of the hero as his own, and assigned tt
other parts to such young ladies and gel
tlemen OF his acquaintance as he though
would most creditably perform them, an
to them carried copies of the dram
Somewhat to his surprise and greatly
his pleasure, no one refused to act or e,
pressed the least dissatisfaction with h
cast of characters.
Only one thing annoyed him; he kne
no one qualified to act as the leading lad
in the piece. 1t was really a difficult no
to play; one that, to its proper perforr
ance, would require no little histrion
ability OF the part of her who assumed
In conversation with the young lady wi
was to play the part most important aft,
that of the hero and heroine, he mentione
his dilemma.
81 think Rose Bryant the very one yc
need" she said.
"Rose Bryant? I do not remenb
having heard the name before"
"She is the private i~nstructress of M
Nason's younger daughter-you know b
elder daughter, Ella-and l fancy her ST
uation is not a particularly desirable on
owing to Elias domineering ways. Ro
is as nice a girl as ever lived, and vel
smart. but she seldom goes into society"
"Tha accounts for my ignorance of be
You think she would take the part well
he asked.
Isl do, assuredly."
"With her other duties, would she ha'
time to learn the part in season for a r
hearsal next Wednesday e~veningP
81 think she could manage it in a sing
evening"
undertake itP