The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-06-25
INTERESTING STORY.
MR.. GRINDLEs GIRL.

as KIM can De, out III stands TO reason that
one man can't do the work of family like
this"
Mrs. Grindle groaned as she glanced down
at her bandaged ankle.
But what are we to do ?" said She 81
don't know of any one in the neighborhood
that can come to help u.s."
. I'm going to harness up old Dobbin
and go to Parkville, to the Intelligence
Office there" said Mr. Grindle. His wife
burst into tears.
All, Joseph" she sobbed, 81 never
thought to come to this" ~
stNow don't fret, Abby soothed the
husband. g Maybe it won't see no other
why. u Gideon had wife, like othe,
| folks
q Hush, father" said Mrs. Grindle.
6 Don't. yon never speak of Gideon's wife.
l can't bear it. If l hadn't been so cross
and unreasonable, maybe they'd be living
happy now
" You didn't mean no harm, anyhow"
said the stout old farmer. % Gideon had no
business to be getting married to an actress
without the knowledge or consent of his
uncle and aunt. You may have spoke short,
but you only spoke the TRUTH And he's got
brayely over it, now"
!" I'm not SO sure of that said MIS-.
Grindle.
!" He never speaks of It, does he Pr
But il don't follow that he amt think
ing Of it" sighed the old lady. q / tell you,
Joseph, all those things have been heavy OF
my mind, when I've been lying here sick.
II could liyemy life over again"
| But you can't" said Joseph Grindle,
with good-humored curtness, SO where's
the use of fretting yourself about it. 1t will
all be right, never fear. I'll get you good,
stirring girl at the Intelligence Office, and
everything, viii be in good running order
before Gideon returns from Stalchester.
Won't he be surprised though, to see us
Independent of him.
He placed the pitcher of cold tea ON the
! pine stand at the bed head, with the dinner
bell just where she could ring it, If she
wanted Jimmy, the errand lad, who was
wedding the garden outside-and then he
harnessed the old horse and drove off to the
city.
And as he drove he thought good deal
of the old, forgotten romance in the life OF
his favorite nephew, Gideon
;, How was il ?" he said to himself, knit
ting his eyebrows in the effort to remember
'Gideon married her when he was away
teaching school. And when he writ home
to his aunt and me that he was married to
the girl who played 'Ophela in the city
theayters, we writ back that we wouldn't
have her in the house And she got hold
of the letter somehow--a high-sperited
young creetur she must surely have been
and she went away and left Gideon. IN
marry into no family says she, when they
are not glad to receive me ? And Gideon
never came a-nigh US FOR year-and when
he did come-(when folks s'posed / was
dying with pneumonia he was a changed
man Well, well, Abby is right when she
slys she wishes she could live her life over
again People make mistakes sometimes,
when they least mean it. I've no opinion of
actresses any way-but still Gideon's wife
might have turned ont n comfort to us.
And poor Gideon himself looks as if there'd
teen something torn right out of his heart !n
There was the usual crowd at the Intelli.
gence 0ffice-and poor Mr. Grindle shrunk
back, appalled,, from the array of eager
faces, the Babel Of voices that assaulted him.
=" 1t amt lady want, it's servant"
said he, as portly female in greasy sill
aounces tried to persuade him that it was
cook and laundress that he needed at twenty
dollars month. Some declined to go where
other " help was not kept-some elevated
both hands at the idea of I" the country
all stood up for high wages, and poor Mr..
Grindle was about to shake the dust of the
Intelligence Office off his feet in despair,
when slender young woman who sat on a
high stool at the book keepers desk said a
word or two to the proprietor, in a low
voice.
" But We can't spare you, Miss Estelle,"
said that individual, with pertnrbed face
But you must" Miss Estelle authorita
lively answered. Mrs Ward can take my
place as well as not. I am tired of this
cooped-up little den. / want to breathe the
country air. I want TO see the buttercups
and red clover heads ~
She came up to Mr.. Grindle
Did you say you wanted a girl for gem
eral housework on farm ?" said she. 81
will go with you. l think | should like to
try the situation
The honest farmer stared at her in amaze
ment.
But you're such pale little strip of a
thing! !" said he.
But am strong and capable" she said.
GAN ask is trial"
And that, at least, you are entitled to-
~'fl Joseph Grindle, smiling. But IN,
told me 1 must be particular TO ask for
reference"
The intelligence office keeper will give
me good recommendation, calmly an
swered Miss Estelle. 81 have kept books
for him for several months"
g She is good girl, sir, as ever lived"
spoke up Mr.. Ward, the proprietor. "Me
and my wife, we shall only be sorry to lose
her,"
Mr.. Grindle looked obviously at the cir.
Can you wash ?" said he.
81 can do whatever any other woman
can, said Estelle, valiantly.
And coolf?"
"Yes."
And take care of sick people p
"Only try me !" tt I8frIf 4
We'll, will" said Mr.. Grindle. "Pack
your trunk, Este.ie that's what they called +
you, think, and I'll take you right back
with me. My wife, she'll think I've been
gone dreadful long spell !"
As he waited he said to himself Abby
will think, perhaps, that I've been hasty,
but like the girls face"
As Estelle hurriedly packed Ler little box,
she unused. 1T is bold experiment-but
there is something in the old mans kindly
blue eyes that bids me trust him."
So Mr.. Grindle took the new girl home