Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-01-14

Where Nancy. my Nancy, stands kneading the
dough.
(From tho London Truth
PERSONAL TO Mr.. GIMBLETT
Mr.. Gimblett, the ex-detective, was
seated one morning in his dingy little
Office over the furniture shop in the
Waterloo Bridge road, when his clerk
brought in word that q young person"
wished to SEQ him.
"Who is she?" inquired Mr.. Gimblett.
"She says she will tell you her name
herself. She has never been here be-
FORE" said the clerk.
"Begging?' suggested Mr.. Gimblett
Il think not. She doesn't look that
sort, and her manner is overbearing,"
was the reply.
"A young person, did you say?" re-
marked Mr.. G1mblett.
Yes, sir young, and not bad. blocking
neither" said the clerk, who perhaps
knew his chiefs little weaknesses.
"Isuppose you had better show her
in" responded Mr.. Gimblett. tn az
air of supreme indifference. Never'h+-
less, when his clerks back Was turned
he ran his fingers through his hair, set
tied his cravat, and deity rearranged
the flowers in his button-hole.
The young person" did not belle the
clerks favorable description-at least,
in Mr.. Gimblett's humble opinion. She
was young, tall, had good figure, and
pretty face. But what chiefly i'm
pressed Mr.. Gimblett was the keen and
penetrating glance of her dark eyes,
and the frmness of her mouth and chin
He instinctively guessed that be had
before him girl of unusual shrewdness
and energy of character, while her
calm self-p ossession testified to the
strength of her nerves. She was very
quietly yet beconing]y dressed, aud
there was no attempt to disguise her
station in life, which Was evidently
that of superior sort of domestic ser
want.
pray be seated" said Mr.. Gimblett,
as she entered.
"You are Mr.. Gimblett, suppose"
said tho visitor, taking possession of q
chair and drawing it up to the table.
"My name is Martha Chale. My father
used to be in the force with you"
"Oh, yes; recollect," said Mr.. Gin
blett, slightly disappointed at this
Prelude, though he scarcely knew why.
II knew your father very we'll. He was
killed in that affair over BALKAN way.
Very sadl very sad"
1;1oSk o@uoo IN ko11~ .I2..k
father" continued Martha Chale, in a
cool, matter-of-fact tone. "He has been
dead ton years and more. I only
mentioned him as q sort of introduc.
tion."
II understand" said Mr.. Gimblett,
surprised and amused at his visitors
tone and manner.
Il want to engage your services in a
business way, and I'm quite ready to
pay you," said Martha, producing an
apparently well-filled purse, and placing
it upon the table. "I'm not one of your
extravagant sort, but I'm not mean
neither. 1 know how to save, but I
don't grudge spending"
EXCELLENT" exclaimed Mr.. Gimblett
with involuntary admiration.
"The fact is, I'm being watched by
the police, and it's unpleasant" said
Martha, abruptly.
Naturally" acquiesced Mr.. Gimblett.
"1've lost my situation for nothing,
and now my footsteps are logged night
and day. I don't like it, and mother
don't like it neither, and, what is more,
I amt going to stand it,"
Martha Chale spoke with considerable
asperity and vigor, and Mr.. Gimblett
could not help perceiving that the young
woman was blessed with q temper OF
her own. Yet the ex-detective thought
the fash of her eyes and the quick rush
of color to her cheeks became her won
derfully, while he rather admired, than
otherwise, the decision of her tones.
Quite right" he said benignly; "what
is it all about?"
"Well, it is this: I've been living as
upper housemaid for the last two years
with MIR. and Mrs. Mortimer, of Park
Crescent"
Zone moment-Mortimer, Park Ores
ent," said Mr.. Gimblett, as he made q
note upon his blotting.pad.
There has been q robbery there
lately some of Mrs. Mortimer's jewelry
was stolen from SAFE"
Burglars ?" inquired Mr.. Gimblett.
Il know nothing about it," said Mar
tina Chale, struggling her shoulders.
"'Fhe safe was opened by some one with
a key, and the things distracted. No.
body knows when it was done, except
that the things we're all right within a
few days before the loss was discovered.
That is the story. was sent away"
"And none of the other servants?"
mo. o, I know why I was singled
ont. Mrs. Mortimer is mortal Jealous
of her husband, aud she must needs
take it into her head"
pretty young women are dangerous
IN house" interposed Mr.. Gimblett,
loosely.
But from the manner in which this
complimentary speech was received, the
ex-detective judge dthat he had better
not have uttered it. Martha Ohale
paused and fixed her dark eyes upon
him with an expression of contemptu.
Gus astonishment. For once in his life
Mr.. Gimblett felt disconnected, and be.
came suddenly conscious that his hair
was gray.
II boxed his ears once for trying to
bar the passage on the staircase; know
that, said Martha impressively. Misses
hadn't no call to be jealous of me-"
Mr.. Gimblett did not trust himself to
comment upon this remark and his
visitor proceeded.
Il suppose Mrs. Mortimer set the DO.
lice on to me. Anyway, I'm watched
night and day, and I've had enough OF
it."
II don't see what can do for you,'
said Mr.. Gimblett.
"You haven't heard yet" said the
young woman catching him up quickly,