The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-06-26

But not once did she ask for or ever
allude to his wife.
Mother, you ought to have girl.
said Will.
"Well, goodness, so l ought !" groanet
the old lady. II told John to get Luc,
Jones few days, If he could. But she
amt no manner O. count, ifshe comes
And where to get anybody the mercy
knows-l don't I've tried everywhere.
II think perhaps could send YOU
out one," said Will. GOOD girls can
sometimes be found in town."
"Well, for PHYS sake, do it, then
Iii pay her we'll If she's werth her salt. y
"Tlltry it," said William. II may moi
succeed, but if 1 can find one, I'll send
her out on the noon train. If you don't
like her, you needn't keep her, you
know"
"Oh, I'll be glad to get anybody! ~
groaned the sick old lady, tossing rest
lessly.
John came back Just then, saying
Lucy Jones was away on visit, and
could not he hired; SO Will, who must
leave ut once to catch the up.train,
promised again to do his best to find q
girl.
II reckon I'd orter asked after her,
said the sick woman to herself, after he
was gone, and she had not even asked
him to come back. "But couldn't get
the consent of my own mind to do it, no.
how"
John scraped up what he could for
dinner, and about one O'Clock he came
okofro o,af1 anil. UfNl,o.o .. l.
down. stairs to see you, num-"
"A lady? Good gracious! and me in
this fix! Who is it, John?"
II hain't IN idea who, num-"
"Well, fetch her up, since it's got TO
be; there's no help for it. But l hope
faint no company come to stay, for
can't keep her if 'tis."
John departed, presently returning
with tall, handsome lady, in stylish
black cashmere.
"Good- morning" said Mother Haw-
kins, seeing she did not know the lady.
Good morning" SAID the lady pleas
antly, advancing toward the bed. "I
suppose you are Mrs. Hawkins?"
"Yes, I be-" And the sick woman
wondered what was coming next.
II hear you are in need of girl, {"
said the stranger.
"Lord knows / ami" groaned Mother
Hawkins.
"Well, your son. MIR. Hawkins, sent
me out from the city to see if I would
suit you."
"You!" Mother Hawkins sat up in
bed, in her surprise ut this elegant
woman asking for the place of servant!
Look at your hands, she said.
"Thcy are not very black, I know.
But they are used to doing housework,
madam, 1 assure you. Will you try
me?"
"You came from the city," said
Mother Hawkins, without answering the
question. do you live there?"
"Yes, madam!"
"Then what do you know about farm
work."
"Eyerything," " answered the stranger,
confidently. II was brought up on q
farm, and have only lived in The city
three years."
"But them fine clothes!" sighed
Mother Hawkins.
u have plain calico ones in my satch-
el," said this odd girl.
"What wages do YOU want?"
Whatever you usually pay"
II generally give two dollars and q
half"
Very we'll, that will suit me-"
"What would you do first, if you
staid?"
"The first thing, would make>you a
cup OF tea ana bit of toast. Then
would change my dress, go down stairs,
and get to work."
For PHYS sake. do it, then!" said
Mother Hawkins, as, with sigh of in
tense relief, she dropped back upon her
pillows.
The stranger left the room. And in
short time she was back with the tea
and toast temptingly arranged on
waiter, and as nice as hands could make
them.
After they were disposed of, she
brought fresh water and towels, bathed
Mother Hawkins hot face and hands,
and brushed her hair back neatly under
her cap.
"Thcre. that's better, isn't it?" she
asked.
"Yes, indeed, sighed the siok woman.
Whats your name, child?"
"Mary Sherman"
"Well, Mary, if you do as we'll for the
rest us you have for me, shall think il
was the Lords massy thst sent you
here!"
Il shall try to he useful. but it will
take me few days to learn about ti,ings
in the house."
"Mebbe I'll he down by that time!"
sighed Mother Hawkins, as she settled
herself for nap.
But abe was not down in day or
two. 1t was four weeks before she
could be helped down to the sitting
room. But everything had gone on Us
orderly under Mary's hands, as if
Mother Hawkins had been mistress her
SELF And no sister or mother ever had
more untiring care than al6 gave to the
sick woman, who felt that she had in
decd found treasure, and could not
bear to think of the time when Mary
must go away.
William had written twioe 70 ask how
his motller was. but he had not been
,lown again.
The day that Mother Hawkins Went
to the table for the first time since her
sickness, q note came, saying that he
was coming to see her by the evening
train.
Not a word about his wife did he
write. And Mother Hawkins, as she
looked at Mary moving about with
such bright face, though that If Will
had married q girl like that, they conld
have been 80 happy! ~
But hor sickness had softened her
hard old heart toward her only son.
And she wanted to see him very much
indeed.
She heard the whistle of the train
which brought him down, Ii was only
a lalf-mile FROM the station t., the farm
houae. ana she waited, listening to- every
sound, until see heard his step upon
the porch.
"Thats him. that's my boy, Mary,
H.. I 4 tn