The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1885-06-25

u0E Out Ou Guc uOOu ITalu. II you OOO
like her, you needn't keep her, you
know"
"Oh, I'll be glad to get anybody T.
groaned the sick old lady, tossing rest
lessly.
John came back just then, saying
Lucy Jones was away on visit, ano
could not be hired; so Will, who mus
leave at once to catch the up-train
promised again to do his best to find {
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 ge
the consent of my own mind to do it, no
how"
John scraped up what he could fo1
dinner, and about one o'clock he came
up stairs, and said: "There is lady
down stairs to see you, num-"
"A lady? Good gracious! and me ir
this fix! Who is it, John ?"
II hain't an idea who, num-"
"Well, fetch her up, since it's got tt
be; there's no help for it. But I hope
faint no company come to stay, for
can't keep her if It's"
John departed, presently returning
with a 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. 81
suppose you are Mrs. Hawkins?"
ayes, I be-" And the sick woman
wondered what was coming next.
II hear you are in need of girl,
said the stranger.
Lord knows I ami" groaned Mother
Hawkins
"Well, your son, Mr. Hawkins, sent
me ont from the city to see if 1 would
suit YOU"
"You!" Mother Hawkins sat up in
bed, in her surprise at this elegant
woman asking for the place of servant
"Look at your hands," she said.
"They are not very black, I know
But they are used to doing housework
madam, [ assure you. Will you try
me?"
"You came from the city," sale
Mother Hawkins, without answering tn.
question. "Do you live there?"
eyes, madam!"
"Then what do you know about farm
work ?"
Everything" answered the stranger
confidently. II was brought up on
farm, and have only lived in The city
three years."
"But them fine clothes!" sighed
Mother Hawkins.
II have plain calico ones in my satch-
ell" said this odd girl
"What wages do you want?"
"Whatever you usually pay"
II generally give two dollars and 6
half"
Very we'll, that will suit me-"
"What would you do first, if you
staid?"
"The first thing, I would make you {
cup of tea and bit Of toast. Then
would change my dress, go down stairs
and get to work"
"For PHYS sake, do it, them" sale
Mother Hawkins, as, with a sigh of in.
tense relief, she dropped back upon bel
pillows.
The stranger left the room. And i1
short time she was back with the tes
and toast tempting ~ arranged on 6
waiter, and as nice as hands could make
them.
After they were disposed of, she
brought fresh water and towels, bathec
Mother Hawkins hot face and hands
and brushed her hair back neatly under
her cap.
"There, that's better, isn't it?" she
asked.
Eyes, indeed" sighed the sick woman
"What's 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 that sent you
here!"
II shall try to he useful, but it Wi
take me a few days to learn about things
In the house."
"Mebbe I'll be down by that time! =
sighed Mother Hawkins, as she settled
herself for nap.
But she was not down in day OF
two. It was. four weeks before she
could be helped down to the sitting,
room. But everything had gone on as
orderly under Mary's hands, as il
Mother Hawkins had been mistress her
self. And no sister or mother ever haG
more untiring care than she gave to the
sick woman, who felt that she had in,
deed found a treasure, and could moi
bear to think of the time when Mary
must go away.
William had written twice to ask how
his mother was, but he had not beer
down again.
The day that Mother Hawkins went
TO the table for the first time since he1
sickness, o noto came, saying that he
was coming to see her by the evening
train.
Not word about his wife did he
write. And Mother Hawkins, as she
locked at Mary moving about will
such bright face, though that if Will
had married girl like that, they conld
have been so happy!
But hsr sickness had softened bel
bard old heart toward her only son,
And she wanted to see him very uucA
indeed.
She heard the whistle of the trair
which brought him down. Il was only
half mile from the station to the farm
house, sad she waited, listening to every
sound, until see Leara his step upon
the porch.
"That's him! that's my boy, Mary,
come to see his old mother!" she said
eagerly, "Open the door and let bin
JIM !"
Mary opened the door-and--what
Mother Hawkins couldn't believe he1
eyes! Was Will, married man, kiss
ing and hugging her hired girl, with all
his might, right before her face? The
scaaQalized old lady sprang right ul
in her chair. CRYING out:
"Why, William! stop that
You, married man! For shame
That's my Mary!"
Eyes. mother" answered William
brightly, land she Is my Mary, too.
And he took the new girl to his mother