Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-19

are to this house what grease is to an
axle; that IS, you make everything
ru1s smoothly"
I could not help smiling, as 7 re-,
piled:
''That is the first compliment I ever
received, and [ think it is an exceed
ingly doubtful one. It cannot be ex.
pected that q kitchen drudge can suc-
cessfully intermeddle in SO delicate a
matter as love affair. Why, Elsie,
[ was never in love in my life, and I
daily pray heaven to preserve me
from any suca calamity; because the
man [ could love would not notice
such a person as seem TO be-"
81 don't know" said Elsie. dubious
ly, and for the time forgetting her
troubles. ''There is something about
you different from other servants
something strong and masterfui; but
7 think you are troubled with morbid
sensibilities. Promise that you'll help
me if you can, Hannah"
eyes, I can make that promise with
perfect safety" replied.
I formed little plan of action very
speedily. That evening [ went to
Aunt Deborah's room. and being bid
den to enter, my first words were:
81 suppose you mean to leave Elsie
penDiless il she marries a poor young
man"
Eyes, 4" replied she, 81 have secured
for her the offer of very eligible hus
band. If she does not see fit to accept
him, her future must be what she
makes it."
"Then," said I, Elsi's loss will be
my gain, I hope. Don't fail to con-
slider me after she has flung away her
chances for some day becoming your
heiress."
Aunt Deborah looked at me stead
lily for moment, as If she felt inclin
ed to think I was taking leave of my
senses; then she sat IN her chair and
laughed long; laughed until her round
face was very red indeed. AS soon as
she was in condition to speak, she
said:
'You had better have practiced a
while on some one else before you
tried to overcome my purpose with
strategy. Your face betrays yoa.
you are not earnest enough, and you
are most mortally ashamed Of your
self. You know that I am contrary,
and you know that [ am always an
CRY with the person that wrongs Elsie;
therefore you thought that by making
me angry with yourself you could get
me to VOW eternal fidelity TO Elsie.
Not SO. It it just as I have said.
Elsie must obey me or she will not
receive penny from me. AS for
you, you have strength and ability to
earn your own living. You know
how to work, and do not care for the
luxuries that money brings. You do
not need nay money, and, further, I
do not believe you want 1t. ,
] turned away with bitter smile.
How little did my aunt know Of my
tastes, only because [ was too proud
to make them known! And my in
tended aid to Elsie had proved a fail
ure.
The next afternoons, having had 3
leisure hour, [ went into the library,
intending to carry book up 10 my
room; but becoming interested IN the
volume I had selected, I forgot my
purpose, and seated myself IN an OBJ
scure corner. Not long after the door
opened, and Mr.. Gleason entered. He.
spent some time searching among the
books, and at last turned to the door
with empty hands and an air Of dis
appointment. Then arose and sug~
gested that / might, perhaps, be able
to find for him whatever he wanted.
He turned and surveyed nae for a
brief moment; then asked:
''Whom do I address?'
Hannah Allston, the cook and
floor scrubber," answered.
II was, searching for work On ar
chitecture and I am disappointed at
not finding it, because I wished to
settle a warm argument, fast descend
ing to dispute, which [ left In full
progress in the drawing-room. I am
sure I could establish my point if [
had the book I saw here yesterday"
I returned TO the afore. mentioned
corner and produced the volume [
had been perusing with SO much in
terest.
'This is probably what you were
looking for, SIR" [ said.
He took the volume from my hand
with evident pleasure and just as evil
dent surprise.
Ladies do not usually care for this
sort OF literature" he said, APOLOGIZE
cally, when he sew that / had read
his face.
Ireplied:
Ladies have little incentive to care
for such things, because society
promptly and most emphatically dis
courages all such indications of
strong~mindedness. Of course it can
make no difference to a woman
vhether the house she lives in is built
in Corinthian, Doric, or Gothic style,
or has no style at all. In her an af
fectation of pretty, childlike simplicity
is considered very interesting, and, if
she can be interesting, why need she
aspire to become Intelligent"
ST think you are mistaken, Miss
Allston. I thinkEthe days when a
woman was admired for her ignorance