Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-07-01
Barbara BrysOn's Blunder.

l
When Mrs. Bryson answered the Wig.
: orous summons at the bell, she found 8
young girl In waiting. She had bright
pleasant face, and was neatly clad. She
had in her hand a small caba, while al
her feet was valise, where porter had
lust deposited it.
"Oh, it is you, is it?p Mrs. Bryson
said. "Pray come in.n-
She led the way into the sitting
room, and the young girl followed leav-
ing her baggage i'm the hall.
"Mrs. Claxton tells me your name is
Arabella, y. Mrs. Bryson said. 81 was
afraid it was Bridget, name that / de-
test. l shall call you Bell; have you
any objections?"
An expression of surprise crossed the
young girls face.
"NO,n she answered.
"YOur hands look white and deli
cate" Mrs. Bryson remarked; "have
you been out of place very long? You
can enter upon your duties at once, and
first in order will be the preparation for
dinner. will show you the room you
are to occupy"
1t was pleasant apartment, so far
as light and ventilation were concern
ed, but that was all. 1t was on the
third floor; the furniture was mean
looking, and there was very little that
was suggestive of comfort.
The bed is clean," Mrs. Bryson an
nounced. "My last girl was as tidy as
yourself"
After a reasonable delay, the new
hired girl made her appearance in the
kitchen.
Goodness me, you are not going to
work in that expensive Dress" explain
ed Mrs. Bryson. N.,t
"The others which have are much
better" replied the girl.
"Well, say!" rejoined Mrs. Bryson.
"YOu must have spent all your wages
in putting finery OH your back"
Mrs. Bryson, we are almost the
same size" the girl said, with flush of
rosy red in her cheeks. Couldn't I
wear one of your old wrappers2"
"Yes, and the suggestion shows that
Iyou have some good sense after all. l
am taking you entirely upon Mrs. Clax-
tons recommendation"
Mrs. Bryson was hard to please, but
the new girl gave entire satisfaction.
She was prompt, thoughtful and relia-
BILE, and SO neat and so agreeable that it
was pleasure to have her about one.
She was always in a good humor, and
there must have been something which
amused her hugely, to judge by her odd
smile and the suppressed merriment in
her eyes. Mrs. Barbara Bryson had q
brother, a noisy, clever, handsome, big
hearted fellow ready to do man a IA
vor if he asked it, or to knock him down
if he was impudent. He arrived one
day, and everybody in the house was
bound to take knowledge of it. He
laughed, stamped, hallooed and kept
up general uproar. He enjoyed his
supper, for he was hungry, yet still
found time to keep upa brisk CONVEX
sation with his sister, of whom he was
very fond. '..'f l5i,. rst.ts'.
Vance" she said, II thought you
were to bring cousin Jennie with your"
'That was my intention, Barbara, but
had to run down to Jacksonvill
very unexpected and found it necessary
to stay a week after 1 got there. 1 had
jolly time, and hence do not complain.
Jennie was to have gone on without
me. Isn't she here?"
"No, Vance,"
"Why, that's funny2 Perhaps she
stopped off at Baltimore. Oh, she'll
drop in on us shortly. Sister, she's
superb! You'll takeSto her at once" =
The young lady whom they called
Cousin Jennie wss scarcely any relative
at all.
"How are you getting along with
your help now?" asked Vance. He had
been absent about six months. "They
used to be the plague of your life. They
always kept you continually on edge"
"Vance, I have been suited"
"Ah, indeed! Then she must be a
marvel of perfection"
"You are right, Vance. You would
laugh at me were to enumerate her
good qualities. She has seen better
days" jtHs.,!> t
"And as consequence doesn't know
her place." s.s
I'm saying that, Vance, you are un-
just to her. Still. had the same mis-
giving at first. She can wash, cook,
sew, draw"
"And sing divinely?"
"She can play the piano, at least; her
touch is exquisite, and her time perfect.
| came upon her unexpectedly one
day."
"And overwhelmed her, eh?,'
"She blushed and apologized, but
seemed to be quite self-contained, I
thought" aI -. .. .
"No doubt she is handsome?" Vance
said, incredulously. IL ..-.s ..'.
"Sweet would bea better word," Mrs.
Bryson said; .-.-, .
her will last. She made these biscuit,
suppose%'
"They are good. Let's have more of
them"
Mrs. Bryson touched the call bell
and the new girl came in from the
kitchen. She had on neat white
apron, her face sweetly demure, her
hair tastefully arranged.
"Some more biscuits, Bell" Mrs.
Bryson said.
Vance glanced at the girl, and then
there was a regular outburst.
"Well, upon my soulp' he cried, up
setting his cup of coffee, and kicking
over his chair. "What sort of a farce is
this, anyhow?p E &
Mrs. Bryson stood aghast.s
"Vancew she gasped, "you don't
mean to say this-this is Miss Jennie,
Bradfeld?'
"Why, yes, Barbara. Perhaps you
III