The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-02-10
INTERESTING STORY.
MRS. BARROW'S DISGUISE.

| uItp. DhleIlUW . UlCuUlDE.
When Mrs. Barrow was left widow, she
boldly announced her intention Of taking
10 ones advicej
. am thirty years DID, said she, :. and
can't decide for myself now, I never
can. All my life long have done as people
said, and all my life long has been a fail
ure When l was girl went to a select
academy instead OF roughing 1t in the pub
lie schools "a all my mates did, because
Aunt Smith thought it was more genteel
and the consequence was that when papa
failed, found myself weighted down with
lot OF accomplishments that were of no
use whatever in the practical life of a
teacher. When | had two lovers, Aunt
Jones interfered, and was made to marry
old Colonel Barrow because he was rich.
But now that he has died, and his money
proves to have been invested In ruinous
specnlations, Aunt Jones doesn't offer to
help support me. She only says that she
isn't responsible / seem to have made a
pretty tangle out of life, and there ia no
adequate remedy. Hereafter entreat my
friends to keep their advice to them
selves.n
Aunt Smith drew deep sigh. Aunt
Jones bridled up and said to Aunt Brown
that Ellen always would take her own way !;
and, that whatever happened, she, Aunt
Jones, washed her hands OF all blame
Aunt Brown shook her head, and didn't
Etarxu hat I'll 40.
all three of the old ladies' rolled up theil
knitting work, tucked it away into nea,
satin bags, and trotted home While Ellen
Barrow herself sat down to look her future
in the face.
6 All this serves me right" she said to
herself. +" l am rightly punished for letting
other people decide for me in the most i'm
portant questions of life. II had followed
the impulses of my own heart, and married
Doctor Severn instead of selling myself to
old Colonel Barrow's money bags / should
now have been happy woman. l have
brought all this trouble upon myself, and
must get out OF 1t in the best way can
can't teach, because haven't had the nee.
essary training. I am too proud to do
housework, and too stupid to sit in cash.
ier's desk like Mary Hollaway. Now the
question is-how ana 10 support myself ?"
She would have liked to be companion
but there were dozen eager candidates
for " companionship to every meek old
lady VINO wanted some one to read to her,
and lead her pug-dog out for daily walk.
She thought she could do copying by the
folio, or fulfill tho duties of an amanuensis !;
but apparently nobody else thought SO, for
not solitary answer came to her advertise
ment, and day after day ebbed by, and still
Mrs. Barrow found no answer to the trou-
bled question which vexed her existence.
One evening certain Miss Travers came
to see her,-a girl with whom she had be-
come acquainted during these dreary hours
of waiting ON the benches Of the intelli-
gsnce Office which both had been compelled
to endure.
Well ?" said Mrs Barrow, kindly NOV
ing forward chair
Wellp sighed Miss Trasers, letting
herself sink despondsntly into the offered
seat
q Is there anything new Z" asked Ellen.
s'Oh, plenty" said Miss Travsrs, with q
ihrug Of the shoulders but nothing en-
couraging."
81 thought" said Ellen. that you had
ieard of situation as matron to the Hospi
tai for Nervous Diseases p
have been there" said Miss Travers
and wish could have been successful,
for it is well-saiaried place, with nothing
mental or disagreeable in its duties All
one has to do is to superintend the servants
and receive the lady patients, and all thai
sort of thing, you know but the only OBJ
lection to me is that am too young"
Ellen Barrow's eyes glistened--the color
mounted to her cheeks in two round spots.
~ woAder il could get the place ?" she
cried.
You? Why" exclaimed Miss Trayers,
you are younger than am"
81 am sure that am old enough to per
form oil such duties as you MENTION" said
Mrs. Barrow " 1t is only mere matter OF
I personal appearance
e You can't make yourself old, can Your
laid Miss Trayers., satirically.
I'm not at all sure Of that said Mrs
Barrow. with calm coinposure.
She went to an opticians that day and
desired him to iit her eyes with a pair Of
spectacles.
blue, II you please said she, cor
smoke-color.''
The optican put his head first on ons side
md then on the other, a. he surveyed hia
customer.
. ] really don't think it is necessary for
Fou to put on spectaclss yet, ma'am,n said
he.
II beg your pardon said Mrs. Barrow.
/" II is necessary. Most neeessaryin
And the man Of lenses compromised mat
tsrs BY furnishing hss with spectacles Of
plain colored glass.