The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-05-14
miscellaneous.
FINDING A COMPANION.

"Wanted, a companion, for an Elderly
Lady"
That was the advertisement that appeared
in newspaper of rainy Monday morning
in November, 49,.
Glenville was nothing more than a little
| country settlement, with red brick Town
| Hall and a labyrinth of narrow streets which
| seemed to have been laid out with special re-
| ference to the bewilderment of any chance
| passer, who might find himself involved in
their maze. A quiet, dreamy, Rip Van Win
kle sort OF place-and yet before noon of
| That Monday morning, a swarm of anxious
| aspirants for the office Of "Companion for an
Elderly Lady" had made their appearance in
the best parlor of the Chenille House.
Mr.. Reginald Chillingfield, who had been
| ont for walk in the street, was met on the
threshold of the hotel by the boot-boy:
so, please, sir, there's It lot Of EN- all
askin' for you"
"a lot of what ~ demanded Mr.. Chilling
field
Reginald Chilinglield was tall and slender,
with bright blue eyes and Il straight nose
| which latter feature he rubbed rs he stood
staring at Mike Updown.
"Ofladies, sir, come To answer the adver-
tisement"
80 p said Mr.. Chillingfied, 81 recollect
now"
And little reckoning of what lay before
him he pushed open the door of the hotel
best parlor.
Only for half a second, however. The
array of feminine faces, all expectantly turn
ed towards him, was enough to awe the
stoutest bachelor heart, and Reginald Chill
lngneld closed 1T again with bang.
Jones" said he 10 his familiar friend, who
had just lighted segar in the reading-room
"what shall l do"
"ln respect to what?"
My Aunt Pollys companion. There's
dozen of EN- there, apparently all ages from
sixteen to sixty. My Aunt Polly don't want
twelve companions"
Take the best looking" suggested Jones,
with revolving levity.
And be scratched by all the rest"
Take the worst-looking, then. Ten to
one she's the best fitted for companion to
an old lady"
My Aunt Polly is an excellent Judge of
beauty. Shed send me back with the article
in less then two hours" retorted Chilling
field
I'm that case" said Jones, meditatively
cycling the end of his segar. 81 don't see how
you're to get out of the dilemma"
Jones, don't prove faithless in such
strait rs this Be a man and friend Sup
pose you had advertised for u companion for
your Aunt Polly, and host had responded,
what would you do?"
Il should engage one of 'em and sent the
rest about their business"
Yes but which one? Be practical, there's
good fellow"
The one whose appearance seems best
adapted to the emergency"
Jones, you're II foo" cried out Chilling
field. Am to go into that room and stare
| about as if they are lot of winter apples or
prize pumpkins on exhibition"
"Have EN- admitted one by one" suggest
ed Jones, and on this hint Mr.. Chillingfeld
promptly acted.
"You sit and pretend to be reading the
newspaper" whispered Chillingfeld, land if
you like the applicants looks, cough! If
you don't, crackle the newspaper Dear me,
my shirt collar is wet already; my face is
burning. Why couldn't Aunt Polly have
| hunted up her own companion? Yes, Mike,
| all ready. Ask one of the ladies to walk
| in p
And with grin, Mike announced:
Miss Zerinah Han"
| Miss Hall was tall, scant-huired and spec
| tacled, in a robe of gingham and a drab silk
| hat.
81 am seeking n situation, young man."
| she said, mot from necessity, but because
| in middle life one feels the lack of companion
| ship. hope the elderly lady mentioned in
the advertisement is church MEMBER"
Crackle crackle went the newspaper.
Chilingfeld glanced guilty at his friend.
mo, she's not that isl think, perhaps
| younger person-You did not say how old
you were, Miss Hall"
mo, didn't" said Miss Zerinah. "And
l don't mean to. don't think you'll suit,
young man. No gentleman-what is that
| other person rafting his newspaper so for ?
ever thinks of asking impertinent questions
about lady's age. Good morning, sir"
| Miss Zerinah went out, closing the door
| behind her with bang.
Mrs. Hawkesbury, the next candidate, was
a clairvoyant and spiritualist.
~ think could amuse the old lady with
| furetelling the future" said she. THAT was
the way did at my three last situations"
"ThreeW repeated Mr.. Chillingfeld-
ZONES, my dear fellow, don't rustic that
silence ensued, and Jones stifled a giggle be-
hind the columns of the Mercury) Ibid you
say three? How did you happen to leave
those situations?"
1.-THE visitation of Providence, sir" said
Mrs. Hawkesbury. "Thcy all died-the re.
spected ladies whom it was once my duty
and my pleasure"
ooh" said MIR. Chllingfield, 81 am afraid
my Aunt Polly might die, too Clairvoy-
ance and second sight mightn't agree with
her."
Sir" said the lady, you are spiritually
blind"
Every likely" said Mr.. Chillingfield. "But
prefer to remain So"
The next was too deaf the next too fleshy,
the third was unwilling to live with any lady
who did not keep man servant, the fourth
wanted too high salary-so on, ad intinituns
until the newspaper was fairly cracked to
pieces Until, at length, there was, so to
ties,