Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-08-13
j AN ELDERLY PERSON.
why Little Mrs. Sphinx Deceived
- the Good Doctor.

be the house, murmercd prim-lookinl
little body, MS she pcered through hei
glasses at the door-plate, and from it tC
newspaper clipping which she held in
her hand. AS she awaited the answer
TO her modest knock, her thoughts ran
very much in this wise:
"What pity! Such nice garden as
it could be made" her eyes taking. in
the tangled mass of weeds that flour.
ished on either side of the broad tagged
path leading down to the high stone
wall and iron gate, that shut out the
dusty road beyond. Then, as her glance
wandered to an awry blind and the tar
nished door-plate, she exclaimed, half
aloud:
Poor man! 1t looks as if he needed
somebody TO put things to rights. The
advertisement says nice, quiet, elderly
person."
Here a dimple stole into view and
played hide-and-seek about this little
body's sweet mouth, for there was no
gainsaying the fact that her lips pos
sessed dainty curve, revealing, as she
smiled, a glimpse of unusually pretty
teeth for lady of her apparent age. In
moment, however, the dlmple van
ished, and her mouth assumed its before
demure expression as she sighed
"Oh! l do so hope will suit. Ihave
tried so hard, and-and know could
make things look so different, if he ism t
frumpy and will let me.
"Did you knock, ma'mP"
This from slip-shod girl, who stood
good-naturedly cycling the "knock"
from her post on the door mat. With
start, as if caught doing something
she ought not to be doing, this rather
old-fashioned-looking little lady ans
wcred:
"Ycs; isis Doctor Nathaniel Reed
imp"
"Yes, nam; the master, he's in. If
you're patient, master says as you're
10 go in the library"
"Oh! no, L. Tell your master
1called about the advertisement.
No sooner had the servant, with
rod of her untdy head, departed,
after bidding the lady "take n chair"
in half-darkcncd room off the hall,
tlan that small body with n quick
look around, dartcd across the room to
mirror. After careful survey of
herself, with nod of satisfaction, she
resumed her seat to await the doctors
coming. Not minute too soon, for
Just then voice outside the room re-
lmarked:
in the sitting-r.om, did you say,
3ancp"
Then the handle turned, and gen
ileman of apparcDaT about thirty enter
ed the room. An eNcIamation escaped
Die lady as she ha;: arose from her seat,
and in confused, buried sort of way
murmured:
II think-you Will excuse me. There
b q mistake. l wished-l called to see
Doctor Reed"
mo mistake at all ma am, / assure
you. am Doctor Nathaniel Reed. |
understood the girl say that you called
hbout the advertisement inserted in the
paper. She is rather stupid, so perhaps
Rhe mistake is on her side"
Seating himself, the doctor awaited a
reply, thinking 'poor, little woman,
Srifle nervous about stating her cap.tbil
ltcs," All at once the trim little figure
opposite him seemed to become more
erect rs in clear, sedate tones its owner
answered.:
mo, your servant was quite right.
1T is concerning the advertisement that
have called"
"Well, am glad. Jane was right
this time, for she has decided talent
for making blunders. Still, the girl is
good-hearted and honest, and / would
like to give her as fair chance as can.
Her mother, poor woman, is widow,
with four other children to provide for.
j do not know exactly where the fault
is, but of course can see that things do
not work as they should do, and so it
occurred to me that if could meet with
nice, motherly little body (was the
little an artful compliment on the doc
tors partly who would undertake to set
every thing straight, why it would be a
great relief to me.
II would try to do my best, l am
sure, SIR" was the rather faint re-
sponse.
"Not doubt of it." was the hearty
rejoinder; then striding across the
room the doctor rather energetically
drew up blind, remarking: II hope
you do not believe in the saving of car
pets. Mrs. -"
"Sphinx," after brief pause, sup
from the dazzling sunshine as it streamed
in upon them.
"Do you know / have become pos
sessed with the idea that all good house,
keepers abhor the sun on account of its
fading propensitiesP Butt am afraid
should be rather obstinate in my re-
quirements of light and air. Sunshine
is glorious benefactor. Ii has cured
many an i'll, and &c oftentimes more eff
fective than doctors prescription"
1nN Eel. al
glancing at his watch, he added: "Well,
then, Mrs. Sphinx, if you think we
could agree as TO plenty of air and sun
-. Oh! by-thc-by, am forgetting
one of the most important items. The
recompense | could offer would not be
perhaps two dollars and half,
payable monthly-would not be satis-
factory to youP
'Oh, yes!" was the somewhat eager
reply. ~ should be quite satisfied with
that; but must tell you that-that
can not give you reference. Yours
would b. my first situation, and am n
stranger" Ohis last triile tlattering)
sin the city,"
"Reference!" he repeated, with a
comical look. "To tell you the truth, /
never thought of them" Then courte-
ously he added: al feel sure that in
your case they are quite unnecessary.
So shall we say this day week for you
TO enter upon your dutiesp"
'.How kind you are!'' came impulsive-
ly from the little woman's lips
"Not at all, not at all, assure you,
madam" answered the doctor, his col
or rising slightly.
Then, as he cordially shook his fu-
ture housekeeper by the hand, his quick
eyes noted her shabby little cotton
gloves, SO carefully darned at the end
Of each shabby finger, and once again
heremarked pleasantly, as he escorted
her to the doori