Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-11-07
Miss CarringtOn's Gardener.

NV
w need apply unless he has had experience
and can bring testimonials as TO good charac-
ter and efficiency. Inquire at Locust terrace
for the next ten days.
Horace Bedford laid down the paper
he was reading. and brought his heels
suddenly from the top of the table to
the foor-brought them down with so
much emphasis that Jerome his dog,
who was asleep on the rug, bounced
up with frightened howl and stood
at bay, with fierce eyes on the door,
ready to spring upon the first intruder.
Don't be frightened, Jerome" said
Mr.. Bedford, reassuringly: ''there is
nothing going to happen worth alarm
ing yourself for. Oh, no, Jerome.
nothing at all"
And Bedford looked at the dog for
an answer, for he and Jerome held
long conversations together every day.
Jerome looked sage, and gave his
tail very reflective sort of wag, as
much as to say he was very doubtful
about his master having a thorough
understanding of the case.
"Pll tell you just how it is, Jerome"
pursued Bedford confidentially; Pm
in love with Miss Darlington. She
thinks I'm puppy. Not that she's
ever said so in just so many words,
but she has over and over again ex-
pressed the opinion in my hearing that
man who had not the courage to
work for living was not worthy of
being called a man. Because I am
rich enough to make it out of the
question for me to labor she thinks |
am drone. Miss Darlington has
exalted ideas of the working Glass;
Jerome nodded, and made futile
snap at fly which had ventured
dangerously near his nose.
''And now Miss Darlington of Locust
terrace wants a gardener, does she?
Well, what is there to hinder me from
making application for the place,
from obtaining it, from being faith
full to duty when it is obtained,
and thereby convincing Miss CARING
ton that | am capable of doing mans
work IN the wOrldP She wants one
who has had experience in the business
well, | have had experience. Quite
a lengthy one, when / lived with Aunt
Betsev on the little farm at Newhury,
and she and | raised cabbages and
celery for a living Humph! that was
before good old Uncle jenkins. who
enriched himself in the tea trade, died
and left me half a million. Yes. Miss
Darlington, on the whole, | think
will call at Locust terrace within the
next ten days. Wouldn't you, Jerome?1
But Jerome, not feeling any special
interest in the conversation, had tucked
his nose under his paw and was far
away in the world of dreams.
Bedford rose and looked at himself
in the glass.
i My mustache will have to be sacri-
Heed" said he regretfully. But
will get full beard-black to match
my hair, and / guess I'll stain my skin
little. A gardener ought to have a
brown complexion. Testimonials as
to good character required ehp Well,
/ reckon l can get some of the boys to
recommend me. Thanks to Uncle Jen-
kin S money | have friends enough.
And now, Miss Augusta Darlington,
tomorrow | will present myself before
you as Daniel Brown, gardener, and
see if you will be any more gracious to
Daniel than you have been to Mr.
Horace Bedford, attorney-at-law."
Bedford was a handsome, generous
hearted fellow, and the more salient
points of his history he has already
given you. He was in love with Miss
Darlington, and had taken no pains to
conceal the fact, and Miss Darlington
had taken no pains to make it evident
that she did not care the snap of her
finger for him.
She was proud, handsome brunette
of 20, and wealthy enough to be able to
afford to frown upon as many young
men as she chose.
You will readily understand that the
poor fellow was pretty far gone in love
with her when he was willing to drop
doing nothing and turn gardener for
the sake of being near her.
The next day beheld Mr.. Bedford, in
a street suit of pepper and salt" his
head covered with brown straw hat,
and the lower part of his face covered
in bushy beard, taking his way to
Locust terrace.
He had abundant references in his
pocket, certifying that the bearer was
of good moral character, ETC., and he
trusted to these and to his own personal
address and tact to secure him the
place.
He was shown into the breakfast
room and found Miss Darlington look
ing much more at home and approach
able than he had ever before seen her.
Hers pink wrapper became her brill
liant style of beauty admirably, and the
knot of white roses in her hair seemed
TO borrow something of the beautiful
blush in her cheek.
She was taking her coffee and read
ing the morning paper at her leisure.
Daniel made his best bow, and. feel
ing very nervous, mopped his fore.
head with his red cotton handkerchief,
and waited for Miss Darlington to
speak.
She read her paragraph through and
then put a single question:
''Well, sir, what is itP"
Daniel started as if a musket ball
had struck him, and managed to STAN
mer out that he was gardener and
that he had called to see about the
''place."
The lady put few questions to the
trembling applicant. looked at his
references. and inquired his name.
"Hor-that is-Daniel Brown
stammered he, coming within one OF
giving his real name and blushin Q
furiously to think what lie he had
told.
Very well, Daniel" said she, al will
give you trial. | will ring for Mr..
Davis, my farm overseer, and he will
show you where to begin to work"
Accordingly, she rang, and after
that took no further notice of the agi.
tated Daniel. Mr.. Davis carried him
off to the garden, and there was moth