Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-10-12
Elfrida's First Place.

El1IllCb II L lCbOOsf
Old Mrs. Galway sat sorrowfully al
her west window watching the apple
gathering. Above the hills hung s
soft, yellow mist the great chestnut
tree in the lane was turning to bou-
quet of rustling gold the asters and
dahlias along the garden walk were
poisoning in gaudy profusion.
Its the first year." said Mrs. Gal
way, shat | haven't been able to help
EN- barrel up red sweets and the vel
low pippins. And Pm helpless with
the rheumatics. Oh, dear, dear, tc
think it should come to this !! What's
that noise? III bet carroway seed
it's the cat among the milk pans And
it's time the kettle was over for tea,
and Sarah Soper's forgot to come and
see to 1t !'
She looked piteously up at the clock,
but Just as she was about to lift up her
voice in shrill summons foots tep
creaked heavily ON the doorstep.
"It's me-" said Sarah Soper, gray
haired, sharp featured spinster, who
lived in the house whose yellow gable
end was just visible through the maple
trees beyond. "I'm little late, on
account O stoppin' to buy paper O
hair pins and two cards O. buttons of a
peddler that came along"
Il thought you never was coming,
said Mrs. Galway petulantly.
Sarah looked sharply at her.
81 tell you what, Mrs. Galway"
said she, you made great mistake
when you set your face against Zsnas..
margin that pretty factory girl two
years ago If you'd a nice, stirrin'
daughter-in-law nov"
Instead of depending on other folks
to come and help 'me-yes," Mrs.
Galway. "I'm beginning to think SO
myself, But if you have nothin' bet
ter to do, Sarah Soper, than to remind
people of their shortcomings you'd
better go back home again"
And there wasn't nothin against
Fanny Walters as ever | herd on,
refective'y went Oh Sarah Soper, as
she set match to the shavings and
kindling wood in the cooking stove
Except her good looks. Yes, Almira
Galway, you made mistake there
Zenas ain't never been the same man
since"
Mrs. Galway moved uneasily in her
chair.
"Where is Zenas, anyhow ?" ques-
toned the merciless catechist, as she
settled the shining tin tea kettle in its
place, and slid the hampers to let the
smoke 60 up the chimney.
"Gone to town." CURLY answered
Mrs. Galway.
"Eh-what for ?"
''To get hired girl"
Sarah Soper opened her mouth and
eyes.
"Well, | never p said she. "You
come to that-you, as always said
noshin' would induce you to keep a
girip
"That was before l had the infam-
matory rheumatic !" sighed Mrs. Gal
way. There amt no law against
folks changing their minds, as ] know
on. | can't be dependent on noighbors
all the time"
Miss Soper chuckled softly.
"The idea of Zeuas Galway in one
O em intelligent Offices /" said she. al
would like to be hid away there and
hear how he manages it p
81 guess Zenas can manage as we'll
as anybody p sharply retorted Mrs.
Galway.
But she was nettled, nevertheless,
and more than once, while Sarah So
per was cutting the bread, bringing
the butter from down cellar and opeu-
ing jar OF preserved black berries for
tea, she said to herself:
Il most wish | hadn't made such
fuss over Z mas notion for Fanny
Walters p
While these domestic preparations
were going on in the Galway farm
house, Zenas, the son and heir of the
establishment, was sitting in despair
ing attitude on hard, Imprinted Sc
tee in Mr.. Cummings Headquarters
for Domestic Aid" interviewing long
succession of hopeless incapabes, of
different ages and nationalities.
"Pretty hard to suit, amt you p
said Mr.. Cummings, lifting his specta-
cled eyes above the line of his ledger
at last.
"It's no use,' said Galway, in de-
jected way 81 don't think my mother
would have one of these women in the
house.
"Well, look here" said Mr.. Cam
mings, "here's gal just come in.
Mebby you can come to terms with
her."
"But," spoke a soft voice, 81 wanted
place as companion"
"Weil, this is place as companion"
said Mr.. Cummings, doggedly, "to an
old lady up country-only she'll ex.
pect you to do the homework"
A silence followed apparently the
candidate was considering.
you've been comm arter this com.
panion place for week." urged Cum