The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-10-09


Even to such extremes did my imasi-
nation carry me before reached home.
But | was clear in my mind about one
thing. meant to present myself at the
Office in the morning, and if the chance
was given me, TO apprentice myself for
q while. It was indeed strange freak
of destiny. that he should have been con-
fronted by me with the same appeal that
/ had heard him make so short time
ago. Perhaps il were better called
strange freak Of my caprice, for though
Of course my position was not premedi-
tated, the words that said to him were
necessaIily suggested by the analogy of
the Situation. felt therefore an obliga-
ton TO les his humanity work itself out,
which gave comfort and encouragement
10 my quixoCisn.
The only obstacles Of serious impor-
tance 10 this step would be the difficulty
OF dlsposIng Of Aunt Helen, and as a
cOrollary thereto the necessity of some
slight deceit on my part to account for
my continuance In New York. But hav-
ing gone SO far IN the matter, did not
suffer myself to be deferred by trifes. /
had, IN speaking of our return to Aunt
Helen this morning, dwelt on the I'M
portance Of not leaving certain domestic
affairs longer unattended TO: and it now
occurred TO me TO compromise with her
by suggesting that she should go home
and leave me with my maid III our lodg-
ings. which were well known 10 her as
thoroughly quiet and respectable. As
Ia al
this proposal energetically; but as was
resolved TO get nd of her at any cost, l
took an obstinate stand, against which
tears and hatteTy We're equally unavail-
lng. | made her return a condition of
my remaining, otherwise l should leave
the Honorable Ernest TO the mercy of
the naidens Of New York. She must
take her choice. If she decided TO stay
should 60 home; and the only possible
chance Of my becoming Duchess of Clyde
rested on her going home without me.
The alternative was too dreadful for her
70 Withstand my pertinacity. She wished
me 10 remain, and rather than have her
matrimonial project blocked she pre-
ferred 70 yield, thozgh it was not until
Shehad made list appeal on the score
OF the extreme improperly Of my con-
tinuing TO stay II New York alone.
When she had finally consented to take
her departure l wrote a note to the Hon
orable Ernest and to one or two other
friends, announcing that we had sud-
denly been called home, and then | sat
up far into the night putting my new
tangled wardrobe into plausible condi-
ton. To be patched but neat seemed to
me the most endurable and ingralating,
and at the same time an equally secure
guise into which to figure, and devoted
my energies to accomplishing that result
before morning. On that same day also,
TO my great relief, l succeeded IN bun
ding off Aunt Helen without further
ado, and the field was clear for opera
tons. should have to trust my maid
TO some extent. and possibly TO change
my lodgings; but otherwise had swept
away ali obstacles TO the indulgence of
this new piece of eccentricity.
It occurred 10 me on the way down
town that Mr.. Prime would doubtless
make some inquiries as to my previous
history and present circumstances, and
that must 60 a step further and con-
coct some rational story in order to carry
out my deception successfully. / was
correct IN my surmise. He received me
with kindness, and showing me into his
private Office asked few direct ques-
tions, which | answered to his satisfac-
ton seemingly. l represented myself as
one of that much to be pitied class, re-
ferred to by Mr.. Cheln, of well educated
but inpecunious young people, who only
needed employment to be comfortable
and happy. had no parents, nor brothers
and sisters, and up TO this time had sup
ported myself by teaching and by copy
ing; but the stress Of the times had little
by little cut off the sources of my in
come, and when he met me yesterday /
had sunk down exhausted and in despair
over the prospect of finding anything to
do. Such was my pitiful tale.
Fortunately my handwriting did not
require to be explained away or dis
guised like the rest of me- 1t spoke for
itself, being legible and bold, somewhat
resembling a mans in the latter particu-
lar. Mr. Prime looked pleased as he
glanced at the specimen prepared for
his inspection, and I felt that the battle
was won. A few minutes later was
engaged as a confidential clerk at
modest salary. Ny duties for the time
were to answer letters, and to copy out
and arrange sets Of figures at his direc-
ton, and he suggested that | should as
soon as possible learn shorthand.
I could scarcely help laughing aloud
as sat and tried to realize my new
position Mr. Primes business was as
yet, l soon perceived, lamentably small
The Office was commodious, but my en-
ployer had besides me only bookkeeper
to help nina gaunt, withered looking
man of sixty This parsonage glanced
at me now and again over his spectacles
suspiciously, and would, l dare say, have
Joined hands with my enemy the police
officer, as to the probabilities affecting
nv moral character. Everything else
was done by Mr.. Prime, who was
pleased to notice was as spruce as ever
in his personal appearance. His gloves,
his boots, his cravats, and Ike, the
beautifully ugly Ike, were as irreproach-
able as ever.
II Is wonderful how easily one grows