Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-26


had evidently engaged a hired man,
and took it for granted that | was the
parsonage in question.
What can you dO?" she asked alb
ruptly. And with equal curtness 1 re-
spOnded:
"Anything."
Come like that, said my mother
in-law, rubbing her hands AT least
you are not afraid of work. Do you
understand COWS and horses?"
"Well-not much" / owned. "There
were no cattle at my last place. /"
(Which was very true, for | had been
a clerk in a bank at $500 a Year, "But
| have not the least doubt that could
soon learn, if you would kindly show
me what is expected Of me-"
Can you cut wood?" she asked.
Certainly" said |, rejecting to my
self that any fool might do that.
She asked one or two questions
more, which [ answered with the blind
faulty which attends youth and con-
fidence. She seemed pleased with my
willingness to undertake anything and
everything.
And now about wages" she said
briskly. "What will YOU ask-for your
own services and those of your wife
by the month";"
l fitted the tips of my fingers refec-
lively together.
CAS- we are both rather inexpe-
rienced." said |, well agree to work
the first month for our board. After
that you shall pay us what you think
we are both worth"
"Hum-hum" said my mother-in-
law. "That's a sensible propOsition-a
very sensible one, indeed. Well, send
for the young woman at once. In the
meantime I'll show you over the place
and explain to you the nature of your
duties"
So hired myself out to my mother
in-law as farm hand, without further
ceremony, and Immediately wrote and
posted a letter to Nettie. On my re-
turn from the post office | met burly
young man meditating at spot where
four roads meet.
Can you tell me, sir" said he where
Mrs. A bel Martin lives?"
ooh yes, sir; can tell you" I re-
spOnded affably. .But if you're look
ing for the situation of hired man
may as well tell you that it's filled.
The burly young man made some
remarks, indicative, in a general way,
of his opinion of the tickleness of
womankind and departed, while | re-
turned rejoicing to the old farmhouse.
Here's very nice beginning" said
| to myself. at is now my business
to give as much satisfaction as posi-
BILE"
Fortune favored me, in more ways
than one. My mother-in-law sprained
her ankle on the second day, and
played cook as well as man-of-all-w
with distinguished success, and [ had
the satisfaction of hearing her say to
old Miss Priscilla Perkins that "she
didn't know when she'd taken such
notion to any one as she had to the
new hired man"
Hes too young and good-looking to
suit me-" observed Miss Priscilla pur-
sing up her steel-trap of mouth.
"He is good-looking, amt hep" said
my mother-in-law. "But he's dreadful
handy about the house, and he amt |
one bit afraid of work. And you'd |
ought to have seen the oysters he
stewed for my supper last night, and
the cup Of tea he made. Why, don't |
miss Jemima Stiles one bit. If only |
Nsttie could have stayed single till she |
met such man as this"
/ smiled to myself as | laid out the |
kindlings for the breakfast fire. My
as Jack of all = |
trades" had never done me much good |
before. But now they were certainly |
winning me some credit in the world. |
At the end of the third day she had |
told me the whole story of her daught-
nothing young city chap" On the |
as to whether it was better to put the |
forty-acre lot into oats or rye, and | |
had won her heart by taking 70 pieces |
the old hall-clock. which had not gone |
for ten years, and restoring it to run
ming order once again. !
And on the evening of the same day |
Nettie arrived, all blushing and trem-
bling.
"oh, Dick" said she, lis she very
angry,
NY dear" said /, "she hasn't an
idea who | am"
But, Dick"
NO butts, my darling, said cheer
fully. Let us be Julius Cesar over
again. We come; we see; we con-
quer."
And l dragged my unwilling little
wife into the back room. where my |
mother-in-law lay on sofa, nursing
Ler ankle. |
Here's my wife. maam,' said |. |
land l hope she'll give satisfaction"
Mrs. Martin jumped up, spite of the
wounded ankle.
"Nettie." she cried, in blank amaze
@Oh, mother, mother" faltered Net
tie. throwing both hands around the |
old lady's neck, please forgive me |
this time, and I'll never, never elope |
again"
please, ma'am, Wen be good"
added I.
And my mother-in-law relented on
the spot. How could she do other |
wise?
Henrietta" said she. you've been a
naughty girl-there's no denying that. |
But your husband seems a handy man
about the house. and I'm tired of living
here alone. So take off your things
and go TO work getting supper. As for
you. Richard"
Yes. ma>am, I know" said / I've
been playing a double part and de-
ceived you all along. But wanted you
to like me-and you know" I added,
"all is fair in love and war."
well, do like you a little" adj
mitted my mother-in-law." And now
that I have seen Won. Dick. | don't so