The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-04-09

| looked thoughtfully down at the
pattern of my plate-a pink China,
man crossing a carmine bridge, with
two very red willows dropping at
the far end OF it, and some impos-
sible streakS OF water below-and
made no direct answer. My mother
in law was doubtlessly laboring
under misapprehension, but | did
not exactly see that it was my bus
mess to set her right. She had
evidently engaged hired man, and
took it for granted that l was the
parsonage in question.
What can you do? she asked,
abruptly. And with equal curtness l
responded:
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 l had
been a clerk in bank at three hun
dred dollars 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 confidence. She seemed pleased
with my willingness to undertake
anything and everything.
And now about wages, said she,
briskly. What will you ask-for
your own services and those of your
wite-by the month?
fitted the tips of my fingers
rehectively together.
As we are both rather inexperien-
ced, said |, We'll 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 mothcr-in-
law. That's a sensible one. indeed.
Well, send for the young woman at
once In the meantime I'll show
you over the place, and explain to
yor 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 letter to Nettle.
On my return from the postotice |
met burly young man meditating
a spot where four roads met.
Can you tell me, sir, said he,
where Mrs. Abel Martin lives?
Oh yes, sir; l can tell you, res
ponded, afably. But if you're
looking for the situation of hired
man l may as we'll tell you that it's
filled.
The burly young man made some
remarks, indicative in a general way
OF his opinion Of the fickleness OF
womankind and departed, whilst l
returned rejoicing, to the old farm
house.
Here's a very nice beginning,
said l to myself. 1t is now my
business to give as much satisfaction
as possible.
Fortune favored me, in more ways
than one. Ny mother in law sprain-
ed her ankle on the second day,
and | PLAYED cook as well as man Of.
all work with distinguished success,
and mad the satisfaction Of hearing
her say to old Miss Priscilla Perkins
that she didn't know when she'd
taken such motion to anyone as
she had to the new hired mani
He's too young and good looking
to suit me, observed Miss Priscilla
pursing up her steel-trap of a mouth,
He is good looking, amt he?
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. II only Nettie could
have stayed single till she met such
a man as this
| smiled to myself as laid out
the kindling for the breakfast fire
My accomplishment as Jack of-all-
trades had never ,H.le 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
/. ers's runaway match with "a good for
nothing young city chap" On the
fourth day she had consulted me as tc
whether it was better to put the forty
acre lot IN oats or rye, and l had
won her heart by taking to pieces the
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