Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Nev. County, Ark.) 1885-1???, 1892-03-31
hard. I'm married. ="

sharply demanded the old lady.
"Certainly She can" said l., be.
ginning to see my way vaguely
through the mist of perplexity that
had heretofore obscured my brain.
How old is she?" asked Mrs.
Martin.
Eighteen, | answered.
Mrs. Martin frowned.
What does possess girls to get
married nowadays" said she, "be-
fore they've left off dolls and patch
work."
| looked thoughtfully down at the
pattern of my plata pink China
man crossing a carmine bridge, with
two very red willows drooplng at the
far end of it, and some impossible
streaks of water below-and made
no direct answer. NV mother-in-law
was doubtlessly laboring under a
misapprehension, but | did not eN-
actly see that it was my business to
act her right. She had evidently en-
gagged a hired man, and took it for
granted that was the parsonage in
question.
What can you do"' she asked l.,
abruptly And with equal curtness
| 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 hors-
es?"
"Well-not much" l owned.
There were no cattle at my last
/ place. (Which was very true, for |
had been a clerk in bank at three
hundred dollars a year.) But |
have not the least doubt that l could
soon learn, if you would kindly show
me what is expected of me. {"
Can YOU cut wood?" she ask
ed.
"Certainly," said |, rejecting to
myself that any fool might do
! that.
She asked one or two questions
more, which | answered with the
blind fatuity which attends youth
and confidence. She seemed pleased
at my willingness to undertake any
thing and everything.
"And now about wages" said she,
briskIy. What will you ask-for
your own services and those of your
wife-by the month"; -
fitted the tips of my fingers re-
lectively together,
"As we are rather inexperienced, J"
said /, "we'll agree to work the first
month for our board. After that
Won shall pay us what you think we
are both worth.
"Hum-hum," said my mother
in law. That's sensible PROPOSE
tion-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 | bird myself out to my mother
in-law as farmland, without further
ceremony, and Immediately wrote
and posted letter to Nettie. On
nv return from the postoliice | met
burly young man meditating at a
spot where four roads meet.
Can YOU tell me, sir" said he,
"Nhere Mrs. Abel Martin llves?"
"Oh. yes, sir, | can tell you" l
responded, affably. but if you're
looking for the situation of hired
man | may as we'll tell you that it's
filled"
The burly young man made some
remarks, indicative, in general
way, of his opinion OF the iickleness
of womankind, and departed, whilst
returned rejoicing, to the old farm
house.
Here's very nice beginning" "
said to myself. 1t is now my
business to give as much satisfaction
as possible.
Fortune favored me, in more ways
than one. My 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
had the satisfaction of hearing her
say to old Miss Priscilla Perkins that
'tshe didn't know when she d taken
such notion to any one as she had
/ to the new hired man.
lies too young and good-looking
to suit me, observed Miss Priscilla,
pursuing up her sleel-trap of mouth.
"Ile is good.looking," amt he|'
said my mother-in law. But he's