Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-08-17
And with equal curtness responded:
"Anything"

"Well, not much," | owned There
were no cattle in my last place"
(Which was very true, for had been a
clerk in bank.) But have not the
least doubt that could soon learn, if
you would kindly show me what is ex-
pected of me-"
Can you cut wood?" she asked
Certainly" SAID l, rejecting to my
self 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 with my willing
ness to undertake anything and every
thing.
And now about wages?" she said
briskly. What will you ask for your
own services, and those of your wife
by the month";"
fitted the tips of my fingers reflect
lively together.
''As we are both rather inexperi
enced," said l, "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 mother-in
law, "that's sensible proposition-a
very sensible one, indeed. Well, send
for the young woman at once. In the
meantime Pll 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 servant, without further
ceremony, and Immediately wrote and
posted "a letter to Nettie.
On my return from the post Office
met burly young man meditating al
a spot where four roads meet.
Can you tell me, sir" said he,
"where Mrs. Abel Martin lives?"
'Oh, yes, sir, l can tell you," re-
sponded, affably. But if you are look
ing for the situation, may as well tell
you that it's filed"
The burly young man made some re-
marks, Indicative, in general way, of
his opinion of the ickleness of woman
rejoicing to the old farmhouse.
'Here's very nice beginning" said
to myself. at is now my business to
give as much satisfaction as possible"
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-work
with distinguished success, and had
the satisfaction to hear her say to old
Miss Priscilla Perkins that she didn't
know when she had taken such notion
to anyone as she had to the new man.
Hes too young and good-lool1ing to
suit me-" observed Miss Priscilla, purs-
ing 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 AIM one
bit afraid of work. And you ought to
have seen the oysters he stewed for my
supper last night, and the cup of tea
he made; why, l don't miss Jemima
Styles one bit. If Nettie could have
stayed single till she met such man
as this!"
smiled to myself as ! laid out the
lindlings for the breakfast fire My
accomplishments as "Jack-of-all-
trades" had never done me much good
before. But now they were certainly
winning me much credit in the world
At the end of the third day she had
told me the whole story of her
daughters runaway match with
good for nothing young city chap"
On the fourth day she had consulted
with me as to whether it was better to
put the forty-acre lot into oats or rye,
and had won her heart by taking to
pieces the old town clock, which had
not gone for ten years, and restoring it
to running order once again.
And on the evening of the same day
Ncttie arrived, all blushing and trem-
bling.
"Oh, Dick" said she, "is she very an
gry?"
"My dear, she hasn't any idea who /
am"
But, Dick"
No butts, my darling" said chee,
fully. Let us be Julius Caesar ovcl
again. We come, we see, we con-
quer'"
And l dragged my unwilling little
wife into the back room, where my
mocher-in-law lay on sofa nursing
her ankle.
'lerc's my wife, ma'am," said l.,
''and | hope she'll give satisfaction"
Mrs. Martin jumped up, spite of the
wounded ankle.
"Nettie! she cried, in blank amaze
ment.
"Oh, mother, mothcr!" faltcred Net
tie, throwing both hands around the
old lady's neck, please forgive me this
time and I'll never, never clope againl"
please, ma'am, Wen be good"
added |.
And my mothcr-in-law relentcd Oh
the spot. How could she do otherwise?
"Icnrictta," said she, you've been a
naughty girl-there's no denying that.
But your husband seems handy man
about the house, and I'm tired of living
alone. So take of your things and go
to work getting supper. AS for you,
Richard"-
"Yes, ma'am," said |, II know ~.
been playing a double part, and de-
ceived you all along But | wanted
you to like me-and you know"
added, "all is fair in love and warl''
"Well, do like you little" admit
ted my mothcrin-lnw. "And now that
| .a1.