The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-08-26
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JOHN A1NswoRTH's MISTAKE.

John Ainsworth was the most bashful
man you ever saw; at thirty years of age
he was good looking and capable, but as
afraid of women as though he suspected
them of an intention to eat him. He might
have had his pick of pretty girls, for he
had comfortable bank account to back
his attractive looks and steady habits; but
girls were not for him; he couldn't look
one in the face when he met her, and in
company his usual pleasant manner gave
place to an awkward difidence that made
him appear like a country pumpkin.
His companions gradually married and
settled into homes of their own, but John,
after the death of his parents, remained
quietly in the old family mansion on the
hill; his servants were all men or boys ex-
cept the housekeeper, woman who had
lived to such an advanced age among men
that it is doubtful whether she did not look
upon herself as an old bachelor in petticoats
Many were the invitations showered
upon the handsome landowner, but he went
his way as carefully and cautiously through
life as though he were walking on thinly
frozen mill pond, surrounded by placards
marked "dapger." :"
People laughed at him; girls who had
once tried modestly to encourage him with
smiles grew into contented, placid matrons,
and their daughters We're duly informed of
the proverbial bashfullness of sold John
Ainsworth." Yes it really came to pass
"old John Ainsworth." And yet at fifty
he was as finely preserved man as ever
lived; straight and tall, with gray hair,
blue eyes and heavy white mustache; he
had not changed an ATOM from the kind
hearted John of other days, always help
ing the poor in his own transformations
manner. But though respected by all he
was loved by none.
Still, John was happy enough, in a
humdrum fashion, till death, having a
prior claim, stepped in and deprived him
of his housekeeper, Clarissa; for she had
been faithful soul, and-a good cook
After that sad event John began to find
certain desolation in life, and to realize
vaguely that his comfortable, well conduct
ed home was broken up; first one farm
hand and then another tried the cooking,
till that important branch of the establish
ment threatened total collapse.
One was without rival, where onion
salad was concerned, another could fry
sausages to the queens taste, third could
poach eggs-but why enumerate? John
Ainsworth could not live exclusively on
eggs, salad and sausages; his digestive
organs, at his time of life, needed pamper-
ing; besides, he could not endure the
irregularity-breakfast one morning at
seven, the next at halfpast ten. Somehow,
the handspring being broken, all the wheels
fell into disorder, and whereas the daily
routine of domestic duties was once ad-
iusted and kept smoothly running by a
competent hand, it now sometimes stopped
altogether.
John Ainsworth thought long and deeply
on the subject; he had a horror of women,
but he now felt that he must make sac
rifice, and see if he could secure the services
of some spinster or widow to direct his
household for time, at least. But think
as hard as he would, he could not call to
mind one suitable person.
Now it happened that he had staunch
friend in q former school chum, one Robert
Wilkins, who had been married and settled
there twenty years, and had always kept
up a sort of one sided intimacy with his
bashful friend. Only amonth had elapsed
since Bob helped him 10 make a purchase
in horseAesh which resulted in his profit;
and in his inability to helphimself regard
ing housekeeper he naturally thought of
Mr.. Wilkins, and finally sat down aud
wrote him the following letter
s'DEAR Bon IL have decided to ask
you to help me in the most serious business
of my life. | am getting along in years,
and since the death of my housekeeper
everything in my home has gone wrong the
place needs mistress, and + want her at
once. | have always been 50 occupied