St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-08-19

And with equal curtness I responded
Anything"
Come. like that" said my mother
in-law, rubbing her hands. '.At leas
you are not afraid of work. Do you un
derstand cows and horses?"
well, not much," owned "Thert
were no cattle in my last place.
(Which was very true, for had been ,
clerk in . bank) but have not thu
least doubt that could soon learn, i,
you would kindly show me what is ex
pected 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 willing
ness to undertake anything and every
thing.
'And now about wages?" she said
briskly. "Whst will you ask for your
own services, and those Of your wife
By the month";"
l fitted the tips Of my fingers reflect
lively together.
AS we are both rather inexperi.
enced," said I, "we'll agree to work the
first month for our board; after that
you shall pay rs what you think we
are both worth"
''Hum-hum!' said my mother-in-
law, "that's . sensible propositions
very sensible one, indeed. Well, send
for the young woman 1T once. In the
meantime I'll show you over the place
and explain to you the nature of your
duties"
So 1 hired myself out to my mother
in-law Is farm servant, without further
ceremony, and Immediately wrote and
posted . letter to Nettie.
On my return from the post Office
met burly young man meditating at
. spot where four roads meet.
''Can you tell me, sir" said he,
where Mrs. Abel Martin lives?"
'Oh, yes, sir, can tell you," re-
sponded. a6ably. But II you are look
ing for the situation, I may - well tell
you that it's filed"
The burly young man made some re-
marks, indicative, In . general way. Of
his opinion Of the 6clkleness Of woman
kind. and departed. whilst I returned
rejoicing TO the old farmhouse.
Here's . very nice beginning" said
I to myself 1T is now my business 70
give - much satisfaction q possible. y
Fortune favored me in more ways
than one. Ny motherin-law sprained
her ankle on the second day, and
played cook q well - man-of- ll-work
with distinguished success, aud had
the satisfaction to hear her say 70 old
Miss Priscilla Perkins that she didn't
know when she had taken such notion
70 anyone - she had TO the new man.
Hes too young and good-looking to
suit me-" observed Miss Priscilla, pure
ing up her steel-trap Of mouth.
HE il 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 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
styles one bit II Nettie could have
stayed single till abe met such . man
. this!''
Ismiled to myself - I laid out the
for the breakfast fire. Ny
n "Jack-of-all-
trades" had never done me much good
before. But how 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
runaway match with .
'igood-for nothing young city chap"
On the fourth day she had consulted
with me as to whether It was better 10
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
70 running order once again.
And on the evening of the same dsy
Nettie arrived, all blushing and trem.
bling.
''Oh. Dick. " said she. '.is she very an
gry7",
my dear, she hasn't any idea who I
Nm"
"But, Dick"
mo butts, my darling" said cheer.
FULLY. LET US be Julius Csssar' over
again. We come, We sec, We con-
luer.'"
And I dragged my unwilling little
wife into the back room, where my
lay on . sofa nursing
her ankle.
Here's my wife. ms'am," said I.
and hope she'll give satisfaction"
Mrs Martin jumped up. spite Of the
wounded ankle.
'.Nettie!" she cried, in blank amase-
nent
'Oh, mother, mother.' faltered Net.
lie. throwing both hands around the
I'D lady's neck, please forgive me this
lime and I'll never. never elope againr'
"Please, ma'am, well be good"
ldded I.
And my mother-in-law releuted On
he spot How could she do otherwise1
"Henrietta," said she, you've been .
naughty girl-there's no denying that
But your husband seems . handy man
bout the house, and I'm tired Of living
lone. So take OF your things and 20
0 work getting supper. A. for you,
"Yes, ma'sm," said I, II know I've
'een playing . double part, and de-
eived you al along. But I wanted
'ou to like me-and you know" I
dded. AL Is fair in love and war!'
We'll. I do like you . little, " admit
ed my mother-in-law. And now that
havA eA~n vp<.s, nS~l~ A~>A --A