The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-06-09


to receive us, l would ship myself OF
to sea as second mate or third purse
or something of that sort, send my
advanced wages to my poor LITTLE
wife and commence the world owe
again in this irregular fashion.
But when | walked resolutely W
to my mother in laws door she
greeted me as if had been expected
Tor the last week or SO.
You've come have you? was the
salutation.
Well, yes, l admitted, I've come
What on earth detained you2 said
she.
In my mind | cast about what to
say and settled on the first convent
ent excuse that came into my
head.
The train was delayed at Boyle
town, | said.
Well, come in, now that you're
here, said she, and get warm. Its
awful cold weather for this time
o'year isn't it.
Yes, said l with an asserting
ned.
Let me see, said my mother in law
as she took a steaming platter of ham
and eggs cut Of the oven and lifted
a shining coffee pot from the stove;
how old are you?
One and twenty, said /.
Do you think, said she, pensively
feeling Of her chin, that you are able
to take care Of the place? There's
great deal to DO you know on a
farm like this. Do you think you're
up to the workP
OF course | think SO, said | wonder
ing what on earth my mother IN law
meant.
You are married, | suppose, said
she.
Oh, yes, said l, swallowing the
hot coffee and winking my eyes very
hard. I'm married.
Can your wife make herself eener-
ally useful about the placer sharply
demanded the old lady.
Certainly she can, said |, begin
ming vaguely to see my way through
the mist OF perplexity that had here
tofore obscured my brain.
How old is she, asked Mrs. Mar
tin.
Eighteen, | answered,
Mrs. Martin irowned.
What does possess girls to get
married nowadays, said she. before
they've lett off dolls and patch work?
| looked thoughtfully down at the
pattern on my plata pink China
man crossing a carmine bridge with
two very red willows dropping
at the far end of it, and some impos-
sible stresks of water below-and
made no direct answer.
My mother-in law was doubtlessly
laboring under misapprehension,
but did not exactly see that 1t was
my business to set her right. She
had evidently engaged steward, and
took it for granted that l was the
parsonage in question.
What can you do, she asked ab'
ruptly,
| And with equal curtness I re-
sponded, 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 in my last place.
(Which was very true, for | had
been clerk in bank. } But have
not the least idea but that could
learn, if you kindly show me what is
expected OF me.
Can you cut wood, she asked.
Certainly. said |, refecting to my
self that any fool might do that.
She asked one or two questions
more, which | answered with the
blind tatuity which attends youth
and confidence. She seemed pleased
with my willingness to undertake
anything and everything.
And now about wages, she SAID
briskly.
What will you ask ior your owr
. services and those of your wite-by
the month.
fitted the tips OF my fingers to
gether rehectively.
r As we are both rather inexper
fenced, said l, we'll agree to worl
the first month for our board, afte
that you shall pay US what you thinl
we are both worth.
, Hum-hum! said my mother il
law, that's a sensible proposition
a very sensible one indeed. Well
send for the young woman at once
In the meantime I'll show you owe
u the place and explain to you tn
e nature of your duties.
So | hired myself out to m
|, mother in law as farm servant, with
l out further ceremony, and immedl
} ately wrote and posted letter t
:, Nettie.
S On my return from the post oftlc
| met a burly young man medltatln!
:, at spot where four roads met.
d Can you tell me sir, said he, wher
Abel Martin lives:
d Oh, yes, sir, l can tell you,
1 responded, affably. But if you ar
looking for the situation, may a
Y we'll tell you that it is filled.
Is The burly young man made som
t. remarks, indicative, in general way