Catoctin clarion., 1894-12-27
,al turned to the advertising page.

would be still hope left.
NWANTED.-A reliable person tt
superintend a small household in the
country. Must be able and willing tt
teach and take entire charge of two
little girls aged fye and seven years
respectively. Answer by letter and in
close photo"
>Oh, that last sentenced groaned Min
ME when she had finished reading the
advertisement.
ut is pity echoed her mother
sympathetically, but it would just suit
you dear, if you could get it,
Yes,->if 'rejoined Minnie. 'There's
always an if; but I am going to try
She took pencil from her pocket
and with her mothers assistance drew
out copy of the answer she intended
to send.
u won't mention my age,' she said
with playful determination, >for they
might think twenty one too youthful
but shall have to send my picture and
that looks about fifteen, but there is no
help for it, I suppose
She gathered up her things and went
to her own bed room where she sat down
at her desk, and without any delay
wrote the letter.
Her mothers picture and her own
we're in the little box in which she Was
in the habit of keeping loose sheets o.
writing paper.
Dear mother ! she said, as her tear
full eyes rested on the loved face. It]
could only do something to make youl
life easier aad happier my reward would
be great, but | must not waste time
thinking or I will be too late for the
nights mail, and this answer ought to
20 at once. I suppose mine is only one
in hundred, and stands little chance
TO acceptance. But here goes, and good
luck to it,
She slipped in the photo. hastily
sealed her envelope, and putting the
loose sheet of paper in her box, was
soon on her way to the post Office.
A week passed. Minnie and hel
mother had given up all thought of th'
advertisement, when a letter came. II
was in mans handwriting.
'The writer is satisfied with the pic
and references kindly furnished by Mrs
Mary Ann Wood, and if she could ar
rive at Wildbriar Cottage Orange Coun
ty, during the coming week it woult
greatly oblige,
Yours truly,
Arthur Harding.
'P.S.-The salary mentioned by yol
is quite satisfactory.
WELL said Minnie, that's short ant
to the point. any way
ITS Just like man. said her mother
taking up the letter; heres something
written In pencil on the back of it,
Telegraph to H. Pringle, lawyer,th'
time of your intended arrival, and h
will meet you at the station with
carriage as the house is two miles from
the railway depot
Minnie's parting from her mother wa
not the sorrowful one that they ha(
anticipated ; for she was going but fou
hours distance by rail, and the sahr,
she had asked was much more than sh
expected to get; a check had been in
closed for her expenses, and she woul(
be able to supply her mothers needs
literally from her salary and have plen
ty still to save for herself.
Her first letter to her mother describ
ed her new home:
'WILDBR1AR COTTAGE.
This place is really too handsome tt
be called a'cottage.' Everything abou
it, inside and out, is simply elegant
The grounds are perfect, and there is al
old gardener who attends to them con
stantly. An old colored man and nj
wife take care of the house. She is al
excellent cook, and does the houseworI
generally. A beautiful driveway winds
up TO the house, some distance of tn
road. I really have nothing 70 do but
attend to the children, and what goot
little pets they are! They have pony
cart of their own, 80 we 60 out eyer.
day and driye all oyer the country
The servants have been here for years
and affairs are so we'll appointed tha
the house seems to take care Of itself
but Mr.. Pringle EVIDENTLY manage
everything in the absence Of the chill
drens' father, Mr.. Harding, who saile
for Europe few days before cam
here. Their mother is dead fou
years
Minnie devoted herself to the chill
/ l.o-. al "a Oh 1, ,uan II q, o,caollanf To- Che