The Washington times., 1895-06-18
Want6d p Wif6.

''Wanted-a Wife"
And 1 want a husband!" thought Miss
LaUrella Wintergneen.
She glanced toward the mirror between
the windows opposite
Forty years old and spare with hair grown
thin on the parting, and little crows feet
forming around her faded ewes! Miss
Laurela shuddered as she turned away
f1om The UncomprOmising reflection.
Yes added Miss WintergTeen TO her
self, Il do need husband. / wonder how
that particular paragraph in the paper hap
peued 10 meet my eye? ] don't believe
in being bold: but what is a poor girl to do
when tate has made no provision for her
future?
AT all events there can be no harm in
trying, thought Miss LaUreila. There
are periods in a WOmans life in which she
must boldly take the helm Of her fate in her
own handsr'
Her toilet the morning was prolonged and
fastdiOus A black dressand a brown hatOf
plush, with Knot of red and brown upon it,
completed her preparations for the hand-to-
hand conflict, with destiny IN which she was
about to engage.
Nevertheless her heart throbbed with
strangulatHg rapidity when she stood at
the door OF tie address written down III her
memorandum book.
A tall servant answered the bell. Miss
Wintergreen congratulated herself that he
was rich, at any event, and in reply 10 the
mans inquinng look answered.
II have come in reference TO the-the ad-
Tertisement IN this mornings paper
''Oh. the advertisement" answered the
man. coollv. Please walk in. ma'am
The door beyond opened, and a fat old lady
in spectacles waddIed out, breathing very
hard and wearing a flushed, indignant ex
preston
He thinks I'm too old. - quoth this matron,
looking found upon the assembled group.
I'D just like 10 know how old ne is himself" A"
-'Now, then, ma am, " said the man, beck
ouing To tie lady OF the widows cap, ''if
you'll please walk in"
The next minute the starched female had
disappeared behind the panels Of the door.
1t is very queer" Miss LauTelia thought
''and yet there's something grand about
it, too"
There was a general stiranong them when
the widow carae ont from her audience in
the presence chamber
This world is not governed by luck, "
said the widow, compressing her lips,
land ] am thankful that my lot is not TO
be cast with one who objects 10 daily sery-
ices and cold dinners on Sunday"
The mother of the red headed boys was
next Ushered into the presence Of the mys-
terious advertiser.
She had. however, been absent scarcely a
moment before she came out, her flounces
rusting sufny, ard her eyes blazing with
wrath
"A man who objects TO two dear little
boys about The house amt no better than
King Hcrod!" she exclaimed. Come,
my poor little angels. wen go where we
can be made welcome. y
Miss you'd better go in next" said the
young man, looking rather obviously at
the girls.
Miss Wintergreen rose up, giving herdrcss
g shake. and instinctively feeling To see
if her hair was right, aud followed her
guide into a handsome apartment where a
coal fire burned on the hearth, and an array
Of books proclaimed a literary taste on the
part Of its occupant Glancing timidly up
She saw a fine looking man Of about forty,
standing by the mantel.
..sit down, ma am be said, motioning
her 10 a chair, and then, turning to his
Servant, be asked in whisper:
How many more Of tbgm are there,
Patrick"
"Only three. sir, barrin' this one"
"Three more" he calculated, as il IN
consciously. Il shall go crazyl I'll have
TO get married in self-defeEse"
''Well ma am, " said the gentleman. turn
ing abruptly TO Miss Wiutergreen, Il sup
pose you want just what the rest do
an easy place. and nothing to dO?'
Miss Laurella, rather taken by surprise
at this unexpected speech. knew not what
to say, and so very sensibly said nothing.
Are yoa a good cook?" he asked.
Yes, SIR faltered our heroine.
Understand the care OF a house?"
tYes, sir
"How much do you expect a month";"
''As-as pin money, sir?'"
'No-as wages
pray, sir, do not deem me so mercen-
ary"
Then what in the deuce are You here
for?'' abruptly demanded her inteTloc;l-
tor, II want a housekeeDeT, and am Will
ing TO pay her good wages; but I don't
like all this beating about the bush
Yes, sir. but a wife,
who's talking about q wife?" he
shouted
''Did not you advertise for a wife?''
bTeathlessly questioned Miss Laurella.
NO. I didn't! Do / look like a candi-
date for bedlam?"
Miss Wiutergreen fumbled family for
the memorandum book in her pocket.
Isn't th is No. Fortleth street?
Didn't you
The gentleman snatched newspaper
from the table and pointed TO a para
graph in its columns.
There is my advertisement for a house
keeper"
And Miss wintergreen saw TO her dis
may that she had penciled down the
wrong address.
Miss Wintergreen swept out of the
room A housekeeper-to dare talk thus
80 her. who had dreamed OF orange bios
SONS and white.
Miss Wintergreen never answered an
ether advertisement, and she is still Miss
Wfntergreen.-Boston Globe.