Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-10-05

"Of course | think st" said |. won
dering what on earth my mother-in
law meant.
"iou are married, | suppose" sal,
she.
"Oh, yes" said |, swallowing tn,
hot coffee and winking my eyes very
hard, I'm married"
Can your wife make herself gener
ally useful about the place." sharpl,
demanded the old lady.
Certainly she can said |, begin
ming vaguely to see my way through
the mists Of perplexity that had here
tofore obscurcd my brain.
"IIow old Is she - asked Mrs. Mar
tin.
Eighteen" | answered.
Mrs. Martin frowned.
What does possess girls to get mar
ried nowadays" said she. "befort
they've left off dolls and patchwork o
| looked thoughtfully down at the
pattern Of my plate-a pink Chinamar
crossing carmine bridge with two
very red willows dropping at the fal
end Of it, and some impossible steak.
of water below-and made no direct
answer.
NV mother-in-law was doubtlessly
laboring under misapprehension, but
| did not exactly see that it was my
business to set her right. She had evi
IDENTIFY engaged a steward, and took il
for granted that | was the parsonage
in question.
What can you do?' she asked, alb
ruptly.
And with equal curiness | respond.
ed, "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 p
well, not much,' o ned. There
were no cattle in my last place"
Which was very true, for had been
clerk in bank But have not
the least doubt that | could learn. il
YOU would kindly show me what is
expected of me.
Can you cut wood ~ she asked.
Certainly" said reflecting to my
self that any fool might do that.
She asked one or two questions more
which | answered with the blind fat
uity which attends youth and conf
dence She seemed pleased with my
willingness to undertake anything and
everything.
And now about wages = she said
hriskly. What will you ask for your
own services and those of your wife
by the month -
fitted the tips of my fingers rehec-
lively together.
"As we are both rather unexperi.
enccd," said |, well agree to work
the first month for our board, after
that you shall pay lis what you think
we are both worth.
"Hum-hum - said my mother-in-
law. 'that's sensible proposition-a
very sensible one, indeed. Well, send
for the young woman at once. In the
meantime I'll show you over the place
and explain 10 you the nature Of your
duties.
So | hired myself out to my mother
in.law as 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
a spot where four roads meet.
Can you tell me, sir" said he
where Abel Martin lives ?"
"Oh, yes, sir, can tell you" re-
sponded, ahably. But if you are
looking for the situation. | may as well
tell you that it is filled"
The burly young man made some
remarks, indicative, in Il general way,
Of his opinion Of the fckleness Of wo-
mankind, and departed, whilst ! re-
turned rejoicing TO the old farmhouse.
"Ilere's a very nice beginning"
said to myself ut is now my bust
ness to give as much satisfaction as
possible. y
Fortune favored me in more ways
than one. NV mother-in law sprained
her ankle on the second day. | play
ell cook as well rs Il man-ot-all-work
with distinguished success. and had
the satisfaction to hear her say to old
Miss Prcsclla Perkins that she didn't
know when she had taken such Il no.
ton To any one as she had to the new
man.
"IIe's too young and good-looking
To suit ne" observed Miss Prescilla
pursuing up her steeltrap of month.
"lle is good looking. amt he said
my mother-in-law. But he's dreadful
handy about the house and he amt
one bit afraid ot work. Ard YOU ought
to have seen the oysters he >tewed Tor
my supper last night, and the cup OF
tea he made why, | don't miss Jemina
Styles one Bit. II only Ncttic could
have STAYED single till she met such a
man rs this -
smiled To myself a> | laid out the
L.: M: A. . ~ l..,I -, -. NJ,