The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-03-04

Good Mrs. Porter's already per-
turbed mind was greatly exercised
next morning by the receipt of an
epistle from the faithful Martha, her
late cook, stating that, as Martha's
mother had now quite recovered, she
purposed returning to town that day
in quest of a situation, niece who
promised to become a clever house
maid accompanying her.
'I knows you are suited, but if you
was SO kind as to recommend me will
be truely greatful. Hoping as how
you and Master keeps your usual
health and with Humble respects, ]
remains, Your Obedient servant,
"MARTHA GOODYEAR"
''A most proper letter, my DEAR"
commented Mrs. Porter, her rufled
vanity agreeably soothed by Martha's
abundant recognition of the difference
in their positions.
"And capital cook, too" grunted
Mr.. Porter, pushing aside his muddy
v
send off them girls, and get Martha
and her niece to come ere, and I'll
I'll take you trip to Monte Carlo"
ooh, Tonyl"
Then, with resolution:
''I shalll"
But after her husband had departed
for the city Mrs. Porter wavered and
felt her courage leak away every time
she looked towards the bell. Her
motherly heart sympathized with the
girls. She knew how hard servitude
must be for them. Still she realized
also that no sense of pity for others
should prevail upon her 10 tolerate
any circumstances which spoiled her
home life. She delayed from moment
to moment, however. finally going
into her conservatory in the hope
that little quiet pottering among
her plants would restore her mental
balance. She had been engaged for
nearly half an hour with sundry par
cells of hyacinths and narcissus which
she potted and tucked away under the
staging in a mass of cocoanut fibre
against the spring decorations of her
house. 1t was an unusually bright
morning for November, and as the
sun beat warmly upon the glass roof,
Mrs. Porter found the surcease she
sought, and began to hum an air.
A low but imperative tapping on the
conservatory door leading to the lawn
made her start, and turning quickly
she perceived an elderly gentleman
standing outside, beckoning mysteri-
ously to her. He was not one OF those
ingenious individuals who succeed by
dint of inward assurance and outward
respectability in worming themselves
into private houses with the intention
of selling tea or gas burners. That
Mrs. Porter saw at a glance; while
through the railing of the front gar
den she caught reassuring glimpse
of a we'll appointed brougham. So
without more than a momentary hesi-
tation she opened the door.
"Can / converse with you, madam,
upon a most important matter, with
out danger of being overheardP" he
demanded.
'Yes, sir" replied Mrs. Porter,
"you can. Please step in ERE"
"You are Mrs. Porter, 1 presumed"
Mrs. Porter bowed. "There are two
inmates of your house in whom am
much interested" went on the visitor,
sitting down in the garden chair
offered.
eyes" said Mrs. Porter, interroga-
lively, her curiosity aroused.
''rhey occupy at present the posi-
tions, understand, of-ahem l-cook
and housemaid?"
''rhey do, sir"
A sudden hope darted through Mrs.
Porter's mind. Perhaps this gentle
man required servants and would take
hers.
"Have you been pleased with their
attentions? Have they-'given salts
faction is, ! believe, the term used?"
"Ye-es. But will you tell me your
reasons for asking?" said Mrs. Porter,
strictly on guard.
81 may confde in you, madam, that
when my late nephew, Roger Car
ruthers, died-I having had no com
munication with him for many years,
as / entirely disapproved of his i'm
provident manner of living appeal
was made to me on behalf of his two
daughters, my grandnieces, who were,
as one might have anticipated, left
penniless. After careful eonsidera-
tion of the matter, resolved to hold
out no helping hand until ] saw that
the girls were prepared to help them
selves. Keeping myself informed,
however, regarding their movements,
l was gratiied to find that they had
taken the noble determination to
occupy a menial position rather than
be dependent upon the charity of
others. 1 need not say, madam, con
cluded the old gentleman more con.
fdentially, ''that 1 admired my nieces
for their declaration of independence T;
but, as make "a point never to do
anything rashly, / decided to wait un-
til three months had elapsed, then, if
upon inquiry l found that they had
! ably filed a humble station, to offer