Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1896-02-28

burst into an uncomfortable HOOD OF
tears.
Good Mrs. Porter's already per-
turbed mind was greatly exercised
next morning bv 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 clever house
maid accompanying her.
"1 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, I
remains, Your Obediept servant,
stMARTHA GOODYEAR.
"a most proper letter, my dear,
commented Mrs. Porter, her ruffled
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
coffee and sodden toast. "Mariar. you
send off them girls, and get Martha
and her niece to come ere, and I'll
I'll take you trip to Monte Carlo"
"Oh, Tony!"
Then, with resolution:
81 shall !"
l. l,,e l., Il ~ nd
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 TO tolerate
any circumstances which spoiled her
home life. She delayed from moment
to moment, however, finally going
into her conservatory in the hope
that a 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 a reassuring glimpse
Of we'll appointed brougham. So
without more than q momentary hest
tation she opened the door.
"Can I converse with you, madam,
upon a most important matter, with
out danger of being overheardP he
demanded.
eyes, SIR" replied Mrs. Porter,
"you can. Please step in ERE"
"You are Mrs. Porter. presumeT
Mrs. Porter bowed. "There are two
inmates OF your house in whom an
much interested" went on the visitor
sitting down in the garden chail
offered.
"Yes," said Mrs. Porter, interroga
lively, her curiosity aroused.
"They occupy at present the posi-
lions, I understand, of-ahem !-cool
and housemaid?"
"Fhey do, SIR"
A sudden hope darted through Mrs
Porter's mind. Perhaps this gentle
man required servants and would tax,
hers.
, "Have you been pleased with thei
} attentions? Have they-'giyen salts
faction is, believe, the term used p
! "Ye-es. Bnt will you tell me YOU
reasons for asking?" said Mrs. Porter
strictly on guard.
8 81 may confide in you, madam, tina
"hSh A"y NV hoPue"s huscr Sni
rutners, died-I having had no com
munication with him for mauy years
. as entirely disapproved OF his i'm
provident manner of living
: was made to me on behalf Of his tw,
daughters. my grandnieces, who we're
|. as one might have anticipated. lei
! ponniless. After careful considera
d tion Of the matter, l resolved TO hol,
8 out no helping hand nutil I saw tina
tho girls were prepared TO help them
!, selves. Keeping myself informed
i however. regarding their movements
. ! was grasiiled to fiud that they ha
{ taken tho noble determination I
!. occupy menial position rather tina
i ho dependent upon the charity q
i others. need not say. madam" cot
eluded the old gentleman more COT
!. tidentially. "that admired my niece
o for their declaration Of independence
! but. as / mako . point never 10 q
!. anything rsshly. I decided 10 ws,i ul
4 I'll three moaihs had elapsed. thea.
, upon tnauiry ! found that thtS he
sbly Allied humble slatlss, " -.