The Monitor-register., 1897-05-07
LYDDY ANN.

badgering of defenseless '~missusss;"
there were young girls, who huddled
behind doors and sat uncomfortably on
the edges of chairs, and turned as red as
peouies if any one spoke to them unex-
pectedly; there were fat cooks out of
place, and slim, genteel mattresses who
had made up their minds to 'fbetter
themselves"
There were tho votaries of incompe-
tence. who sailed under the banners of
General Housswork, )" and the elegant
females who called themselves "chil-
dren's nurses"
But not one of the perspiring crowd
would consent to go out into the country
with Mrs. Allendale to do the house
work of her brother Reuben.
u niver yet dem'aned myself to a
place where there wasn't stationary
w~ash-trays aud gas" said one stout
female, impressively.
"The country's a dale too lonesome for
me-" said a second.
II don't take a situation where me
cousins can't make it convenient to drop
in OF an evenin'," observed a third, toss
ing her red satin bonnet ribbons aggress-
lively.
"But it's a light place." appealed Mrs.
Allendale, looking helplessly around.
"Ooly my brother and his invalid daugh-
ter. A lovely farm on the Lehigh River,
with all sorts Of fruit and splendid seen .
cry, and the most healthy air 10 the
world. And bell pay sixteen dollars a
month to any one who gives satisfac.
tion.''
But still N ominious silence prevailed
in the ranks.
"Tm sorry, ma'am," said the superin-
tendent, in an apologetic tone; "but you
see all the help nowadays has such an
objection to the country"
And Mrs. Allendale was just turning
away in despair, when a pretty, pink
checked young girl, neatly dressed in
brown calico, came out of the crowd.
I'll you think l would do, ma'am-"
She hesitated.
Mrs. Alleudale's Respondent face
frightened up, and she began asking
questions at once.
The pretty girls name was "Lyddy
Ann" She was eighteen; she had lived
out before; her reference was Mrs. Gen
eral Sumpte1, who resided at No. 10
Passiflora Court.
Oh, yes, of course Mrs. Sumpter would
testify to her character j.! Aud she
would NEE. Mrs. Allendale at the three
forty train that afternoon to accompany
her into the country.
81 am SO pleased !" thought Mrs.
Allendale, as she tripped lightly way
from the intelligence Office. "The girl
has such a pretty, modest face, and she
seems so willing to learn anything that
she may not already know !! And now
for Mrs. General Sumptsr's. It's a mere
form after all. Lyddy AIMS face is her
best reference"
No. 10 Passif1ora Court was a SNOWY
stucco house, in a semi fashionable
street, finished in colors that made the
eyes ache.
Mrs. General Sumpter was a stern,
middle-aged matron, in plum colored
satin, and diamonds which were almost
too large and brilliant to be real.
-"Lyddy Ann ?" said she, raising the
eyebrows which art had pencilled into
perfect arches. Goa, yes, she lived with
me a year ?" She is a most excellent
girl ! l am pleased to be able to recon-
mend her in all respects. You'll please
leave me your address, ma'am. | am
always 81 interested to hear about a girl
who has lived with me ~
''Such a kind hearted person! thought
Mrs. Allendale, as she hurried away.
But although she is a generals wife,
she don't seem quite a lady. l am GER
tain her grammar was not technically
correct; and one or two expressions that
she used were o exactly what one
would call elegant. But people do differ
SO Aud | am glad she thoroughly in
dorses Lyddy Aun
The modest, pink-checked little dam
sci was waiting for me at the depot, with
a travelling bag and u~Dpretending water
proof.
The color in her chi els deepened as
she saw Mrs. Alleuda'e.
THE reference was quite satisfactory,
l hope ?" said she.
And Mrs. Allendale answered. smiling
kindly:
"Entirely So"
"Lyddy Ann" suited Uoole Reuben
and his invalid daughter to a charm.
Her gentle, sympathetic ways. her
neat handed dizziness, her sunshiny tenn
per and exquisite cleanliness won all
hearts.
And apparently she was quite content
ed in her new home, delighting 10 broods
of little chicks, looks of lambs, skipping
calves and all the pleasant cares of a
farm lifs.
Susan, the sick girl, declared that
Lyddg AIMS beef tea was incompatible,
and that no one ever made such delicious
chicken broth.
She felt quite easy. she said, about the
house, now that Lyddy Am had taken
the helm; while Uacle Reuben beamed
all over.
"She's as sm art as a steel trap;" said
he-"this Lyddy Am of ours Aud as
lively as sheet lightning-besides being
as good as gold"
Which triple list of comparatives was
an unusual rhetorical flight for the good
man.
Lyddy Ann was coming up from the
turkey pen, jast as the evening star lifted
its golden jswel above the purple woods.
A whip pooI-Sill saug in the thickets;
a deep orange glow yet burned where
the sun had gone down.
Uncle Reuben was leaning, whistling,
against the bars.
'Well, Lyddy Ann" he said, gently,
this is nicer than the city streets, now
amt it ?"
"Oh, yes, Ses!" Lyddy Ann cried, with
Frightening eyes. "Oh, | wish | could
live here ~always!'
swell, why can't you?" said Uncle
| Reuben, a little huskily.
Tue girl suddenly burst into tears.
81 must go away next month"; said
she.
"And leave us, Lyddy Aun?
She raised her wet eHes to his face.