The Monitor-register., 1897-10-29
MRS. LARGE-COMPANION.


OimHions DrOa0, kindly race nad lost It's
anxious expression, and settled down to
a more complacent look. The cabbage
salad had gone around, in spite of her
fears to the contrary, and she felt re
lieved, knowing that the supply was
limited. The chops we're done to a turn,
and the two new boarders seemed to be
enjoying their dinner.
At the table next, the gentleman was
as usual deep in some narrative wherein
he had been the leading actor, according
to his W account, taking a most i'm
portant and p~raisewOrthy part. Miss
Thankful Hope, at his right, was put
ting in the needed Eyes, SIR" or "In-
deed, sir" here and there. Mrs. Large,
the very diminutive little widow upon
the other side, was listening in admiring
silence; while the two young college
students were by their manner of half
doubling the generals story, leading
him on and on to still more exaggerated
assertions. The generals voice grew
louder.
eyes, MAN," he said excitedly, Eyes,
ms'am, the left flank of our company
stood just here" drawing a line on the
tablecloth with his fork, land the enemy
heIe"-another line-"and the bullet
went right through my coat sleeve, not
grazing the flesh, and killed the man be-
hind me; yes, ma'am, a most extraordi-
nary escape" -
''Them two boys do just tease the gen
eral most unmerciful," thought Mrs.
Simmons. ut ought to be stopped;
same as their eating Of so many biscuits;
there ought to be a law against it.
Young Dawson has eat seven, for l
counted them ! Seven biscuits is too
many for any male man to devour at
one meal ! But they do certainly get a
pile of sport, aggravating the general"
The general, next to Miss Thankful,
had been a member of Mrs. Simmons
family the longest, having been with her
for six years. His title was, moreover.
purely accidental. The expressman who
had brought his trunk to the house on
the morning of his arrival had spoken of
him as ''the general" not knowing his
name, and the title had clung to him. In
manner of fact he was sim ply Mr.. Mann.
a kind-hearted, pompous and rather ex-
acting bachelor of fifty, book keeper in a
hardware store. But every one called
him the general. Tho college students
affirmed that if all tho hairbreadth es
capes and deeds of bravery which the
general related of his army career be
true, he deserved the title twice over.
Little Mrs. Large had found Mrs.
Simmons house a very heaven of rest, in
the big, bewildered city. She bad come
from a small country town, where mos t
OF her life had been spent, to the city, i'll
hope of finding a position as a compan
ion. Vain dream.
Il needed to do something she had
oonfided to Miss Thankful, land 1 found
that my music was a little old fashioned,
and my painting, too; but 1 am quite
sure l could care for an invalid, and |
have a most delightful receipt for orange
jelly. | used to make it for Mr.. Large in
his last illness. | enjoy reading aloud,
too, and Mr.. Large used to often say
that l had expression and a good voice."
l have read "Children of the Abbey" to
him by the hour. He liked Mrs.
Heman's verses, too, and Shelley.
So she had inserted in w of the daily
papers an advertisement reading
'Mrs. Large-Companiop. A lady of
refined tastes desires the position of CON
panion to An invalid. Reference given
Address Mrs. Large. Chicago. Box 242."
But alas =! Although this advertise
ment had appeared for many weeks as
Mrs. Large dared afford, it met with no
success. The very few who answered it
her an older person thar they had
expected, or wanted to travel, and de-
sired a companion who could speak
French and German. So finally she
grew hopeless and gave up the idea.
Il am like my music and my paint
she said a little sadly to Miss |
Il am too old fashioned; l |
belong to a past generation, and there
seems to be nothing l can do; the world
moves on so fast"
And 80 she had settled down as a |
member of Mrs. Simmons household, |
if only her meager income could
be made to'eover meager expenses, and
it out now and then by dainty
piece of embroidery for the exchange.
She was the kind of a woman the general
most admired. Timid and dependent. |
scarcely ever advancing an opinion of her
OWN, and If she did, modifyin ing it with
Il have often heard my husband, Mr..
express himself So"
This tendency was much Ia the gem
taste.
"a fine woman" be often reflected. |
mo settled opinions like Miss Thankful
has. but willing to defer to others. A
most commendable trait in a woman"
He admired her greatly. But to day
she students had carried their teasing too
and finally, when the subject of the
first of April came up and one of the
young men declared that practical joking
was harmless, the general lost his
"You are mistaken,young gentleman"
he said, bringing his large hand down
upon the table and making the tumblers
and pepper boxes strike each other in
frantic efforts to keep upright. st is an
Idiotic custom, yes, sir; a practical joke
is thec oncoction of a-of abe sought
for a word not too violent for the pres,
of ladies-''of a numbskull, sir-a
!! l was never deceived by
ope in my life, never and do not expect
to be, but they do not belong to the
of good society,""
He retired with more thar his usual
from the room when he had
finished, much to the relief of the
students, who wanted to laugh, and of
Mrs. Large, who was frightened.
Those foolish boys ~ said Miss Thank
full to herself later, when she saw them
close and earnest conversation.
vi am afraid they are going to attempt
make the general ridiculous in some
This All-Fool's Day is a silly prao.
tice for sane and sensible people. I do
hope the general will be sharp enough to
see through their joke, whatever it is. |
He might know that saying he had
never been deceived would be Just all