The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-08-26

COuldn get up. The hired men got the
best breakfast they could, and then Mrs.
Hawkins sent one of them after the doctor,
bidding him stop on the way home and see
if Lucy Jones wouldn't come and stay
until she could find a girl.
Now it so happened that important busi.
ness brought Will Hawkins out to Down
port that very morning. He did not intend
to visit his mother but he saw John COM
ing out OF the doctors Office, and he stopped
him and learned how sick his mother was.
Then he felt in duty bound to call on
her, He went, and the old lady was
greatly surprised, and, as he could seo,
somewhat pleased to see him.
But not once did she ask or even allude
to his wife.
"Mother you ought to have girl, - said
Will.
"Well, goodness, so ! ought" groaned
the old lady. 81 told John to get Lucy
Jones a few days if he could But she
amt no manner of account, # she comes ;
and where to get anybody the mercy knows
i don't. I've tried everywhere
81 think perhaps l could send you out
one" said viii. Good girls ran some
times be found in town
"Well, for pity's sake, do it, then. I'll
pay her well il she's worth her salt
"I'n try" said William q may not
succeed but if I can find one, l viii send
her out on the noon train Il you don't
like her you needn't keep her. you know"
"0h, I'll be glad TO get anybody -
groaned the sick old lady, tossing restlessly.
john came bacI, just then saying Lucy
Jones vas away on a visit and could not
be hired 30 Will, who mus leave at once
to catch The up-train, promised again to do
his best to find girl.
81 reckon I'd oItCr asked after her, ~
said the sick woman to herself, after he was
gone and she had not even asked him to
come back 'But | couldn't get the con-
sent of my own mind to do it, nohow"
John scraped up what he could for
dinner, and about one o'clock he came up
stairs and said : "There's a lady down
stairs to see you, num-"
"a lady? Good gracious And me in
this fix Who is it, John ?"
81 hayn't any idea who, mum ?'
"Wcll, fetch her up, since it's got to be !;
therea no help for it. But hope it amt
no company come to stay, for | can't keep
her if it is :"
John departed, presently returning with
a tall, handsome lady, in a stylish black
cashmere.
Good morning" said Mother Hawkins,
seeing she did not know the lady.
Good morning" said the lady, pleas
antly, advancing toward the bed, 81 sup
pose you are Mrs. Hawkins?"
eyes, | be-" And the sick woman
wondered what was coming next
~ hear you are in need of a GIRL" said
the stranger
"Lord knows | am - Groaned Mother
Hawkins.
"Well, your son, Mr.. Hawkins, sent me
out from the city to see if | would suit
you"
in her surprise at this elegant woman ask
ing for the place OF servant Look at
your hands - she said.
"They are not very black, | know. But
they are used to doing housework, madam,
| assure you. Will you try me?"
"You came from the city," said Mother
Hawkins, without answering the question.
DO you live there?'
eyes, madam"
Then what do you know about farm
work? 2"
every thing" answered the stranger,
confidently. Il was brought up on q farm,
and have only lived in the city three years.
'But them fine clothes ~ Sighed Mother
Hawkins.
81 have plain calico ones in my satchel, :"
said this odd girl.
What wages do you want"
Whatever you usually pay"
81 generally give two dollars and ahalf. ="
every well, that will suit me-"
"What would you do first, if you stayed?"
''Jhe first thing, | would make you a
cup Of tea and bit of toast. Then I would
change my dress, 90 downstairs, and get to
work"
'For PHYS sake do it then - Said
NJ other Hawkins, as, with a sigh of intense
relief, she dropped back upon her pillows
The stranger left the room. And in a
short time she was back with the ten and
toast teDptingly arranged on waiter, and
as nice as hands could make them.
After they were disposed of, she brought
water and towels, bathed Mother Hawkins's
hot face and hands, and brushed her hair
back neatly under her cap.
There, that's better, isn't it?" She
ask ed.
eyes, indeed, sighed the sick woman"
whats your name, ohild?"
MARY Sherman
"Well, Mary, if you do as we'll for the
rest as you have for me, shall think it
] H. 7 IL.