Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-26
His AuDt's
Con3PaDioD

peared in newspaper of rainy Monday
morning in November, 1S-.
Glenville was nothing more than little
rountry settlement, with red brick town
hall and a labyrinth of narrow streets
which seemed TO have been laid out with
special reference to the bewilderment of
any chance passer who might find himself
involved in their maze.
Mr. Reginald Chillingfield, who had
been out for walk in the street, was met
on the threshold of the hotel by the boot
boy, who said:
''Oh, please, sir, there's lot of 'em all
a-askin for you. -
"A lot of what" demanded Mr. Chill
ingfeld
Reginald Chillingtield was tall and
slender and handsome, with bright blue
eyes and a straight nose, which latter fea-
ture he rubbed as he stood staring at Mike
Updown.
t'Of ladies, sir Come to answer the ad-
vertisement. "
"Oh,' said Mr. Chillingtield, II recol-
Iect now."
The array of feminine faces, all expect
antly turned toward him, was enough to
awe the stoutest bachelor heart, and Reg
tnald Chillingfield closed the parlor door
with bang.
Jones' said he to his familiar friend,
who had just lighted cigar in the read
ing room, what shall dor"
''In respect to what?"
My Aunt Polly's companion. There's
dozen Of 'em there, apparently all ages
from 16 to 60. My Aunt Polly doesn't
want 12 companions.
"Have 'em admitted one by one," sug-
gested Jones, and ON this hint Mr. Chill
ingfield promptly acted
"You sit and pretend to be reading the
newspaper, whispered Chillingfield,
land if you like the applicants looks,
paper. Dear me, my shirt collar is wet
already My face is burning. Why could
not Aunt Polly have hunted up her own
companion? Yes, Mike, all ready. Ask
one of the ladies to walk in. "
And, with a grin, Mike announced:
Miss Zerinah Hall. -
Miss Hall was tall, scant haired and
specialized, in robe of gingham and a
drab silk hat.
II am seeking situation, young man,
she said, mot from necessity, but because
in middle life one feels the lack of COM
panionship 1 hope the elderly lady men
toned in the advertisement is church
members"
CEackle, crackle! went the newspaper.
Chillingfield glanced guiltily at his friend.
mo, she's not-that isl think perhaps
younger person You did not say how
old you were, Miss Hall. "
Miss Zerinah went out, closing the door
behind her with bang.
Mrs. Hawkesbury, the next candidate,
was clairvoyant and spiritualist.
II think l could amuse the old lady
with foretelling the future" said she.
THAT was the way did at my three last
situations"
"ThreeI' repeated Mr. Chillingfeld.
ZONES. my dear fellow, don't rustic that
paper so vehemently. Did you say threes
How did you happen to leave those situa-
tiops?''
''The visitation of Providence. sir,
said Mrs. Hawkesbury. "They all died
the respected laties whom it was once my
duty and my pleasure to-
The next was too deaf, the next too
fieshy, the third was unwilling to live
with any lady who did not keep a man
servant, the fourth wanted too high a sal
ary-so on, ad infinitum, until the news
paper was fairly cracked to pieces. Until
at length there was, SO to speak, "tie"
between the last two candidates.
Ruth Coke was just 10, pretty as sweet
pea blossom and ready to undertake any
description of service to escape from her
stepmother and nine turbulent half broth
eFs and sisters.
Helen Howard was queenly young wo-
man of five and twenty, who read like
Mrs. Scott-Siddons, sang delicious Scotch
ballads and frankly owned that she need
ed a home
Mr. Jones ooughed himself purple in
the face over both of them.
'You couldn't do better, Reginald
said he, than TO take''-
Which ones'
"Bothl''
"But you must remember that I have
only got one Aunt Polly A choice must
be made"
''Toss up copper.
You irreverent villainP'
Draw cuts, then. Look. l write
Helen on one, Ruth on the other.
Prestoi Changel Now draw Ruth has
won the dayp'
So Mr.. Reginald Chillingfeld took Ruth
Coke home with him to the domiciliary
abode of his Aunt Polly by evening train,
leaving Helen Howard sad and quiet.
"You are disappointed, said he. 81
wish could have engaged you both"
Yes" said Helen, Il am disappointed,
| confess. Life is hard and stern to me.
Reginald Chillingfield thought over her
words. They haunted him, and not only
her words, but the garnet brown shadows
of her eyes, and a week afterward he went
back to Glenville
Yes, Miss Howard is at home" said
the shabby maid of all work at the third
rate boarding house where Miss Howard
lived walk in
And Mr.. Chillingfield walked in, to find
Miss Howard tete-a-tete with Mr.. Jones.
"Hellor' cried Jones. "Who would ever
have thought of seeing your"
Il might say the same" laughingly re-
torted Chillingfeld, as he took Miss How.
ard S hand But I have news for you.
Miss Helen
II have heard of an excellent situation
near my aunt's-an invalid lady, whose
husband
Hang the invalid lady and her hus.
bandp' interposed Jones. 81 was just go
ing to write you about it, old boy. We
are to be married tomorrow.
Mop cried Reginald "Then I'll stay
to the wedding Butt
"Well?"
Ism t it rather sudden arrangement
Life is full of sudden things" said
Jones philosophically "Helen is willing
to run the risk
And so the troublesome question was
settled satisfactorily to all parties.-Nsw
York News
Some Queer Trees.
The breadfruit tree of Ceylon is very
remarkable. Its fruit is baked and eaten
as we eat bread and is equally good and |