The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-05-04
THE ORIGINAL THEO.

Margery had been called upon at an
early age to solve one of life's most
troublesome, If not important prob
lens; one which few girls are forced
to grapple with so young, though sell
dom does one escape encountering it,
at some time Being averse, by ma
ture. to doing anything by halves,
Margery had increased her cares by
inviting several acquaintances 10
cheer her solitary existence during the
weeks of her parents absence from
the city.
TO be more explicit Margery's
problem was that of housekeeping,
ard the management Of servants, and
such was her situation that this was
made rs difficult as possible, for Mar
-t.. > home was in the suburbs of a
81, thcrn city, where desirable SER
v'Hs are by no means in abundance.
SVcl place is supposed to combine
t"r Hauy comforts of both city and
,oynjrv life. and although little is said
Of It's also combining their discomforts
such is most truly and hopelessly the
case
Mr. Merrill, the father of Margery,
found himself, at the time when our
story opens, in sadly failing health
and much in need of a change of air
and scene. This must be of some
weeks duration, and feeling that it
would accomplish little good unless
she was by to see that he took proper
care of himself Mrs Merrill deter
mined to accompany her husband.
1t was too great an expense. howev-
er, for Margery and the three boys
to share the trip, and so it was, they
were left behind after many miSgiv-
ings indeed, and instructions as num-
erous as if Margery was about 10 rule
a domain as important and extensive
as that governed by our president.
Margery felt a due sense OF the re-
sponsibility Of her position, though by
no means overwhelmed by it. Possibly
she would have a chance to distinguish
herself, and the desire to do this was
one which our heroine shared, in com
mon with most other human beings.
Particularly did she wish to perform
her duties well in the eyes of two mis-
chievous boy cousins. who were
, spending the summer at the Merrills
home.
These two young gentlemen were
usually described by facetious mem
Der of the family, as "Theo, who
thought he was brilliant, and Jerry,
who disagreed with him"
But however much opinions of Theo
might differ, it is certain that during
the summer of which we write, that
conceited young person really distin-
! guished himself.
1t was during the first meal that had
been served after Mr. and Mrs. Mer.
rill took their departure that the in
corrigible Theo made suggest. on
which fell little short of causing a
small revolution in the household.
Margery had taken her place at tn,
table with a somewhat ruflled express
sion. You will have no waitress to-
night she declared, with a little pre-
liminary rattle of the cups. THAT is.
you won't have any tonight, or any
other time, while l am keeping
house,
The boys stared and gasped, aud
jerry began wishing that all his fav-
orite dishes hadn't been put on the
opposite end of the table.
Yes" resumed Margery sadly.
Carrie wasn't worth shooting, and
when she smashed one of the dresden
plates a while ago simply bundled
her home in a hurry. They're all care
less and stupid and thievish, and I'll
wait on the table myself! say" she
added, noting various shades of disap-
proval on the faces about her. "if you
don't like 1t, you can just change your
boarding places, but I'm pretty sure |
can go round and change the plates
for the second course and bring fresh
ones a good deal quicker than she can,
III never break any, either"
Theo was bending over his plate with
pensive and somewhat sad express
sion. 81 say" he declared presently, 81
visited convict camps, and | guess
We've all got about as good feet as the
convicts have"
Margery stared. 81 can't imagine"
she remarked with dignity, 1.-The posi-
bic connection between my housekeep.
ing and the pedal appendages of con-
victs."
Then you've got a good deal less
imagination than | thought you had,'
observed Theo, calmly. The connec-
ton is obvious. At the convict camp.
every fellows his own waiter. Now.
we men folks would feel awfully lad
to sit back and have you changing our
plates for US so why can't we all do it
for ourselves? You can just go to the
piano and play us march, and we'll
get up and parade round the table
fast, to the music; then, Wen put our
plates down on the sideboard and all
march gracefully back again. 1t would
be lovely" And Theo sighed, in &c.
static imagination Of the novel scene.
"By the ghost of Hamlet. what
bright theor-ryw exclaimed Tom. who
was inclined to be sarcastic and evil
IDENTIFY ignored the fact that puns are
the lowest order to wit
Strange to say, however, Margery
looked rather pleased, and eyed Thee
thoughtfully. She was fond oI orig-
nality in almost any FORM and the
.nniqueness of her cousins plan struck
; her fancy at once. But" she hesita-
eted you know I'm going to invite
Alice and Lille and Kate on a visit
next week, and what do you reckon
'they'd think of il alI?"