The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-04-20
THE ORIGINAL THE0.

Margery had been called upon at an
early age 10 solve one OF life's most
troublesome, IL not important prob
lens; one which few girls are forced
10 grapple with so young. though sell
dom does one escape encountering H.
at some time. Being ayerse, 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,
and the management OF servants, and
such was her situation that this was
made as difficult as possible, for Mar
gery's home was in the suburbs OF
/ southern city, where desirable SER
wants are by no means In abundance.
| Such a place is supposed TO combine
the many comforts Of both city ana
country life, and although little Is said
of its 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 IA 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.
IL was too great an expense, hOwey-
er, for MargcTy and the three boys
TO share the trip, and so It was, they
were left behind after many misgly-
ings indeed, and instructions as mum
crous as If Margcry was about to rule
a domain as important and extensive
as that governed by our president.
Margcry felt n due sense of the re.
sponslbility OF her position. though by
no means overwhelmed by IL. 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 MerrlPs
home.
These two young gentlemen were
usually described by facctiOus mem.
Der of the family, as "Thco. who
thought he was brilliant. and Jerry,
who disagreed with him"
But however much opinions Of Theo
might differ, il IL certain that during
the summer of which we write that
conceited young person really distln-
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 Thco made a suggestion
which fell little short Of causing "A
small revolution in the household.
Margery had taken her place at the
table with a somewhat rutiled express
sion. "You Will have no waitress to-
night" she declared, with little pre-
liminary rattle OF the cups. "That is,
you won't have any tonight, or any
other time, while l am keeping
houscw
The boys stared and gaspcd, and
Jerry began wishing that all his fay.
OrIte dishes hadn't been put ON the
opposite end of the table.
Yes" resumed Margcry sadly,
Carrie wasn't worth shooting, and
when she smashed one of the dresden
plates "A while ago l simply bundled
her home in IA hurry. They're all care.
less and stupid and thlevish, aud I'll
wait on the table myself! l say" she
added, noting various shades of dsap-
proyal on the faces about her. III you
don't like 1t, you can just change your
boarding places, but I'm pretty sure |
can so round and change the plates
for the second course and bring fresh
ones good deal quicker than she can.
Ill never break any, either"
Theo was bending over his plate with
n pensivc and somewhat sad express
sion. 81 say" he declared presently, II
visited convict camps, and l guess
we've all got about as good feet as the
Conyicts have"
Margcry stared. 81 can't imagine"
she remarked with dignity, "the possl-
bic connection between my housckeep-
Ing and the pedal appendages of con.
yicts."
Then you've got good deal less
imagination than | thought you had"
observed Theo, calmly "The connec.
tion is obvious. At the convict camp,
every fellows his own waiter. Now,
we men folks would feel awfully bad
TO sit back and have you changing our
plates for us, so why can't we all do IL
for ourselvesI You can Just 20 TO the
piano and play us march, and Wen
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 IL would
be lovely" And Theo sighed. I'm &c.
static Imagination Of the novel scene.
by the ghost of Hamlet. what n
bright theor-ryw exclaimed Tom. who
was inclined 10 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 Theo
thoughtfully. She was fond OF origl.
nality in almost any form, and the
uniqueness of hcr cousins plan struck
her fancy at once. But" she hcslta.
ted. ''you know I'm going 70 invite