The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-05-26
THE ORIGINAL THEo.

THE ORIGINAL THEO.
Margery had been called upon al
an early age to solve one of life most
troublesome, if not important prob
lens one which few girls are forced
to grapple with so young, though
seldom does one escape encountering
it, at some time. Being averse, by
nature, to doing anything by halves,
Margery had increased her cares by
inviting several acquaintance to
cheer her solitary existence during
the weeks of her parents absence
from the city.
To be more explicit, Margery's 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 a
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 and
country life, and although little is
said of its also combining their dis
comforts such is most truly hopeless
ly 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, how
ever, 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 nrl-
merous as if Margery was about to
rule a domain as important and ex-
tensive as that governed by our Pres
sponsiblIity OF ner position, though
by no means overwhelmed by it. Pos
sib1y she would have chance to dis
tinguish herself, and the desireto do
this was one which Our heroine shar-
ed, in common with most other hui
man beings. Particularly did she
wish to perform her duties we'll in
the eyes of two mischievous boy cous-
ins, who were spending the summer
at the Merrill's home.
These two young gentlemen were
usually described by a 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.
Merrill took their departure that the
incorrigible Theo made suggestion
which fell little short of causing a
small revolution in the household.
Margery had taken her place at the
table with somewhat rufled express
sion. "You will have no waitress to-
night" she declared, with little
preliminary rattle Of the CUPS. "That
is, you won't have any tonight, or
any other time, while l am keeping
house p
The boys stared and gasped, and
Jerry began wishing that all his fa-
vorite dishes hadn't been put on the
opposite end of the table.
eyes," resumed Margery sadly,
Carrie wasn't worth shooting, and
when she smashed one of the dresden
plates while ago I simply bundled
her home in hurry. They're all
careless and stupid and thievish, and
I'll wait on the table myself l say"
she added, noting various shades Of
disapprova1 on the faces about her,
eff you don't like it, you can just
change your boarding places, but L IN
pretty sure can go round and change
the plates for the second course and
bring fresh ones good deal quicker,
than she can. I'll never break any,
either"
Theo was bending over his plate
with pensive and somewhat sad ex-
preston. II say" he declared pres
emily, 81 visited convict camps, and
1 guess we've all got about as good
feet as the convicts have"
Margery stared. "I can't imag-
ine," she remarked with dignity,
"the possible connection between my
housekeeping and the pedal appen-
dages of convicts." F"
"Then you've got good deal less
imagination than 1 thought you had. "
observed Toeo, calmly. "The con-
nection is obvious. At the convict
camp, every fellows his own waiter.
Now, we men folks would feel awful
ly bad to sit back and have you chang
ing our plates for us, SO why can't
we all do it for ourselves? You car
just go to the piano and play us q
march, and we'll get up and parade
round the table fast, to the music
then, we'll put our plates down or
the sideboard and all march graceful
ly back again. 1t would be lovely r
And Theo sighed, in ecstatic imagi
mutton of the novel scene.
"By the ghost of Hamlet, what {
bright theor-ry p exclaimed Tom
who was inclined to be sarcastic. ane
and evidently ignored the fact tha
puns are the lowest order to wit.
Strange to say, however, MargerJ
looked rather pleased, and eyed Thee
thoughtful1y. She was fond of origi
| ralitu In almost anv form and thl