Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1900-11-09
THE ORIGINAL THE0.

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 eneountering 1t,
at some time. Being averse, by ma
ture, to doing anything by halves,
Margery had increased her cares by
inviting several acquaintances 30
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 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 discomforts
such is most truly and hOpelessly the
case
MIR 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 1t
would accomplish little good unless
she was by to see that he took proper
lot.
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 1t was, they
were left behind after many misgiv-
ings indeed and instructions as num-
| erous as If Margery was about to rule
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 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 Merrllls
/ 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 Thee
might differ, it is certain that during
the summer of which we write, that
conceited young person really distin-
! gulshed 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 a suggestion
which fell little short of causing d
small revolution in the household.
Margery had taken her place at the
table with a somewhat rufiied expires.
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 am keeping
houser'
The boys stared and gasped, ant
Jerry began wishing that all his fav
orite dishes hadn't been put on tn,
opposite end of the table.
YES" resumed Margery sadly
"Carrie wasn't worth shooting, ant
when she smashed one of the dresden
plates while ago l simply bundleN
her home i'm a hurry. They're all care
less and stupid and thievish, and III
wait on the table myself! l say" sh,
added, noting various shades of disap
proyal on the faces about her, "if yol
don't like it, you can just change you
boarding places, but I'm pretty sure
can go round and change the plate
for the second course and bring fresl
ones good deal quicker than she can
I'll never break any, either"
Theo was bending over his plate witt
pensiYe and somewhat sad expires
sion. 81 say" he declared presently, "
! visited convict camps, and 1 CUES
we've all got about as good feet as tn
convicts have"
Margery stared. 81 can't imagine,
she remarked with dignity, "the possi
ble connection between my housekeeT
ing and the pedal appendages of con
victs."
"Then you've got good deal les
imagination than l thought you had,
observed Theo, calmly. "The conneC
ton is obvious. At the convict camI
every fellows his own waiter. Now
we men folks would feel awfully ba
to sit back and have you changing on
plates for us, so why can't we all do
for ourselves? You can Just go to th
piano and play us march, and We
get up and parade round the tabl
fast, to the music; then. wen put ou
plates down on the sideboard and a
march gracefully back again. 1t woul
/ be lovelyw And Theo sighed, in e,
\ static imagination Of the novel seen,
! by the ghost of Hamlet, what
bright theor-ryw exclaimed Tom, VIII
was inclined to be sarcastic. and evi
IDENTIFY ignored the fact that puns al
the lowest order to wit.
Strange to say, however, Marger
looked rather pleased, and eyed The
thOughtfully. She was fond of orig
nality in almost any form, and th
! uniqueness of her cousins plan struc
her fancy at once. But" she hesit,
ted, you know I'm going to invlt
Alice and Lille and Kate on a Wis
next week. and what do you recko
they'd think Of II alY'
"Be charmed" declared The
promptly; perfectly charmed An
then, you know. If there are girls her