Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-04-12
MY new HOUSEKEEPER.
By HORACE EATON WALKER.

CTatlc parents. ana ne nau IalT WaTH-
ing. too. as my father said. on giving
me TO him. that was a good girl. an
educated young lady. and with little
patience and perseverance could be de-
yeloped into real helpmeet.
Il take her for better and for worse.
my dear Mr.. Hartshorn." he said. and
really believe that none of us will
live TO regret my union with your only
child"
OF course. We all hoped so and be-
lieved so: for Adolphus Marston was n
fine young man. of good family. and
with habits of life above the average.
So matters were consummated, be-
coming his willing bride.
At first We took our meals at the
nearest restaurant. as our new cottage
was not yet fitted. TO the requirements
Of my fastidious new husband. l had
resolved from the very first not to ruff
fie his temper; anG while mine was not
of the sweetest. | being 10 some in
tents and purposes a spoiled child. |
decided to hold my peace ifthe heavens
fell. | saw a growing Impotence on
his part. however. and could easily see
that taking his meals at a cafe was de-
cidedly annoying on account of the de-
lays of orders. the muddy coffee, the
impertinence of walters. and other dis
agreeable etceteras.
FINALLY | ventured to ask him If he
was tired OF taking his meals out. He
was very tired. and was now ready Tor
business. the business of housekeeping.
But, Dolphy. may ! ask the name
Of our housekeerer?"
1T is Adolphus Marston."
/ simply stared. for so far as was
aware he knew little or nothing of the
culinary art. patiently awaited
coming events. which were now rapid
ly casting their shadows before.
Not long after this We were happi-
ly settled in our new home; the res
tarrant was abandoned for all time.
, and our larder filled TO repletion. OF
course our first venture was breakfast,
and | wondered at his remaining in
bed so late; as IL was an excessively
cold morning. the sitting room and
kitchen fires would both need tending.
and he was due al the Office at
O'Clock.
was later awakened however from
light nap by hearing Aiolphus NOV
ing hurriedly about the sitting room.
An intense chillness was in the atmos-
phere. and there seemed to be trouble
of some kind.
wondered what il was. but did not
wonder audibly. Silence seemed to be
golden at this hour. Presently heard
Adolphus descend the kitchen stairs.
and arising. | inspected the sitting
room. 1t was a sight to behold. Ashes
to-right of me. ashes to left of me.
ashes everywhere. could have sat
down and cried but as he HAD not lost
patience why should /? So on hear
ing his returning footsteps hastily re-
tired, and when he re-entered the
room loaded with kindIing wood pa
per. shavings and a whole box of
matches. was as unconscious as the
seven sleepers. But poking his chilled
nose through the portieres Adolphus
announced:
"Hortense. the sitting room fire is
out"
Indeed"
And the fire is also out in the
kitchen stove"
Cant help you?"
"Oh. no, I'm the housekeeper for one
week. At the end of that tim | shall
either commit suicide 60 TO lunatic
ASYLUM or fall into high fever"
After more noise than a threshing
machine. and dust. smoke and some
a I,f, 70
self that the fire was going. AS soon
as he left the room | arose and dressed,
not to receive callers. but in my COM
monest gown. as from present inGica-
ton | knew that the unexpected was
sure 10 happen. and it did | under
stood very little about a broom. and
much less about carpet sweeper. but
between them both managed TO make
the sitting room presentable. Then
a call from the kitchen.
"Hortense are you up?
Yes, dear"
How much water do you put in bis
cult four?'
Just little, so it will knead. Dol
ply. dear"
a rattle Of dishes. a noise of spoons
and moulding board. them
''Hortense. how much cream of tar
tar for a batch of biscuit?"
Il guess a teaspoonful."
How much soda?"
81 gless a teaspoonful."
You could tell me what a quaver
demi-semi-quayer is in music bar.
breve, a crochet, a chord, and not
guess at il. So don't guess a tea
sponnful but how much soda"
Enough to suit the taste"
TASTES differ
so do cooks
A half hour passed away. did not
dare to descend To the kitchen: the
noise there was simply overwhelming
! could hear him bang the roller over
the moulding board. then crash. lie
had dropped a dish. and heard him
say he didn't see how a dish could
break into so many pieces. Later
heard the oven door snap TO. a few
hasty steps. and then deathly silence
What could il mean? Why this still
ness? Had he fallen in a fit from
mental excitement? Or was he quiet
ly strapping his razor preparatory 10
cutting his throat? The suspense was
horrible. could not bear il, How