Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-01
A JEWEL OF A MAID

Washington widower, somewhat on the
yon side of forty. was married while
back to svelte, handsome widow-com-
fortabiy under thirty-from Chicago
She had been visiting some washington
friends when the widower came along. and
it was not long before the understanding
was reached. Widowers and widows gen.
orally know thing or two. Therefore.
in this case, there was an ante-nuptial
agreement that the widower, at any rate.
meant to have stick He Is plain-spoken
man, and before the marriage he said:
MY dear, you're supposed to have no
relatives at all. you know. Neither am l
to have any relatives. l can get along
admirably without them. and / hope you
can. I've had a whfri or so with relatives
by marriage. and l don't doubt that you
have also, like everybody else. What do
you say to both Of us cutting out the rela-
tives altogether? Thus may we be happy
and wax amiable and lovely to look upon.
How about it 2"
1t was all right, said the widow. She
didn't have many relatives, anyhow-oniy a
couple of sisters. and they were In chicago
and not likely to come to washington:
They were very sweet girls, though, and
pretty into the bargain
had seen one of them before you met me-
you'd have-well, you might have
"Never!' declared the widower
And that was the last of it, They were
duly married and set up housekeeping III
a tidy Mt. Pleasant home.
For the first month they had coiored
maid servant around the place put Ihe
coIored girl became decided frost. she
exceiled only as back-tehce CONVERSE
tionalist.
"Fire her" said the husband.
II intend to- said the wife. and I'm
going to get a white girl An aW1uily
to me by Mrs So-and-So the other day, and
l saw her yesterday. She's coming next
week She looks to be perfect gem. Inc
only trouble is she's just too pretty LOT
any use, and I'm afraid
"G'way" said the husband.
The new white housemaid came the 1oilo"-
ing week Pretty wasn't any name TOT ner.
She was a picture. Her Kitchen ciotnes
were like royal raiment on her. An aure .ae
of chestnut brown hair waved upon her
shapely head She looked like Watteau
housemaid.
"Say- my dear" said the husband,
Overwhelmingly. to his wife after ne hao
seen the new housemaid. you want 10
watch out, bringing Rossetti-Burne Jones
girls around here. You sure DO. Why'
that girl ..x,,;+
.'That'll do for you. said his wire. wall
till you taste her coffee.
The new housemaid was simply spec
tacular success. She could COOK IKE
French chef. and she had an artlstlc way
of ornamenting the dining table ana OF
furnishing the dishes that made huge
hit with the man Of the house. She was a
worker from away back. too, and the mouse
Immediately began to look IKE the proven
bal new pin Curiously enough, the new
girl had no callers. . :,
"I'd like to see any plugs hanging around
here to see that girl. that's all. said the
husband. 'I'n hate to lose her. but I'm
going to get a good husband Tor her IN
time somehow or another.
Are you, dear! SAID the "iie' o"
very good of your
Things went along Beautifully TOT coupe
of weeks and the husband noticed, not
however. with displeasure. how thick his
Vic and the new housemaid seemed to be
with each other He often came In ana
found them confdentially ger-muggering
in the dining room. and what he overhearo
of the girls conversation snoW e ner ~
for a housemaid. He couldn't quite MAKE
1t out but he said nothing. ,..
The husband and wife were sitting on
their front steps one or those paIIhy even.
inps early in the week. when the front
gate was opened with a business-llke rattle.
and a well-dressed, well-set-up man Oh
thirty-fve or So carrying suit case came
sailing up the walk. The ex-w1doW rose TO
receive him.
.sWhy, Ed she said. giving him IA. warm I'm,
handshake, what surprise! When did
Won get in, and how do you do?"
"Howdy, Sallie" said Ed cheerfully'
This hubby? How are you, sir? Glad to
meet you Where's Marle!
The ex-widow flushed when she causht
her husbands mystified eye.
INV brother-in-law, my dear, she SAID
to him "Mary's. or, rather, Mares nus
hand" she added, nodding mischlevousiy
at the newcomer. Marie. oh, Marie!' she
sung up the stairs after the "housemaid'
who, in a pretty dress, and looklng-as the
ex-widower didn't hesitate to say there ana
tben-iust as much like dream as ever,
was down the stairs and in her husband
arms in no time.
aWarie wanted to visit me-" explained
the ex-widower's wife to her husband, and
I had to write to her about our mutual no
relatives agreement. Then she susgesteu
this plan. Shed been married to Ed-Eo
on the board of trade in Chicago-for Two
wears. and suppose he's come now to take
her away from US. And. oh, dear me, Wen
have to get another girl now.
you're a blooming fake said her nus
band, grinning. -, I,,,e
sSIich a good master and mistress as I've
hadr' said the housemaid to her husband
impertinently, when they got around the
sitting room table. And how they DO nate
their relatives don't they. Why, Ed TO
her husband, how dare you? No, he didn't
even try to kiss me once."