The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-03

BY JEROME K. JEROME-


er place amt down ere among US
mere mortals; 'er place is up in 'eaven
with q arp and a golden crown. Theirs
my niece, Emma. I don't say she is
saint, but a better 'earted, 'arder work
ing gal, at twenty pounds a year you
don't expect to find, unless maybe
you're a natural born fool that can't
'elp yourself. She wanted a place. She
'ad been 'ome for nearly six months,
nursing er old father, as 'ad been
down all the winter with rheumatic
fever; and 'ard-put to 1t she was for
a few clothes. You ear 'em talk about
gals as insists on an hour a day for
practising the piano, and the right to
evening with them in the drawing
room. Perhaps it is meant to be fun
ny; I amt come across the type Of gal
myself, outside the pictures in the
comic papers; and I'll never believe, till
see 'er myself. that anybody else as
They sent 'er from the registry Office
| to lady at Clapton- 7 'ope you are
good at getting up early in the morn
ing? says the lady, like a gal as
rises cheerfully to 'er work We'll,
ma'am, says Emma, L can't say as I
ave got a passion for it. But It's one
of those things that as to be done, and
I guess I've learnt the trick. I'm a
great believer in early rising says my
lady In the morning one is always
fresher for ones work. My husband
and the younger children breakfast at
arr past seven; myself and my elder
daughter ave our breakfast in bed at
eight sThatll be all right, ma'am,
says Emma. And 1 'Ope,' says the
lady you are of an amiable DISPOSE
ton. Some gals, when you ring the
bell, come UP looking so disagreeable,
one almost wishes one didn't want
them We'll, it amt a thing explains
Emma, as makes you want to burst
out laughing, earring the bell go off for
the twentieth time, and 'aving suddenly
to put down your work at, perhaps, a
critical moment. Some ladies don't
seem able to reach down their at for
themselves I 'ope you are not i'm
pertinent says the lady. If there's
one thing 7 object to in a servant it is
impertinence.' We none of US like be-
ing answered back, says Emma. more
particularly when we are not in the
wrong. But 1 know my place, ma'am,
and shan't give you no lip. It always
leads to less trouble I find, keeping
your mouth shut, rather. than opening
it. Are you fond of chiIdren?' asks
my lady. 1T depends upon the chill
dren, says Emma there are some I
ave 'ad to do with as made the day
seem pIeasanter, and I've come across
others as could ave parted from at
any moment without tears 7 like a
gal, says the lady, who is naturally
fond of children, it shows good char
acter. How many are there of them 2
says Emma. -Four of them answers
the lady. but you won't ave much to
do except with the two youngest. The
great thing with young children is to
surround them with good examples.
Are you a Christian asks my lady
That is what I am generally called,
says Emma. Every other Sunday
evening out is my rule says the lady
but of course I shall expect you to go to
church. DO you mean in my time,
ma am ? says Emma. or in yours p I
mean on your evening, of course says
the lady. How else could you go?'
| Well, ma am says Emma, I like to
see my people now and then There
are better things says the lady than
seeing what you call your people: and
should not care to take girl into my
house as put 'er pleasure before 'er
religion. You are not engaged, I 'ope 2
Walking out, ma'am, do you mean p