The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-10
THE EVENING STORY
sheIdon,a Housekeeper.

and I say most emphaticalIy, that it
ia impossible to secure an all round
satisfactory housekeeper."
Whats troubling you? Has that
latest and most hopeful one of all de-
particle"
YES Today. She drank"
Another one in view YETI"
mo, and how 1 wish there never
had to be. They're all alike
"Oh, pshaw! You're pessimist."
We'll, they are. HOusekeepers and
women in general. Good to look at,
some of them, anyway, but that's as
far as they CO."
Hold on there, old man. Just re-
member that you're talking to one
who has lately taken unto himself
spouse. You aren't fair. You pass
judgment upon the whole SEX when
all that you really know about them
is what you have learned from the
few whom you have hired to work
for you"
I'm judging from all the women
that I ever knew. My mother died
when I was a baby and I have no
sisters. Just look at the girls of my
set. They dance and sing, but what
earthly thing are they good for?''
IF that is the case it is about time
that you made some new acquaint-
ances.''
Seeing is believing with me-.
There was q pause in the CONVEX
sation. The two men were seasoning
their argument with periods of
thought and smoke. They were good
friends, though differing widely in
material circumstances and usually
in convictions. One-Frank Sheldon
was rich and single; the other-Ste-
wart Van Cheate-was rather poor
and married. Both were young. The
silence which had lasted for several
minutes was finally broken by Van
Cleate.
"Humph," he said, drawing his pipe
slowly from his mouth, I've got an
idea"
How unusual" Sheldon laughed.
my wife is dying for a piano" the
other went on, paying no attention to
the raillery, land I think I see how
to get her one
wish I saw how to get a house
keeper" came lazily through the to-
bacco smoke in reply.
1.-The two things are connected in
my idea. You say women are all alike
and that it is impossible to hire
good housekeeper- I dare you to back
it up with a bet
"A bet! On housekeeper
Yes
We'll, fire ahead. What is it,"
Simply this-that 1 can produce a
housekeeper who will prove entirely
satisfactory to you and that aunt of
yours who lives with you
,gB
asked, abruptly.
IF I win you buy me piano. II
lose, I pay the girls wages. Is it
a go?"
Indeed it is. I've got to strike out
upon the housekeeper market again.
and if you want to make an employ
don't care. But you will Iose.''
Don't be too sure of that. But by
the way, there must be a time limit
to this. You might like her, but she
might not like you, you know. Sup
pose we say that she is to stay for
three weeks, longer if you want her
to, and can persuade her to do So"
agreed. But really I'm awfully
sorry for you. 1 hate to see you lose"
Sheldon said in mock concern.
You'd better spend your time visit
ing the piano Dealers the other re-
Two days afterward THE Grip nut
IN her appearance and was hired, Shell
don transacting that business himself,
for he had learned by sad experience
that where servants were concerned the
more his too eXacting aunt could be
kept in the background the better.
me G1rP was at first shy and
doubtful about her work. but day by
day she grew more skflIful, until. at
the end of the third week, Sheldon was
forced to admit that she realized his
highest ideals. And then-he fell in
love with her!
books in the library that he asked her
to be his wife. He had hardly begun
his fervent avowal of love when she
interrupted him.
Mr.. Sheldon, I cannot let Won go
on" she said. and turned her face away
from him. What you ask is impossi-
ble-or at least-oh, 1 cannot, I will no.
say anything more See Mr.. Van
we. been deceiving YOU With that
she hurried out of the room.
Sheldon was very much bewildered at
her actions, but he lost no time in go
than an hour he returned.
He found THE GirI' in the hall just
ready to leave. He took her by the
hand and led her to a seat and then
for a moment. and when lie did his
voice was very low and gentle.
Dear he said, Il love you all the
more now, my plucky little housekeep-
err"
You know. then?'' she asked.
Il know that you, besides being the
best girl that I ever knew. are the sis
ter of my most intimate friend. Stew
art Van Cleate. Tell me. why did YOU
do it?"
You said that women were only
good to look at"
and it was that remark that did it
alp"
Yes. I wanted you to see that there
were women who were good for some