Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-12-30


has lately taken unto himself a 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 l ever knew. My mother died
when l was baby, and have no sis
ters Just look at the girls of my set
They dance and sing. but what earthly
thing are they good for?"
'lf that is the case it is about time
that you made some new acquaint-
ances"
Seeing is believing with me-"
There was a pause in the conver-
sation. The two men were season
ing their argument with periods of
thought and smoke. They were good
friends, though differing widely in ma
terial circumstances and usually in
convictions. One, Frank Sheldon, was
rich and single; the other, Stewart Van
Cleate, was rcther poor and married.
Both vc.e 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 unusualw Sheldon laughed.
My wife is dying for piano" the
other went on, paying no attention to
the raillery, "and l think see how to
get her one"
wish l saw how to get house
keeper" came lazily through the to-
bacco smoke in reply.
The two things are connected in
my idea You say women are all alike
and that it is impossible to hire
good housekeeper. L dare you to back
it up with a bet"
"A bet. On a housekeeper?
Yes"
"Well, fire ahead. What is it,"
simply this-that | can produce a
housekeeper who will prove entirely
satisfactory to you and that aunt of
yours who lives with YOU"
What are the termsT' Sheldon ask
ed abruptly.
''If win you buy me piano. If I
lose l pay the girls wages. Is 1t q
goT'
Indeed 1t Is. I've got to strike out
upon the housekeeper market again.
and If you want to make an employ
ment bureau out of yourself I'm sure
I don't care. But you'll lose."
Don't be too sure Of that. But, by
he way, there must be time limit
= this. You might like her, but she
to 1T not like you, you know. Sup
mig we say that she is to stay for
pose weeks, longer If you want her
three can persuade her to do So"
10 uN reed. But, really, I'm awfully
sorry focyou. l hate to see you lose,"
sheldon said in mock concern.
You'd better spend your time visit
ing the piano dealers" the other re-
torted good naturedly.
Two days afterward the girl" put
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.
"The cirl' was at first shy and
doubtful about her work, but day by
day she grew more skillful until, al
the end Of the third week, Sheldon was
forced to admit that she realized his
highest ideals. And then he fell ii
love with her!
1t was while she was busting the
books In the library that he asked hel
to be his wife He had hardly begur
his fervent avowal Of love when she
interrupted him.
"Mr. Sheldon, I cannot let you &C
on" she said and turned ner fac
away from him. What you ask 4
impossible, or at least-oh, l cannot
| will not, say anything more! Sc
Mr.. Van Cleate. He will tell you tina
I, that we, have been deceiving you.
With that she hurried out Of tn
room.
Sheldon was very much bewildere
at her actions, but he lost no time i
going in search of Van Cleate. In les
than an hour he returned.
He found 1.-The girl in the hall jus
ready to leave. He took her by tn
hand and led her to a seat and the
sat down beside her He did not spea