The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-06-15
WHOEVER JUDD'S
| HOUSEKEEPER,
The Surprise That Was In Store
For Two Designing Women.
BY ANNE AEILMAN.

BY ANNE HElLMAN.
fcepyrizhtsd, 1903. by Associated Literary
Press-l
Mrs. Plat sat on her front porch,
busy In braiding a mat. She was one
of those women one likes to have
shout. There was certain comfort
ing presence In her large figure and
comedy face. Although the face when
at rest was somewhat sad, yet it was
one Of those beaming faces that seem
full Of love for the whole world-that
Is, for all whom she admitted into her
world For those outside of it's bounds
she had no use. Just now her thoughts
were busy with her neighbor, in whose
direction she sent her giances.
Peters getting his supper early"
she unused. TITS pretty lonely for him,
but / hope he won't be inyeigied into
taking Serena Lamb for housekeeper.
I never was one 10 promote gossip, but
all Clifton knows that her reputation
for dressing far outdoes her skill In
housekeeping. II I thought Just
then she turned her head and caught
sight Of Mrs. Lamb walking up the
path.
ssToo bad to see that nice home going
10 rack and ruin" Mrs. Lamb began
after settling herseh In the rocker. Il
hear it's fairly swarming with mice.
Peter only uses two rooms Isn't it
wonder he amt picked out house
keeper afore thisY''
1--WE an idea" said Mrs. Plat, en-
deavoring to speak unconcernedly,
'sthat he'll probably ask you''-
'*Mer' interrupted Mrs. Lamb In an
astonished tone. MEL And with such
famous cook rs you next doori Trust
q man to get cook when he's free 10
pick and choose. Sarah wasn't much
on the cooking. and I guess he'll want
a change"
David and I spent twenty-five hap
py years in this house." sighed Mrs.
Paatt. It'd come hard for me to leave
IT,
asAnd I couldn't possibly leave my
place." protested Mrs. Lamb. "And
the garden doing so nicely too. You'd
oughter see my Strawberries, Emeline.
Peter says they are the finest he ever
saw. I'd bring you over saucerful,
but as Peter was going on so about
your getting 50 stout I thought ]
wouldn't encourage your appetite any.
Well" looking keenly at her friend to
assure herself that the blow had struck
home, 81 must be getting on"
Serena Jared forth slowly along the
grassy lane. "Emeline don't care
shucks for Peter judd" she shrewdly
conjectured. David Piatt's money is
more to her than any living man. But
she'd take the place for no other reason
than to keep me out Of it. As II any
one would look at her twice when Pm
around" and she giowed with a fine
satisfaction as she compared herself
to Mrs. Piatt.
To be sure, Emeline was an umpire
on all the arts Of housekeeping; her
cookery was town talk, while she had
never become proficient in the art, but
there were other ways Of reaching
mans heart. Serena knew, because
she had proved it twice.
In fact, neither lady had deceived the
other. Each knew the other, from
widely different motives. stood ready
at a moments notice to respond to
Peter Judd's call for a housekeeper.
Each knew that Clifton was wonder
ing which OF the two widows who
lived on either side of Peter would be
called eventually to fill the departed
Sarah's place, for the custom prevailed
In Clifton when man was, IN the wis
dom of Providence, bereaved to hunt
out some widow, respected by the com
munity. to undertake the duties OF
housekeeper, and generally, after de-
cent period Of mourning, the twain be-
came one.
IF Serena makes up her mind to
have Peter he'll have to give In" PM
losophized Mrs. Platt "Shes already
married two that didn't in the least
want her. She's comfortably of, too,
and don't need to leave her home. 4
wouldn't be so set against 1t II l
didn't know twas her that interfered
between him and Flofetta Young
nore'n twenty years ago. Peter up
and married Sarah out Of pure spite,
and Floretta took that good for moth
ing CIV Blakey. II ever two people
were cut out for one another, Peter
and FIoretta were. Well, as he's held
out again Serena for over a year be
may escape for good. I'll not worry
any more"
! But she did. The chance and appar-
entity careless remarks that Serena let
fail. as II an understanding existed be
tween herself and Peter Judd, fretted
Emeaine's spirit. In the depths of her
honest soul she believed that Peter
was a regular caller at the Lamb
homo. She waited for the announce
ment of Serena's engagement as Tor a
blow that was sure to fall
Stll. when it came she was not pre-
pared for 1t. One afternoon she mad
lust taken her accustomed seat on the
porch when the gate opened, and Mrs.
Lamb swept up the path with an un-
usual air of importance.
.I,and. amt it ho<r she exclaimed.
~Such a muss as I've got into" care
Sdlly arranging the folds Of her new
oreandie skirt before sitting down.
Her tone rang with triumph. Mrs
Platt felt the change In the atmos-
phere. and all her world darkened-
"There's all that house Of Peters to
NE gone over this hot weather. Not
mite of cleaning since Sarah died. Such
looking place! And 1t must be all rid
up by the middle Of September. just
ran in to ask If your paint and white
wash brushes were In good order.
Peter said as how you mentioned hav.
ing a supply of 'em when you offered
to keep house for him months ago.
My, how red your face is, Emeline!
You hadn't ought to wear pink. Now,
If do say it, I've complexion thatn
stand any color"
sI didn't exactly Offer stammered
Mrs. Plat, tears of modification smart
ing her eyes.
"Oh, well. it is all past and done
with" interrupted Serena airily. u
Just had to give in. He wouldn't take
a no. Well, If you'll lend the brushes
I'll be goin'."
Armed with the brushes, Serena de-
parted, every movement Of the organ
die proclaiming victory.
In the days that followed Mrs. Plat
gave much time to sitting on the front
porch watching her friends progress
in the housekeeping line. Serena called
seldom now. and the time passed slow
ly.
'T just ran in to ask your opinion