Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-09-30
THE MAID He WANTED
BY CORA AsHwoRTH.

and lax divorce laws. having tired OF
his bachelor sleeping quarters and
meals at his club. decided to keep
house. Having rented Il comfortable
furnished dwelling in a desirable loca-
ton, he advertised for a girl to do cook
ing and light homework. He was not
used to advertising for servants and
wrote q very poor hand. The slip lie
handed In at the newspaper office was
hurriedly counted by the receiving
clerk, stamped for the "SituationS
Wanted columns and put through the
composing room mill. 1t ended with
the words. apply ut No. -, Clermont
street, between and o'clock p. M
The next afternoon Mr.. Miriam went
from business to his domicile expecting
to see a mob of servant girls besieging
his front door. He was disappointed.
No one was there He went In. sat
down. took the evening paper from his
pocket. read and waited. At half past
s there was a ring at the bell. He
opened the front door. and there stood
young woman. Miriam thought her
we'll dressed for servant. but remem-
bcred that many servant in her
street clothes might easily be mistaken
for lady.
1--WE come about the advertisement
said the girl.
Come In"
She entered the sitting room and
steaed herself in an easy chair. Miriam.
somewhat surprised at this want or
Difference on the part Of a servant for
n gentleman remained standing.
I'm afraid" he said. you won't
do"
Wont do" exclaimed the girl In
evident surprise.
What | want Is a girl so ugly that
she'll never be temptation for me
and can't, therefore, get me into her
clutches. l don't wish any woman
about me except to cook and take
care of the house"
The girl stared at the speaker with
out making any reply for time, then
took from under her glove slip she
had cut from newspaper and read it
carefully.
You intended to advertise for
girl" she said.
Yes. a servant girl who would know
her place and not sit in the parlor
while her master stands before her
like manservant before his mistress
The girl sat surveying the adver-
tiser with a curious expression on her
face. At last she said:
"You are one of the most sensible
men ever met It's every woman's
object to get all ont Of man she can.
If you get an attractive woman In here
she might snare you. Indeed, she
might fall in love with n handsome
man like you. and that would be dread
full"
"You, a woman, say this?
"Only woman knows woman
A beautiful smile overspread Mr..
Miriams countenance. I'm sure. he
said. that If | gave you the situation
you're so honest. so sensible. that you
would I've half mind to try yon.'
"Yon have made little mistake"
the girl interrupted. II have called TO
secure the place for a maid | have
had in my service for several years
and whom | can heartily recommend
And. taking out a card on which was
engraved Miss Clara Sturgis." she
wrote on 1t her address. Mr.. Miriam
stood gaping at her in astonishment.
1T you will come to my house this
evening" she added. II will show you
the maid. She is good girl and home
ly as Dutch meeting house"
She rose. extended her hand gra-
ciously. smiled sweptly and withdrew.
Miriam saw her out at the front door
and watched her go down the street.
When she turned corner he went
back to his sitting room and exclaimed:
well, III be jlnged."
For the first time in his life he real
lied the loneliness of a house without
q woman.
The same evening Mr. Miriam stood
again in presence of Miss Sturgis In
the coseSt little reception room he had
ever seen. \ bright fire was blazing
on the hearth The lady invited him
TO sit by her before 1t and began to
talk with him in IL sympathetic way
about the servant problem. She told
him that the maid about whom she
had spoken to him had accepted sit
uation. but he could call again in two
or three days. She would recommend
another-one who was pitted with
smallpox and suffered with bleared
eyes. Then she kept him an hour, de-
lighting him with her intelligence. her
womanly interest in him. Indeed. an
especial charm she seemed to find in
him.
Mr.. Miriam had fallen into the very
trap he had wished to avoid. Miss
Sturgis was renowned for making any
man she wished fan IN love with her,
She kept MIR Miriam calling on her
with view to securing a servant for
him and in the end simply made minre-
meat of his heart Then when he
asked her to be his wife she stared at
him in blank surprise and eXclaimed:
why, thought you wanted serv-
ant"
Mr.. Miriam went away crushed. For
months he shut himself up--without
maid and never smiled. Then he told
his trouble to his sister-in-law.
Joe" she said to him. you're
fool The lady would never have taken
all the trouble to snare you II she had
been Indifferent to you. Try again. and
Keep trying"
4 l,,t In
different way. He secured dummy.
This had the desired effect. Miss StlIr-
gis sent for him under prrtense that
she had at last found a maid for him.
He went and found the maid he