Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1909-06-04
W|D0WER JUDD'S
HOUSEKEEPER,
The Surprise That Was In Store
For Two Designing Women.
BY ANNE HEIlMAN,


IN.
busy in braiding a mat. She was one
or those women one likes to have
about. There was a certain comfort
ing presence In her large figure and
comely face. Although the face when
at rest was somewhat sad, yet 1t 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 Its bounds
she had no use. Just now her thoughts
were busy with her neighbor, in whose
direction she sent her glances.
Peters getting his supper early"
she mused. ITS pretty lonely for him,
but hope he won't be inveigled into
taking Serena Lamb for housekeeper
l never was one to promote gossip but
all Clifton knows that her reputation
for dressing far outdoes her skill in
housekeeping. If l thought Just
then she turned her head and caught
sight of Mrs. Lamb walking up the
path.
TOO bad to see that nice home going
to rack and ruin" Mrs. Lamb began
after settling herself In the rocker. II
hear it's fairly swarming with mice.
Peter only uses two rooms. Isn't it a
wonder he amt picked out house
keeper afore this?"
1--WE an idea" said Mrs. Platt. en-
1aa yorfpp ~ cnppk unpDDppruptIV
that he'll probably ask YOU
"Mew interrupted Mrs. Lamb In an
astonished tone. Me! And with such
| a famous cook as you next door! Trust
man to get a cook when he's free to
pick and choose. Sarah wasn't much
on the cooking, and guess he'll want
a change"
David and I spent twenty-five hap
py years In this house." sighed Mrs.
Platt. "Itd come hard for me to leave
it."
"And couldn't possibly leave my
place." protested Mrs. Lamb. land
the garden doing so nicely too. You'd
oughter see my wberries, Emeline
Peter SAYS they are the finest he ever
saw. I'd bring you over a saucerful
but as Peter was going on so about
your getting so stout l thought
wouldn't encourage your appetite any
Well" looking keenly at her friend t'
assure herself that the blow had struct
home, II must be getting on
Serena Jared forth slowly along th'
/ grassy lane. "Emeline don't care
shucks for Peter Judd" she shreWdlN
coniectured. David Platts money Il
more to her than any living man, Bu
she'd take the place for no other reason
than to keep me out OF 1t. AS II ah.
one would look at her twice when III
around" and she glowed with nh
satisfaction as she compared hefsei
to Mrs. Platt.
TO be sure. Emeline was an umpir
ON all the arts of housekeeping; he
cookery was town talk, while she ma
never become proficient In the art oo
there were other ways of reachlns
mans heart Serena knew. pecaus
she had proved 1t twice.
In fact. neither lady had deceived I'll
other. Each knew the other lrol
widely different motives, STOOD reau
ot a moments notice to respond
Peter Judd's call for househeepe
Each knew that Clifton was wohue
ing which of the two widows WI
uvad on either side of Peter would L
cai,ed eventually to fill the departe
Sarah's place, for the custom pleN".. ,,
in Clifton when man was III tne ~
dom Of Providence, bereaved 10 hu'
out some widow, respected by the coi
munity, to undertake the duties
housekeeper and generally, after d u
cent period of mourning the IVAN y
came one. ,a
: az Serena makes up her nina
4 have Peter he'll have to give Ill. pi
l ,osonhized Mrs. Platt. "she's aire''
/ ,norr,ed two that didn't in the 'ea
! want her. She's comfortably oii' -
/ and don't need to leave her hoii'e,
! .,o,,,dn,t be so set against II II
I a,an,t know twas her that ihteriei'
4 ,a+uoen him and Floretta 1oui
{,
I nore,n twenty years ago. fe'er
and married Sarah out OF pure sp. nt
and Flor4rta took that gooa io' NV
mo Cv Blakey. If ever two puol
ero ont ont for one another fe'
w. p,oratto were. Well, as he's he
: ant .oa,n Serena for over year
} may escape for good Il" n0'
any more. o,o,co and appt
on+,r careless remarks that serena =,
= sam os r. an understanding eSis.eu
tween herself and Peter 1uuu' ~ h
Emelipe's spirit. In the dep.ns u pe,
, honest soul she believed ,,a' -,
was regular caller at the a,,n, n1,
wa w. She waited for the announ,
IT. 'lon n. =, sereua's engagement as lo'
'es ss hlow that was sure to fall 40 not n
Ia still when it came she was ana nos h h
rod for it. One afternoon sue =
,,'st taken her accustomed seat a. M
un.ah ,uss when the gate opened. anu ~,
porch "rnon+ nm the path with an
usual air of Importance oxc,oim
8 land amt it hot!" she sa eA',' !" %
~ .eroh a mass as I've got 'n'o' =" %
els ,',',v arranging the folds OF 1t, ao, x
ide ide luns s,die skirt before sitting w, ~,
in ors"nu .nno rang with triumph M
SF' Plat Platt felt the change in ,,r,,e0ad tne ad
nhsre and all her world oaln. natar,s
pr "There,s all that house OF | No
u -. over this hot weather No
mite Of cleaning since o8raD N