The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-19
Daily Short Story
MODEL OF DISCIPLINE.

difficulty:
Dearest Eleanor---Bear with me tor
a hasty note. but / want 20 help YOU
In your home and need. and also IL givs
deserved promotion 20 the two best ser
.ants u has ever been my good fortune
20 possess our prospective year abroad
forces me 20 dispense with Graham and
Perkins. who viii bring this note a.
the vacancies In your establishment OF
which Marjorie told me- In on. Won
will tpd instinctivsly perfect horsenan-
ship. In the other a wonderful tact OF
service. THAT they both Possess an nm
obstrusive sense OF humor will not de-
tract from their other qualities in your
estimation
Il will see you when sail. and you
must thank me adequately.
Lovingly. Margaret"
needed n coachman and "A butler AT
once. Margarets perfect establishment
IN philadelphia I knew. though l had
never seen the men she was sending me.
Both OF US took pride In personal sup
crvisionJ Of our houSeholds. and 40 was
with sense Of relief and thorough con-
noence in my oldest friends recommen-
dalton that had the newcomers
brought in.
Having ascertained which was Per-
kins and which Graham. / studiously
noted their appearance as they stood
before me. did not wonder at Mar
garets enthusiasm. The broad Shout
ders OF the stalwart Perkins gave
the most refractory steed: while in his
eyes saw thorough understanding OF
the power OF kindness TO animals. None
the less prepossessing was the smaller.
more delicate-looking Graham. His alert
bearing combined In perfect proportions
readiness 20 serve with unobstrusive
dignity
Graham and Perkins" said. reach
Ing my decision with little hesitation.
no Inquiries concerning your charac-
ter and habits are necessary ON my
has
and that II sufficient. There Is one rule
OF my establishment. however. which
wish TO impress upon you both. Every
person who serves me must obey my
orders implicitly. I tolerate no demur-
ring My Instructions are always clear
and an order once given must be exc
cuted without remark or subsequent
comment. Failure to adhere TO this
rule admits Of no explanation. but
merits immediate discharge. | will pay
the same wages that you have been re-
ceiving. Is the situation satisfactory
An almost imperceptible glace OF ac-
quiescence passed between the men. and
Perkins replied:
We shall be honored 20 serve you.
madam"
Very well. Perkins you are to oc-
cupy the rooms over the stable. which
faces on the street; directly at the rear
OF this house. Take your things there
at once. the footman will assist YOU
Graham. my maid simmons will show
you 70 your quarters upstairs BE pre-
DO you wear n white tie. prefer black
for the butler
Perkins started TO speak but I was
determined that their first orders should
be received with a strict adherence to
my instructions concerning silence
obedience. and ] said somewhat sternly:
Remember the Importance OF what
i have Just said to you. Perkins. I have
given YOU both certain orders. Let me
see how well you comprehend my rule
or unquestioning service"
They hesitstinRly bowed themselves
from the room. though l was certain
that Perkins felt that he had something
I OF importance to say.
The first hour OF chagrin and perplex-
tty which my new servants caused mo
came at dinner. Graham was an abso-
lutte sight In a dress suit several sizes
too large for him. lie served very we'll
however. except for some slight awk-
/ Wardness-attTibutab to nervousness
presumed. After the others had fin
ished dining and left the room, l spoke
TO him on the subject.
You must procure evening clothes OF
more perfect fit. Graham. ! am sur
prised that Mrs. Doran did not insist on
your doing so"
In poor taste though II was, I could
not resist the temptation OF mentioning
the first oversight | had ever known
Margaret Co be guilty Of
Certainly. madam"
l realized that these were the first