The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-19
A POLISH
When She Left, the Molllfer Domestic
Establishment Was Upset.

MOllifcr had stocked the furnace,
brushed himself and had eaten his eve-
ming meal with the family. His wife
had put two merry youngsters I o bed
and sat with certain mending in her
lap. From time to tine her husband
glanced al her over the lowered edge
OF his newspaper. The time for the
discussion Of important domestic mat
ters had arrived. Mrs. Mollifcr sighed
and said:
our Mary is giving up all her work.
We shall have to get some one else to
wash and clean"
Her husband dropped his paper in
his surprise. IL WAS "a full moment
before he said:
II suppose she isn't able to 60 out to
work any moro"
Mrs. Mollifcr nodded. Both were
thinking of the good years sipce they
had first known the old servant with
the wrinkled, pleasant face and the
imperfect English utterance. 1t was
difficult To recall how the scheme of
things had been before her advent.
Ever so long ago Mollifcr had adver-
tised ana Mary had been the answer.
She lived even then In u little home on
the outskirts Of the suburban own
Her husband worked in tho lumber
MIL and the Oldest boy in the lace fac
tory. Back of the house was a small
plot farmed with an intensivencss not
Characteristic Of America. There were
chickens, "a pig or two, and u dog which
was only tolerated by Mary because
her boys liked him.
In front Of the house was a iowe.
garden crowded with blossoming plants
of the fam liar sort. an old fash
toned garden In which every color was
huddled together in the most agreeable
medley. Mary had not time to tend IL;
going out to days work gave her little
leisure. She sowed the seeds and
heaven did the rest.
When Mary Caine to wash she in
variably brought Il bouquet for Mrs.
Mollifer. There were other gifts. The
first tim. Mary brought a fresh killed
chicken Mrs. Moli.fcr did not want to
accept the present. But Mary insisted.
Later offerings made Mollifer say to
his wife:
We ought not u take these things.
She Is not able to give them"
Although he spoke gently Mrs. Mol
llfer WINGED.
Il feel tho same way" she answered.
But ] can't stop her. I have tried
everything. but she still brings things.
! give her what 7 can for herself. but
the exchange is unequal"
Mollifer said 80 morc. for he saw
himself how 1t was. Nothing gave
Mary greater pride and Joy than the
consciousness that she Mas able TO
give as well AS u receive.
This devoted Polish woman alarmed
and embarrassed Mrs. Mollifer one day
after Mrs. Mollifer had given her a
cloak and a gown by SELLING her en-
piUyer's hand and kissing 1t. This
wa undoubtedly a detcstably undemo-
cratic thing to do aud unbeilttins the
Of "A free country. but Mrs.
Mollifer did not think OF that. She
could not have told the feelings that
stirred In her. and the tears stood In
her eyes. She was similarly moved
when, during n eriou Illness, Mary
an tim dly to her bedside, again
kissed her hand. and exclaimed bro
kenny:
Il pray God every day. Mrs. Moll.fer.
you will be well soon"
But this Wa ended. Mary WAS now
too old to work. Tn, generous years
u giving were ovcr ana she must hus-
band her strength for her own sake
AT last. Perhaps the death of that In
valid daughter whom she had strlvs1l
for and cherished had fastened this
period TO her labors.
Mrs. Moliifer vas the first 20 break
the silence,
1T will be difficult enough to get
any one who will do the work 80 WELL"
she said. ''let alone"
To her husbands question she re-
piled that Mary did not need money.
"Of course. there are little things"
she said. not quite commercially. Il am
going tn See her Tomorrow. and II
there Is anything I can get for her or
do for her ! shall get /, or do IT,"
We'll. ! should guess So" said her
husband with ar extraordinary em-
phasis.