The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-03-22
Useful Mary

It was an alluring advertisement, in
the first place. The Josslyns could
hardly be blamed for going down to
look ut the house. 1t is true Mrs. JOSS
Ign said something about the remote
ness of the suburb, Il circumstance to
which she afterwards alluded.
"At all events it will do no harm to
zee it," said Josslin.
Mrs. JosSlyn agreed to this.
So they called upon the urbane and
eloquent Barker. Barker was the
agent for the property and resided in
Cedarhurst. lie took them around to
the Ideal home" and showed them its
points. 1t had points, that was unde-
niable. 1t had few drawbacks, also,
but Barker made light OF them.
Il like the house," said Mrs. Josslyn,
shut it's too large for me to manage
alone, and know we could never get
satisfactory help out here"
"My dear madam" said Barker, you
never made greater mistake in
your life. I know myself of girl
whom I think-in fact, I am sure
you can get. can recommend her
personally, because Mt one time she
worked for Mrs. Barker. A good cook,
steady, no young fellows trailing about,
strong as horse, neat as pin and not
q lazy hair in her head. If she's out
Of a place now I'll send her to you and
If she isn't I'll send you another equal.
ly as good"
Mrs. Josslyn wavered visibly and
Josslyn asked few questions that
looked like business. 1t ended by their
saying they would think the matter
few days.
! The next evening young woman,
who said she came from Mr.. Barker,
appeared at the Josslyn fiat. She had
heard from Mr.. Barker that Mrs. Joss.
Ign intended moving to Cedarhurst,
and Mr.. Barker thought she might get
q place with her. She nd just left
the place she had with Mrs. Duck.
worth. Mrs. DuckwOrth was nice
lady, but the children were an objec.
ton. She could refer Mrs. Josslyn to
Mrs. Duckworth, however, with entire
confidence.
She certainly looked as if she could.
IF ever capability was written on
girls face, it was written on Mary's
face. Mary was her name. She was
frankly anxious to get the situation.
"rll come home early tomorrow and
we'll go close the DEAL" said Josslyn
decidedly. 'Think of that girl working
for four dollars a week when we're
paying six dollars to this thing we've
got"
Two weeks later the Josslyns were
established in their new home with
Mary. And Mary was indeed "a
peach" if one is to accept that fruit
as synonym for excellence. She
was a domestic treasure. She cooked
to perfection and the house fairly
shone under her soapy ministrations
Six weeks of this bliss-and then
Mary quit.
Then began the succession of SLOW.
emily, incompetent and expensive girls
which has continued in the Josslya
family to this day. Mrs. Josslyn says
that unless you are millionaires you
simply cannot get good girl to stay
in Cedarhurst. But Mary is still work.
Ing in Cedarhurst.
Mrs. Josslyn called upon the people
who had just moved in half block
west of her about week after her be-
reavement. and found Mary there. The
new neighbor said Mary was treas
ure. She really did not know what she
would do without her. Mr.. Barker,
who had rented their house to them,
had been kind enough to recommend
the girl.
Mrs. Josslyn told her husband about
1t when he returned home and Josslyn
happened to meet Duckworth the same
day. He said: 1--WE never asked YOU
about Mary. who worked for you.
What sort of reference did you get
with her and how long did she work
for you?"
I'VE had the best of reference
from Barker" grinned Duckworth.
1--WE had the luck to keep her two
months, but the renting season was
dull just then. She's daisy. amt
she? But guess Barker's about the
only one who can get her to work
steadily. He pays hep we'll. though
Josslyn is not rcvcngcful man, hut
II ever Barker is delivered into lis
hands "Well," he says. you'll See"