The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-05-27

idea where to get one than anything
an l don't knows l want one, IL
did"
And Mrs. Gray sat back in her chair
and rocked violently to and fro, cycling
her hostess with the evident con
seriousness of having presented &
poser. That resourceful woman, how
ever, was far from being nonplussed
she beamed upon her visitor with q
joyful smile.
Just the thing, my dear Mrs. Gray
You know | am to go south with May
for the winter The house will be
closed and the doctor at the hotel
had just been wondering what to do
| with Nancy, for | want her again in
the spring. Now, you can have her
until then, and by that time you will
know how you like the idea Of keep
ing a girl She is a perfect treasure,
capable of carrying the entire work
of the household, only'-and Mrs.
Steele paused long enough to look
doubtfully at her friend-"she is a
little independent and won't stand
| much interference"
Fifteen minutes later Mrs Gray de-
parted, well pleased, though withal a
little frightened. She spent the rest
Of the afternoon in trying to decide
| between a black alpaca and a green
| cashmere dress.
That night Reuben brought home a
| large bag of peanuts and put them
down In triumph on the kitchen table.
There" he announced In high glee.
I'm goin' to have bang-up good
timer
"Why, Reuben" demonstrated his
| wife gently, you can't eat them
things-you hain't got no teeth to
chew 'em with !"
The mans lower jaw dropped.
swell. I'm a-goin' to try 1t, anyhow"
he insisted. And try 1t he did: but
the way his poor old stomach rebelled
against the half-masticated things ef
fectually prevented a repetition Of the
feast.
Early on Monday morning Nancy
appeared. Mrs. Gray assumed brave
aspect. but she quaked in her shoes
as she showed the big strapping girl
to her room. Five minutes later
Nancy came into the kitchen to find
Mrs. Gray bending over an obstinate
coal fire in the range-with neither
coal nor range was the little woman in
the least familiar
There, now" said Nancy briskly.
I'll fix that. You just tell me what
you want for dinner, and l can find
the things myself" And she attacked
the stove with such a clatter and din
that Mrs. Gray retreated in terror,
murmuring Ham and eggs, if you
please as she fled through the door.
Once in the parlor, she seated herself
in the middle of the room and thought
how nice it was not to get dinner; but
she jumped neryously at every sound
from the kitchen.
On Tuesday she had mastered her
fear sufficiently to go into the kitchen
and make q cottage cheese. She did
not notice the unfavorable glances
of her maid of-all-wOrk Wednesday
morning she spent happily puttering
over "doing up. some handkerchiefs.
and she wondered why Nancy kept
banging the oven door so often.
Thursday she made special kind of
pie that Reuben liked. and remarked
pointedly to Nancy that she herself
never washed dishes without wearing
or frrr< 81 u
ways placed the pans the other way
In the sink. Friday she rearranged
the tins on the pantry shelves, that
Nancy had so unaccOuntably mussed
up. On Saturday the inevitable ex-
plOsiOn came:
IF you please, mum, I'm willin' to
do your work, but seems to me it don't
make no difference to you whether /
wear one apron or six, or whether /
hang my dish-towels on a string or on
the bars, or whether l wash goblets
or kittles first; and amt in the habit
Of havin' folks spyin' round on me. If
you want me to go, I'll go; but If l
stay. I want to be let alone!"
Poor little Mrs Gray fed to her
seat in the parlor, and for the rest of
that winter she did not dare to call
her soul her own; but her table was
beautifully set and served, and her
house was as neat as wax.
The weeks passed and Reuben be-
gan to be restless One day he came
in from the post Office fairly bubbling
over with excitement
Say. Emily, when folks have money |
they travel. Let's go somewhere ~
"Why. Eeuben-where?" quavered !
his wife, dropping into the nearest
chair.
''Oh, dunno" with cheerful vague
ness; then suddenly animated. Lets
go to Boston and see the sights.'
But. Reuben, we don't know no one
there" ventured his wife doubtfully. !
pooh! What if we don't? Hain't |
we got money? Can't we stay at a
hotel? Well, l guess. we CAM
Nancy was tremblingy requested to
take a two weeks vacation and great
was the rejoicing when she graciously
acquiesced.
On a bright February morning the
Journey began. 1t was not long one
-four hours Only-and the time flew
~ as on wings of the wind Reuben
assumed an air of worldly wisdom,