Omaha daily bee., 1922-01-10

ing paper. "Ins,inct simply told me
10 look on this page when l picked
the paper up at the door"
| Jack followed the pretty little
finger and read:
Elderly Gentlewoman seeks posi-.
ton OF household assistant in home
Of young married. couple. Prefers
suburbs. Small salary. Has no visi.
tors. Wonderful cook. B. G. s..
Morning Sphere"
Jack smiled broadly.
ut Is just what we arc looking for,
isn't It? This work Is too hard, aud
with that raise in salary we can az
ford a household assistant as she
called herself"
Eyes, dear. She can use the small
room in the third floor that we had
decorated a little while ago"
"And If she's a gcntlewoman shc'll
be more agreeable than some of these
terrible creatures that call themselves
cooksv'
1t was settled. and Jack wrote a
very carefully edited note, mailing it
the first thing on Monday morning.
By afternoon, as his letter sug-
gested. the 'gentlewoman' had tele
thoned to him. and on Jacks invita-
ton she came down to his Office.
II was very grand person. iu-
deed, that he met. The woman was
about S. years old. held her head at
a dignihed and imperious angle and
beamed down upon him.
you are just the sort OF Young
man I'd like to mother. and ! know
your little bride is very sweetv'
Jack Redeemed and was pleased.
Il see you have brought hand
satchel with you. Would you lik.
to go out with me on the train?'
re asked. after they had discussed
the terms of pay and such matters
Indeed, yes" said Mrs. Pottibean,
as the ladv informed him she was
called. "But lust to show you what
nice dinner is I'd like to do little
shopping around the CITY markets.
which / know very we'll. I'll carry
some of the things and you the
others. if you don't mind"
Jack was delighted; how this
would please JILL
And SO he quit the Office in few
minutes. walked along with the very
grand household assistant and watch
ed with bulging eyes as she ordered
chicken, mushrooms. various vege-
tables and condiments and other
market delicacies of which he had
never heard
1t was such a load, when the lady
had completed her purchases tha;
Jack felt it more comfortable to call
a taxicab for the trip uptown to the
station.
On the train. as they raced toward
the suburbs, Mrs. Pottibean regaled
Jack with the story of her past life
her late husbands great wealth and
dismal bankruptcy-her social con
nections and the number of slaves
owned by her maternal grandfather
before the war.
Another taxi was necessary at the
station, and they surprised Jill as
they marched up the steps, loaded
with food-and baggage.
Mrs. Pottibean took command of
the kitchen at once, driving Jill out
to Join Jack.
81 think it's going to be wonder
ful," said Jill hopefully. "Bv the
way. dear. the groceryman left our
weekly bill; can you give me the
money to pay him? You might for
get tomorrow"
Jack looked in his purse, and then
puckered his brow.
Goodness, with taxis and chicken
and all the rest of the stuff for dinner
I've spent nearly $40. I'll have tc
wait until tomorrow night, honey"
Jill began to get nervous. Mrs.
Pottibean was an expensive luxury.
Dinner howevr, was soon ready.
Jill found that it was more than the
grand lady had predicted. But she
was astounded when the latter
brought up a.chair, sat down op-
posite Jack, and began to do the
Fonors Of the hostess.
II always regard myself as one, Of
the family" she said. "We can all
do the dishes together. That's my
theory Of domestic service"
1t happened as in a bad dream.
Mrs Pottibcan did indeed regard
herself as the head of the family. Iu
preparing her meal she had wasted
twice as much as was cooked. Every
dish in the cupboard and every pan
was soiled. She became too exhaust
ed after dinner to finish the wash
ing, and had to retire. Jack and Jill
cleared ship.
II can't sleep in this stuffy room."
they were told. So, Mrs. Pottibean
was given the guestroon.
Next day she was too utterly
fatigued to get up in time for Jacks
breakfast, SO Jill cooked.
When Jack came home that night,
apprehensive of more "grand assist
ance" from Mrs. Pottibean, he found
Jill alone and singing happily as she
prepared their dinner--for two.
II couldn't endure it, dear" said
Jill. "She was so grand that l fel:
like the housemaid. Old Mrs. Hick.
son, who lives on the hill, needed just
such person, and / got Mrs. Potti-
bean the place-at $40 month more
than we were to pay"
Honey, you are wonderful. But
what about dinner tonight"
"Oh, Mrs. Pottibean's ideas were
SO grand that we can have cold
chicken, soup, salad and patties for
the rest of the week on what she