MARCIA'S HOME

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5, 4 February 1909, Page 197

MARCIA'S HOME

Baby Bobbie's bedtime was near, and he was fretful and impatient at the delay his mother saw fit to impose upon him. 'You neglected little mortal! But what can I do?' she cried in pretty despair, snatching his lordship up in" her left arm and bestowing a conciliatory caress on the smooth, round cheek, while with her right hand she stirred ■ the sa,uce cooking on the gas stove. As if in answer to the question, the next moment Mrs. Jameson's eye fell upon the newspaper she had placed on the end of the stove by way of serving as a mat and keeping the stove clean, and she read the advertisement : ' la exchange for a home, a young girl will help with housework, take care of children, and make herself generally useful after high school hours. — Address X., Tribune ' ' She'd be just, the one for us, baby dear,' Mrs. Jameson, said, as she set *Ehe saucepan back. She did not give the matter another thought till later, when Mr. Jameson said to her, as she sat down to rest after things were in order for the evening: 'Bessie, you look tired out. I'll stop «t the employment office in the morning, and ' ' That reminds me,' Mrs. Jameson arose and stepped' into the kitchen. She returned with the newspaper from the stove and read aloud the advertisement which she had noticed earlier. 'Won't do,' commented Mr. Jameson decidedly. She 11 be all ribbons, giggles, and fine airs, you need a helper.' 'There are girls and girls, -I like the way this one has worded her request,' Mrs. Jameson replied thoughtfully. ' I believe I'll answer it.' . The next afternoon, as Mrs. Jameson was engaged in the visual struggle of getting dinner ready and keepingBaby Bobby pacified" at his fretful hour, a knock sounded - on the back door. Upon opening it, Mrs. Jameson found herseli looking at a girl with a frank, smiling face from wlncli her dark hair was neatly rolled back and held snugly in place with combs. 'I'm Marcia Dale,' the girl announced in a low, pleasing voice, as she extracted an open envelope from her purse. ' This is your answer to my advertisement ' "Which high school do you attend?' Mrs. Jameson asked, having invited the caller indoors. * North Garfield, three blocks, from here. It's nice it is so convenient, isn't it? Please let me,' Marcia interrupted herself to say, as Baby B.obby made friendly overtures to her. My home is in- the country, and I came to the city this -autumn expecting to live at my aunt's while taking 1 the year's course,' she continued, holding out her arms for Bobby, the baby, in a way that showed her no novLce. _'But her married son has come home with his wife and baby, and there isn't room enough for us all in a small flat. Auntie wanted me to take a room in the neighborhood, .but lid have to pay at least a dollar and a half a week for that, and it would be only one room You see, I promised father and mother if they would- give mo this one year in the city high school, I'd make the very most of it and live in the most economical wav I could, and — and ' .

~ v^i ■ M i lrcia st °PP ed perforce as Bobby clapped his fat little hand on her mouth to be kissed. ' I think I understand,' Mrs. Jameson said. { You need a home and I need a helper— it will be very nice and satisfactory if we can pull together.' ' I'm sure I'll do my utmost,' Marcia promised .earnestly. _-/■'*• " And; the matter .was r1 decided. - . The^ftext afternoon "Marcia came. When she entered the kitchen, Baby Bobby, seated" in his high-chair, was iretting, and Mrs. Jameson was trying to pacify him, and at the same time make an apple pie. ' It's such a lovely day— mayn't I take him out?' Marcia begged. ( • ' That's just what he's pining for,' Mrs. Jameson replied. And perhaps you will go by way of the -market Marcia, and buy the meat for sapper.' - 'Yes, indeed!' Marcia replied cheerily. 'Mother says I am a good one to- send to the market,' and she laughed • as she took the baby out of his cliair. Mrs. Jameson stood at the Avindow a moment to watch Marcia wheeling the carriage down the street. - ' How -sweet and wholesome and willing she is! I love her al.ready I ' • v JNot-PJ Not -P^ C tv but many times dllrin g year that Marcia lived with Mrs. Jameson did the latter think thus of her. Once she said to her husband: 'I dread to think of the day she helped me "through the hardest time, and Bobby is now more easily cared for" She has been a real comfort— just like an older daughter— and I could not refrain from telling Mrs. Dale so in mv last letter.' J 'Marcia has indeed been a treasure,' Mr. Jameson responded heartily. ' I must confess I was a little doubtful at the beginning as to how the venture would turn out n - But all 1 can sa y now is, I wish there were moregirls like her.' * ■ - . And there would be > if ea <*i gave the best of herself as did Marcia. , _