to over fifteen hundred dollars. I
remember how she fell back on the sofa in a sort of swoon, and when she
recovered herself, faltered out that she was ruined forever.

I very soon convinced her, however, that the improvements had greatly
enhanced the value of her property; and she seemed to appreciate my
services more than ever.

During her absence of several weeks, the Doctor and I had some very
interesting times.

The day after her departure our chambermaid eloped with one of the
boarders. I advertised for help immediately, but without success.

About this time a young Teutonic fellow came along, and asked for
something to eat. After giving him his dinner, I asked if he was
looking for work. He said he was, and would work mighty cheap.

I asked if he would like to be a chambermaid, and make up beds, and
sweep. He exclaimed:

"Oh, yah, yah; I youst so goot a shampermait as notting else."

"Well then, Dutchy, I'll give you four dollars per week, provided I can
find a coat and vest for you to wear, as yours is too rough-looking for
that business."

I then took him up-stairs and made a vigorous search for second-hand
clothes, but found none. I next entered the room previously occupied by
the late runaway maid, and found three old dresses and a hoop skirt left
by her. I took a dress from the nail, and picking up the hoop skirt
said:

"Here, Dutchy, put these on."

[Illustration: DUTCHY AS CHAMBERMAID.--PAGE 321.]

He shook his head slowly, and indicated to me that he wouldn't do it. I
reminded him that he was in my employ, and must obey me.

Then he took off his coat and vest, and was about to divest himself of
his other garments, when I instructed him to leave them on, and told him
how nice the dress would be to keep his comparatively new pants clean.

After donning the dress, which fitted him well and was quite becoming
to him, I borrowed the Doctor's razor, and he shaved himself clean, and
parted his fair, bushy hair in the middle; and there, before me, to all
appearances was a typical German girl. He entered upon his duties at
once. The Doctor said he guessed we would have no more serious trouble
with chambermaid elopements. I told him I wasn't so certain about that,
and invited him up-stairs to see Dutchy.

When we came to the room where I had left him, I said: "Go right in,
Doctor; you will find Dutchy there. I'll be back in a minute."

The Doctor bolted in, and immediately dodged back, and cried