CHAPTER VII. 



OUR HELP. 



* HAVING come to New Mexico for my health, 

 I intend to procure a competent American 

 woman to take care of my house while I 

 attend to the ranch. Don't you think that a 

 good idea?' 



I had spoken ; but why did the countenance 

 of my acquaintance wear so queer a smile ? 

 All she said, however, was : 



' Admirable ! I wish you good luck.' 



Some months later I once more encoun- 

 tered her. I was a battered, indignant, 

 outraged wreck. She called for a recital of 

 my woes, and I furnished her with one. 



' Don't worry,' was her remark, as the last 

 words of the painful drama fell from my lips ; 

 ' we've all " been there " before you. Now, 

 perhaps, you understand why we do our own 



