Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-08-19

place." ~ Will undertake TO do that, said
/ ;"follow me-" "But, sir, you do not
know me :" "I do, perfectly" "I wish,
sir, to serve only LADY," 81 will hear all
you have to say presently; but now tell
you follow me-" She complied; though
evidently with great reluctance. Whenwe
reached my house, which was under the
lime trees, she said, "Does the lady live
here, sir" "No, but do" But, sir
you know" "I mean only to recon-
mend you to my landlady" In short, con-
Quoted her to the apartments Of my landa-
dy, whom requested to lodge and board
her, adding that would be answerablo FOR
the expense. then went out and did not
return until midnight.
The next morning, l desired the girl to
be informed that wished to speak with her.
She came, having first questioned the land
lady as TO my character and intentions,
which seemed satisfactory. made her sit
down, and our conversation was a long one
She informed me her name was Ida-that
having lost her parents in the cradle, she
has been placed in the Orphan house, where
she resided until she went into the service
of an old lady, with whom she remained as
long as her mistress lived--and after her
decease she had found an asylum, for some
months, with an honest sempstress of her
acquaintance, with whom she continued till
the apprehensions Of being burthen TO her
friend induced her to enter into the service
Of the mistress Of the coffee-house from
which at the end Of five days, she had been
discharged as have witnessed.
"Well, Ida," said /, "will you live with
me !" "Ah Sir" replied she, " if you
were a lady, or even an elderly gentle
man." "But Ida, am thirty-seven years
of age; old enough, surely, to be your fa-
ther; and | will be one TO YOU" "Sir,I
can positively serve none but lady"
"Well, VIC will resume this sconversation;"
said l, cat another time. In the mean
while, accept of this triae to buy yourself
some clothes; but, above all, never part
with this green petticoat, which must in-
sist on you always to preserve. "Sir, you
are certainly jesting." "Not in the least {:
only require, from you religiously to keep
this petticoat" With these words, put
into her hands purse containing ten gol-
den Frederics, and dismissed her.
seated myself at my desk, and had
been writing very few moments when Ida
re-appearedwitht the purse in her hand which
l had just given her. Advancing with
timid look, she laid the purse on the table;
saying, at the same time---"As it snot pos
sible, Sir, that you could intend to give so.
large sum, l have brought it back
Why, not possible"' said l. 6" 1t is too
much, Sir, and have not done any thing
to deserve it," "Ida take the money, and
do not interrupt me. am writing letters
Of business" "Indeed, Sir, it is too muchl
it is not natural" "How, not naturall'
"You have no money: have, aud give
you some of it, and this you think is NOT
natural" cit is because" "Because
what" 'fYou blush, and so you ought; for
l fancy you have some bad thoughts in your
head n' "Oh no Sir, assure you" ''Ida,
listen to mel feel myself much interested
in your welfare, because you appear to ma
a very good girl; and on your part, you ought
to do me the Justice not to suspect me before
give you cause, Of being seducer ofin-
nocenee, and consequently a scoundrel."
"Good God, Sir!" "Well, then, take back
this purse and leave me-" "But Sir, per-
haps you give me this money under an idea
that shall enter into your services and"
"No, do not mean by this to engage you
in my service; you are perfectly free and
at liberty to quit the house this instant, ifit
be your wish" ooh Sir, you are SO good
that trust myself entirely TO you; and most
willingly will / remain here while you reside
at Berlin. request to be allowed to wait
on you, to keep your apartments in order,
and to do whatever work you may choose
to command me-" "You are very good,
Ida; will ring when want you again"
"Will you permit me, Sir, to 60 out for
about an hour and half?" "Most wiling
ly /; but where do you want to go'" az
want to purchase few articles, SIR" "You
may GO" On hearing this she was much
affected; and taking up the purse she went
hastily out of the room.
directly ordered servant ofthe house
to follow her at distance and, without
being observed, return with her ard bring
me an account Of what she had done.
The servant came in few minutes after
Ida and told me that she was first gone to
William-Street, and entered house next 10
a grocer's. Immediately judged that she
had been at the poor woman's. She after
wards purchased several little articles at
different shops. 1t was now about ten in
the morning; and l Immediately went TO
the poor woman, whom l interrogated
\ n