Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1842-04-26

the desk Within the latced enclosure, sat lii.
tie, thin, saow man, with brushy, black hair low
feshy forehead, keen black eyes, long sharp nose
and large-pped, ugly mouth, filled with decayed
and snaggled teeth. He wore half whiskers, very
long and silky, white cravat, and black coat OF
three fashions agone. Such was the outward APP
pearance OF Beal Tucker He looked like sniv-
cling, mean man, who would sell his soul for three
pence, and his heart and character did not belle his
looks. In his fingers he held counting house steel
pen book Of entries lay open before him, and he
was looking up beneath his covert eye brows, lis
tening to the gentleman who was giving him through
the bars ofthe lattice description of the kind of
servant he wanted
eyes, sir, think can suit you TO a t." said Beal
Tucker, dropping his huge black brows, and exam
lining the book in which he recorded the namcs ages
characters, occupations, and address of the app-
a~cans for situation, receipt, in advance, of fifty
cents from each applicant who, by this dOuceur, be-
came entitled TO his services for period of three
months to aid in obtaining them places. Without
this payment in advance and he registering OF the
names on his book, one, though sitting in the Office
could be allowed to take situation that persons cal
led on him to have filled. Biddy had yet TO learn
this disagreeable fact eyes, sir said Beal Tuck
er, ater examining the book, have one here that
will Just suit you. What is your address I"
"Tis here" said the gentleman, giving him a
card
.Ah, yes Mr. Sanerof p said, Mr.. Tucker,
IN humming halftone, and drawing near anoth-
err book in which he entered the names of those
who wanted servants he quietly recorded the ad-
dress in very handsome hand of which he evil
IDENTIFY was proud as one of his numerous accom-
plishmens
is she here presents" asked the gentleman, a
young married man, looking round with visible
confusion upon the array of womans eyes that
sought his, each female hoping to be herself Sc
lected
eyes" replied Beal Tucker coldy
UI should like TO see her
Beal extended his hand, with the palm siginf-
cantlY turned upward. and said in bland voice.
"Fify cents, if you please"
"F'or what" asked the novice in intelligence
Offices
"For registering your name, and sending a
nurse to you,' answered Beal, with a sneer ofcon-
empt at the gentlemans greatness.
"But she may not suit"
81 will then send you another and another till
you get one that suits you. | cannot pay rent for
a room for girls to sit in all day Til people come
and take 'em away to places, and get nothing for
it."
The gentemrn seemed to see the force of his
reasoning and placed half dollar in Beals ex-
tended palm. The fingers instinctvely closed
over il, and something like smile cleaned in his
eyes
"Mary Cotterr he called aloud, like a school
master to pupil "Mary Cotter where is she2"
he asked angrly opening his lattced door, and
looking over the ROOM Every head was turued
in search, and, at length there was general ex-
clamation from the woman that she had gone out
"Then shedeserves to lose her place. said Beal,
petulently "Hush that noise and jabbering there,
in the further part of the room" he shouted to two
or three young Irish girls of fourteen or fifteen
years OF age, beating each other with their bon
nets, to the amusement of those around ''If hear
any more noise, I'll turn you out |"
All was still as death, for Beal's voice was like
thunder and carried terror with it to the hearts of
his unruy petticoat subjects.
"1ere's a young American girl" he added
"wanted to take care of a baby-experienced and
good character, and all that Who wants the
place2"
There was general movement of heads, but no
one replied
els there no Ameri an girl here2"
dyes sir I'm one" said a thin, shabby-respect-
able old maid, who poor creaturel looked as if
she had drank the cup of poverty to its dregs; and
she came with hesitating step towards the desk.
There was general scornful litter among the
Irish woman and wenches, as the applicant, with
her left arm hugging together the fore part of her
lank garments, laid her right hand, bony and blue
with famine and time uponsthe corner of the desk.
Biddy's generous spirit resented this unfeeling eX-
preston of their orn. but she reflected that they
were all perhaps nearly equally as WTecneu as
the victim of it, and had no pity compassion to
spare for others, 1t is the degraded poor who are
ever the most bitter and nnteeling to the poor and
miserable
"Yes, you're American what there is left of
you," said Baal Tucker, with laugh at his wit;
the gentleman don't want frame, guess "Pm
thinkin' he'd rather get nurse as is already got
her flesh laid on"
ono, good woman" said the gentleman, seeing
she shrunk from the cruel language of the unfeel-
ing brute, 81 fearv will not quite suit me; want
young and healthy person Perhaps this will
atone. for your disappointment p and he placeda
dollar in her hand
That's what | call throwing pearls before
swine, il I,might be so bold" said Beal who wit
messed this,generositv with surprize "Shell get
drunk before night"
"Indctd, sir, never get drunk" said the wo-
man. earnestly
"Dont tell me no. when say yeS Go to your