Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-04-05

requisite qualifications Tor the situation pro-
pose to fill
mr. c., of p! do not know him-nevcr
heard of him. replied Mrs. Gore, seeming rath-
er TO doubt the existence of such an individual.
: You were educated at Mrs. BIS You speak
French, of course, and unde stand the piano!'
yes, madam, replied Grace, modestly, but
firmly.
German and the harp, also!'
Neither answered Grace.
Neither! repeated Mrs. Gore, in an accent
of surprise, and distendng her cold gray eyes,
as if ears alone could hardly take in so mon.
strous an assertion. Neither! German is
now generally studied that it has become al
most an indispensable part of liberal educa-
ton, and if my daughters were to study but one
language, i should select the German, not only
for its rich stores of literature, (Mrs. Gore did
not herself understand word of the language,
and seldom read in any, but also as discipline
for the mind. | consider its study as essential,
and, mounting her stills, the lady talked a little
nninteligible nonsense, calculated to impress
Grace with deep sense of her own deficiency
in the requisites for imparting the liberal and
enlarged course Of education expected by Mrs.
Gore for her daughters.
How old are you , asked Mrs. Gore.
Nineteen, madam answ cred Grace.
Scarce as old as that, should imagine re-
joined Mrs Gore, and she continued with added
severity of look and voice, 'you do not look
strong. Is your health good?
The sharpness with which these questions
were put would seem to have indicated that del.
icae health and feeble constitution were faults
not to be pardoned in one seeking place.
Grace's pale face flushed little as she an
swered, The long confinement attendant on my
mothers illness has enfeebled me somewhat,
but my constitution is naturally strong, and
have neverbeen seriously indisposed in my life.
what salary would you expect ! was the
next inquiry, but, taking advantage of the mo-
mentary hesitation of our heroine, she continued
with qulckness and decision, you must be aware
that your youth and ineXperence, and ignorance
OF the harp and German, will be an obstacle in
most families to your obtaining any situation
higher than that of a nursery governess. Your
trendess position, however, interests me, and
should !, upon inquiry, find your story correct
(Grace coored Deeply might be induced to
overlook deficiencies that | must supply at the
great expense OF procuring masters; of course,
therefore, should not think of giving you over
nifty dollars year, but, as home must be your
flrst object, that is as much, presu ne, as you
could expect to receive
Fifty dollars year! Poor Grace gasped for
e. |,
10 one to whom the moral and mental culture OF
family OF young daughters were to be intrus.
ted!
'On those terms, which few would offer you,
continued the lady, sharply, | am willing to en-
gage you for six MONTHS
Grace hestated as she answered, Il must con.
suit my friends first, madam, on the subject, as
the terms are much less than have been led TO
expect
'Oiver asking for more.' could scarcely have
excited greater Indignation than the modest an
swer of poor Grace.
As you please replied Mrs. Gore, haughli.
ly. 81 am sorry to see so grasping and avaricious
disposition in one so young. Most girls in
your situation would be glad to secure the res
probability and comforts of such home as this
with sufficlency-but as you please
Grace rose, and, with beating heart and bur.
ming cheeks, took her leave of Mrs. Gore
She has temper said that lady, turning TO
her sister, who happened TO be in the room, in a
tone OF dispeasure at making the discovery Of
poor Gracc's being mortal. did you ever see
how she colored. Such notions as these people
have. 1t is truly dsgustng.'
Thus ended Grace Wintllrop's first ESSAY at
seeking place. How much does actual per.
drained the cup of sorrow to its dregs when she
found herself standing alone in the world, be.
reaved of the home and friends that had made
her past life so happy; and when Mr.. Franklin
had talked of the neglect and unkindness she
must prepare herselfto meet, his words fell al.
most unheeded on her ear, feeling, in the first
anguish of her atfction, that earth could add
nothing to The sorrows of her present situation.
Half an hours conversation with Mrs. Gore had
taught her very different lesson, and almost
changed the current of her nature. She had
entered gentle, contding, dcjecled-as she left,
the heart that she had thought almost broken,
throbbed quick with Indignation, and her cheeks
tngIed with her first sense of doubt and imper
Thence.
How weak, how foolish | am said Grace to
herself as she walked on with rapidly her
feeble frame would scarcely have been equal to
an hour before How foolish to let this woman's
lmpertlnence move me so. Why should care
for the unfeelng remarks of stranger Surely
shall not find others like her, and why feel as
| do 2
Why poor Grace because you are flesh and
blood a bit OF poor human nature, fact that
Mrs Gore. and others in her situation, forget
when addressing themselves to those who solicit
their aid, kindness, or employ.
Grace now drew from her pocket-book anoth.
err advertisement, put in her hands by Mr.. Frank
lin. Mrs. gston,-Square. Trembling
with agitation and fear, she now presented her.
self at Mrs. Livingston's door, and. almost to
her relief, was told she was not at home
AT what hour shall find her!'
Indeed, don't know replied the man care
lessly, who saw at a glance that Grace was
nobody;' Just after dinner is as good time
as any. They dine at five, about seven, say
AT seven, then, will return and drawing
long breath, as if relieved for the present from
what she felt scarce equal to encounter, Grace
turned her footsteps once moro to Mr.. Frank.
Inns.
Seven o'clock found Grace again at Mrs. Liv-
lngs'on's door. The lady was at home and in
moment more she was ushered into Ter pre-.
sence, This time, however, she was not sub
Iect to the searching and suspicious chances
winch had SO panied her in Mrs. Cores recep.
l'on' Tor Mrs. Livingston, who sat playieg ecarte
with gentleman apparently some years her
SENIOR scarce raised her eyes as she said, care
lessly,
You wish situation as governess-speak
L.