American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-11-10

DO, and then | can be " It'll you all the time
O, how hope it will be so, am almost sure
it will" Mrs. Grants countenoncc lit up with
an expression of delight. GIL tell her o. yonr
situation, and if she is humane, she will not
have the heart to refuse"
Anne smiled family, and said, "Iou are not
sure, mother, that the lady will hire yon at all;
if YOU calculate upon it so certainly your disap-
pontment will be greater, if it does not come
TIC pass. Rich people, give but little heed to
what we poor folks say
''But she is not rich,'' returned Mrs Grant,
''and that makes me think she will have more
feeling for me; her husband is printer, and
she, herself does all the house work OF large
family. If she hires ME at all, am almost
certain she will consent to my bringing it home.
Oh! my heart has not been lighter since you
have been sick" Anne met her mothers
glance with look Of pensive tenderness III
wonder ] could be so low spirited because
was going to lose one place,'' continued Mrs.
Grant, Sin all probability may like another
situation better.n
Their slight evening meal was finished, and
again they were talking on the subject that
most interested them, when tap at the door
interrupted their conversation. Mrs. Grant
admitted q pert little girl of about ten years,
who was followed by a boy a few years older.
30, you're the washerwoman," exclaimed
the girl, in tone, neither very low, nor re-
spectful, "well, me and Bills been racing all
over the house, to find you. declare
thought should give up never saw so ma
ny families in house before III all my life
Gracious! | don't see how you live. We've
only got one family in our house besides our
own, and o dear me! we have such times
/ They hardly ever do the cleaning when It comes
their turn, and they've got three of the hate
fullest boys ever saw. They make such
noise, mother almost goes distracted with the
headache. Why, this morning Charles Herick
pushed my little brother Dick down the kitch-
en- stairs, just because he snatched bite of his
apple. Did MT he Bill2"
81 suppose he did, )" answ cred her brother,
IL don't know, and what's more, don't care
anything about it. And now tell you, think
you'd better do what you've got to do, than to
come here tattling every thing you know
When your tongue gets TO running there's no
end to it.'
"Oh! dear gracious. MIR. William Crocker,
you think you can talk very great to me, be-
cause mother Amt here to take my part. |
thank you, I'll talk Just as much as please,
and won't ask nobody in the bargain; now
you've Just got piece of my mind, and hope
you're satisfied" After this lecture to her bro
ther, Miss Elizabeth Croker fiirted petulantly
up to a chair, and seated herself in it. Mis-.
Grant and her daughter exchanged an express
! siyu glance, uud tic luttot tui"od irvi iiUud
aside to conceal smile.
"Well, washerwoman | believe | might as
we'll tell you what we've come for" began
William Crocker, taking advantage of mo-
ments silence, on the part of his sister.
"You just hush, Bill, interrupted that young
| lady, smother said must do all the talking,
because you're SO dumb about speaking to
| folks. She only sent you to wait on me here"
"You don't catch me waiting on your lady
ship again, can tell you," said her brother
sulkily.
"Pooh" answered Elizabeth, tuning VI
both lip and nose to express her contempt.
! ayes, and if you pooh much more, III go
home, now, and leave you here" rctorted VIII
liam, threateningly.
ala! ha! ha!" laughed out his little sister in
dersion. 81 think sec you going; the way
you'd be sent back after me, would be q Cau-
ton to lazy folks"
! On hearing her tantalizing laugh, William
had sprung angrly from his chair, and jerked
his cap on, but the idea Of being sent back, aP-
pcared TO have soothing effect. He dropped
in his seat again, and took off his cap, mum
bling, "I'll pay you for this" A silence fol-
lowed. Mrs. Grant turned quietly to Eliza
beth and said, "what is your business with me,
nv child? Does your mother want me to
wash for herr"
eyes, she wants you to call at our house,
early tomorrow morning, before you 60 to
your work. If she thinks you'll suit she'll
hire you"
"Does your mother ever have her washing
put out7"
II guess not. believe the washerwoman
always comes to the house." After sitting
awhile longer. and chatting very volubly,
Elizabeth and her brother took leave to the
great relief of Anne, TO whom they had given
headache. The next morning, Mrs Grant
knocked ut the basement door OF Mrs. crock
eI's house. Elizabeth ushercd her into the
room where the family were taking breakfast.
"Good morning." said Mrs. Croker, nodding
carelessly, "i'll attend to you after breakfast =
Mrs. Grant replied only by saying ''yes, ma :
am" She waited impatienty, counting the
moments as they slowly passed. The time for
her to BIO at her place of service arrived, and
yet Mrs. Crocker idly slipped her coffee, and
babe William toast her another slice of bread
Poor Mrs Grant kept her eye on the bread I'M
til it was sufficiently toasted, watched Mrs
Crockcr's hand while she buttered and inward
ly rejoced US she saw each mouthful disappear
AT length the meal was concluded 'tWeil
| Mrs. Grant, said Mrs. Crocker drawing he
chair towards her, s'you have been recommend
ed 10 me as good washer. Pm very alticu
lar, and if am not perfectly suited, neve
hire the same woraan but once. You dom
look as if you could lay out much strength OIL
clothes"
81 generally manage to do my work well,
replied the poor washer-woman with snkin:
heart.
"Perhaps so; the only way to find out is t.
try you. What do you charge day."
ask shillngs is my price"
"Six shillings." echoed Mrs. Crocker, with {
face of the most unbounded amazcment. Isl,
shillngs! Then suppose the business is set
tied at once. Iuever have paid more than fou