The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-06-06
MISCELLANY.
THE DAILY GOVERNESS.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

| The lark went up to heaven, seeming to beat
his breast against the ancient sky yet tiny
speck as he was-scarcely discernible to the
keenest vision-his song was audible TO Lucy
Hinchliff in her mothers little garden. Lucy
was daily governess, and was in the act OF
plucking rose to adorn her bosom, before she
sat out to enter upon the days routine. She
cast he ewes around the modest garden-it was
a very modest, very little garden-looked up
at the lark once more, received the last note
of its song into her soul, smiled at the grey
headed mother in the pinched widows cap.
who was standing at the window, waved her a.
deus, and closed the small gate after her.
There was not in all the suburbs in which
we lived better girl, a prcttier girl, a more
loving, more dutiful daughter, than Lucy
Hinchlff. She first attracted our attention
when we went with satchcl on our back, will
ling enough, to school. She was younger by
two wears than ourselves-a little, timid thing,
as we remember her. She had father at that
time. but we could see that the old gentleman
was poor; and once we were prompted to offer
her some of our victuals which We bore in our
bag (for we dined at school.) fearing that she
had not enough to eat at home. 1t was only a
BOYS thought and now we are more happy
that we did not commit ourselves by the insult,
than if we had realized our early dreams, those
bubbles bred in childs active brain.
Her father died, and they became poorer.
rich relation took Lucy away, to bestow up
on her superior education. 1t was all he
could do for her, he said; though he kept his
carriage. aud his servants, and cast bread TO
dogs. She returned TO her mother after three
years, to aid their mutual support by teach
ing.
Who knows, besides themselves, the lives
that daily governcsses lead? Who has tasted,
besides themselves, the bitterness of the bread
they eat ? The fine mistress may not frown
too severely upon her cook or footman. They
would resent it. and seek another place. But
the poor governess! That she will resign her
engagement is not to be apprehended. And
are there not dozens-scores, who would be
glad to succeed her, if she gave herself airs !?
There are tragedies in real life more sad to wit
ness than any of the histrionic art, & the life of
the daily governess, in meagre circumstances,
IS one whole tragedy.
Lucy ITinchiii closed the garden gate, and
passed from her mothers sight. 1t was Il fine
morning, ara she was early. She had, there
fore, no occasion to hurry, as she was some
lines Obliged to do. She felt worry glad that
he morning was fine, for, to tell n homely
truth, her shocs-well nigh worn out-wert
lar from being water proof. She had sat al
lay with wet feet once before, from the samC
.ause, and much need she had to be careful o
her health for her mothers sake. She had few
acquaintance on the road she trayersed-
though She was familiar as their own childreni
faces TO all the small tradesnen-they saw hcl
pasi regularly morning and evening. The
green grocer would frequently tell his wife
hat it was time TO get the breakfast, for the
young lady with the music paper was abroad
he ;oll-ga.e keeper was Lucy's only speak
inc acquaintance of the male sex. He had al
ways 4 kind word for her. Nor did Lucy fai
to ask him after the child that was scalded,
:rightful accident that-or whether his eldcs
girl was AZ home vet, and other little queries
There she goes" the man would say, wher
she had turned from him. oilers is a hare
life, poor thing
"Not hard at all, Mr.. Marten," retorted
Dame Wrnglinen on one occasion. Hard
indeed. ! think she's got a very easy bert
OF. Put her over a washing tub, and give hel
three or four counterpancs for morning:
work, and see what she'd make OF"
"Ah, Won don't know all ~ said the toll-keep
or, significantly. And he was right.
The lady at whose house Lucy commenced
r the instructions of the day, was a very ncrvou.
lady indeed; and ike your nervous people
she was extremely irasciblc. Lucy's knock
offended her She hated single knocks Why
had they not bell, if it was only TO exempt
the house from the vulgarity of single knocks:
Once in fit of forgetfulness, the govcrnes:
gave palpitating double knock, and Their
Mrs. Robert Smith was astonished at her pre-
sumption. Miss forget your name
Mrs. Robert Smith often contrived to forge
a name which was the property of humble
dependant, and was SO much better than hcl
own.
"IIinchlf, ma'am," prompted Lucy, on the
occasion referred to.
"Ah, IIinchliff. Well, Miss Hinchliff, if
for the future, you would remember not tC
give double knock, you would oblige me
| really thought it was visitors, ard, as am IL
my dishabille, it set NE all in a flutter-you
should consider MY nerves, Miss Hinchliff.''
Poor Lucyl Ifshe could have afforded tC
be so much in fashion as to own TO thepoSsess
ion of nerves, the lady's nervousness would
have infected her.
snow, Miss Hinchliffr, said Mrs. Robert
Smith, when the governess had taken off hel
bonnet and shawl on the morning we make hei
acquaintance, "are you up in those new quad
rifles YETI"
81 am very sorry, ma'am, but 1 have been
so much engaged-I only took them home the
day before yesterday, and 50 little of my time
is my own"
"Well, Miss Hinchliff, of course, fyou have
too many engagements, and my dear children
are 10 be neglected on that account, it will be
MIR. Robert Smiths duty to seek another re.
sponsible person, whose engagements are no
so numerous; you cannot object to that, l an
sure"
"Oh, ma'am," was Lucy's faltering reply
81 am too happy to be employed by you,
will be sure to get the quadrilles ready by TO-
morrow
God pity her. She spoke the truth. She
was too happy to be employed by Mrs. Robert
II VIII excuse you this time Miss Hinchliff,' u
sad the lady, conciliated by Lucy's answer,
'but L shall certainly expect the quadrilles to-
r11nr 1 hrnl-