Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-02-02
A BIT OF NATURE.
BY W. NJ. THACKERAY.

A BIT OF NATURE.
BY W. NJ. THACKERAY.
A sudden thought came over me. my
dear Mrs. Titmarsh, says I, you know
how poor and how good your husband is.
YES says she, rather surprised.
'Well, my DEAR said I, looking her
hard in the face, Lady Tiptoff, who
knows him, wants nurse for her son,
Lord Poonings. Will you be brave wo-
man, and look for the place, and mayhap
replace the little one that God has taken
from you?
She began to tremble and blush; and
then l told her what you, Mr.. Sam, had
told me the other day about your money
matters; and no sooner did she hear it,
than she sprang to her bonnet, and said
Come, Gomez and i'll five minutes she
had me by the arm, and we walked togeth-
er to Gosyenor square. The air did her
no harm. Mr.. Sam, and during the whole
of the walk she never cried but once, and
then it was at seeing nursery-maid in the
square.
A great fellow in livery opens the door
and says. You're the forty-fifth IS come
about this ere place; but, fust, let me ask
you preliminary question. Are you
Hirishwoman
No, sill, says Mrs. T.
That's suffishent, men, says the gen.
| tleman in plush; see your re not by your
axnt. Step this way, ladies, if you please.
You'll find some more candidix for the
place up stairs; but sent away forty-four
happlicants, because they was Hirish.'
We were taken up stairs over very soft
carpets, and brought into room. and told
by an old lady who was there, to speak
very softly, for my lady was only two
rooms off. And when l asked how the
boy and her ladyship were, the old lady
told me both were pretty well; only the
doctor said Lady Tiptoff was too delicate
TO nurse any longer: and so it was consid-
cred necessary to have wet nurse.
There was another young woman in the
room, tall, fine woman, as ever you saw
that looked very angry and contemp-
shious at Mrs. T. and me, and said I've
brought letter from the duchess whose
daughter nurse; and think, Mrs. Ben-
kinsop, mem, my Lady Tiptoff may look
far before she finds such another nurse as
me. Five feet six high, had the small pox,
married to corporal in the life-guards,
perfectly healthy, best of character, only
drink water, and as for the child, ma am,
if her Iadyship had six, I've plenty for
them ALL
AS the woman was making this speech,
a little gentleman in black came in from
the next room, treading as if on velvet
The woman got up and made him low
courtesy, and folding her arms on her great
broad chest. repeated the speech she had
made before. Mrs. t. did not get up from
her chair, but only made sort Of bow /;
which, to be sure, | thought was ill-man.
ners, as this gentleman was evidently the
apothecary. He looked hard at her, and
said, Well, my good woman. ard are
you come about the place, too!'
Yes, SIR says she, blushing.
You seem very delicate. How old is
your child 2. How many have you had
What character have your
1 Your wife didn't answer a word; so |
stepped up, and said, Sir says /, this
lady has just lost her first child, and isn't
used to look for places, being the daughter
of captain in the navy; SO you'll excuse
her want of manners in not getting up
when you came in.'
The doctor at this sat down, and began
, talking very kindly to her; he said he was
afraid that her application would be I'M
successful, as Mrs. Horner came very
strongly recommended from tine Duchess
of Doncaster, whose relative Lady Tiptoff
| was; and presently my lady appeared.
: looking very pretty, ma am, in an elegant
: lace cap, and sweet muslin rose de
sham.
A nurse came out OF her ladyship's room
with her; and while my lady was talking
to US. walked up and down in the next
room with something in her arms.
First my lady spoke to Mrs. Homer,
r and then to Mrs. T.; but all the while she
t was talking, Mrs. Titmarsh, rather rude
ly. as thought, ma'am, was looking into
the next room; looking-looking at the
j baby there with all her might. My lady
E asked her name. and if she had any
character; and as she did not speak, Ispoke
. up for her, and said she was the wife Of
the best man in the world; that her lady
e ship knew the gentleman, too, and had