Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-06-07
BY MISS sEDGW WICK

Lucy w SIudH! w no Is she
"She is pretty little Dutch gill, who lived
opposite to me in that BIZ of little dwelling,
that looks like a crack or seam between the two
houses on each side of it. She lived with her
grand parents, natives of this city, and once pre-
prietors of many lot within it; but they had
been out-bargained and out-witted till they were
reduced to this little tenement some twenty feet
by fifteen. Their only surviving descendant
was my little friend Lucy, apretty, fair-skinned,
fair-haired, blue-eyed girl, of a most modest,
quiet, engaging demeanor For many months
after we moved TO State street, knew nothing
of the family; but, from such observations as
my eye could take. neatness was the ruling pas
sion of the household. Their only servant Min
erva (the goddess of wisdom should have known
better) used to scrub the house weekly from
garnet TO cellar; their only carpet was shook
every Saturday; the steps were secured daily
and | never in my life saw the old woman with
out busting cloth in her hand Such war of
determination did she carry on against the in
truding particles, that my friend +. used to say
II must be hard 10 think of turning to dust ,"
Lucy had no visitors, no companions; and of
the only indulgence of the old people, which
was, sitting on the stoop, every pleasant after
noon, according to the ancient Dutch CUSTOM
she never partook. She never went ont, ex-
ccpt on Sunday to church, and then she remind
ed me of one OF those bright, pretty flowers that
hang on the cragged hare stems of the cactus.
ptied her: her spring of life seemed passing
away so drearily. My pity was msapplied !;
and | felt it to be so when | looked into her
sweet and serene countenanCe, and saw there
The impress of that happiness which certainly
flows from duties religiously performed. 1t is
great matter, Grace, to have your desires
bounded within your station to be satisfied
with the quiet, unnotced performance of the
duties Providence has allotted to you, and not to
waste your efforts or strength in seeking to do
good, or TO obtain pleasure beyond your sphere.
This is true wisdom; and this was Lucy Wen
dalPs. AT last there came to this obscure fam
lily, what comes to all, death and its changes.
The old man and his wife died within few
days of each other, of the influenza that then
ragged in the city. The hope of serving the
pretty orphan induced me to go to the house
She received me gratefully, and as an old friend;
for though we had never exchanged word to-
gethcr, there had been an interchange Of kind
looks and friendly nods-those little humanitieS
that bind even strangers together. On inquiry
into her affairs, | found that she was left almost
ponniless, but discreet and kind female friend
had procured for her place in Ross glove fac
tory. Lucy was skilled in all the art and hand
icratt Of the needle. Ross, it seems, is a very
thriving tradesman and TO the warm recon-
mendation of Lucy's friend, he had promised
to board her in his own family, and allow her
sufficient compensation for her labor.
In few days she removed to her new home.
1t is now lifteee months since she left our street.
She came once to tell me she was perfectly
satisfied with her place, and since then have
heard nothing of her. Do not look SO reproving,
my lady Mentor | have been intending for
some time 10 call at Mr. Ross's to make inqui-
ries about her. My story has brought us al
most to the shop; "John Ross, glove manufac-
turer. This must be the place. Stop one mo-
men,, Grace, and look through the window;
that man, no doubt, is Ross himself What
fine head You might know such man would
succeed in the world, let his lot be cast where
it would. lie would have made resolute Gen
era, safe statesman; but here he is an honest,
thriving glover, and that, perhaps is just well.
Nothing is truer than the tate old couPlet:
"Honor and fame from no condition rise:
Act well your part; there all the honor lies"
"The old man looks as though he might be
little tyrannical, though. Heaven grant poor
Lucy may not have suffered from that trait in
his Physognomy.
The only customer is coming out; now we
have a clear field, let us go in"
"llr Ross, believe"
"The same, ma'am."
al came, Mr.. Ross, to inquire after a young
woman who came to live with YOU last Christ
mas"
Il have had great many young women liv-
ing with me, ma'an."
The old mans humor requires me TO be ex-
plicit. Her name, Mr.. Ross, was Lucy Wen
dali" M
Gay, Lucy Wendall did come into the factory
about that time"
There was an expression in Ross's face at
the mention of her name, but might betdc good,
and it might betde evil of Lucy. Il merely
wished to know, Mr. Ross, whether Lucy had
given satisfaction, and whether she still remains
with you"
'Was you a friend to Lucy Wendall, ma 'am?"
q should think it an honor to call myself so,
but could hardly claim that name. She was
my neighbor, and interested me BY her correct
department, and uncommon dutitulness 10 her
old parents" Ross made no reply, but fumbled
over some gloves that were on the counter, then
tied up the bundle and laid it on the shelf
"You seem, Mr. Ross, not disposed to answer
my inquiry. | am afraid some accident has
happened to the poor girl"
Would you ike to know, ma am, what has
happened 10 her 2 tie leaned his elbow on his
desk, and seemed about to begin a story.
Certainly would"
"Well, you know when Lucy Wendall came
to me, she was little demure thing; not beau
ty, but so comely and so tidy that she was
pretty resting place for the eyes of old or young.
She was so great contrast to the other girls in
the workshop, as white is to black She Just
sat quietly in one corner and minded her work
and took no part in their Cabling. You know
what parcel of girls are, ma'am, dinging away
from morning I'LL night like forty thousand
chimney swallows. Lucy was very different:
she made herself neat and tidy in the morning
and did not lose half an hour at noon when the
prentice boys were coming to dinner, twitching
out curl papers and fnrbelowing her hair
The boys and girls used to have their Jokes
about her, and call her the little parson; but
she only preached in her actions, and that is
what l call practical preaching, maam. She
was little master workman at her needle.
never had a mstch for her since | began bust
ness; bat (you know there's always bat in
this hfe) she gave me great offence. She
crossed me where could least bear to be cross
ed"
"Not Intentionally, am snre, Mr. Ross"
"You shall hear, ma'am. | have an only
son, John Rosa fine, fresh-looking, good