Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-06-11
The Self Taught-seryant Girl.

AhC SUI Aau8Hl=SefYant 0Elrls
We have always admired the resolution of
an uncouth servant girl brought up in no
very gentle way, who went to live with a
rich and cultivated lady. There was within
her a love of the beautiful, dim perception
OF the fitness of things, by which she de-
termined to polish herself, and become every
whit graceful as her mistress Now here
was herculean labor to perforn,-a vast un-
dertaking for poor girl, whose companion
Tor years had been the pigs and geese around
her fathers miserable shanty, with mother
whose love for luebriation led her to wallow
III filth, and neglect her family for the poison
OF the still-a girl whose skin was begrim-
med and tanned to sunburning and who, in all
probability was doomed to labor among the
pots and kettles for the residue of her life.
But that was what she determined she
would not do, and accordingly she set herself
to work; and her first lessons We're those of
observation.
She saw much company unobservcd she
watched their manners some Of which her
native good sense rejected the more plea
sing she treasured up in her heart
Lo! the change! The mistress sees, bringing
on the breakfast dishes, comely, interesting
girl with "A careful, watchful air, her dark
locks put tastefully back somewhat q la m0de,
her dress re-arranged, her answer respectful,
and, though hcsltatlng, correct. Next she
Is surprised at Il modest request from the un-
tutorcd servant, that by some means she may
, learn to read. Pleased with this mark of in
telHgence, she devotes a little spare time TO
the accomplishment of this object; and her
pupil is no dull scholar.
Almost imperceptibly, by dint of care and
cleanliness, the brown skin grew fair and rud-
+ dy, the thick locks hung in curls, the brow
developed broadly, and many little elegancies
betrayed themselves in motion and attire.
( This young lady, As she assuredly meant to
/ be, crayed an hour for herself, if we remem-
Der right, after her work was over, which
privilege she was always to retain, and in the
peculiar occupation of which she was never
10 be disturbed and her mistress thought no
more Of it, until, some months after, when
passing by her room, she tancied she heard
strange voices. Curiosity prompted her to
look III by means OF II trap-door, and there
she beheld her help, III all the glory of fam
cicd magnlticcnce, seated near a table, hold
ing III her hand IL book, and talking quite
cloquenty with an invisible captain, whom
she was honoring with her patronage.
Presently she would get UP, managing her
movements admirably, bend gracefully, as if
! inspecting some work Of art III said captain :
! ghostly hand, receive Il compliment with all
the careless elegance of a leader Of the ton,
respond in Il delicate, dignihcd manner ar
range her ebon curls with the top Of her fan !;
glide across the room with TIE tread Of
princess, fairly bewildering the good lady
above, who could not make out what it all
meant. Finally she bowed the captain out
with the greatest ease Imaginable then re-
turning, took up Shakespeare, and entertain
ed her mstress-unconcIou of coursC-with
To be, or not to be, read in clear musical
tones.
But mark the conclusion Of these strange
proceedings; the lady's son returned from
his travels, and the very first day, not know
ing who she was, escorted the domestic home
i'll a rain storm, as any gallant gentlemen
wonld have done.
In the evening, he asked impatiently why
his mothers visitor did not appear.
We have no visitor, my SON. she replied.
And pray who was that beautiful creature
that | waited upon to this very door? Am |
bewitchcd? Are there fairies yet? | GER
tainly, in all nay journies, have not met with
SO agreeable and polished lady; and here
she disappeared
The proud woman, in anguish explained
to him that it was only their servant glrl, and
besuught him 10 restrain his rhapsodies but
he declared that she was some divinity, and
no more adapted to the kitchen than We're his
mothers porcelain ornaments 10 4 black
smiths forge. And he persisted in the idea,
married her in spite OF his mothers remon-
/ Stranccs-eycn displeaSure-and the naughty
woman learned to be as fond of her noble
daughter, as her was with his gifted
wife Oiice Branch.