Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-06-24
THE STORY TELLER,
From Arthur's Home Gazette. -
BELINDA SELBY:
The Fault-finding Mistress.
BY MRS. CAROLINE oRNE.

table. Edwin was engaged in drawing on a
slate, certain stiff, formal looking figures
which he called officers; each with something
on its head resembling the moon in its first
quarter, termed by him Bonaparte hat, and at
the side, what was Intended for a sword, though
peaceful pruning-hook
Officers ought to have Roman noses,
hadn't they, Bessie I! said he to his little sis
ter.
DON'T know, but guess they ought to,
she replied. -.-.-- -r-----
Nv lat makes you think so!' asked their
mother, looking up from her work and smil-
ing. ...
has Roman nose-John Edwards says he
has
'And has Ensign Lowe Roman nose too 9
enquired Bessie.
No, guess not, said Edwin, with grave
thoughtful air; for his nose isn't bit like
Captain Smith's-it turns up just like Sam
Dowliug's.'
They, therefore, as appeared to them, very
logically concluded, that Captains should have
Roman noses, and Ensigns turn up ones Ed
win had just succeeded in giving one of his Of
fcers what he considered suitable nose for a
captain, when a low knock was heard against
the inner door.
I'll go and open it, said Bessie, dancing
across the carpet.
4 short, rather thick-set girl of sixteen, with
a pleassaf, good-natured looking face, was seen
starr ng a The door when it was thrown open
by bessie, who said to her,
Is Yourmother at home
- Come in Belinda r''za-.A Mrs Emery, who
knew her voice.
No ma'am, believe l can't STOP replied
Belinda
You must come in said Bessie-at the
same Time seizing her by the hand to lead her
into the room.
%, you hurt my hand, said Belinda, quick
ly drawing it back please take hold of my
arm.'
Unless Mrs. Maulins requested you not to
stop, you had better come in and stay an hour
or two,' said Mrs. Emery. The chill
dren have been wishing to see you for several
days
Mrs. Maulins don't need me this evening,
said Belinda, but she says it is not likely
that you want me, and [ felt afraid that you
didn't; but then you know l am more than a
dozen miles from home, and that everybody
are strangers to me, except you and Mr..
Emery and the children, and the family where
live
You must always come when you have op-
-Portunity,' SAID Mrs. Emery. Your mother
and / were old schoolmates, and shall al
ways be pleased TO see her, or her children,
} if they only prove themselves to be as worthy
hand Why do you keep it wrapped up in a
handkerchief
Belinda, instead of answering. removed the
handkerchief, and held her hand so that Mrs.
Emery could see it. 1t was the left hand,
and the outside of the finger, and the inner
part of the wrist, were more than half excoria-
ted. The right hand, which she also exhibited
was in similar plight, though not TO the same
extent.
How did you get the skin off of your
hands so, Linda1 said Edwin, while Bessie's
lips quivered, and tears started into her blue
eyes. -
Mrs. Emery looked grave, and said to her in
low voice
You must tell me all about this, when the
children have gone to bed.'
By seven o'clock Edwin and Bessie had
grown sleepy over the officers Roman noses,
and willingly went to bed, having first obtain
ed Belindas promise, that she would come
again soon. .....
Is it possible, said Mrs. Emery, when she
rejoined Belinda, that your hand are so ten
der, that you cannot do the washing for fam.
lily the size of Mrs. Maulins', without putting
them in condition like this =
1t isn't because the wash is so large re-
piled Belinda. Il have done twice as large a
skin, but Mrs. Maulins not only refused to lei
me use the wash-board, because she SAID il
wore the clothes, but made me rub them fonl
times as much as was necessary. There were
some pillow-cases, and other articles, which
got stained with medicine, when she was sick
last fall, and she found great deal of fault
with me, because couldn't wash the stain.
out. Everything washed, as soon as fin
ished wringing it, had to be carried to her il
the sitting room, where she was sewing. ant
held up before her, SO that she coild examini
il, and if it didn't suit her, had to wash j
over again. One of the pillow cases, whicl
wss stained the worst, / washed no less tha
seven times; but it did no good, the stains re
NAMED bright as ever. She then came int
the Kitchen, and stood bym as rubbed tn
stains in another one, five minutes or more
and when she found they wouldn't come out
she said, o dear, If / only had health an,
strength to do everything myself, how happy
should be; for then things would be done a