Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-07-02
The Self Taught Servant Girl.

We have always admired the resolution
Of an uucouth servant girl, brought up in
no very gentle way, who went to live with
rich and cultivated lady. There was
within her love Of the beautiful, a dim
perception of the fitness of things,by which
che determined to polish herself, and be-
come every whit as graceful as her mistress.
Now he.e was herculeau labor to perform
"a vast undertaking for a poor girl, whose
companions for years had been the pigs
and geese around her fathers miserable
shanty, with mother whose love for inc
briation led her to wallow in filth, and
neglect her family for the poison CT the
still-a girl whose skin was begrimed and
tanned to subjection, and who in all prob
ability was doomed to labor among pots
ard kettle. for the residue of her life
But that Was just what she determined
she would not do, and accordingly she set
herself to work, and her first lessons were
those of observation.
She saw much company unobserved
sEe watched their manners, some Of which
her native good sense rejected the more
pleasing she treasured up in her heart.
Lo. the change! The nnistre., seen
sees, bringing on the breakfast dishes,
comely, interesting girl, with a careful,
uatcbfuI air, her DARK locks put tastefully
bacs somewhat Ia n,ode, he- dress rear
ranged, her answers respectful, and though
he.itating, correct. Next che is surprised
at modest request from the untutored
servant, that by some means she may
learn to read Pleased with this mark
of intelligence, she devotes little spare
time each day to the accomplishment of
this object, and her pupil is 10 dull
scholar.
Almost imperceptibly, by dint Of care
and cleanlidess, the brown skin grew fair
and ruddy, the thick locks hung in curl.,
the brow Developed broadly, and many
little elegancies betrayed themselves in
motion ard attire
This young lady as she assuredly meant
to bs, craved an hour for herself, if we
remember right. after her work was over,
which privilege she was also to retain, and
in the peculiar occupation Of which she
was never to be disturbed. 1t was granted;
and her mistress thought 10 more Of it,
until some months after, when passing by
her room, she fancied she heard strange
vcices Curiosity prompted her to look in
by means of trap door, and there she
beheld her "help," in all the glory of fan
cied magnifcence, seated near a table
holding in her hand book, and talking
quite eloquently with ar invisible captain,
whom she was Aonoring with her patron
age.
Presently she would get up, managing
her movements admirably, bend gracefully,
as if inspecting some work Of art in said
captains ghostly hand receive colnph-
ment with all the cafeles, elegance of a
leader Of the ton; respond in delicate,
dignifed manner; arrange her ebon curls
with the tip of her fan; glide across the
room with the tread Of a princess, fairly
bewildering the good lady above, who
could not make cut what it all meant. FL
nally she bowed the captain out with the
greatest ease imaginable; then returning,
took up Shakespeare, and entertained her
mistress-unconsciuusly Of course-with
ssto be or not to be" read in clear nu-
sical tone.
But marx the conclusion of these strange
proceedings: the lady son returned from
his travels, aud the very first day. not
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