The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-06-15

y. 70. =. Ir------ . . n . =
We have often admired the resolution of an
uncouth servant girl, brought up in no very
gentle way, who went 10 live with rich and
| cultivated lady. There was within her a love
of the hesutift. a dim perception of the fit
ness of things, by which she determined to
polish herself and become every whit as grace
ful as her mistress. Now here was heculean
labor to performs 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 inebriatng led her to wallow in filth, and
neglect her family for the poison of the still
girl whose skin was begrimmed and tanned
to subjection, and who in all probability was
doomed to labor among pots and kettles for
the residue of her life.
But that was Just what she had determined
she would not do, and accordingly she set her
self at work. and her first lessons were those
of observation. tt.
She saw much company; unobserved she
watched their manners, some of which her
native good sense rejected; the more pleasing
she treasured up in her heart.7
Lo! the change! The mistress soon sees,
bringing OH the breakfast dishes, comely,
interesting girl, with careful, watchful air,
her dark locks put tastefully back somewhat
"a la mode, her dress re-arranded, hor answers
TtSpectlut, dfit tuOugn HtSlIutiup, cofTcCL-
Next she is surprised at a modest request from
the untutored servant, that 10y some means she
may learn to read. Pleased with this mark Of
intelligence, size devotes n little spare time
each day to the accomplishment of this ocject;
and her pupil is no dull scholar. fr
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 elegances
betrayed themselves in motion and attire.
This young lady, as she assuredly meant to
be, crayed an hour for herself, five remember
right, after her work was over, which privilege
she was also to retain and the peculiar occupa-
ton which she was never to be disturbed. 1t
was granted; and her mistress thought no more
of il, until come monthly after when passing by
her room, she fancied she heard strange voices.
Curiosity promted her to look in by means of
a trap door, and there she beheld her "help,"
in all the glory of fancied magnifcence, seated
near a table, holding in her hand book and
talking quite eloquenty with an Invisible cap
tain, whom she was honoring with her pstron-
age.
Presently she would get up, managing her
movements admirably, bend gracefully, as if
inspecting some work of art in said captains
hand, receive compliment with all the care
less elegance Of leader of the ton, respond
uellcdlc, ilstuuciy hcl
ebon curls with tip of her fan; glide across the
room with the tread of princess, fairly bewil-
dering 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 returning, took up Shakes
peare, and entertained her misress-uneon-
sciously, of course with-"To be, or not to be-
read in clear, musical tones.
But mark the conclusion Of these strange
proceedings; the lady's sun returned from his
travels, and the very first day, not knowing
who she was, escorted the domestic home in q
rain storm, as any gallant gentleman would
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 |
bewitchedl Are there fairies yet? ] certain
ly in ali my journeys, have not met with so
agreeable and polished lady; and here she
disappeared" .q
The proud woman, in anguish, explained to
him thatit was only their servant girl, and
besought him 10 restrain his rhapsodies; but he |
declared that she was some divinity, and no
more adapted to the kitchen than were his
mothers porcelain ornaments TO blacksmiths
forge. And he persisted in the idea, married
her in spite of his mo,her's remonstrances,
oven dspleasurc--and the naughty woman
learned TO be as fond of her noble daughter,
rs her son was of his gifted VITA.
[Olive Branch.