Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-10-23
No matter" said to myself; ''at least
when | apply for occupation, it cannot be urg-

A>N "SeSA, W SSh e'0 A>'s'>
when apply for occupation, it cannot be urg-
ed against me that am too young"
Mrs. Arnold was kind enough to exert him
self in our behalf, and procured me some daily
teaching, after duly satisfying himself that |
was qualified By his service, we took furn-
ished apartments on the second floor of house
on Poland street. Thither my sister and my
self removed without much trouble, for we had
few effects to take with us and as for myself,
| began teaching Immediately could venture
to leave Belle Mr.. Arnold, who was rough
and authoritative, urged my sister to exert
herself toward her joint livelihood. | dare say
he meant well but seeing my darling turn
faint and pale at the mere suggestion, L as
sured him that such thing was utterly i'm
possible, and added that was strong enough
work for both.
| should have felt some annoyance at the
necessity for eXerting, if could but have earn
ed little more, and if Belle could by any
possibility have been rendered pleased and
happy; but being paid by the lesson, the two
or.three families at whose houses l attended
gave me but little and my sister, accustomed
to delicate living pined and fretted till feared
not merely, for her beauty, ,sbut her health,
which, always ailing, grew daily worse, with
out any defined complaint.
The doctor, whom | called in, recommend
ed employment; and knowing that Belle could
embrodcr with great taste and skill, ventur-
ed on requesting her to try some; but after a
few stitches, she threw her work away, de-
claring, with burst of tears, that she would
rather die at once than be constrained to work
for her living and |, folding her, poor lamb,
in my arms. .and weeping over her, and VOW
ed that never should she be asked to do any
thing while | had hands and brain to work
with
could not help fearing she fretted at Mr..
Manners desertion, though she persisted
that her contempt was too great for love to
continue, and declared that she never really
cared for him; if, however, attacked his i'll
conduct in deserting us at such a time, and
said as often did, that she had a good es-
cape, she would grow angry, and ask me how
l could. presume to judge, who had
never had, and never could have, a lOv-
er? Poor dear l am very sorry to
say | was sensitive about my want of at
by these speeches but never let her see it ;
so that she came to think no harsh words an
noyed me, and that frequently induced her
to say, without thought, whatever came up
permOst in her head-Often, | am sure, with
out meaning.
1t was in consequence of earning too little
for our wants-at least Belle's-that we de-
liberated on what could be done to gain more,
and had been cheering my sister up with an
account of the many things which l knew |
could do. Among others there was an en-
plOyment recommended to me by a lady, a
former teacher of mine, which was to play
dance music at chiidren's parties. The emolu-
mcnts of this occupation would be considera-
bic and though kind Miss Semitone told
me might find it disagreeable yet | rcsOlv-
ed to put it in practice as soon as opportunity
offered
While the dialogue with which l commen-
ced this narration was passing, note arrived
from my friends, to state that was to go
that very evening to a juvenile party, held at
Mrs. Lasenalrs S, Bryanstone Square.
"YOu will receive in remuneration" wrote
Miss Semitone, a guinea, and will be expected
to play from eight till twelve, if required. Do
not mistake, my dear Miss Grieves, you will
not be treated as one of the guests-possibly
you may not even meet the courtesy due to
the gentewOman you really are; but you must
be contented to be regarded as a hired mach
ine-to stop or go on as you are bid. Forgive
my plain speaking; it is best to give you the
true carte dupays.
Yours, faithfully,
CLARA SEMIToNE.
[ was so delighted with the guinea in pros
pective, that put aside all other considera
tons
Never mind," said l, quite gaily, to Belle,
''beng a machine for few hours. Now, dear,
YOU shall have quarters subscription at the
"Parnassus Library" Belle frightened up
at this, and almost smiled; for she who all
her life had disliked.. reading, had lately decar-
ed subsequently to the pernoal of some nov
els kindly lent us by the first floor lOdger in
our hous) that she could no longer exist
without books, and viewing, poor child, the
many hours she spent by herself doing
nothing, did not see very well how she
At eight that evening" having dressed my
self as nicely as could in my best black,
prepared to set out but previously my deal
sister nearly overset the composure with which
had been endcavoring to fortify myself fo'
the occasion. Just as | was smoothing my
Grape collar, and giving final brush to my
hair, she approached me, and would insist or
my wearing her jet negligee and broach-prc
sents giving her formerly for some ceremonial
mourning.
"You are a good SOUL" she said.
burst into tears, and clasping her in my
arms, kissed and blessed her: but she dis
engaged herself gently, and glided out of th'
room. 1t was as good as a cordial, her kind
ness, as set forth on my errand.
"Ah" thought I, show happy | am t.
have somebody to work for, instead of exert
ing my talents only for my worthless self =
cipating Bellies delight at an unlimited allow
| of T foH op fnct hot 7
found myself and my musical parcel waiting
for admission at Mrs Lasenalrs door, in Bry
anstone Square.
Stayr' exclaimed Mr.. Osmington. "Be
fore the dancing begins, Mrs. Lasenall, allow
me to explain that | was the person VIII,
brought this young lady refreshments, whicl
most unaccountably you had forgotten to SEM
her. | do not think any of us here woult
have passed the evening without taking some
and she who has worked so hard in the ser
I vice of us all had a double claim to attention
| thank you, Mrs. Lasenall," (this in answe
to an imperious beckOning) 81 will do my
self the pleasure of turning over the leaves fo
Miss Grievcs."
: He did so; and when the quadrille was owe
the most spirited one of the evening tn
+ children said-he still sat by me, and talke
kindly about music, and great composers an
singers Mrs. Lasenall came past severa
e times and interrupted the conversation. Sh
I hurried on dance after dance, and, at las
asked Mr.. Osmington to join set of tn
growing persons then forming. He decline
J politely but briefly and decidedly. She, ,higf
ly offended, turned away, and he had recon
5 menced the subject she had broken off.
L summoned up spirit, and how delightful it wa
to talk to him. l said l feared l should b
y censured sif II conversed, and begged h
II would excuse me.
l. He smiled "You are right, believe" /
n said
" But tell me one thing, do you think Mis-
a Lasenall handsome?
$ Ireplied, thought extremely.
0, "Did you ever see any one handsomer :?
1t he asked.
or Zone persor' replied.
l. And who is that 2" he demanded SIN