The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-04-08
tFrom Chambers Journall
THE UNHIRED SERVANT.
tcoNTINUED.1


These were encouraging details for two la
dies, fresh from London city, to hear regarding
the old country house in which they were
bound to live at least two years. My mother
had deal of strong sense, however, and
think che taught me some Of it. We had in
common good life, good conscience, and
tolerable education. There are no better ram
parts against superstitious fears and they stood
us in good stead, Notwithstanding the reputa-
ton of the place, the strange echoes which the
large, empty house gave back to every sound,
the wonderful bowling of the wind in its turret
chimneys, and the shadows cast by its old trees.
We never got thoroughly frightened, nor met
with any thing out of the common course, ex-
cept the transaction am about to relate.
When Lord Harmouth's lawyer admitted
that the hall was solitary, he certainly did not
overstep the truth. There was not a house
within sight of it but the gardeners cottage,
which was a good quarter of mile off; yet
neither theft nor robbery had been attempted;
partly because it was generally known that
there was nothing but old furniture in the
mansion-his lordship having removed his
plate and all portable goods of value and
partly owing to the popular belief in tho re-
turning Hartwels. That article Of faith stood
sadly in our way with the before e-mentioned
maid. No woman of any age would consent
to sleep at the hall. We were obliged to dis
pense with their services early in the evening,
that they might get home before it grew dark,
and could not expect them earlier than about
twelve next day. 1 employ the plural number,
because in our first season we had On an aver
age new servant every fortnight. Some were
SO desperately dirty that they could not be re-
tanned on any terms; others broke every thing
that came in their way. One almost set the
place on FIRE; second accommodated herself
with my mothers tabinet gown, and went to
church in it on a wet Sunday; third dropped
80 IL of Il. a .
the kitchen, and fed home, declaring she had
seen three of the Hartwells looking in at the
window. After that tale was made public, we
could get no servant at all. The wnnt would
not have been great had ourselves only been
concerned; could have done all our household
work. Ralph Fairbrother supplied us with all
manner of provisions, according to contract
but the hall and its furniture were to be kept
in order, and that was task beyond our united
strength.
In this strait my mother thought of apply
ing to an acquaintance of ours in Norwich, one
OF the few with whom we correspond in spite of
altered fortunes. She was a merchants wife,
a notable house-keeper, and a most worthy
woman. Her reply was decidedly satisfactory
She knew housemaid, steady, honest, indus
trious, and not afraid of solitary place. If
my mother and would only come to Norwich,
spend day with her and see the girl, she
might 60 back with us to the hall, in case we
thought her suitable. Mrs. Turner's invitation
was kind, and the chance of seeing civilized
life, though but for day, was too good to be
missed. We went to the old capital of Nor
folkshire in spring cart, the only vehicle OBJ
tainable. Ny mother had great chat about
old times l saw the newest fashions the maid
was seen and arranged with, but there were
unexpected difficulties in the way of her imme-
date coming. The girl looked strong, active
and not too young; she had o good -humored
face, professed no fear of ghosts, and had a
sort of acquaintance with Fenham Hall her
grandmother, mother, and two aunts having
been housemaids there in regular succession.
Theno-popery cry was then loud, in conseu uence
of the Catholic Emancipation Bill; but my
mother had no dread Of the Jesuits and showed
no unwillingDess to engage Sally Steen, though
she a sound believer in the old faith anC
retired, as it were, to service in the convent Of
the Sisters of Mercy, whenever she was out Of
place. The lady superior was somehow related
to Sally, on the mothers side, where, it seems
there was high and ancient blood to boast; bu
though the Catholicism and the convent had nc
terrors for us, we were disappointed in our hope
of bringing homo a useful servant. Sally,
brother was to be married that day week; sht
had promised to be at the wedding; beside he
things were to be put in order. In short, Sally
could not come for at least eight days. Still
there was the prospect of q maid at last. Mrs
Turner gave her the highest character-by tn,
way, she had once served our friend for 81,
months-and we went home, after setting will
Sally to come by the Fenham's carriers wagon
and enter on her duties at the hall on MONDAY
week.
The evening in which she was expected
found us talking and knitting by the FIRE. TIL,
night had fallen, for it was about the middle O
December; but the weather had been clear anC
frosty for some days, and we could see thu
ltohf ell L. 4
the curtains had not been drawn, as my
mother said the blaze would cheer Sallv's heart
coming up the lonely park, and guide her to
our corner Of the mansion. We were comforting
ourselves with the rubbing-up the fre-irons
stoves and large mahogany tables should gel
from her vigorous arms, as also on the peace
and pleasure we should have with a good.
humored, trustworthy servant for the rest O
the winter. Our tea-table was spread, and oul
tea-kettle singing, to welcome Sally when sh'
came in, cold and tired, from her journey, il
the wagon. There it was at last; we heard thu
heavy wheels roll slowly up the carriage road
the carrier knew how to open the park gate
luckily, for no keeper had lived at the lOdg
for years. went out with lantern, and ther
they were-trusty Thomas, the carrier, will
all manner of parcels for us and the Fair
brothers; Sally, with her gray cloak and hooG
drawn over her bonnet, her large deal-box, anC
bundle under her arm. Thomson was in @
hurry with goods for the village inn keeper; the
box, etc., had to be got in quickly.
Sally was some time getting herself in order
to pay her respects to my mother; but at length
in she came. There were two candles and @
bright fire, and all their light was requisite to
make us credit our own eyes. Instead of the
ruddy, robust, goOd-natured looking young
woman under thirty, with whom we had talked
at Norwich, there walked into the parlor, very
deliberately, woman whose age / could MOI
tell, but she was not young, tall, larged- boneG
and thin to the point Of reminding one of q
skeleton. She had on a coarse, gray gown, Of
plain stuff, and muslin cap plated closely
round her face, which might have been hand
some once, for the features were finely cut anG
regular, but it was long and thin beyond ex.
preston: there was no color about it bat {
streak or two Of intensely black hair struggling
ON the forehead, which, by the way, was broad
and low, and fixed corpse-like expression, sucl
as | remembered to have seen in the face of on,
of the exied monks of La Trappe at Spital
fields. .-.. H..
[To BE Continued