The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-03-29
SELECT TALE 4.
THE WONDERFUL HOUsEMAID.
BIZ MRS. CAROLINE a. snULE.

"I'll betlI know somebody that's great deal
handsomer than she," exclaimed little Nell
Summers in lively tone, as she tossed her bull
ding blocksinto basket, pell-mel, and climbed
into the lap of her Uncle Herbert "Miss
Kate Odel can't begin to be SO beautiful as our
Elen''
Sand who is 'sour Ellen 2" asked Mr.. Lin
coin, as be toyed with the child's sunny cnrls ;
sand how came little Miss Nell to know what
her mother and L were talking about We
thought you were too busy with your fairy cas-
ties to listen TO u.s."
"And if were busy couldn't l hear It
takes ewes and hands to build castles, not ears
don't YOU know that, Uncle 90
at II didn't ! do now - and be rougiShly
pinched the small snowy ones that lay hidden
behind the long ringltts "But tell me little
niece, where and who is tha! beautiful creature
that rivals the belle ofthe season in charms, ac-
cordlng 10 you 4"
"Why, IT'S Ellen, our Ellen, and she's up
stairs, suppose"
.sBut who's Ellen, and what does she do
here %
GWhy, Ellen's the maid, and she sweeps and
du.ts and laws the table and waits on 1t too, and
does everything that maids always do, and
great deal besides, ior mamma never has
10 think any more, and George aud don't have
10 cry over our lessons.
IA wonderful maid, indeed, said uncle Her"
bert, in an incredulous tone fancy Miss u
deli wouldn't be scared If she knew who ber
beautiful rival was. But how came she TO be
here %
"Why, mamma hired her, as she does all her
maids, and unless she gets married, we shall al
ways have .ker, for know she'll never do any,
aA passson .,truly-'this Ellen pray ex-
pIaip. mamma - and MIR. Lincoln turned TO
hIs sister.
"I caunot," said she. 81 can only coVrobo-
rate what Nell has told you. Ellen is a maid
who has lived with me a fortnight only, and
vet in that time has won my hear. completely
In person-but as you stop TO tea, you VIII see
her. and YOU can Judge for youIselt II she does
not rival, and fairly too, with the brilliant belle
of the winter In manners, she is perfect Ia
dy she has 200, exquisite taste and tact IN
the management of household affairs that L new
er saw equaed-"
"Tell him how sweetly she sings" lnterrup-
ted the little daughter. ''She sings me to sleep
every night, and | always feel, when shut my
eyes, as if | was going right up to heaV-
en-"
"Bravc, Nell! A very angel Of house
maid she must be. long 10 see her - and
he laughed in that peculiar tone which SEEM
ed to say, "you're telling me a humoug sIo-
~"
"You'll laugh on the other side OF your mouth
said Nell, earnestly, "won't be mamma, when
he comes to see her I"
81 shouldn't wonder" answered her moth
cr,caily; ..indeed If be had not as good as
owned that he had lost his heart to Miss
Odel, should not like TO give SO young and
enthusiastic man, a GLIMPSE at my pretty
maid But listen, J think hear her gentle
tread"
Tie door of the sitting room was opened
and there glided into the room, with step as
light as a fairy's, a young, slender, but exqui-
stely graceful female. The single glance
which Herbert directed towards her, as she en-
tered, filled his soul with wondrous ViSloh,
for beauty sat enthroRed IN every feature ol 'he
blushing face. The fair oval forehead, the sot:
dark eve, with IFS long, dropping lasheS, 'ne
delicately chiseiled nose, the rose-unted CneeSs
the full, scarlet lips, each items OF ioVeiiEeSs'
were blended in so perfect and complete union
that one felt, as he gazed upon the countenance
as toes the florist when he plucks haii-o'o"n
moss rose-Heaven might have made 1t more
beautious still, 5u: this sutfices
There was little embarrassment visible IN
her attitude, as she found herself unexpectedly
in the presence of company, but only for an IN
tant dad she yield to 1t. Recovering herself
hastily, she said TO Mrs. Summers
"DiI you decide, ma'sm, TO have tea an hour
earlier than usual %
It was simple question but the accents thrill
led the young mans heart, and he thought TO
himself, il there ,s so much music IN her voice
when she speaks only as a servant to her mis-
tess, how heavenly it might be IN lovers ear;
and from that time be did not wonder at lt-
lie Nell's remarks about her songs OF lula
by.
awe drd. Ellen, and you may lay the cloth
at once. Brother will stop with Us"
Intuitively delicate, Herbert seemed all be
while busy with his little niece, and did not
once look towards the beautiful domestic during
the moments that elapsed ere the tea was ready.
yet be stole many turtive glance at her
through the golden curls of his little playmate,