Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-07-10
Isual fee; if not, will get you another

The woman was satisfied to try, and
boy was sent to show her the lady's
residence.
"Mrs. Smith" soliloquized the wom-
an as she walked up towards the man
sion, "Mrs. Smiths !"
A paleness overspread her face as
she caught q glimpse of the features OF
Mrs. Smith through the window when
she entered the basement OF the house,
but with an effort she gathered courage,
and her cheek grew red with the return
ing flush.
"Mr. Norton sent this woman" said
the boy to Mrs. Smith, as they entered
the breakfast. room, where the children
were making boats out Of egg-shells, and
floating them in ponds of coffee.
"Auother woman! !" cried Ed, running
up to her, and catching hold OF her dress.
"Another woman!" lisped little Kate,
as she followed her brothers example.
"Woman, never mind them" said Mrs.
Smith, as the woman placed her hand
upon their heads. Ed and Kate" she
continued, "go and be dressed; 60 this
instant, or I'll whip you"
The children did not heed the moth.
err, and the woman was hardly conscious
Of either. She seemed all attention to
other thoughts-perhaps about her own
children, or those she loved and had left
behind
The Office boy then said
"Mr. Norton says he hopes tha: she
will suit you; and since there has been
so much said about girls wages in the
papers, they are all going into the coun
try; and this one came on the steamer,
yesterday, from the States"
The boys errand done, he left the
woman with the mistress. Mr.. Smith
seated herself upon the lounge, while the
woman stood gazing with apparent as
tonishment around her.
What counlryw woman are your
Mrs. Smith inquired, as she began the
formula of her accustomed catechism.
"American," TIE woman articulated
in reply, as if half afraid to speak.
"How old are you?"
"Thirty-two."
"Maid or widow"
"Widow."
Scan you take good care Of children ?
Ed and Kate are two dear, sweet chill
dren and if you are any way cross, |
fear you viii not suit me-
81 am very fond of children, madam"
The woman fairly shuddered as she
spoke the word "madam."
"Can you wash for the family?-l
There are only four of Us"
II can try
Scan you cook a good dinner, if our
servant-man helps you? for sometimes
we have company; at other times, we
are not particular. "
81 believe can. My sister used to
praise me for being good cook"
"Your sister! Poor soul perhaps
she was not judge"
The woman bit her lips until the blood
fairly started from their trembling veins.
"Well l want you TO do chamber
work, besides, and make yourself gen
orally useful about the house. Now,
what wages do you expect?'
Il was told thirty-fve dollars month
was the usual wages
Thirty five dollars p Mrs. Smith
raised her eyes in surprise; "why, you
must mean twenty dollars; that is
the highest wages ever paid" she ex-
claimed.
Mrs. Smith smiled, for she had heard
the boy say that the woman had just ar
rived, and she was one Of those ladies
opposed to high wages for servants.
81 suppose it must be twenty five"
said t h woman, timidly. Il do not
know what wages are paid here tor help,
as l only arrived yesterday"
Il can assure you, Bridget, that TWEEN.
ty-fve dollars month is good wages
and if that will do you, why--I'll try
you"
Mrs. Smith had called her Bridget,
and so Mrs. Smith had called every girl
and woman of the fifty she had tried
Bridgets first duty was to wash and
dress little Ed and Kate, aud somehow
or other, the children were made to
look unusually neat that morning
Bridget's eyes were red, as if from weep
ing and Ed and Kate each had a val
uble story to tell their mother, an hour
how the new woman had
kissed them and, hugged them almost to
pieces.
When Mr.. Smith returned TO dinner,