Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-03-25

, The woman bit her lip until the blood fair.
ly started from their trembling veins.
"Well, viii want you to do chamber work
and make yourself generally useful about tbs
house. Now what wages do you expect ?"
81 vas told thirty-dve dollSrs a month wa.
the usual wages"
"Thirty-iye dollars ~ Mrs. Smith raised
her eyes in surprise; @why you must mean
twenty-five dollars; that is the highest wages
ever paid" she exclaimed.
Mrs. Smith smiled, for she had heard the
boy say that the woman had just arrived, and
she was one Of those ladies opposed to high
wages for servants.
"I suppose it must be twenty-five" said the
woman timidly Il do not know what wages
are paid here for help, as only arrived yes
terday."
81 can assure you, Bridget, that twenty-five
dollars a month is good wages; and il that
will do you, why-I1l try you"
Mrs. Smith bad called her Bridget, and 10
she had called every girl and woman Of the
fifty she had tried. Bridgets first duty was
TO wash and dress little Ed and Kate, and
somehow or other, the children were made to
look unusually neat that morning; Bridget's
eyes we're red as if from weeping; and Ed and
Kate each had Voluble story to tell their
mother, an hour afterwards, how the new wO-
man bad kissed them, and hugged them almost
to pieces.
When Mr.. Smith returned TO dinner, be
was agreeably surprised to End the house in
unusually good order. Mrs Smith was in
cheerful spirits, for she had found less to do
about the house that day than she had for
long time before Bridget seemed to be
ahead Of her in everything. and to anticipate
her wants.
The children minded her by instinct; and
Mr.. Smith declared that if Bridget was as
good every day in producing comfort in his
household as she was on the day Of her intro
duction he would not part with her for thrice
her wages.
Two months rolled around, and Mrs. Smith
began to become uneasy in her new situation,
for she had no occasion to direct or superin-
tend the household, and having less cause to
complain, she became irritable and nervous.
One day. there had been quite an unusual
number of visitors. and whatever went wrong
| in the parlor that raised Mrs. Smiths ire,
was visited upon the head Of the unofending
Bridget.
Husband was Mrs. Smiths ejaculation
of complaint, as soon as Mr.. Smith entered
that evening, tomorrow morning, when you
go down town, leave . note at the intelligence
Office, and tell them to send another WOman-
Bridget was quite impudent and saucy to-
day, and 1 will Hos put up with any servants
impudence.
-"But wife," was Mr.. Smiths remonstrance
81 thought that Bridget mas the perfection OF
'housemaids, and think You said -
"Mr. Smith know what servant should
be-" she exclaimed, sand no not want yOu to
tell me.''
"Yes, yes, / have no doubt you do"
Mr.. Smith balanced the soup-plste upon
his finger, as if in the act of washing it, and
Mrs. Smiths face blushed as red as scarlet.
"Mr. Smith" she exclaimed, and then sunk
back unable to articuIate more.
Justtheu Bridget entered and cut short the
aecumulating words. Ll
The twilight of evening bad come, and the
sitting room was lighted. Mr.. Smith took
out his portfolio rang the bell and Bridget
entered the room. t-
Bridget" said Mr.. Smith, al am sorry,
but Mrs. Smith says she will dispense with
your services after tomorrow. You have been
here two months-I wish could say two
years-nnd I am sorry 10 part with you
Sign this receipt, and here is a bonus with
your wages"
He then placed a, package Of coin by the
side of the paper.
Bridget took up the pen, and in neat
hand wrote "Franees Depue."
Mr. Smith took up the receipt and glanced
at the name and then walked across the room
and held the paper before his wife.
"Mrs. Smith," said he, "her name is Fran
ees-not Bridget"
A blush suffused his Wife's face. q
Frances, what State are you from ?" she
inquired, as the woman was about leaving the
room.
Massachusetts" )" was replied.
"What part, Frances ?"
"Lowell"
"Was you acquainted with Robert Depue's
famiIy-they have the same name as your
self?' she eagerly inquired.
Eyes, quite we'll" she answered very quiet
city"
as the old gentleman still living?" Mrs.
Smith earnestly asked; II have not heard
| from there in a long time"
mo he is dead,'' she replied with sigh;-
"he has been dead almost year"
Dead Poor old man" Mrs. Smith ex-
! claimed, and she brushed away tear from
her cheek. "Tell me, Frances, all you know
about him, and his death, and will be thank
full TO you for it."
| al suppose his death was like that of many
other poor old men," she began, and continu-
/ ed as = sad expression stole owe her face
The old gentleman had two daughters. The
youngest got married and emgraied to St.
Louis with her husband, leaving the eldestat
home with the father. Finally she, too, got
married, and like her younger sister, emigra-
ted to the west with her husband, and left the
old gentleman alone, and l believe he never
heard from her afterwards, except by reports
of strangers. heard that they came to Cal
ifornia, and it was said that her husband Mr..
Smith, was very rich"
Frances, hasten your recital" exclaimed
Mrs. Smith impatiently, "and tell me about
Mr.. Depue's death"
"The tale is a short one, madam" replied
Frances, and she gave Mrs. Smith a look that
; made her tremble "The old gentleman was
left alone to the tender mercies Of strangers.
A long sickness followed, and exhausted his
once competent means, for in the absence Of
those who should have been at bis bedside
there was No one to take care Of his Affairs
After all was gone they mercifully sent the
old man to the aIms-hoUse."
"Oh, my God ! and he died there 2" Mrs.
Smith exclaimed, between the choking sobs
| he from, hnr liDa .