The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-03-09
for the firesitle Chair,
Helen Brewster's % Situation. .
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

l5ssizesf BY AMY RANDOLPH.
The solitary little brown thrush in the
wicker cage in the window chirped family in
the chill brightness of the November morn
ing, as though, poor fellow, he knew that
these bleak sunbeams. irradiated a narrow attic
chamber. and that his young mistress was
alone and penniless n the world, as she sat
before the rusty, freless CRATE, with faded
crimson shawl wrapped about her shoulders,
and anewspaper lying in her lap. Or per-
haps he meant to cheer her up a little-she
needed it enough, Heaven knew.
I She was a pretty girl, slender and straight
featured, with dark grey eyes, verging on vio-
let, and soft bands of hair, glossy and shining
as aripe chestnut when frstit burst through
the husk. To be sure her cheek was a little
pale, but fresh, and dotted with capricious
little dimple, while her mouth was red as
wild strawberry. Yes, it was very sweet
iface-and there was an Undesirable shadow
of resolute courage IN every feature, as if she
might battle long with the world without
batting either heart or hope.
9 Wanted, Situation !s she read out half
alond, from the teeming columns of the great
daily paper. go, dear! that's just what
want myself! Only thirty cents left in this
poor silk purse-no more embroidery to be
had, and nothing left in my slender wardrobe
to dispose of. Pd like to~know what on
earth Pm going to do?''
The paper slipped to her feet; she stopped
and. picked it up, with comicaI arch of her
pretty eyebrows.
fsTo think how many people there are
wanting and being wanted in this large
Babel of cityl How many of them are IN
| as poverty stricken plight as ~ wonder
sssa Ahi sIneps- looked forward to this day,
| in the sweet old times, ere death had taken
home aud friends away don't feel like the
same girl" she added, dashing away the tear
that sparkled on the edge of her long eye
lashes. Il could not laugh and sing now as
used to. am sure could not play with any
true mans heart now, as I toyed with Philip
eSecor's once-1 could not reject an honest
earnest love now, as threw it away in those
days! All, have grown wiser and saddel
now, when it is all too late to call back the
past. Am I crying? Poh, tears are for.
hidden luxury. Where are these advertise.
ments?n
She took up the paper once more and be,
gan to read:
4 "'WANTED, A GoyERNEss p No, tha
wouldn't suit me at all-or rather, | shoule
not suit the prim, precise n,atron, who, pn
sure, penned that paragraph. The multipli
cation table would drive me crazy, and hav,
not the least idea about cube root-besides
don know any music, but simple ballads
nor any drawing but my own wild sketches
That won't do! "A Coop Cook Thi
might possibly keep me from starving if
8 was yersed in roasting pheasants and stirrin;
/ spiced sauces-but am not. WANTED, !
+ HeusEMA1D.' don't think 1 should fill tina
position with credit to myself, or satisfaction
81 to my employer. SEwING'-Better hav
: written it slow starvation at once! Some
thing must do, or else die! and YETI Sx''Y
Suddenly. her eyes fell on a new para
. graph:
"WANTED-A HousEKEEPER, to take th
charge of agentleman's household-one VIII
I understands and will mind her own business
! Apply, for two days, at No. =, street.
h "There is CLEAN of hope!' she exclain
|. ed, naively. 81 think could keep the dc
Z mestic wheels revolving, and am sure coul
J. mind my own business. will try, at least
n anything for home."
She arose and hurriedly adjusted her ha
= = before the distorted little looking glass, tyr
:. on the coarse straw bonnet, whose faded strin,
j told SO plainly of genteel poverty, with a ne
vous, trembling hand.
2. 81 am afraid they will think me too young
7 she thought, folding the crimson shawl mo
se closely around her slender form. "If 1 cou
improvise few wrinkles, and gray hair,
8 twol Yetfor my own part, T can't see why
: twenty year old housekeeper isn't as good
sixty year onei Now, then, Brownies' s.
apostrophized the inmate of the wicker Gag
- s.keep up your spirits, and may be Pll bri
you home little seed and bit of sugar.
Who knows but that the people in - sire
won't object to their little housekeepe
bringing her bird-and won't that. be nj,
IS. Brewnie?''
= : The thrush cooked up his eye at his m
r + tress and gave his head little knowing to
z Z l-Eassthough he understood every word S
spoke to him, and Helen brewster went col
Il IL ageopsly forth to do laastis with ths gre
crpel world. 4asf