The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-08
THE ONE-EYED SERVANT.
A STORY TOLD TO A CHILD.
BY JEAN INGELow.

YOU UTCTIy
site sides of the Common? How bright their
windows are, and how pretty the vines trail over
theml A year ago one OF them was the dirtiest
and most forlorn.looking place you can imagine,
and its mistre IS the most unttdy woman.
She was once sitting at ner cottage door, with
her arms folded, as il she were deep in thought,
though to look at her face one would not have
supposed she was doing more than idly watch
ing the swallow VS. as they fioated about in the
hot, clear air. Her gown was torn and shabby,
her shoes down at heels, the little curtain in her
easement which had once been fresh and white,
had a great rent in it; and altogether she looked
poor and torlOrh.
She safe some time, gazing across the common,
when all OF a sudden SHE heard little noise,
like stitching, near the ground She looked
down, and sitting on che border, under a wall
flower bush she saw the funniest little man pos
sible with blue coat, yellow waist2oat, and
red boots; he bad got a small shoe on his lap,
and he was stitching away at 1t with all his
might.
"Good morning, mistress" said the little man.
"a very fine day Why may you lbe looking so
earnestly across the commonr
81 was looking at my neighbors cottage"
said the young woman.
'WLatl Tom, the gardeners wife-little Polly
as she used to be called? and very pretty cot
tage it is too Looks thriving, doesn't it 2"
''She was always lucky" said Bella-lor that
was the young wfe's name-"and her husband
Is always good to her."
They we're both good husbands al first" inter.
ruptcd the little cobbler, without stopping.
"Reach rae my awl mistress, will you for you
seem to have nothing to do; it lies close by
your toot.n
''Well, can't say but they were both very
good husbands at 6rst," replied Bella, reaching
the awl with sigh; "but mine has changed tor
the worst and hers for the better; and then look
how she thrives. Only to think of our both being
married on the sane day; and now I've nothing,
and she has two pigs and "a"
"And lot of flax that she spun in the winter"
interrupted the cobbler; "and Sunday gown, as
good Green stuff as ever was seen, and, to my
IL hon niaFEN
apron; and red walstcoat for her good man,
with three rows of pine glass buttons and
fitch OF bacon in the chimney, and rope of
onions"
''Oh, she's q lucky woman ~ exclaimed Bella.
Gay, and a teatray, with Daniel in the lions
den upon it," continued the cobbler; "and fat
baby in the cradle"
ooh, Pm sure / don't envy her that last !" said
Bella, pettlshishly. 'I've little enough for my
self and my husband, letting alone children"
why, mistress, isn't your husband in work ?"
asked the cobbler.
mo; he's at the alehouse."
"Wny, how's that? he used to be very sober.
Can't he get work."
"His last master wouldn't keep him, because
he was so shabby.n
'Huwph!" said the little man. "He's a
groom, is he not? Well as L was saying, your
neighbor opposite thrives wonderfully; but no
wonder! Well, I've nothing to do with other
Gould tell me aohat ?n cried the young wife.
"Oh, good cobbler, don't go, Tor Pve nothing to
do. Pray tell me aohy its no wonder that she
should thrive? ?"
"WeIl, . said he, 'ft's no business of mine YOU
know, but as said before, it's no wonder people
thrive who have servant-a hard working one
too-wh o is always helping them"
"a servant" repeated Bella, ''mY neighboi
has servant No wonder, then, everything
looks SO neat about her; but never saw this
servant. think you must be mistaken; besides
how coulo she afford TO pay ner wages ?"
"a q | cOD
bler-'a one eyed servant-but she pays her nc
wages, 10 my certain knowledge. Well, gooc
morning, mistress, must go.n
"Do stop one minute" cried Bella, urgently
''where did she get this seryant?n
"0h, ! don't know" said the cobbler; "ser
wants are plentiful enough, and Polly uses hers
we'll can tell you"
"And what does she do for her?"
'Do for her? Why, all sorts of thngs-I thint
she's the cause OF her prosperity. To my know
ledge she never refuses to do anything, keep
Toms and Polly's clothes In beautiful order, anC
the baby's."
"Dear me!n said Bella, in an envious tone
and holding up both her hands; "well, she is
lucky woman, and / always said so. She take
good care shall never see her servant. Wha
sort OF a servant is she, and how came she T.
have only one eyer
at runs in her family" replied the cobbler
stitching busly; they are all so-one ey
apiece; yet they make a very good use of il
and Polly's servant has four cousins who ar
Understanding no eyes at all; and the
sometimes come and help her. I've seen theI
in the cottage myself, and that's how Polly get
good deal of her money. They work for her
and she takes what they make to market, an
buys all those handsome things"
"0nly think" said Bella, almost ready to or
with vexation, land I've not got soul to d
anything for me; how hard it is !" ami she too
up.her apron to wipe away her tears.
The cobbler looked attentiVely AT her. ''Wel
you are to be pitied, certainly" !" he said, land
were not in such hurry"
ooh, do go on, pray; you were going to sa
aou could help me? / have heard your peopl
are fond OF curds and whey and fresh gooseberI
syllabub. Now, if you would help me, trust N
that there should be the most beautiful euro
and whey set every night for you on the hearth
and nobody should ever look when you wei
and came.n
''why, you see," said the cobbler, hesitatinl
"my people are extremely particular about
short, about cleanliness, mistress; and you
house is not what one would call very clear
No otense, hope?
Bella blushed deeply. We'll, but 1t should
always clean If you would-every day OF n