The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-05-09

WAS cons'oeFed 10 ne ny every mistress
with whom she had lived. She had been
in the house but three days when Mrs.
Hall received letter from Washington
containing the news Of her fathers dan. &.
gerous illness there, and summons to
como on Instantly If she wished to see
him alive. There wac but one course.
She left me with particular directions to
attend emily to the children, gave Molls.
the ne" girl. the money and directions
for ,bs housekeeping. and started on her
journey. John, the coachman, was TO
keep the horses and carriage at a livetv
| s'aole in town, and We were left ia sole
charge OF the country seat and children.
i. was Saturday, aid the FIRST day
passed off without any trouble. Sunday,
too, WAS quiet; but early Monday morn,
ing, wEile | WAS bathing Lulu, MolIe
burst into the bath room.
"Dpnt you intend to come to the wash.
ing T. she cried
"No, never touch the washing There's
woman from the village will como 10
hep you.'e
well, i'll ever. You're to play fine
lady here, while slave over the wash
tub! Very pretty, indeed My lady !"
and she made me mosking courtesy.
"Couldnt put her dainty white hands in
the wash tqh, hat sits up stairs TO bs
waited on. Com"! I've had enough Of
your airs, Miss! You'll wash to day, or
I don't"
All my pa'rician blood boiled, over her
inso'enre. "lon go to your work."
said, with the air OF IIowar "and do
not pretend to dictate to me. There is
Jane. now, at :he kStel"
You'd batter 90 open it," sue said.
sitting down.
Fortunately it was open, and Jane came
IN. Her confirmation OF my stateme TT
that I never did any washing. satisfied
M"llis VI the utter uselessoess Of any at
tempt to force me, and size vent erum.
bling d wn stairs There was co dinner
ready at the usual hour. aud Was forced
to give the children 5read and milk three
times that day. The mex, IN orning Mollis
came down Al about nine O'Clock, heavy.
looking aud sulisn, met my remoos,sances
about breakfast with AL oath, and went
down 10 the kitchen stumbling and
swearing. was frightened, but kept the
ehiidre" up stairs. aud hoped her temper
would improve. Lulu WAS dropping and
rstfui, aud ! WAS trying to sootbs her,
when q scream from the kitchen aroused
me- IPut Lulu in Jennies arms aud ran
down stairs, missing Susy in my quick
glance around the room. Poor Susy
| found MolIie actually beating the moth.
s'sss child with the kitchen poker. HoId'
ing her by ono arm, she Was throwing
the whole force Of her great frame into
the blows she dealt. One moment show
ed me that she was drunk, and fortunate
ly the child WAS able to dodge many Of
the blows. Indignation gave me the
strength 20 snatch away the poker. aud
as she turned on me. Susy twisted herself
from her grasp.
How dare you ! I cried, frantic with
fury. Such . torrent Of abuse as she
poured out upon me. I never heard from
~oman's lips before. could see tha,
she was mad With drink. and the thought
Of ths children aud my own email frame,
alone. in country sea, nearly mile
from the village, appalled, me. II was
useless to scream or call for help, there
was none near. She was still stormipg
at me, when | heard a succession Of bumps
on the stairs. each one followed BY q
shrek. dragged susy with me. and
went into the entry. Clara, the youngest,
except the baby. lay at the foot Of the
stairs, apparently dead she had fallen
from the top Of the fight.
Sick with apprehension I bent over
her, and faint, moaning sound reached
my ear. | lifted her Up. and, followed
by the s,iil sobbing susy;; vent up stairs
to ibs nurssry. The baby lay cooling in
Iennin'A anna while ali iha oihar nhiIdran