Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-02-10
ALICE.
"Wanted-A companion for an elderly invalid
lady. Apply at No. 27,-- street."

1t was a brief notice, yet there were
woven into the few words hours of anxious
thought, long, restless nights, and painful
misgiyings. was, in a manner throwing
down a glove for all my numerous relatives,
any one of whom would have gladly spared
me child or have come herself to tend my
loneliness; for | was rich, widowed and
childless. | well knew that Maria, my
niece, whose son was my chosen heir would
have faithfully devoted her life to me, and
if could have overlooked such trifling
peculiarties as an utter selishness, grasp
ing avarice, and entire heartlessness, we
might. perhaps, have gone peacefully to-
gether through the short journey that SEEM
ed to lie between me and the grave. Butl
wanted companion whose services, being
literally rewarded, might be mine at will
1 had no intention of everlasting my
reader and amanuenss; but | wanted to
feel at perfect liberty to call upon her at
any hour. Then, too, philanthropic schemes
OF giving a pleasant home to some poor
struggling woman, whose health, educa-
tion or delcacy made her unfit to cope with
the rude world, floated through my brain.
l soon found my office as selector was no
sinecure. All day the stream of applicants
poured in, till my heart ached for the many
who were thrown upon the world poor and
friendless, grasping at every opportunity
for honorable employment. Yet of all the
vast thrOng not one suited me. Some
were merely servants, fully competent to
make my bed or sweep my room, but did
not want servant; some had large ideas
of salary and privileges totally impossible
for me to meet; some were learned, and
proposed to put my seventy years aside
and commence my education ;some painted,
and would fill my room with copies OF the
great masters, for tritling addition to
their salary; some wanted one perquisite,
some another, till, exhausted and bewilder-
ed, dismissed all, promising to grant an
other interview the next day.
thought all had gone, and lay back in
my chair weary and disappointed, closing
my eyes to shut out the brilliant parerre
of gay shawls and overpowering bonnets.
am sure l looked pale, for soft little
hand fell gently upon my forehead, and
voice clear and sweet said, II am sorry you
are so tired. Can do anything for you
before go" '
Something in the low, musical voice,
tinged as it was with sadness, reused again
my failing interest. IOpened my eyes to
see a small, childlike figure clothed in deep
mourning-a fair, sweet face, whose large
hazel eyes were full of that tender, longing
depth which we sometimes see in children
early recalled home I; a face to waken to
love and tenderness figure dropping and
delicate, to call forth all the protecting care
of any kind heart. She stood quietly be-
side me as l scrutinzed her closely, her
eyes looking frankly into mine, her soft,
cool hand still on my brow. At length
said, "You came to apply for sitiuationw
"Yes," she replied; Il have been here all
the afternoon in that corner; hut l shall not
I ell l,k of Il ntsrhf h,,k
many far superior have failed that have
given up the hope"
"What can you do?" inquired.
81 am afraid very little" she replied. 81
could read-papa used to like to hear me
read-and could write your notes. But
you are very particular about reference,
and | have none." .as g rE
'None?" | said.
"No. There is no one here who knows
me, and brought nothing from my old
home," she said sorrowfully.
"Can not write ?" inquired.
The hand on my forehead grew very cold,
and the sweet face very pale, as she said
steadily, "There is no one in the wide world
to give me one word of recommendation"
was puzzled. Here was the very COM
panion for whom l had longed-some one
to cherish and protect in return for her
services to me; but there was something
startling in this assertion of utter friendli-
ness, coming from the lips of such child.
Ny thoughts formed most unconsciOusly at
the abrupt question. "Have you done any
thing wrong to forfeit your friends affec-
tion?" 1 repeated the question while I
asked it. .tfT Tra.N ratu1 bhf .aail
The rich crimson blood dyed both cheeks,
but the true, fearless eye never waVered as
She answered, mo. am unfortunate,
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