Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1866-03-15
Moral Gales.
MRS. BURBANK'S GOVERNESS,
BY REV. HoRATIo AIaER, IR.

Mrs Burbank's governess sat in that
lady's nursery late in the afternoon,
writing letter to her mother.
She was plainly clad in black, and
her face was marked by an expression
of sadness. Yet there was delicate
and refined beauty about her features
which invariably drew attention to her.
AS she sat with her head leaning on
her hand, her pen suspended over the
paper, her attention was suddenly ar
rested by cold voice.
Miss Elmore !" i
Looking up, she observed that her
employer, stout, naughty looking la
dy, clad in rustling silk, was looking in
at the door.
We'll, madam!"
May inquire what you are doing,
Miss Elmore ?"
Writing letter, madam
Are you aware, Miss Elmore, that
you are taking time for which pay?
You had better look over the girls
French exercises"
have done so, madam
Then you may go out and walk
with them little while.' ....r
The governess rose with a little sigh
and put away her writing materials,
while Mrs. Burbank swept from the
room with self-satisfied air.
Mary Elmore had been for three
months i'm the employ of Mrs. Burbank,
and during that three months had suf.
fered daily from the arrogance and un-
reasonable exaction of that lady. Six
months before her father was supposed
to be in opulent circumstances. He
lived handsomely, had given his daugh-
ter the advantage of the best schools,
and she was free from anxiety for the
future as Mrs. Burbank herself. But a
commercial crisis deprived Mr.. Elmore
of his property, and sent him broken
hearted to the grave. Mary found il
absolutely necessary to do something
for her support, the slender provision
left being sufficient for her mother only
Chance procured her an appointment
as Mrs. Burbank's governess on a
meagre salary. For that lady, though
extravagant in dress, economical on
her servants and dependents.
She had another cause for sadness
She had been engaged two years pre-
vious to John Mordaunt, young mer-
chant, who had been sent out as ju.
nior partner of large firm to Bombay,
for year or two. Intelligence of his
death by yellow fever had reached
her only few weeks previous. Life
seemed to have lost all its attractions,
and she led melancholy and spiritless
existence as Mrs. Burbank's govern
ess.
On leaving the nursery she found
her pupils awaiting her.
Susan aid Maria Burbank inherited
the ride of their mother, and imita.
ted her in her treatment of their gov
erness. They considered it creditable
to do what they could to make her un
comfortable, and render her task more
| difficult.
Out in the street Susan's attention
was attracted by an old lady who
walked in rather peculiar manner
and she Immediately commenced imi
tating her.
Susan" said Miss Elmore, reprov
ingly.
Well, what do you want 2" sait
the pupil impertinently.
"Your conduct is unladylike. Wall
along quietly"
Il shall walk as / please. know
better what is ladylike than you do
for am lady and you are not
! Are you not ashamed of such {
speech3" said the governess, her pale
cheek flushing at the insult.
| no, am not and will thank
you not to speak in that way"
! "Some folks put on airs" chimed il
!, Maria. / think if were a governess
l should know my place better"
Miss Elmore did not speak. Hel
eyes were fixed half in hope, half il
terror upon a young man who was ap
preaching.
"John |" she said, half doubtfnlly
MARY I" he exclaimed, advancing
with both hands extended. "How
came you here 7"
Rather. how came yon heref
thought you were---l heard at least
"That | was dead Well Mary,
did come near it. My escape was
very narrow one. l was seized wit
the yellow fever as you doubtles
knew, and for week lay between lif
! and death. Butm good constitutio
, saved me, and here | am as good a
. new"