Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1867-06-12
a GOOD STORY
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THE ONE-EYED SERVANT,
A story Told TO "a Child.
BY JEAN INGELOW.
BY JEAN INGELOW.

DO you see those two pretty Gotta
ges on opposite sides of the common :?
How bright their windows are, and
how pretty the vines trail over them.
A year ago one of them was the dirti
est and most forlorn-looking place you
can imagine, and its mistress the most
untidy woman.
She was once sitting at her cottage
door, with her arms folded, as if she
were deep in thought, though to look
at her face one would not have sup
posed she was doing more than idly
watching the swallows as they foated
about in the hot, clear air Her gown
was torn and shabby, her shoes down
at the 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 for
lOrn.
She sat 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 the border, under wall
flower bush, she saw the funniest little
man possible, with a blue coat, vel
low waistcoat, and red boots; he had
small shoe on his lap, and he was
stitching away at it with all his might.
Good morning, MISTRESS said the
little man a very fine day Why
may you be looking SO earnestly across
the common?
/ was looking at my neighbor's cot
tage,' said the young woman.
What. Tom the gardeners wife
little Polly she used TO be called; and
a very pretty cottage it is, too Looks
thriving, doesn't it"
She was always lucky said Bella,
(tOr that was the young wifc's name);
and her husband is always good to
her.
'They were both good husbands at
first interrupted the little cobbler,
without stopping. Reach me my awl,
mistress, will you, for you seem to
have nothing to do; it lies close by
your foot
Well, | can't say but they were
both very good husbands at first re-
piled Bella, reaching the awl with a
sigh; 'but mine has changed for tho
worse and hers for the better; and
then, look how she thrives. Only to
think of our both being married on the
same day; and now l have nothing,
and she has two pigs and -
And let 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
knowledge, handsome silk handker
chief for an apron; and a red waist
coat for her good man, with three
rows Of blue glass buttons, and fitch
of bacon in the chimney, and rope of
onions.
'Oh, she's lucky woman = exclaim-
ed Bella.
'Ay, and a tca-tray, with Daniel in
the lions den upon it, continued the
cobber; and fat baby in the cradle
'Oh, I'm sure l don't envy her the
least said Bella, pettishly. 1--we lit
tie enough for myself and my husband,
letting alone children
why, mistress, isn't your husband
III -" "Ol IL dShCu IIG GOD1JISt
mo, he's at the alc-house'
'Well, how is that? he used to be
very sober; can't he get work?'
His last master wouldn't keep him
because he was so shabby
'Humph ? said the little man. Hes
"a groom, isn't he? Well, as l was
saying, your neighbor opposite thrives
wonderfully; but no wonder! Well,
I've nothing to do with other peoples
secrets; but could tell you, only I'm
busy and must CO.
Gould tell me aohat@ cried the young
wife. ooh, good cobbler, don't go, for
I've nothing to do Pray tell me oohy
its.no wonder that she should thrive?
'Well,' said he, IFS no business of
mine, you know, but, as | said before,
it's no wonder people thrive who have
a servant-a hard-working one, too
who is always helping them
"A servant! repeated Bella-'m my
neighbor has servant! No wonder,
then, everything looks so neat about
her; but l never saw the servant /
think you must be mistaken; besides,