The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-07-25

sorry [ ami I clean forgot them"
That was careless, Elizabeth" re-
piled the mistress, for you had moth
ing else to think of, nothing what
ever"
What a mistakel
Elizabeth closed the door and went
to fetch the watering-pot; she water
ed the plants carefully; her mistress
was reading, and Elizabeth made her
task last as long as she could. hoping
she would look up. She did at last,
and thereupon Elizabeth began: IF
you please. ma'am"- and stopped
What did you say Elizabeth"
asked Mrs. Richmond.
IF you please, ma'am-if it's not
inconvenient to you, | should wish to
leave this day month"
To judge by the countenance of the
mistress it was verysnconvenient.
You quite surprise mel" she said;
Have you any fault to find with your
place or your wages?"
No, ma'am, | have been very com
Portable with you, and | am very CRATE
full for all your favors."
Then, why dy you wish to leave?'
The b~lushing housemaid looked
first one way, then the other; at last,
she answered. Il promised | would
give warning"
You promised!-whom did you
promise?"
William Tompkins, mann"
why could you not say SO at first, =
said the mistress, unable to repress a
smile; you mean that you are going
to marry TompkIns."
Yes, ma'am; this day month"
well, he bears the best of charac-
tiers, Elizabeth, and [ wish you joy,
though [ shall be sorry to lose you /;
you have been with me for years, you
have got accustomed to all my ways
Yes ma'am, | have been with you
ever since l was sixteen, the same age
that my sister is now"
1t was not very easy to misunder-
stand this little hint. and Mrs. Rich
mond answered. 1T has not generally
been my plan to take a very young
girl, Elizabeth"
No, ma'am" pleaded Elizabeth,
Sarah is taller thanI was at her age,
and [ thought as the ladies have been
so we'll pleased with her that perhaps
you might consent to try her; the
place is very light, and she could cas-
lily do the work, if l was here just at
first to put her in the way of it,"
why, you seem to have arranged
the whole affair for me-" said Mrs.
Richmond, unable to repress a smile.
The housemaid blushed yet more
deeply, and answered, Sarah is the
only relation l have in the world,
ma'am. And William said yester-
day that if we got on tolerably well,
he would have her out as soon as he
could afford to pay her passage.
You are not very worldly-wise to
tell me that" said Mrs. Richmond.
II am afraid that in this little plan
you have been considering your own
benefit solely, and not mine"
"Ma'am?" said Elizabeth, not I'm
derstandiDg her.
You wish me to take your sister,
that you may know she is safe and
well cared for. OF course you are
aware that it will give me some trouble
to teach her my ways, and to look af-
ter her: but it appears that [ am not
to have the advantage of her services
when L have taught her, for you mean
to send for her."
"Ma'am, L beg your pardon, I am
sure" said Elizabeth. 1T seems as
if William and | had planned to make
a convenience of you; but [ am sure
[ never gave it a thought that such
was the asst. | only thought that
Sarah's time at the school was up in
en- days, and that when l left you.
you would want a housemaid. Of
course | knew you could do better for
yourself than to take her, but some
how
Elizabeth stopped here, and occu-
pied herself in picking up such leaves
as had fallen under the fower-stand.
But what, Elizabeth" asked her
mistress.
why. ma'am," replied the house
maid, speaking more freely han she
could have done but for this sudden
prospect of marrying, and never after
that seeing her mistress and benefac-
tress, Il have been so used to near
you talk of the girls as if it were an
advantage to you to do them a charity,
hat [ made up my mind you would
try Sarah, just because it was plainly
the best thing possible for her"
The hOusemaid looked as if she
could hardly help crying, for she felt
that her conduct must appear selfish
and neglectful of the interests of one
who had always been the best of
friends to her. The mistress, on the
other hand, felt that a compliment
had been paid, which was sweet be-
cause it was 80 unconscious.
We'll, Elizabeth" she answered
gently, | ioiW try Sarah"