St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-05-03

in the grounds. The books scattered
over the centre-table were such as one
sees in any family of culture the en-
cravings and paintings on the walls,
though somewhat cheaply framed, had
been admirably selected there was even
a Wano in the room, with abundance of
the best sheet music. found myself so
we'll entertained by some stereoscopic
views that had nearly forgotten my er-
rand when Miss Wilcox entered. can
hardly say l was hardly surprised to see
a graceful, well-dressed young lady, for
her surroundings had prepared me to ex-
pedt it ; but l certainly had not looked
for such queenliness of manner. I NUT
tered an inward protest against Miss Pc
tiers who had directed me to this piece of
elegance, and another against my thought
less Caddy, who had allowed me to leave
the house with such shabby coat
During the reign Of Elizabeth l had
scarcely given thought to my ontside
apparel, for that excellent woman had
general oversight of my gear, and
it now occurred to me as new idea that
| was allowing myself to fall to wreck
and ruin. | felt an inclination to seize
my hat and run, but, summoning all nv
manhood, resolved to brave it out and
make myself as agreeable as possible.
Miss Wilcox, with true politeness,
soon set me at ease, and in the course of
half an hour I was conyersing with her
as unrestrainedly as if we were old ac-
quaintances, and had come for a social
call. She had known my late wife, she
said, and had seen her graduate with
high honors at the academy. Herself a
mere child, she had been brought out of
several small troubles by Miss Vennebal's
kindness, and remembered her with
gratitude as peace-maker. Yes, it was
so characteristic of Elizabeth TO befriend
the little ones. At length | asked Miss
Wilcox TO play for me, and found
her music as charming as her con-
versation. In short, | owned to my
self that l had not spent SO delightful an
evening for years.
The time came when must reluctant
ly take my leave, yet all this while | had
not once remembered my errand. When
l did think of it, it was with a swelling
at the throat. 1t would lrely be felici-
ty TO have such an accomplished creature
TO preside over my house, if only ''for a
while, Just to accommodate" as INV
nelghbor expressed it but how could |
ask such favor! Ireviewed Miss Pc
ters' words: '.Mehitabel hadn't been
used to living out much" 50 it seemed
she had occasionally done 50. There
was no accounting for the democracy in
small country places. These white hands
not only made the bread AZ home, but
did it, on occasion, in the houses of
Others. Probably Miss Mehitabel, with
all her refinement, had in her compost
ton tincture of the strong minded And
why, | asked myself, should not lady
do kitchen work for distracted families
as well as write poetry for thanklcss ed
itors ? 1t is the mind that dignifes the
employment. ''Act we'll thy part, there
| the honor lies
Fortitying myself with these refec-
tlons, | began, with the meekness of
Tom Pinch, to describe the deSolation
and anarchy Of my home. | told Miss
Wilcox | had always supposed children
were as easily trained as pea-vines, and
not liable to send out tendrls in anv
perverse or inconvenient directions, but
found myself utterly mistaken. Now
''there was no king in Israel, and every
child did that which was right in his
own eyes"
She seemed sorry for me. | went on
to describe the incompetent servants we
had had, and the state of complete de-
spair at which had arrived Presently
| observed she was smiling, not derisive-
ly, but because the details which | re-
lated We're so irresistlbly amusing.
Encouraged by her manifest sympathy
will you believe | was mad enough to ask
Miss Wilcox TO come and do my house
work ! Woe to the insane impulse that
prompted me ! Woe TO the malicious
Miss Peters who had sent me hither on
purpose to make game of me, and at the
same time 10 humiliatc the high-bred
"Mittie."
'My dear young lady" said I, clear
ing my throat with Il ''now or never
resolution, ''It is true [ have sen u
but short time, yet YOU seem already
like an old acquaintance and even be-
fore | came here this evening knew you
by reputation"
Here l hesitated. Miss Wilcox was
evidently wondering what l meant to
say next. wondered myself 81 will
put it on the score Of humanity" thought
GAS | was about TO say, my dear
Miss Wilcox. will you, whom l Justly
deem the-the-very person most fitted
for the position-will you-with your
woman's heart, seeing me as | am-as a
"a suppliant, as l may say, at your
mercy, will you take pity on me, and"
Here paused for want of word
which should be sufficiently inoffensive
and at the same time convey nv mean-
ing. / looked at Miss Wilcox, who
seemed to be bracing herself to meet
some kind of shock. How could |.
though with the gentlest courtesy, ask
this exquisite young lady to be my cook
and chambermaid But it was necessa-
ry to proceed.
81 hardly know what you will think
of me-" said !, with ghastly smile, ssfor
seem 10 be tongue-tied, or partially so,
but I-I-if you would condescend, as |
said before, to take pity on a poor, be-
reaved man, with a helpless little family.
motherless, as you may say, l feel-I
know-that your presence at my fireside
would make me happier, would make"