The Van Buren press., 1868-12-01
MISCELLANY.
WANTED-A GOvERNESS.

A low, narrow room. the single win
dow cirtained with coarse white muslin,
the floor covered by scanty carpet
somehow, the broad March sunshine
brought out every element ofpoverty in
the abode of the poor widow and her
daughter
"Put on a little more coal, Amy said
Mrs. Ardenham, shudderingly, drawing
her shawl closer around her frail figure,
as she dropped her needle, work, a" it is
bitter cold this morning"
Amy obeyed silently, yet she could not
help noticing how nearly the little stock
of fuel was exhausted; and remembering
how inadequate their slender purse was to
the replenishment thereof her heart sank
little Only little though, for Amy
was not one of the Responding kind. No !;
she was sunshny little creature. full Of
bright infections hopefulness and some:
how. in that squalid room she seemed
like a fresh rose blossoming in a sandy
desert She was very pretty, with brown,
tender eyes, just the shade Of the heavy
braid of her hair above--a small, coral
mouth, and cheeks dclicately shaded;
and as she took up the newspaper, YOU
couldn't help noticing what SNOWY,
taper little han I she had, with pink tip
ped fingers, and dimples at every joint.
Mamma" she said. suddenly" here $
an advertisement for governess.
"Well, what Of r asked her mother
"Why, mamma hesitated ANY," YOU
know, we are very, very poor and |
should like ve-y much to earn little
money" t-.,.... s,
Mrs. Ardenham had bowed her face
upon her hands, and in an instant Amy
was kneeling beside her = Mamma, darl-
ing, don't cryH' she said.
"I did not mean to be so foolish, love :,
but It all came back to me at that mo-
ment-the wealth and station we have
lost-the poverty to which we are .reduc-
ed, Oh, Amy. it is too hard!'
" But, think. mamma" said Amy,
cheerfully, how delightful it will be for
me to make all my school accomplish
ments help us along in the world May
| try for this situation? should like
it so much"
"If you think it best, my child" ac-
oniesced Mrs. Ardenham, resignedly.
Then must lose no time, said Amy,
as she began to arrange her hair and ad
just the details Of her simple toilet allow
do look, mamma y she laughed, when
at length she was ready to depart. And
Mrs. Ardcnham admirring, affcctionste
glance brought the roses to her cheeks rs
she tripped away. For she did look ex-
qusitely pretty. The coarse shawl took
graceful curves about her slender form,
and the cheap straw hat, with its plain
black ribbon, might have been the most
fashionable of bonnets without being Il
whit more becoming.
"Darling Amy" pondered the mother,
as her light footstcp diei away on the
stair; "she is perfect little sunbeam in
the darkness of my daily existence. Her
heart has never ached with the bitter
pangs Of life's sharpest trials
But Mrs Ardenham was mistaken !;
Amy had tasted the bitter cup--nay. she
had drunk it to the very dregs.
There was vein OF poetic apprccia-
ton somewhere in the tumble of fun and
sentiment. good humor and sarcasm tina
constituted Frank Ashley, as he lay lazily
on the sol.., playing with two or three
golden haired children, who we're tod
ding about the room I'm tell you
what, Lizzie" said he to his sister. who
sat embroidc-ing, "you spoil those Young
imps about as completely as any mamma
Of my acquaintance
"As ifyou didn't spoil them ten times
worse - responded Mrs Jay, laughing
"When | succeed in obtaining a govern
ess, perhaps they will be put under some
sort Of discipline. But really, Frank, /
have always wondered that you have
never married" HEf
Indeed-why 2. ,,
"You would make such nice, domcs-
tic sort Of q husband--you are SO fond OF
home. | know that, by that maneuveripg
Miss Roland laid a desperate siege to the
rocky citadel of your heart, but I thought
you disliked her." ,,r b, vo.,4 s.a no
"You were right" he replied she
was iirleScsibably repellant to me-"
Then, why" .a., 4 ,sd