The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-06-25
@riNinaI Matters.
Written expressly for the Journal.l
EFFIE M Az.
BY MIRIAM MERLE.
CHAPRER 1.

day, on which L Introduce her to you,
she was tired of teaching, almost to the
verge of distraction. Not because she
was unaccustomed to it, for she had not
been the petted child of luxury reduced
suddenly to orphsnage and dependence
upon herself l think she could have
borne her trials better, if she had been,
for sudden shocks rouse energies only
dreamed of before, and a change from
the frivolous life of the idle young lady
in the upper circles would have been
welcomed by one of sweet Efie'S innate
purity of mind and purpose. But she
had always, ever since emerging from
the years of mere childhood, been OBJ
liged to earn a livelihood in some way
by teaching she thought, since so few
avenues of labor are left open to
women.
No wonder she was tired; and the
approaching vacation seemed too far
off to afford any satisfaction in its con-
temptation. She felt too utterly weary
and dispirited to leave the house at
once, after the noisy troops of children
from the several departments had all
gone, but sat listlessly by the table,
going over, in hopeless sort of way,
her past life and wondering, som ewhat
less cheerfully than usual, of her future,
How hard it seemed that she, Efie
May, with her strong love for all things
bright and beautiful, should have SO
little that was lovely in her daily life f!
She thought vaguely, too, of the love
which crowns most women's lives, and
wondered if it would ever come to her,
Thus far, her heart had never been
touched; yet she had not lacked ad-
mirers, nor even those who sought her
hand; but not loving, she could not
bring herself to accept any man, for the
sake of escaping the daily drudgery Of
the schOol-room.
Here, in M, she was but little
known, having lately obtained the posi-
ton she now filled, hoping soon to OBJ
tain promotion and an increase of sal
ary. She had found the duties many
and arduous, tonight, as the full force
of her lonely condition burst upon her,
she felt sadly home-sick and depressed.
It grew dark, and she arose slowly,
passed down the steps and walked as
rapidly as her WEAKNESS would allow,
to her boarding place, where, at least,
she felt she was priced, and regarded as
a member of the family.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hammond had taken
her as boarder, because they liked
her sweet young face, and desired a
young lady in the house, who would
sometimes relieve their rather dull life
by playing on the grand piano, in the
parlor, and daily bring to their meals
something ofthe freshness and vivacity
which they were beginning to lose
themselves, Generally they had felt
well repaid for deviatiug from theil
custom, by taking into their home q
stranger, but now, as l have said, Effie'i
usually sunny face was sad snd the
bright eyes, which were wont to sparkle
with mirth, as she related some of the
absurd incidents of the school-room,
mimickiDg, in an iuimitabIe manner
the pranks of the possible statesmen and
orators under her charge, were dim
with tears, which she could not alto
gether hide, though she tried bravely
as she saw the astonisbed gaze of hel
host fixed upon her, and heard the low
tones of his wife saying:
why, Efie dear, you are not illP
NO, dear Mrs. Hammond, not i'll
but little tired and perplexed, that il
ALL she answered, realizing that shc
must throw off her depression, Will,
with these friends.
More than a little, Miss Efic, sub
joined Mr.. Hammond, who thereupor
launched out into a seathing lecture
upon the school system which ground
woman's wages down to the meres
pittance, and required of her the worl
man with an assistant, till Effie wa,
fsin to rally to the support of the much
abused Board of Education, declaring
that, in her opinion, she did not have
enough to do, and that it was simply
want of sufficient exercise which caused
her WEAKNESS. She had serious
thoughts Of petitioning said Board-es.
pecially the good looking clerk thereof
to remove one of the under teachers,
she averred, that she might have the
duties of three instead of two, to per
form. For tonight she would trans
form herself into Bridget ofthe Emerald
Isle, and-'Please mem, shall 1 clare
the table off the dishes now, memP
Laughing, Mrs. Hammond rang for
the servant, and linking Efie's arm
through her own, carried her off to the
parlor, and was asking her to sing gust
one little song when her leige lord en-
tered, declaring that she should do no
such thing, but must dress to go out in
stead, and so shall you, madam he
added, turning to his wife. Now re-
member, will have no disobedience-
you both go with me straight to the
fair, which is being held at the hall, fol
the benefit of the Orphans Home. Efie
thinks she needs exercise, and she shall
have it, he smiled and you, my dear,
1 really hope you will not think l flat
ter, but 1 could not enjoy the evening
without you
'Ah, but l shall, retorted Mrs. Ham