Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-04-29

every servant who enters it becomes an OBJ
ject of interest IL the mother and her
daughters. These women are taught good
habits, books are put where they can get
them, sensible amusements are planned for
them sometimes, and they soon feel that
they are not considered mere scrubs, to do
as much work as possible for as little mon
ey as possible, but helpers in the faD'ily
who are loved and respected in proportion
to their faithfulness. This lady feels her
. duty toward thela, owns it, and does it, as
conscientiously as she wants them to do
theirs by her; and that is the way it ought
to be, think
AS Polly paused, several keen eyes dis
covered that Emma's cheeks were very red,
and saw q smile lurking in the corners OF
the mouth that tried to look demure, which
told them who Polly meant.
DO the Biddies all turn out saints in that
well-regulated family?' asked the irrepress-
ible Trix.
No; few of US do that, even in the par
lor; but every one of the Biddes are better
for being there, whether they are grateful
or not. / ought not to have mentioned
this, perhaps, but wanted to show you one
thing that we girls can do. We all com
plain about bad servants most as much as
if we were house-keepers ourselves: but it
never occurs to US to try and mend the
matter, by getting up better spirit be-
tween mistress and maid. Then there 8
another thing we can do added Polly,
warming up. Most of US find money
enough fer our little vanities and pleasures,
but feel dreadfully poor when we come to
pay for work, sewing especially. Couldn't
we give up a few Of the vanities, and pay
the seamstresses betterY
Il declare will |! cried Belle whose con.
science suddenly woke, and smote her for
beating down the woman who did her PLAIN
sewing, in order that she might have an
extra hounce on q new dress.
Belle has got virtuous fit; pity it won't
last a week. said Trix.
wait and see,' retorted Belle, resolving
that it should last, to disappoint that spite
ful MINK, as she sweetly called her old
schoolmate.
Now we shall behold Belle galloping
away at great pace, on her new hobby.
shouldn't be surprised to hear of her
preaching in the jail, adopting a nice dirty
little orphan, or passing round tracts at a
woman's rights meeting, said Trix, who
never could forgive Belle for having love-
ly complexion, and so much hair of her
own, that she never patronized either rats
mice, waterfalls, switches or puff combs.
well might do worse; and l think, o!
the two, I'd rather amuse myself SO, than
as some young ladies do, who get into the
papers for their pranks,' returned Belle with
u moral air.
Suppose we have little recess, and rest
while Polly plays to US. VIII you Polly
1t will do US good; they all want to heal
you. and begged Id ask.
Then / will, with pleasure;' and Polly
went to the piano with such obliging readi.
ness, that several reproachful glances fel
upon Trix, who didn't need her glass to sec
them.
Polly was never too sad, perturbed, or la
zy, to sing, for it was almost as easy to her
as breathing, and seemed the most natura
outlet for her emotions. For q minute hel
hands wandered over the keys. as if uncer-
tain what to play; then, falling into sad
sweet strain, she sang "The Bridge o
Sighs." Polly didu't know why she chose
it bu. the instinct seemed to have been a
true one, for, old as the song was, it wen
straight to the hearts of the hearers, anG
Polly sung il better than she ever had be
fore, for now the memory Of little Jane len
it tender pathos which no art could give
1t did them all good, for music is beauti
full magician. and few can resist its power
The girls were touched by the appeal; Polly
was lifted out of herself, and when she ,urn
ed round, the softened look on all the faces
told her that for the moment foolish differ
ences and frivolous beliefs were forgotten in
the one womanly sentiment of pity for the
wrongs an woes of which the listeners
Lappy lives were ignorant.
That song always makes me cry, and
feel as if had no right to be comfortable,
said Belle, openly wiping her eyes on a
crash towel.
Fortunately such cases are very rare,
said another young lady, who seldom read
the newspapers.
Il wish they were, but I'm afraid they are
not; for only three weeks ago, l saw girl
younger than any of US, and no worse, who
tried TO destroy herself, simply because she
was so discouraged, sick, and poor, said
Polly.
DO tell about her. cried Belle, eagerly.
Feeling that the song had paved the way
for the story, and given her courage to tell
it, Polly did tell it, and must have done i,
well for the girls stopped work to listen,
and when she ended, other eyes beside
warm hearted Bellies were wet. Trx look.
ed quite subdued; Miss Perkins thawed to
such degree, that something glittered Oh
her hand as she bent over the pink pima.
fore again, better and brighter than her
biggest diamond; Emma got up and went
to Polly with face full of affectionate re-
spect, while Fanny, moved by sudden i'm
pulse, caught up costly Sevres plate that
STOOD on the etagere, and laying a five dol
lar bill in it, passed it round, quoting Polly's
words -
Girls, know ycu'll like to help poor lit
lie Jenny, "begin again, and do better this
time."'
1t was good to see how quickly the pref
ty purses were out, how generously each
gave of its abundance, and what hearty
applause broke from the girls, as Belle laid
down her gold thimbe, saying with an
April face:-
There, take that; I never have any
money, somehow it won't stay with me, but
can let tue piate pass he 'u'S tuo'
When Fanny brought the contributions
to Polly, she just gathered it up in her two
hands with such a glad, grateful face, the
girls wished that they had had more to give
Il can't thank you enough she said, with
All eloquent little choke in her voice. This
will help Jenny very much; but the way
in which il was done will do her more good
than double the money. because it will
prove to her that she isn't without friends,
and make her feel that there is a place in
the world for her. Let her work for you in
return for this; she don't ask aims, she on
ly wants employment and little kindness,
and the best charity we can bestow is to see
tha, she has both.-Ffom Miss Alcotfs Old
Fashioned Girl.
PRESIDENT LINCOLN,S SECON d
CABINET.
A Chapter from Thurlow Weeds
Autobiography.
[From Appleton's Journal
In the winter of 1865, received a note