Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-13
THE GOyERNESS.
How "Managing Mamma" wa
Beaten by Fate. l.l

Mrs. Wintringham' sdrawing-room was
bright and comfortable place, with its
handsome carpet and gilded tables, and
deep, couch-like sofas, covered with
crimson satin, and the messy rug in
front Of the fire, into which your feet
sank as ifit had been strewn, inch deep,
with newly-gathered rosebuds. And the
fire glimmered in the polished CRATE,
and the wax candles beamed through
their ground glass shades; and you
might have fancied the apartment ex-
pressly created for sweet words and
| honeyed flirtations, and readings from
the poets, and the various other pleasant
occupations which are supposed TO be-
lolg TO high life. But not for frowns
and lowering looks, such as now dis
turbed the equanimity of Mrs. Whit
ringhams artistically enamelled counte-
nance, as she stood there in a rustling
hameleon-colored silk dress, with red
carbuncles hanging from her ears, while
Josephine Moore stood pale and shrink
ing before her.
"Such forwardness / never saw" said
Mrs. Wintringham. No, never! And
/ wish you to understand that it isn't
going to be tolerated in decent society,
Miss Moore. A governess-yes com
mon nursery governess, whom Mr.. Wint-
ringham is good enough to employ at
twenty pounds year-to sit the whole
evening and hirt with Mr.. Aymer
II did not firt," pleaded poor Josie.
He was only asking me about the ar
rangements of Mendelssohn S music,
which ---'
Oh, very likely" Uttered Mrs, Whit
ringham, sarcastically. He's very
much interested in music, I've no doubt.
And when you knew perfectly we'll that
Octavia expected him to be talking all
the time to her. Well, really, ! don't
know what the world is coming tol One
thing / wish you to understand that you
are dismissed from my employment this
very moment. You will find your wages
on the mantle yonder-fve pounds-for
don't grudge you the quarters $ money,
! though you do leave In this irregular
manner. OF course, you don't expect a
character, for can't conscientiously
give you one2" f,t,'.s,ll7 ~
Josie Moore turned very red, and then
pale. She did not speak word of re-
monstranee, however, but slowly turned
round, went to her own room, put on
her bonnet and shawl, packed her
slender belongings into small trunk,
and left the house.
Half an hour later Mrs. Wintringham,
rustling through the well warmed rooms,
espied the five sovereigns lying untouch-
ed on the marble mantle where she her
self had placed them. 10
Dear meF' quoth the stately dame,
"the governess has forgotten her wages.
Well, ! shan't take the trouble to send
them after her."
Josie went home to the poor but neat
apartments where her aunt took in EN-
broidery to do for fashionable Regent
shop, and told her simple tale. Aunt
Mary's eyes, already Redeemed with
night work and much application, were
quick to overflow in her niece's behalf.
Its burning shame" said the poor
woman, that such people should have
it in their power to tyrannize over
others. But never mind, Josie; you
shall be welcome to home until you
find another situation.
II knew / should, Aunt Mary"
| What makes you speak so hoarsely,
child?' questioned the elder lady
lat" My throat is a little sore, aunt;
think have caught cold.
"You had better let me make you a
cup OF hot tea, and go to bed at once.
a9" Nonsense, aunt = cried Josie, chez
lrily, I'm going to help you finish this
| first. s..i s,i.a. <, ,ll...l.. aglt,t
But the next morning Josie awoke
hot and flushed, and feverish, with a
racking pain over her temples, and quite
unable to rise; and before evening she
was delirious.
bob" said Aunt Mary, as she walked
out of her niece's bedroom, with a
troubled face, and went down into the
passage where the landlord red-headed
son was playing marbles, / want you
TO 90 to DR.. Cafreys, and ask him to
come here as quick as possible. Don't
delay a moment, Bob, for it may be a
matter of life and death.
"Yes," said Bob, stolidly, and away
he went. III ffH fttN
"ls the doctor in?" demanded Bob
of the assistant at DR.. Cafreys.
mo, he amt, said the Ganymede of
medicine. soc l.riihiitit
"When'll he be in
"Don't know was the listless reply.
Bob wasted no more time in useless
inquiry, but set off after some other
doctor.
"If it's really matter of life and
death" thought sensible Bob, lit don't
make any difference what doctor they
have"
So il happened that young DR. Aymer,
who had Just returned home from visit
ing a patient, found himself confronted
by small red-headed boy,
pa" Please to come directly, sir, to No.
10, Dukes Court" cried out Master Bob,
exaggerating somewhat on his liberal
orders. It's case of life and death"
\ Mrs. iWintringham had sent Josephine
Moore away, in order that she might be
put effectively out Of DR.. Aymer's path;
but Fate and Mrs. Wintriugham were
marshaled on opposite sides this time,
and that rising young physician walked
into Josie sick room, quite unconscious
whom he was to behold.
George Aymerstarted little when he
looked into the dark brown eyes; but
Josie smiled up in his face ani1
1t wasn't my fault, she said, inno-
Gently, =" | never dreamed of offending
Mrs. Wintringham, but it was wrong.
very wrong, of her to turn me out of
doors. ~ .,.as
I" You see, she is delirious, exclaimed
Aunt Mary.
Yes, said DIR. Aymer, in a faltering
voice, 81 see"
SO while Miss Octavia wintringham
lounged in the handsome drawing-room,
dressed in silk attire, watching the gilded
hands of the clock, aud wondering why
the expected did not come, DIR. Aymer
was sitting by Josephine Moore's bedside,
counting the rapid pnlsing of her slen-