The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-01-26


looked at me as if seeking my opinion,
when he named his terms. took the
responsibility of saying that she would
like few days to think the matter over
and consult her friends. He showed a
little bad spirit then, and said he sup
posed she applied for the place because
she wanted it.
When we got home | told Fanny she
must not go there and think she felt
relieved at my decision, though she
had been SO InXious TO find employ
ment that the failure of this little plan
quite disheartened her.
But she had bit of good luck that
very evening. | had told the Royals
about her, and Mr.. Royal happening to
drop in, by-and.by got Fanny to sing.
He was very much pleased with the
quality of her voice, said it was just the
thing for church, and asked her if she
had ever sung in choir.
Il used to do so before we left
home, said Fanny softly and | fancied
there were tears ready to start as she
thought of her early village home.
Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Royal !" there
is little church, sort of mission cha
pei, down town, in whose success | am
interested. They need leading so.
prano, and, as have rather looked out
for their music, | suppose have as
much right as any one to offer yod an
engagement. The salary is very small,
but very little help and would you
accept the position, Miss Gray, for a
hundred dollars year p
Indeed | would ~ she exclaimed
land be grateful for the chance. 1t will
be pleasure to me as we'll as q great
assistance"
So that was settled. | told Fanny
she would have enough to clothe her.
self now; but she did not slacken her
search for steady employment. One
day Mrs. Royal came in with long face,
and said she was going to lose her ex-
cellent nursery girl, Norah. The girl
was TO be married in fortnight She
asked me if | knew any one trustwor-
thy enough for the place.
Il don't consider taking care of chill
dren a mental employment" said Mrs.
Royal, in her noble way. off | had not
so many duties, should rejoice to give
up my time to them myself. l hate to
lose a single one of their sweet smiles
and pretty attitudes and baby speeches.
And | want 10 hire some one that looks
at them in the same way do-as price
less little treasures to be trained into
good men and women. You know |
have fitted up pretty little sleeping
room opening off the nursery, and to a
person who really satisfied me l would
give fifteen dollars a month"
Fanny Gray, who had Just been get
ting BERTHE 10 sleep on the sofa. rose at
this. and came forward in her calm. mo-
dest way, but with little tremble in
her voice, and said
Would l do, Mrs. Royal? Would
YOU take me? Mrs. Brown here will
tell you how much l love little chill
dren'
You are just the one, my dear -
exclaimed Mrs. Royal. getting up and
/ kissing her. "And II confess that
when ! mentioned il just now | was in
hopes you would hear me and take a
/ fancy to the place. Perhaps | am par
/ tial 70 my own babies. but do think it
must be great deal nicer and better to
take care of them than TO work all day
in heated factory. or stand from morn
ing till night in store-or even make
cakes in bakery! She said this with
an arch smile.
A great deal BETTER said Fanny,
sensibly. :" l think it is happier work,
and healthier and more inspiring"
And you will sing them sucn sweet
lullabies at night" said Mrs. Royal,
with motherly pleasure.
1t was agreed then that Fanny should
90 10 her in two weeks time. when
/ Norah left and for those two weeks. of
course, she would remain with me-
began to think BERTHE and | would not
know what TO do without her While
/ Fanny had been with us. behind all her
sweet usefulness and modest dignity.
which pleased us so, there seemed al
ways to lie a background of sadness.
/ had spoken OF it to Fred, and said was
/ afraid she had some mental trouble.
"Oh no, he answered. cheerily; :" it
is only her anxiety about the future.
As soon Is she gets good place, you
will see her a. merry as lark.
The good place was found now, and a
great deal of the shadow did certainly
pass away. | thought Fred had been
quite right when | heard her singing
! through the mouse. ana tellng BERTHE
the most bewitching, joyous little sto-
ries. But at twilight, or when she was
singing hymns, or when she had been
/ alone and | came upon her unawares,
there was a touch of pathos lurking
there still, hint of tears. look of pa.
thence, that went 10 my heart. | told
Fred 1t seemed just like the way I felt,
before we were married, when he had
gene off on that long business voyage
and | did not hear from him for months,
and believed Fanny had lover some.
where.
=" Nonsense, dear - said Fred, kissing
me. You are the most romantic little
woman on earth, and think more about
love than Fanny does, I'll warrant -
The next Thursday we were expect
ing Kitty Lang to tea, with two home.
sick girls she had discovered. who had
come W from the country to learn the
milliner's trade. Fanny and | flew
around making preparations for
meant TO have delicious chicken salad
for supper, biscuit and coffee. and some
! of Fanny's wonderful cakes and tarts