Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-06-07

had gradually closed around me; eacl
day for the last two months / had il
vain pleaded to be left free; he hat
tighented the strings, Mrs. Byng keep
ing him up to the mark; he had de
clared | should agree to the marriage o.
leave the house. Well, the bird hac
got free a little sooner than they ex
peeted, that was all Freei But
whittier next?
| At last that night, as every other
time, good or evil, must come to ar
end. AS soon as it was light my com
panion began to prepare for leaving the
train; | looked at his face it was kind
and good. Should l confde in mir,
and beg his help? No; henceforth il
was FOR me to act alone. My rash step
had forfeited the woman prerogative OF
being taken care of; already punish.
ment came in that thoughti However,
plucked up courage to ask him to
take me to some place for breakfast ;
and then, when in cab after he had
hidden me adieu, felt as though nv
one rambling friend was gone there
had been sense of protection even in
his presence. i1.
The need of action, however, recalled
me to myself. After driving a short
distance toward Temple-bar, I ordered
cabman to take me again north, and
reaching part of London J knew,
from having been near at school, I got
out and paid the man, and then taking
my bag in hand sought for some quiet,
inexpensive lodging. Finally, after a
weary walk, | succeeded in getting a
| cheap bedroom in a respectable street !;
after ordering some necessary things, /
sat down to consider the next step to
take. Certainly suitable change of
dress; l would 60 and buy new things
at once. Then I went to a servants
registry office, and put my name down
for lady's maid place. My money
would not hold out long; thus might
gain an honest livelihood, 1 thought in
my inexperience. Surely in the vor-
tex of London ones identity could be
lost! a
That night sleep came, and the whole
of the next day illness kept me pris-
oner. 1t was the reaction the mind,
though still master of the body, which
was weak and tender. At la t, shaken
and feeble, succeeded in dressing.
Horror of horrorsl on counting my
small stock of money found it would
be barely sufficient to pay the expenses
of the past day. Hastily I put on my
bonnet and started in search of situa-
ton. I, Beatrice Byngl A list was
given me, but at each house where l
applied the place had just been filled
up. Having parted with some of my
jewels, continued my search for q
situation, and at the end Of few weeks
was sent to see o lady who was looking
out for a maid for her daughters. How
odd it felt to bo shown into her prcp-
ence as a servant know / behaved
strangely, illness had made me ner-
vous; after putting few general
questions the lady asked for my char
acter.
81 have not lived out BEFORE" I an.
swered.
"Then, at all events, young woman,
you can give me some reference ?'
"No, ma'am," 1 said; ~ can only
ask you to try me without any one
speaking for me; will do my utmost
to please you."
Really, this is most abominable of
Mrs. Rogers sending me person with
out any character pray go instantly
never have anything to do with such as
you."
A burning blush overspread my face
and [ withdrew; how l got out of the
house | know not. That was the last
situation | would seek Utterly hope
less, and worn out in mind and body, l
walked up and down the terraces and
squares, dreading to 60 back to my
lonely room, though fearing to be seen
and recognized even now. One thought
alone brought comfort far better this
life even than that of the betrothed of
Mr.. Lomax.
1t seemed to my excited imagination
that people put their heads out of their
carriage windows to look after me; |
wondered to myself if l looked as
strange and unreal as l felt. Walking
along l caught glimpses of comfortable
kitchens, bright fires, and groups of
merry servants. 1t was just dusk. At
one house carriage load of children
was being put down-one young mother
even came to the door to meet her
child-there were joyous greetings and
much laughter. How the voices thrilled
through mel So had 1 once been.
And now fugitive, and almost starv-
ing, crept along. How good the smell
of dinner being cookedl Il had tasted
nothing that day. A peal of bells
struck my ear. Christmas Evel So it
was. Choking back my tears hasten
ed on no Christmas greetings for me
no kiss, no presents, no joy. No one to
take any care whether l lived or died.
With these thoughts l crept back to
my lodging; they came and told me
they were going out to a family gather
ing.
"very WE'LL" I responded, "only let
me be-"
The landlady looked at me sorrow
fully, and saying that had best go to
bed and get warm-I had no ire-and
that she would send me up some tea,
left me to my own sad thoughts.
Bitter tears came to my aid, my brain
else had been crazed repentance for
my rash step began to make itself felt !;
conscience whispered that | had not
considered sufficiently its possible effect
upon others. After all, was not the
punishment merited? But then the al
ernative-marriage with man | des-
pissed as well as hated All, well |
Welcome death before that
The Christmas bells rang all that
evening and far into the night. / sank
into sort of trance; cold and hunger
alike were forgotten. | saw well-lit
room, warmth and plenty prevailed,
merry childish figures ran about, my
father sat at the head of well-covered
| table, around him were many bright
faces; little girl dressed to represent
[ Oh hristmas DANCED nm To him he took