The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-01-09
KATHLEEN O'NETE.

L KATHLEEN O'NETK.
Kathleen, is it possible that you are
crying again? Did I not tell you that I
would discharge you if found you induIg-
ing in this foolish whimpering any more"
Poor Kathleen O'NeiI had been busting
the elegantly furnished drawing-room, and
she stood before an exquisite little painting
of one of the blue, sparkling Irish lakes,
set in gold green shores, with sky beyond
like liquid amber-stood with her apron to
her eyes, and her ruddy cheeks deluged
with tears.
Il couldn't help it, ma'am," she sobhed,
''but it puts me in mind of home"
''Home!' scornfully echoed Mrs. Arnott.
''Your home! A shanty in a bog. 1t
isn't likely that you ever saw such spot
as that
"Deed did I, then, ma 'am'' answered
Kathleen, 'Hand many a time for we lived
Jeyant them same green shores, when
There, that viii do, - said Mrs. Aruott,
coldly, Il don't care about any reminis-
cences."
Kathleen did not understand the five
syllabled word, but her quick nature com
pretended the sarcastic tone The tears
were dIied in their fount-the scarlet spot
glowed in either cheek.
SIZE looks down on me as if | was a
dog !! Kathleen thought to herself ''And
sure it's the same flesh and blood God has
given to US both. How would she like it.,
| wonder, to be in strange land, and
niver a kind word spoken to her? O, but
if l could see the mother and little HoDora,
and Teddy, that's but baby yet but it's
the blue sea that rolls between us, and it S
all alone | am -
Poor Kathleen the sense of desolation
came upon her with sickening power just
then as she stood before the picture of the
sweet Irish lake, with the wet splashes on
her cheek, and Mrs. Arnott's cold, hard
voice sounding in her cars.
Its great pity to be obliged to do with
these wild, untutored Irish"
Kathleen was just bringing up the tray,
and Mrs. Arnott's words sounded distinct
y in her ears as she paused On the top step
to get breath
'Of course, my DEAR" said Mrs Tudor
Audor, sympat athstically, 'they're bad, thor
oughly bad, the whole lot of them. I'd
send them all back to their native country
if it lay in my power"
81 wish they were all at the bottom of
the sea- said Mrs. Arnott, 'and then, per-
haps, we would have chance to employ
Swedes, or Chinese, or somebody that
would at least earn their bread Is that
you, Kathleen? Why don't you bring the
ice water in at once, instead of dawdIing
there ?''
Kathleen obeyed, but the dreary, home
sick feeling that thrilled through all her
pulses can hardly be described.
'If was only at home again, she tho't
''where the poorest and the meanest have
kind word for each other. They scorn
and hate me here and, sure, I've tried to
do my best, but the lady has a heart of
stone, and even the little children in the
nursery, with their French maid, make fun
of Irish Kathleen
And the lonely exile wept herself to sleep
on her solitary pillow that night. 1t was
a mere closet of a room, without light or
ventilation, that she occupied. Mrs Ar
mott thought that any place was good
enough for Kathleen. The bed was hard
and insuficiently provided with clothing,
but, as Mrs. Arnott carelessly observed, it
was no doubt great deal better than she
was accustomed to at home. And she had
just paid to Isaacson & Co. a thousand
dollars apiece for draping her drawing
room windows with lace and brocateile-
so, of course, there was nothing left for
such trifie as the comfort of her servants.
SIS Kathleen sick, mamma ?'' little Ju-
LA Arnott asked one day ''she cries so
much and looks so white"
Mr. Arnott, stout built, good natured
man of forty or thereabouts, glanced up
from his paper.
.'What does the child mean, Lucretia?''
he asked his wife. Il hope you look lit
tie after your girls
''Of course L do she said, sharply.
Kathleen Is silent, sulIen thing, and
shall discharge her next month. Natalia
has cousin who wants the place