New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-16

sion OF home and not mentioned in public,
could be tolerated. Story writing was q
genteel accomplishment and reflected credit
upon the name. But leaving the paternal
roof to wash other peoples teacups, nurse
other peoples ais, and obey other peoples
orders for hire-this, this was degradation,
and headstrOng Louisa would disgrace her
name forever if she did it.
Opposition only fired the revolutionary
blood in my veins, and l crowned my ini-
| iquity by the rebelliOus declaration:
alt doing this work hurts my respecta-
bility, wouldn't give much tor it. MY
aristOcratic ancestors don't feed or clOthe
| me, and my democratic ideas of honesty
and honor won't let me be idle or dependent:
You need not know me if you are ashamed
| of me, and won't ask you for penny; SO,
| if never do succeed in anything, shall
have the immense satisfaction of knowing l
am under no obligation to any one.
In spite Of the laughter and the lamenta-
ton l got ready my small wardrobe, con-
ssting Of two calico dresses and one de-
laine, made by myself, also several large
and uncompromising blue aprons and three
| tidy little sweeping caps; for l had some
English notions about homework, and felt
| that my muslin hair protectors would he
useful in some of the eight labors" was
to undertake. 1t is needless to say they
were very becoming. Then, firmly embrac-
l Ing INV ldLQlly, L bcU 1OIJu Ouo COlO Oduudly
day, with my little trunk, stout heart and
five dollar bill for my fortune.
"She will be back in a week" was my
| sisters prophecy, as she wiped her weeping
eye.
"No she won't, for she has promised to
stay the month out, and she will keep her
| word" answered my mother, who always
defended the black sheep Of her flock.
heard both speeches and registered q
| tremendous vow to keep that promise, if l
died in the attempt-little dreaming. poor
innocent, what lay before me.
Josephus, meantime, had written me sew
eral remarkable letters, describing the diff
ferent members of the family was about
to enter. His account was peculiar; but l
believed every word Of it, and my romantic
fancy was much excited by the details he
gave. The principal ones are as follows,
condensed from the voluminous epistles
which he evidently enjoyed writing:
You will find stately mansion, fast
nothing repaired. preferring that the old
house and its master should crumble away
together. have, however, been permitted
to rescue few rooms from ruin; and here
l pass my recluse life, surrounded by the
things l love. This will naturally be more
attractive to you than the gloomy apart
ments my father inhabits, and l hope you
will here allow me to minister to your
young and cheerful nature when your daily
cares are over. l need such companion
ship, and shall always welcome you to my
abode.
ELIZA, my sister, is a child at forty, for
she has lived alone with my father and an
old servant all her life. She is good crea-
ture, but not lively, and needs stirring up,
as you will soon see. Also, hope by your
means to rescue her from the evil influences
of Puah, who, III my estimation, is wretch.
She has gained entire control over Eliza,
and warps her mind with great skill, preju-
dicing her against me, and thereby desOlat-
ing my home. Puah hates me, and always
has. Why, know not, except that will
not yield to her control. She ruled here
for years while l was away. and my return
upset all her nefariOus plans. 1t will al
ways be my firm opinion that she has tried
to poison me, and may again. But even
this dark suspicion will not deter me from
my duty. | can not send her away, for
both my deluded father and my sister have
entire faith in her, and can not shake it,
She is faithful and kind to them, so l sub
NIT, and remain to guard them, even at the
risk of my life.
II tell you these things because / wish
you to know all and be warned, for this old
bag has a speciOus tongue, and l should
grieve to see you deceived by her lies. Say
nothing, but watch her silently, and help
me to thwart her evil plots; but do not
trust her, or beware"
Now this was altogether romantic and
sensational, and l felt as if about to enter
one of those delightfully."- dangerous houses
we read of in novels, where perils, mystic
ries and sins freely dispOrt themselves, till
the new conner sets all to rights, after
unheard- of trials and escapes.
l arrived at twilight, just the proper
time for the heroine to appear; and, as no
one answered my modest solo on the rusty
knocker, walked in and looked about me.
Yes, here was the long, shadOwy hall,
where the ghosts doubtless walked at mid.
night. Peering in at an open door on the
right, l saw parlor full of ancient furni-
ture, faded, dusty and dilapidated. Old
portraits stared at me from the walls, and
a damp chill froze the marrow Of my bones
in the most approved style.
1.-THE romance opens we'll" l thought,
and. peeplng in at an opposite door, beheld
luxurious apartment, full OF the warm
glow of freight, the balmy breath Of bya-
cinths and roses, the white glimmer of
piano keys and tempting rows Of books
along the walls.
The contrast between the two rooms was
striking, and after an admiring survey
continued my exploration, thinking that
should not mind being ''ministered To" in
that inviting place when my work was done.
A third door showed me plain, dull,
sittingrOom, with an old man mapping in
his easy chair. l heard voices in the
kitchen beyond, and entering there beheld
Puah, the fend. Unfortunately for the
dramatic effect of the tableaux, all saw
was a mild-faced old woman buttering
toast while she conversed with her familiar,
a comfortable gray cat.
The old lady greeted me kindly, but
tancied her faded blue eye had a weird
expression, and her amiable words were all
a snare, though own l was rather disap.
pointed at the commonplace appearance of
this humble Borgia.
She showed me to tiny room, where |
felt more like young giantess than ever,
and was obliged to stow away my posses |
siOns as snugly as in a ships cabin. When |
presently descended, armed with blue
apron and "a heart for any fate" found |
the old man awake, and received from him |
D welcome full of ancient courtesy and |
kindness. Miss Eliza crept in like timid |
mouse, looking so afraid of her buGom COM |
paniOn that l forgot my own shyness in |
trying to relieve hers. She was SO envel- |
oped in shawls that all l could discover was |
that my mistress was very nervous little |
roman, with a small button of pale hair on |
The outside Of her head and the vaguest |
notions of work inside. A few spasmOdic |
and many awkward pauses brought |
rs to tea-time, when Josephus appeared, as
tall, thin and cadaverous as ever. After |
MS arrival there was no more silence, for
ne preached all supper time something in |
this agreeable style:
"My young friend, our habits, as you see,
are OF the simplest. We eat in the kitchen,
and all together, in the primitive fashion;
Tor 1t suits my father and saves labor. /
,ould wish more order and elegance; but |
ny wishes are not consulted, and submit