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

soon have swamped the furniture if had
INDUCED cOpiously in, tears; therefore
speedily dried them up, wrote comic let
ter home, and waited with interest to see
what would happen next.
Far be it from me to accuse one OF the
nobler sex of spite or the small revenge OF
underhand annoyances and Sights to one
who could not escape and would not re-
taliate; but after that day curious change
came over the spirit of that very unpleas-
ant dream. Gradually all the work
of the house had been slipping into
my hands; for Eliza was too poorly to help
or direct, and Puah too old to do much be-
side the cooking. About this time found
that even the toughest work was added to
my share, for Josephus was unusually
feeble and no one was hired to do his
chores. Having made up my mind to go
when the month was out, l said nothing,
but dug paths, brought water from the
we'll, split kindlings. made fires, and slfted
ashes like true Cinderella.
There had never been any pretense OF
cOmpanionship with Eliza, who spent her
days mulling over the fire, and seldom ex-
erted herself except to find odd jobs for me
to dO--usty knives TO clean. sheets to
turn, old stockings to mend, and. when all
else failed, some paradise OF moths and
mice to be cleared up; for the house was
full of such "glory holes" =.
If reconstructed Eliza at once dissolved
into tears, and said she must do as she was
told. Puah begged me to hold on Till spring,
when things would be much better; and
pity pleaded for the two poor souls But
don't think l could have stood it II my
promise had not bound me, for when the
iend said "Budge," honor said 'Budge
not" and stayed.
But, being mortal worm, turned now
and then when the ireful Josephus trod
upon me too hard, especially in the matter
of hootblacking. really don't know why
that is considered such humlliating work
for woman: but so it Is, and there drew
the line. would have cleaned the old mans
shoes without murmur; but he preferred
to keep their native rustiness intact. Eliza
never went out, and Puah affected carpet
slippers of the Chinese junk pattern. 10
sephus. however, plumed himself upon his
feet, which, like his nose, were large, and
never took his walks abroad without having
his boots in high state of polish. He had
brushed them himself at first; but soon after
the explosion discovered pair OF muddy
boots in the shed, set suggestlvely near the
blacking box. did not take the hint, feel
ing instinctively that this amiable being
was trying how much would bear for the
sake of peace.
The boots remained untouched; and an
other pair soon came to keep them COM
pany, whereat l smiled wickedly as l
chopped just kindlings enough for my own
use. Day after day the collection grew,
and neither party gave in. Boots were sue
ceeded by Shoes the rubbers gave pleas
ing variety to the long line, and then l
knew the end was near.
''Why are not my boots attended TOT" de-
manded JOsephus, one evening, when
obliged to 60 out.
''Im sure l don't know" was Eliza's
helpless answer.
Il told Louizy l guessed you'd want
some of 'em before long" observed Puah,
with an exasperating twinkle in her old
eye.
"And what did she say!' asked my lord
with an ireful whack OF his velvet slippers
as he cast them down.
ooh! she said she was so busy doing your
other work you'd have to do that yourself;
and l thought she was about right"
'Louizy" heard it all through the slide,
and could have embraced the old woman
for her words, but kept still till Josephus
had resumed his slippers with growl and
retired to the shed, leaving Eliza in tears,
Puah chuckling, and the rebellious hand
maid exulting in the chiua-closet.
Alas for romance and the Christian vir-
tines, several pairs Of boots were cleaned
that mig hit, and my sinful soul enjoyed the
spectacle of the reverend boOtblack at his
task. even found my fancy work" as |
called the evening job Of pairing bucketful
OF hard russets with a dull knife, much
cheered by the shoebrush accompaniment
played in the shed.
Thunder clouds rested upon the martyrs
brow at breakfast, and l was as much ig-
nOred as the cat. And what relief that
was The piano was locked up, so were
the bookcases, the newspapers mysteriously
and a solemn silence reigned
at table, for no one dared to talk when that
gifted tongue was mute. Eliza fled from
the gathering storm and had comfortable
fit of neuralgia in her own room, where
Puah nurseG her, leaving me to skirmish
with the enemy.
1t was not fair fight, and that expe-
rience lessened my respect for mankind i'm
I did my best, however-grub-
bed about all day and amused my dreary
evenings as well as l could; too proud even
to borrow book, lest it should seem like
surrender What long month it was, and
how eagerly l counted the hours of that
week, for my time was up Saturday, and l
hoped to be off at once. But when I an
my intention, such dlsmay fell
upon Eliza that my heart was touched, and
Puah 80 urgently begged me to stay till
they could get some one, that consented to
remain a few days longer, and wrote post
haste to my mother, telling her to send
substitute quickly, OF / should do something
desperate.
That blessed woman, little dreaming of
all the woes | had endured, advised me to
be patient, and do the generous thing, and
be sure l should not regret it in the end. l
groaned, submitted, and did regret it all
the days of my life.
Three mortal weeks waited: for, though
two other victims came, | was implored to
set them going, and tried to do it. But
both fled after day or two, condemning
the place as a very hard one, and calling
me a fool to stand it another hour. / en-
tirely agreed with them on both points, and
when had cleared up after the second in
capable lady, l tarried not for the coming
Of third, but clutched my property and
my departure by the next train.
Of course Eliza wept, Puah moaned, the
old man politely regretted and the younger
one washed his hands of the whole affair by
shutting himself up In his own room and
forbidding me to say farewell because he
could not bear it." laughed and fancied
t done for effect then; but l soon under
stood it better and did not laugh.
At the last moment Eliza nervously
tucked sixpenny pocketboek into my
hand and shrOuded herself in the little |
blanket with a sob. But Puah kissed me
Kindly and whispered, with an odd look,
Don't blame us for anything. Some folks |
s liberal and some amt l thanked the |
Door old soul for her kindness to me and |
ludged gaily away to the station, whittier
ny property had preceded me on a wheel |
barrow, hired at my own expense.
never shall forget that day. A bleak |
March afternoon, a sloppy, lonely road,
md one hoarse crow stalking about field, |
10 like Josephus that l could not resist |
throwing a SNOWFALL at him. Behind me |
food the dull old house, no longer either
mysterious or romantic in my disenchanted |