The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-06-18

mat mucn nAu icarneu lilVluthtAiAN p"s
there was no intercourse between her and
my father, and did not even know where
she lived. The funeral expenses man
aged TO defray. and then found myself
with little money. Knowing nothing OF
the law, and caring less, as woman
generally does, | went through no for
mality of administration, but sold the
household effects for what they would
bring, paid on the few debts my father
had left, deposited one-half OF the money
with the rector OF the parish for my broth
er Victor, II he ever came 70 claim II, and
with one hundred and nine dollars In my
pocket, and my fare paid, went to New
| York 10 seek some kind of employment.
had a notion of becoming A teacher. A
woman in need always tries 10 teach pro-
REASONABLY, and her desire In that direction
Is in exact ratio To her inability. could
draw telsrably we'll, and, though had lit
tie knowledge Of thorough bass or coun-
terpoint, could sing or play music at sight,
and was dexterous performer on the
piano-torte. II l could get scholars In
music or drawing, or situation In some
school. l could do very well. so found a
cheap boarding-ho use. with the rector's
recommendation, put modest advertise
ment In the Herald, and waited.
But no note came requesting my ser
I
Norman. NY full name was Florence
Elizabeth Norman Grey, but had drop
ped the first and last part of IL. Norman
was the name of an old college mate of my
father. and Florence had been given me AZ
ter his sister. whose christening gift-a
silver mug--I still retained | waited,
however, patiently until | was reduced TO
nv last ten-dollar bill. and then 1 sat
down diligently TO study the advertise
ments in the Herald, thinking II the
mountain would not come to me, II was
about time should go TO The mountain.
l skipped the shop-girl list. Not that
had the slightest objection to remain all
day and shipper, and look insolently at
customers, and throw back my head, and
tap the counter with my pencil, and cry
out "Keyaish." at the proper intervals
but | knew that l should have to stand all
day on my feet my taskmaster not caring
that he Is slaying his unhappy slaves
in insisting on that wearying position.
Laudanum would furnish cheaper mode
of taking ones life. and be less painful.
Companion to an elderly lady was more
enticing, but to be snarled ut and nagged
by my employer. and suspected by tribe
Of nephews and nieces of vague designs on
the family estate, was nota pleasant thing
to think of, much less TO endure. But |
out seeing any thing. turned TO the ser
wants column, alphabetically headed,
Help wanted-Females," and amused
myself with the style used to express the
wants and desires ofemployers. The fol-
lowing arrested my attention:
wASTED-In family Of one. with chamber
maid employed. young woman ior general
, hsusework. An American girl, even II inexpe-
rienced, preferred. Wages ample. and treat
ment according TO conduct.
Then followed the address.
: / read il twice over. Should apply for
this situations housemaid? Why not ?
had experience enough, "wages am
/. ple," to say nothing of good food. COM
Portable lodgings, and no care tor the
ways and means of the house. At all
e events, determined to try 1t.
dressed myself in the plainest Of my
9 few gowns, smoothed down as much as
possible my rebelliously curly hair, sub
r stituted plain linen collar and cuffs for
lace adornments-part Of poor mothers
well-preserved finery-carefully removed
couple of rose-buds from my shred of a
bonnet, and set out for No. 324 North -
Street. When | arrived there, hesitated
: about ringing the bell. The house, though
E not very large, had an air Of style calling
!. for several servants. The name was on
4 the door. picked up courage, and gave
? the door-bell timid jerk. No one an
q swering for bit, made up my mind to
Y go; but just then the door suddenly
n opened, and girl, with an ill-fitting dress
2 hanging loosely from her body, and q
e very ill-humored expression of counten-
ance, stood in the aperture.
SWELL? ~ she asked, sharply.
sis Mrs. Dartnell at homer"
= ~ s'pose she be-" was the answer
{ "Come in, and III see. What's the
!, namep"
4 Elizabeth Norman
q She II first left me standing In the ball
e but presently returned and showed me
E into the parlor.
L The room was handsomely furnished
n but looked to be little cared for. There
e was large and fine piano in the room
q covered by a crimson cloth dulled In color
by the dust. There was dust on the chairs
I; on the mantel-ornaments, on the bric-d
q brae trash here and there-confusion anc
: untidiness everywhere. | had merely
: time to note this when an old lady, In |
T. black alpaca gown, so neat in her person
7. as to show ,.s.rked contrast to her sur
q roundings, entered.
q "what can do for you, Miss Norman =
q she asked.
o Betty Norman, If you please re
't piled. Il have come to see about tn
place."
y "The placel'-and a suspicious shadow
!, crossed her face. She looked at me keen
ly, and then took hold Of one Of my hands
81 This does not look as II il were used 4
r homework"
= 1T il, for all that" answered. ian.
Q If you try it, you viii find it to be will
II ing and experienced hand"
a "Where have you served? What
re your referencer'
e 81 have served at home. | have neve
1t lived out, but | understand all about II
y Try me" / exclaimed, desperately, 70