Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-05-28
( it was an effort to speak. "I did

Mrs, Lucas paused q bit 10 privately
wonder what was the history of this fine
| looking woman, who. naturally by this
time should have been married or have
gone into the higher class of employ
ments.
"Well, am in pressing need -of-an
assistant" She could, not to her say
servant" as, without execution, she
said to American girls, wishing, in these
difficult instances, to at once define
their relations with each other. g But |
fear you must be accustomed to set Of
duties in large establishments" In a
half-a apolOgedc tone she went on TO cata-
logue the duties of her assistant -"
Her listener rested her head upon her
hand. She listened with far. away looks
coming and going upon her face. Yes" "
she said, rehectively, "I understand.
You wish housekceper; you wish to be
free from care. ~
"I could wish it, certainly, but l do
not ask quite that. You arc from -"
Miss Truesdell here reused herself.
" From twenty miles back in the country
from the township of Lyons-from a
farm"
/ But Mrs. Lucas face was indicative
Of Farther inquiry. Miss Truesdell went
on. You ought of course, to hear, and
ought to add, that1 have never been in
service. But ! am accustomed to house
keeping and to the care ef guests-in my
own station of life, of course" she added,
with a sudden gesture, whether of
humility or bitterness Mrs. Lucas could
not determine. "i may not give you en-
tire satisfaction at first; but understand
the elemental, the chemical, principles of
cookery, i lave that appreciation of
geome trical precision requisite for neat
ness and order, and think will promise
moderate returns for hints toward what
ever refinements you desire.p t.
Mrs. Lucas smoothed the stare from
her face as best she could. But might
she not stare at "helpp that spoke of
geometrical order and the aesthetics of
Housekeeping? 1t was all so in keeping,
however, with the strong, refined face
that she could have no doubt of the
strangers sanity; and she engaged her.
Still an indefinable feeling-not Curl
osity-prompted her to one abrupt ques-
| ton: But you are an educated woman?
pardon me if call you Miss Helen"
"-You are. at liberty to address me in
the usual way; / am, Of course, simply
Helen to my mistress-or, indeed, the
English Truesdell, sif you PREFER She
said this with an indescribable quietness.
Then she replied to the questions "I
am somewhat acquainted with books
school books and others; but trust that
does not incapacitate me for the duties
of servant"
"Why do you need become a servant?"
Mrs. Lucas longed to ask. But the un-
gloved hands, brown and not too small,
confirmed the story of accustomed use
| fulness.
| But her own course as mistress toward
such a servant presently embarrassed
her. She rose-paused. She hesitated
to take a woman with brow as fine as
Margaret Fuller's, with such beautiful
eyes, with such expression" about face
and figure, up the back stairs. "Honor
to whom honor is due" she said to her
| self at last, with thrill of fine selfscorn.
She took Miss Truesdell up the front
| staircase, and made up her mind farther
as she went She allottedher one of the
guest-chambeTs, and, as cordially as if
she were a guest, she assured her Mr..
Lucas would have her trunks sent up
from the stage office, and then, with a
delicate attention or two, left her.
Reaching the hall she stopped at the
still unclosed parlor door. She tried to
look in with the strangers eyes. She
saw nothing to hold strangers gaze,
unless it were those two portrai.s-por-
traits of her brother, Rolfe Guinness,
and Fred's sister, Clara Lucas. at must
have been Rolfe's great eyes cleaning
out of the dimness here. FlaXman did
outdo himself with Bulbs eyes. l dare
say she would appreciate them"
FlaXman suggested dinner and dinner
dress. She hurried out. Her assistant
was already there-had evidently discov.
cred the back stairs for herself. She had
picked up an apron and a broom, and
was completing the sweeping; had evil
IDENTIFY replenished the dying wood fire.
clock, at the various preparations for
dinner, at the anxious mistress.s If |
could hear the plan for dinner"
"Thank you;" and then Mrs. Lucas
laughed. "The truth is, don't know
how to give orders to IA woman that
speaks correct English, Miss Truesdell.' .
Perhaps were you to address me as
I Helen it would come easier.H
!" Pray dllo,o me to call you Miss Trues'
dell" said Mrs Lucas, IN her sweetest
tone. Apd-well, if you could prepare
the vegetables" She gave her the
meHu the dinner hour and the amount OF
leisure she personally craved.
Miss Truesdell considered a moment
allotted the dressings, the salad and the
table to the mistress, professed herself
quite equal to the balance, and, giving
her hair little backward push, silently
took possession of her kingdom.
Mrs. Lucas watched her half an hour
At the end of the half hour she breatheC
happy sigh. "She's no mere girl-nC
mere piece of animated, muscular igno
rance. For once, unless I'm in dream
l have an intelligent, artistic woman tC
keep my house. But l fear it's too gooC
to last"
No wonder she felt so. Every move
ment was as dainty as it was swift anC
sure every question was that of a per
son educated, reflective and refined
Moreover, it had all happened SO sud
denly.
When she looked at the clock again
she smiled. The morning dead l9ck wa
straightened out, the kitchen in dainty
order. There was an odor of tragran
roastss and savOry steams, a sound b
merry boilings and aromatic buildings
sauces, salads and creams were in readi
ness; the bOutORRieFes of roses were tied
and Miss Truesdel, if she didn't know
about the right wine-g glasses, did know
how to use hammer, and had openet
; the fruit-casks.
; Basting her laces in her dress, Mrs
Lucas considered problem which ha,
, often troubled her friends in the littl
J aristocratic village, where help was FIRE
quenuy Obtained from farmers fahiiie
-Aniefieah girls Ehd geherallyrs BELLE
agsinst certain sscial deInarkationslcoui
+ mon enough in cities. Mira, Lucas, howey
) er, had never sacrificed the coziness of he
} | table but even she hesitated to sugges
, to this Portia-like person that she wa
to take her meals by herself after he
master and mistress had leisurelyedif
posedo of heirse, vW@
/ "Dear me- / shah wish ladn't en-
ployed her, unless, indeed, insall matter
, she finds the back stairs for herself
That was like lady, 1 think
The gay-eyed Servant was in the din
ingrroom relying awayward flower whel
the mistress returned, lovely in her blu