Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-06-24
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Then followed the address.
read it twice over. Should apply
for this situation-a house-maid? Why
not? had experience enough. wages
ample" to say nothing of good food, COM
foriable lodging, and no care for the ways
and means" OF the house. At all events
| determined to try it.
dressed myself in the plainest OF my
few gowns, smoothed down as much as
possible my rebellously curly hair, sub
stituted plain linen collar and cuffs, for
lace adornments-part OF poor mother 5
wel-preserved finery-careluly removed
a couple of rose-buds from my shred OF
bonnet, and set out for No. 324 North
street. When arrived there, hesitated
about rim ging the bell. The house, though
not very large, had an air of style calling
for several servants The name was on
the door. picked up courage. and gave
the bell-pull timid jerk. No one an.
swering for bit, l made up my mind to
go; but Just then the door suddenly
opened, and girl with an ill-ftting dress
hanging loosely from her body, and very
il-humored expression Of countenance,
stood in the aperture
well, she asked, sharply.
as Mrs. Dartnell at home ?"
Il s'pose she be-" was the answer.
Come in, and I'll see. What's the name ::
Elizabeth Norman"
She at first left me standing in the hall,
but presently returned and showed me in
to the parlor.
The room was handsomely furnished,
but looked to be but little cared for. There
was large and fine piano in the room
covered by crimson cloth dulled in color
by the dust There was dust on the chairs,
on the mantle. ornaments, on the Brtc-d-
Brac trash here and there-confusion and
untidiness everywhere. had merely time
to note this. when an old lady, in black
alpaca gown, SO neat in her person as to
show a marked contrast to her surround
ings, entered.
"What can do for you. Miss Norman ?"
she asked
Betty Norman, if you please" re-
piled. II have come TO see about the
place."
1.-The place !" and a suspicious shadow
crossed her face. She looked at me keen
ly, and then took hold of one of my hands
This does not look as if it were used to
homework"
1T is, for all that" l answered and if
you try it, you will find it a willing and
experienced hand
"Where have you served? What is your
reference?
II have stayed at home. | have never
lived out. but understand all about it..
Try me! exclaimed desperately. for my
chance seemed slipping away.
"Sit down. child-you look tired.
There-you have never lived out before.
Won ba 20 a history 1yhot ic II po
l hesitated at first but there was some
thing mothcrly in her face, and told her
all-all except my true name, and even
that. but what was left was legitimately
mine.
II will try you," she said at length; but
l warn you that am at times very disa-
greeably fractions old woman-very apt to
find fault. You may not like me as well
rs / am disposed to like you"
ut is not my business, Mrs. Dartnell, to
like or dislike, but to serve you. If you
find fault for good reason, l shall endeavor
to amend; if you find fault without occa-
sion. | shall try to bear it."
What wages do you expect?"
Whatever is customary. don't know
what is given usually"
ut is easy.to see you are not accustomed
TO service. l gave my last girl fourteen
dollars per month and allowed her every
other Sunday out"
1.-The wages will do, madame; and, as
for the Sunday out. should like to go to
church once week, if convenient; but
have no acquaintance, and, in New Y ork,
shall make none"
Every well; when can you Gomez"
LAS soon as can have my trunk brought
here, ma'am."
Nothing was said about reference, but
she evidently credited my story and, by
afternoon, was installed as mistress OF
the kitchen. where found all those mod
ern labor-saving contrivances which have
reduced kitchen toll to its minimum
found my fellow-servant, the chamber
maid who had let me in, prepared to leave.
She had given warning to Mrs. Dartnell
that morning. l inquired her grievance.
"Aint got none," was the reply. "Noth
in much to dO-only three beds to make,
except when the old woman's nephew
comes here once year but prefer fac
tory-work that I've been used TO and, be-
sides. I'll get some society there"
So she went off TO her factory
and her society next day, and we got
another in her stead-one out of four APP
plicants-a tidy, quiet girl, my pick, in
fact, for Mrs. Dartnell took her at my ia
vorable impression.
liked the mistress, and liked the place
from the first, and continued to like it. |
did not find the old lady to be as Disagree
able as she said. and she never found fault
except in the mildest and most hesitating
way. And so six months passed off, and
my mistress and myself began to approach
familiarity. Tired of her loneliness. she fire.
quently brought her knitting-she piled her
needles with all the assiduity OF German
Frau-to the kitchen, and would sit there
while l was engaged about my duties,
rarely saying anything, but apparently
wrapped in reverie.
At length there was little change in
my monetonous life. One Sunday was al
the morning service in church, and had
been in a pew in the gallery, taking my
seat. as usual, where | could get it, and
was little tardy in coming out. As l
came to the vestiDule, the rector came
down the aisle and passed by me, pausing
at the door moment to speak to the or
oanist