Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-05-28
PERRYsBuRG, WOOD, COZ ONO FRsDAS, MAY 2s, 1875


Mrs. Lucas directed explicitly Still IL
was as one lady would show another the
ways of some new, dainty art, and the
while she thought TO herself: What q
pleasure she seems to make of serving
me, and what a pleasure, in turn, il
would he to treat ones servants thus
These relations would not be so trouble
some if one might have ladies to be about
one. | quite understand the English
Lady Rose Mary Crawsbay with her
retinue of lady help; | quite ehvy her,
too"
In fact the field of domestic reform
was swept by Mrs. Lucas quick brain
while she sat waiting. She wished she
knew half dozen women like this Helen
Truesdell willing to go into kitchens.
She believed that even among her own
friends she could find half dozen mis-
tresses TO correspond.
"I, who am called most difficult mis-.
tress, after three hours OF Helen Trues-
dell, am ready to declare that the ideal
servant would speedily develop the ideal
mistress"
AS she sat there she resolved upon va
rious tributes to her ideal servant-leis-
ures, refined surroundings. Here she
paused.
She was much afraid of the name ere
former" She never became infected
with sympathy with fancied evils. But
facts eXerted upon her their normal in
tiuence. In this instance, TO refinement,
education, skill, and charming person
ality she was already ready to proffer
appreciation and courtesy, perhaps to
take some brave steps toward following
her instincts of Justice.
The dinner-hour brought the master of
the house, but no Flaxman Another
day, after such terrible cooking and
dressing, Mrs. Lucas would have been
disappointed. Today she would as soon
be alone and tell her husband about
their new serving-woman.
Besides this was Romeo himself He
kissed her twice with lovers kisses, once
for the beautiful table and once for her
beautiful self, and was turning back his
wristbands for special service as waiter,
when Miss Truesdell came in with the
soup. She behaved entirely like we'll
bred servant; looked neither to the right
nor left. Nevertheless, the master was
surprised and the mistress uncomfort
able.
What! did the advertisement bring
somebody after all? And an importation
from Rome or Athens instead of green
Erin! Who is she, Mollie?"
Hushl she's coming back. Fred,
I'm going to introduce you. It's a
shame, SOP
1t was the most graceful of ceremonies
on the part of the Lucases. The master
made splendid bow, and in her pleas
ant eyes the young mistress showed her
honor of a refined woman. But, the
servant did not come out of herself. By
the manner of her response she eX-
pressed accurate knowledge of the accus-
toned limitations of her position, and
Mrs. Lucas, after moment, liked her
none the less.
She sat toying with her soup-spoon.
" Fred she said, suddenly, "were you
me wouldn't you ask her to have Flax
mans place? | will wait upon table
with her, Just as when Clara is mere and
there is no girl, you know. She is alto
gether agreeable, assure you. Should
you mindr"
"I-bless you, no! It's rather splendid
in you, darling, if you feel So"
q I" / believe do feel so. If an intelli-
gent ald refined woman will come and
keep house for me I'm willing to do
somewhat to keep the goods the gods
provide. Is it to all be the same as if she
were Bridget?"
She struck her silver bell. The woman
she meant to honor appeared. "Since
we are alone" began the mistress,
sweetly eliciting a flash from the gray
eyes. She proceeded to the end of her
sincere request, however.
Miss Truesdell bowed slight thanks.
"Will you kindly excuse me, Mrs. Lucas,
if prefer to keep clear of social embar-
rassments? My own sphere is so clearly
mh a N
"Shades of the New England school
ma 'amsp exclaimed Fred as she closed
the door But how came youto blum
der SO, Mollie?" -
t"It wasn't bllInder,N retorted Dlollie,
with erimsoning brow. aof course j
couldn't and wouldn't and mi1htnt init
mate that she was to sit at table with
our guests. 1t would have been unkind
to not have defined her position."2
"Perhaps it would have been kinder
to have let well enough alone,"' said Fred
dryly. ps-nfE
They had not a coy dinner, though it
was admirably served to them. MOllie
wished she had let we'll enough alone.
Dear me n'g she broke soutSat last. 81
don't enjoy being waited upon by my
equals, after all. I'm ready to grant ig-
norance and obtuseness their use and a
good big place in the world. Fred, only
think what must be the feelings of that
woman out in the kitchen! l am abso-
lutely unhappy over it, rs
Well, what is she there for, then?n
Mrs. Lucas resolved to know She
could not believe il, was alnatter of
mere money need.
After Fred had gone she made herself
especially agreeable in the Kitchen, un-
| der pFetense of showing where things be-
longed. Miss Truesdell was tolerably
sociable, but her features assumed the
| grand Romaneoast possible to. them the
moment Mrs. Lucas approached the mat
| ter she had at heart.
"Now we are through, believe. Let
us adjourn to the sittihg-room and I'll
make you acquainted with my flowers
and books. The day is SO stormy no
one viii be in. and ven have cozy
| evening"
Miss Truesdell excused herself; but
/ her mistress looked SO really hurt that
she smoothed away her lofty expression
81 will confess that books, flowers, and
eOzy evening exercise their normal
temptations upon me; none the less,
must decline your kindness Mrs. Lucas
'SPray Why's mig, in the name of good
! common. sensef" Her mistress went up
to her, took her hand, looked seaTchingly
up in her face. She knew she was get
ting off safe ground, knew she was moi
letting we'll enough alone; but her warm
heart was too much for her.
Miss Pruesden grew agitated. The
tears elOuded her eyes.fsi Suddenly she
smiled down into the pTettyfaee Of hel
young mistress, 1t was a kindly, con
I = ~. 4 -. L.
stronger. RsaER Eta
81 did not suppose You had so kind q
heart. Believe me, 4 anderstapd al
about your peculiar difficulties. Believe
too, that I dopt feel gaa bitter when
ten YOU that the reason of my refusa
may be found in your own words NJ
one toiH be in. An, don't you see that il
j am lady those words would send ms
back into, my own gplace, even il has
been tempted.out Ofitt Would yost Mrs
Lucas, go and sit in a room which you'C