Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-17
m experienced hand"

lived out. bu, | understand all about il.
Try me !" exclaimed desperately. for my
chance seemed slipping away.
"Sit down, child-you look tired.
Therc-you have never lived OFT before.
You have history; what is it ?"
hesitaIed at FIRST but there was some.
thing motherly 10 her face, and told her
ali--all except my true name. and even
mentioned that | had dropped part of
that, but what was left was egitimalely
mine.
IL will try you" she said at length;
"but warn you that am at tint a very
disagreoaby fraCtious old wonau-very
apt TO fad fault. You may not like me
rs well as am disposed to like you"
at is not my business, Mrs. Dartnell.
to like or dislike but to serve you. II
you find fault for good.reason, shall en-
deavor to amend il you find fault with.
out occasion, shall Try to beor it,"
What wages do you expect ?"
Whatever is customary. don't know
what is given usually"
at is easy 10 see you are not accus.
toned to service. l gave my last girl
fourteen dollars per month and allowed
her every other SUNDAY out.n
The wages will DO. mada me and, rs
for the Sunday out, should ike TO 90 TO
church once a week. ii convenient, but
have no acquaintanees. and. in New York.
shall make none.'
Very well; When can you come? ?"
"As soon as | can have my trunk
brought here, ma'am."
Nothing was said about re(e e1ce, bat
she evidently credited my story; and, by
afternoon, | was Installed rs mistress Of
the kitchen, where found all those mod
ern labor saving cOntriyduces which has
reduced kitchen toll To- its minimum.
lound my fellow servant, the chamber
maid who had let me in preparing 10
leave She had given warning to Mrs.
Dartnell that morning, inquired her
grievance.
''Aint got none, was the reply. Moth.
in much to do-only three beds to make.
except when the old woman's nephew
comes here once year; but prefer lac
tory work that I've been us.d to; and,
besides I'll get some society there"
81 she went OH 10 her factory work"
and her society" next day. and we got
another in her stead me out OF four
tidy, quiet girl, my pick, n
fact. Tor Mrs rrlnell took her at ny
favorable impression.
| liked tde mistress, and liked the place
from the first, and continued to like II. |
did not find the Old lady % be so disa.
groeable As she said, and she never found
fault except in the miIdest and most hes
itating way. And so six months passed
on. aud my mistress and myself began to
approach familiarity. Tired OF her lonli.
ness, she frequently brought her knitting,
she piled her needles with all the
OF a German Frdu-to the
kitchen, and would sit there while was
engaged about my duties. rarely saying
anything, but apparently wrapped in
reyerie.
At le1gth there was little change in
M monotonous life. One Sunday was
at the morning service in church, aud had
been in pew in the gallery. taking my
seat. as usual, where I could get it, and
was little tardy in coming out. As !
came 10 the vestibule. the rector came
down the aisle and passed by me. paus.
ing at the door a moment to speak TO the
organist
What was the ttoIble in the choir,
Mr.. Esten ?" he asked.
Miss Fatten. our contralto. has been
taken suddenly i'll, and don't know how
| can supply her place at short notice Tor
TIE afternoon service"
That is inconvenient. said the rector,
and aiter some remarks, passed on.
stepped up TO where the organist
stood with knitted brow, and tapped his
arm. He turned at once.
Excuse me for having overheard you
without inteudiug it," | said; "but per-
haps | can get you out of your difficulty.
have q contralto voice, am familiar
with the church services. and sing at
sight"
evil you come into the choirP" he
said.
| followed him, and be signaleI the
other members OF the choir, who were
sill there. A very short trial satisfied
him, aud | promised TO come in the alter
noon.
| asked leave of Mrs. Dartnell, of
course, telling her the circumstances.
"Will you not failf" the old lady in
quired. smiled a negative.
"Why never knew yon were musical.
You never touched the piano."
"It is not the business Of house. maids
to play on their mistre3sos' pianos"
"Very good but you have been some-
thing more than servant here. Will
you let me hear you sing uow?"
Ny fingers had been itching TO touch
that piano, which was kept regularly in
tune. though never used. aud | sat down