The Portland daily press., 1875-06-12
[From Appleton's Journal.l
Betty'S Story.

stood by the garden fence the morning
before | was to leave the old house forever,
and looked up and down the road. The trst
who came along was the child OF nelghbor,
a little girl of eight years, on an errand Tor
mix, with white mug in one band, and her
two pennies tightly clutched in the other.
Coming along in the same direction was
singular looking man in velveteen and cordu-
roy-the clothes well fitted but much worn.
His long handled net in one hand and his TIN
box slung at his side, were not necessary TO
show me that he was "a bug hunter" for the
cruel wretch gave visible sign of his calling
in q butterfly pinned to his hat, with It's
wings fastened down by slips of cardboard.
saw that he was young and goodlooklng,
and he had taste for more Of the animal crea-
ton than insects, for he honored me Win
prolonged stare. | showed my dislike at
this scrutiny in some way, for lie turned ms
gaze to the other side OF the road and con-
templated it with great earnestness.
Just then heard cry. Sally Perry, the
little girl ia question, had stumbled and
fallen, breaking the mug and scattering her
money in the dirt. The bug-hunter quick
ened his steps, raised the little girl, and
helped her 10 find her money. Then he
took her by the hand and led her to the
country store, which stood short distance
above. They both emerged presently, sally
with new mug, the two chatting togetner,
and they were soon lost in the turn OF Inc
road.
1 sighed. This was to be my last day In
the village, | was an orphan and hence
forth was to make my own way in the world.
NV father had been one of those untortu-
nate men who seem to be industrious with
out success, and who manage to be always
pushing on without advancing step. lie
was bad manager. So long as my mother
lived, he contrved to exist without being
more than trife behindhand each year but
those trifes accumulated until, In many
years, they made a considerable sum. BY
my mothers energy, which conquered my
fathers indecision, my brother Victor had
been educated as civil engineer, and, few
months after her death, had been oneted
situation in Brazil, which he had at once
accepted. l was thus left alone with my
father, to keep house. As we could not
afford to maintain a servant, did all the
labor of our petty housekeeping. The work
agreed with me, and, in spite Of all the SHIFTS
and contrivances to which l was driven,
kept lively, healthy and strong. The result
was, that had no society of my own years.
NV father had been born and bred gentle
man, and, being without means, shrunk from
contact with those of his order. He grew
more reserved day by day, and even morose,
and, after the death of my mother, lost bis
grip on life entirely, and SO died;
was left alone. Ny father had a maiden
sister who had wealth, and who knew how to
keep it, and even add to it. That much
had learned incidentally; but there was no
intercourse between her and my father, and
| did not even know where she lived. The
funeral expenses I managed to detray, and
then found myself with little money, Know
ing nothing of the law, and caring less, as
woman generally does, vent through no
fermaity of administration, but sold the
household effects for what they would bring,
paid off the few sdebts my father had lett,
deposited one-half of the money with the
rector of the parish for my bother Victor,
if he ever came to claim it, and with hun
bred and nine dollars in my pocket, and my
fare paid. went to New York to seek some
kind of employment.
I had a notion of becoming a teacher. A
woman in need always tiles to teach proies-
sionally. and her desire in that direction IS in
exact ratio to her inability. l could draw
tolerably well, and, though had little knowl,
edge of thorough bass or counter point, could
sing or play music at sight, and was dexter
GUS performer on the piano-forte. Ii could
get scholars in music or drawing, or sltua-
lion i'll some school, 1 could do very well. so
7 found cheap clearinghouse, with the
rector's recommendation, put modest adVer-
tisement In the Herald, and waited.
But no note came requesting my services,
and no pupils inqdired for Miss Norman. My
full name was Florence Elizabeth Norman
GREY; but had dropped the first and last
part of it. Norman was the name of an old
colege-mate of my father, and Florence had
been given me after his sister, whose christ
ening gft-s silver mug-I still retained. L
waited, however, patiently Until L was re-
duced to nv last ten-dollar bill, and then l
sat down diligently to study the advertise
ments in the Herald, thinking If the noun
tain would not come to me, it was about
time should 60 to The mountain.
1 skipped the shop girl list. Not that had
the slightest objectionsto 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, ''Ke-ydish!' at
the proper intervals but l knew thatl should
have to stand all day on my feet, my task
master not caring that he is staying his I'M
happy slaves in insisting on that wearying
position. Landanum would furnish cheap
er mode of taking ones life, and be less pain
full. Companion to an elderly lady was more
epticing, but to be snarled at and nagged by
my employer, and suspected by tribe OF
nephews and nieccs Of vague designs on the
family estate, was not pleasant thing TO
think of, much less to endure. But ran
through all the advertisements without see
ing any thing. l turned to the servants
columns, alphabetically headed, Help want
ed-Females," and amused myself with the
style used to express the wants and desires of
employers. The following arrested my at
tention:
"WANTEp, in a family of one, with a
chambermaid employed, young woman for
An Auparinan GIRL
If inexperienced, preferred. Wages ample,
and treatment according to conduct"
Then followed the address.
I read 1t twice over. Should l apply for
this situation-a house-maid? Why notf
had experience enough, wages ample" to
saw nothing of good food, comfortable lodg-
ings, and no care for the ways and means"
of the house. At all events, l determined to
try it.
I dressed myself in the plainest of my few
gowns, smoothed down as much as possible
my rebelliously curly hair, substituted 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 bonnet, and set out for No. 324
North-Street. When I arrived there, l
hesitated about ringing 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 answering
fer bit, made up my mind to go; but just
then the door suddenly opened, and girl,
with an ill-fitting dress hanging loosely from
her body, and very ill-humored expression
of countenance, stood in the aperture.
"Well? ?" she asked, sharply.
'sIs Mrs. Dartnell at home"
81 spose she be-" was the answer. Cone
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 into 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 a crimson cloth dulled in color by the dust.
There was dust on the chairs, on the mantel-
nrnaments, on the brio G-brdc Trash here and
and untidiness everywhere.
I had merely time to note this when an old
lady, in black alpaca gown, so neat in her
person as to show marked contrast to her
surroundings, entered.
''What can / do for you, Miss Norman?"
she asked.
"Betty Norman. if you please" replied.
81 have come to see about the place."
"The place r'-and a suspicious shadow
crossed her face. She looked at me keen1y,
and then took hold of one of my hands.
This does not look as If 1t were used to
1,At vi