The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-06-10
From Appleton's Journal
Betty's Story.

and looked up and down the road. The
first who came along was the child of Il
ncighbor. a little girl of eight years, on
an errand tor milk, with a white mug in
one hand, and her two pennies tightly
clutched in the other. Coming alone in
the same direction was 4 singular-looking
man in velveteen and corduroy - the
clothes 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 u butterfly pinned to his hat, with its
wings fastened down by slips OF card
board. | saw that he was Young and
good looking and he had taste for more
OF the animal creation than for insects,
for he honored me with prolonged stare
| showed my dislike at this scrutiny in
some way, for he turned his gaze to the
other side of the road, and contemplated
it with great earnestness.
Just then | heard a cry Sally Perry.
the little girl in question. had stumbled
and fallen, breaking the mug and scatter
ing her money in the dirt. The bug
hunter quickened his steps raised the
little girl, and helped her to find her
money. Then he took her by the hand,
and led her to the country store, which
stood a short distance above. They both
emerged presently, Sally with a new
mug, the two chatting together, and they
We're soon lost in the turn OF the road
| sighed. This was to be my last day
in the village. | was an orphan, and
hencetorth was to make my own way in
the world.
My father had been one OF those untort-
innate men who seem to be industrious
without success, and who manage to be
always pushing on without advancing a
step. He was bad manager. SO long
As my mother lived. he contrived TO exist
without being more than a tritle behind
hand each year; but those trifles accumu-
lated until, in many years they made a
considerable sum. BY my mothers en-
crgy, which conquered my fathers in
decision, my brother Victor had been
educated as a civil-engineer, and, few
months after her death, had been offered
a situation in~Brazil, which he had at once
accepted ! 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 cOntrWances to which was
driven, kept lively, healthy, and strong.
The result was, that | had no society of
my own years. My father had been born
and bred u gentleman, and being without
means. shrank from contact with those Of
his order. lie grew more reserved day
by day. and even morose, and, after the
death Of my mother, lost his grip on lite
entirely. and so died.
| was LETT alone. My 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 |
managed to detray, and then found myself
with little money. Knowing nothing of
the law and caring less, as a woman gen
orally does, | went through no tormality
of administration, but sold the household
effects for what they would bring, paid off
the few debts my father had lett, deposited
one half of the money with the rector of
the parish for my brother Victor, il he
ever came to claim it, and with Il hundred
and nine dollars in my pocket, and my
fare paid, went to New York to seek some
kind Of employment.
| had a notion OF becoming teacher,
A woman in need always tries to teach
professionally, and her desire in that di-
rection is in exact ratio to her inability.
could draw tolerably well, and, though
had little knowledge OF thorough bass
or counter-polnt, could sing or play music
at sight, and was Il deXtrous performer on
the piano-forte. If could get scholars in
music or drawing, or Il situation in some
school, could do very well. SO | found
Il cheap boarding house, with the rector's
recommendation, put modest ADVERTISE
ment in the Herald. and waited.
But no note came requesting my ser
vices, and no pupils inquired for Miss Nor
man. My full name was Florence Eliz-
abeth Norman Grey; but | had dropped
the first and last part of it. Norman was
the name VI an old college-mate of my
after his sister, whose christening glft-a
silver mug still retained. | waited,
however, patiently until | was reduced to
my last ten dollar bill, and then | sat
down diligently to study the advertise
ments in the Herald, thinking if the
mountain would not come to me, it was
about time | should go to the mountain
skipped the shop girl list. Not that
| had the slightest objection to remain all
day and simper, and look insolently at
customers and throw back my head, and
tap the counter with my pencil, and cry
out "ke-yoisA !" at the proper intervals;
but | knew that | should have to stand all
day on my feet, my taskmaster not caring
that he is Staying his unhappy slaves in in
sisting on that wearying position Lauda-
mum would furnish cheaper mode of
taking ones life, and be less painful.
Companion to an elderly lady was more
enticing, but to be snarled at and nagged
by my employer. and suspected by tribe
Of nephews and nieces Of vague designs
on the family estate, was not pleasant
thing to think of, much less to endure.
But l ran through all the advertisements
without seeing anything. | turned to the
servants column, emphatically headed.
Help wanted - Females" and amused
myself with the style used to express the
wants and desires Of employers. The fol
lowing arrested my attention:
''WANTED, in family of one, with cham
bermad employed Il young woman for general
housework. An American girl even if mex
perenced, preferred. Wages ample, and treat
ment according to conduct"
Then followed the address.
| read it twice over. Should apply
for this situation a housemaid? Why
not | had experience enough, wages
ample" to say nothing of good food, com
Portable lodgings. 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 rebellious curly hair, substi-
tuted plain linen collar and cuffs for lace
ornaments part of poor mothers we'll