Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-02-17
JELL'S SWEEPING CAP.

Jell was a dainty little schoolma am,
q brown-eyed, brown-haired, with cum
\ ming dimple in her left cheek. She had
no beauty but her hair, and this was her
glory. Beautiful, glossy, abundant, it
4 nppled down her back almost to the floor
4 Jell rejoiced In innocent, girlish pride
whenever fashion allowed her 10 display
3 this enc adornment Her elder relatives,
grardma and aunties, said since she had
not the beautiful face Of sister Eleanor,
MOI the finely nodded figure and grace
s full carriage of Amelia, she must remain
4 an old maid"
Because said grandma, "no one
nowadays marries for real merit, but for
( money or beauty; consequently, be con-
tent, my dear, to remain single and be a
comfort TO your parents" laying her soft,
wrinkled hand on Jell's bonnie young
head r-..
Il "She might do worse, (" said Aunt Mary,
who had just lost husband and four lovely
children.
SO she might" said Aunt Caroline.
meditatively threading her white fingers
through Jell's chestnut locks. But, if
I'm not mistaken, this brown hair will not
want for admirers
Ii was decided that Jell should be a
school for Miss Independence
said If she was not TO marry, she pre-
TERED beginning to earn her own living
at once.
SO this little woman of eighteen was
enthrobed in the great arm chair belong
ing to 8 District No. g." and right royalty
she reigned over the white-headed little
urchins who stumbled over "b-a, ba,"
and those Of larger growth, who pene.
fha IF
geography. II was pleasant TO teach in
the spring time, when all the world
seemed Weakening into newer, brighter
life-whea the skies were blue, birds
sang, and the apple blossoms dritted down
in snowy wreaths before the school.room
door. Yes, IL was pleasant to sit there all
the long Moons, dreaming Of the future,
which seemed To promise sweet and good,
though prevented, rs by thin veil, from
showing plainly; just as far-oh clouds
allowed the bright blue sky tints TO peep
through, giving only hint of the glory
beyond.
But II was not as pleasant when the sun
blazed fiercely, the children grew fidgetty
and inaitentive, and the young teacher be-
came first weary, then-shall we say it.--
cross. Neither was il agreeable, after
teaching all the week, to labor busily on
Saturday which she needed as q day OF
rest. Still our little Jell cooked and
washed dishes. swept and busted, only
occasionally thinking that her two elder
sisters might assist in these duties.
Sweep, sweep, sweep, sup stairs and In
my lady's chamber went the little house
maid Jell, broom and duster in hand, q
sweeping cap covering her brown braids,
on busy Saturday morning. This cap
OF hers was present from Aunt Mary,
who had sent Il, accompanied by Char
acteristic note to the effect that 1t only be-
came cheerful, smiling face, and never
70 wear IL when she Was cross. Wei, II
did become Jell's face this sunny June
day. Smiles fitted over her eountenance
rs ripples break over the smooth surface
" a sun tinted lake. Light OF foot and
light Of heart. che seemed to be theembod-
iment of happiness, as she threw wide
open the heavy ball door, and stepped
blithely forth, sweeping the wide, hospit.
able-looking piazza, and breathing in the
delicious fragrance Of the roses hat strove
to reach thereof. v
An orieIei in the walnut tree was sing
ing as though filled wfth ecstacy ON thfs
beautiful dewy morning He seemed 70
inspire Jeil for sie too lifted g,er voice In
a succession OF Joyous trills, the rival
musicians awakening enhancing sounds
30, doubtless thought gentleman who
arrived at this iancture. and paused, fear.
ing To mar the music. But Jell's quick
ear-scboolma'ams always have them
warned her OF an audience; SO breaking
on short, she faced arennd and beheld the
intruder.
Pardon me for Interrupting the con