The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-01-13
SCSAN'S MISTAKE.


in the mansion of Mr.. Jobbins, Alderman and
tallow-chandlcr, of the city of London.
Not only did Susan excel in the neatness OF
her dress and the cheerfu!ness with which
she performed her duties, but che also carried
off the palm with respect to personal appear
one who observed her pouting mouth, ruddy
cheeks, bright, full, black eyes, and the
pleasant smile which constantly shed light
over her features and helped to enhance the
charms with which nature had endowed her.
Susan Btfin was an extremely wcll-con-
Quoted girl and knew more than most people
in her station of life, inasmuch rs her parents
(now dcadl had been respect ,ble tradesfolk
who, in the latter portion of their life, had
fallen into difficulties, but had taken care
that, despite the wrecking of their worldly
prospects, the education of their only child
should not be neglected.
Thus much for Susan's advantages; now
let us look at the reverse of the medal The
pretty housemaid's chief fault was that she
was in love-and desperately, too-a circum-
stance which, of course, called forth the Sc
verest censure from her mistress, who, to her
credit be it said, took an interest in her serv-
ants not often manifested by people of such
rank as the wife of this city magnate.
Mrs. Johbins had four daughters-mar-
rlageable years upon years ago, ard who, as
yet, never had the ghost of an offer. Now,
of course, it would have been commendable
thing hal these vestals fallen in love and set
their foot firmly on the road which leads to
Hymen's temple; but with young servant
Tfht. twenty it was very different matter.
Mrs. Johbns took the affair up warmly, as
did also the vestals alluded to, and persistent
" Informed Susan that if she knew when she
was we'll off she would remain single, etc
in fact, if possible, the young ladies expressed
a greater horror of matrimony than even
their mamma, and went about the house de-
claiming against the per6dy of mankind i'll
terms that would have fully qualified them
to become shining lights in any society OF fe-
male cefihstes, although, as cook sententious-
~ remarked in the sacred precincts of the
kitchen: IF their ma hadn't married Mr..
JObbns, where on earth would they have
been? \ good job, perhaps, if their ma had
remained single From this remark of
cooks, who also had sweetheart, it may be
inferred that the Misses Jobbins were not
quite so well liked "down-stairs" as their ma
ternal parent.
Perhaps, however, the great reason for Mrs.
Jobbins' dislike to Susau's courtship was that
the pretty h0usemaid had fixed her affections
upon what Mrs. ]. termed theatrical" but
what Susan always spoke Of as harlequin.
The intimacy between Susan and her be-
trothed was still young, but on one side, at
least, it seemed as though it had existed for
years, inasmuch as Susan was tender,
sympathetic creature; and when Herr Kid
DIM fell upon his knees at the house of a
mutual friend, and, with uplifted arms,
begged her to be "his,' she at once yielded
him all the affection her fresh, young heart
was capable Of bcstowing.
The harlequin, however, was not Susan's
first sweetheart. Such neat, pretty girl
could not fail to have plenty of admirers
among the sons of the small tradesmen
resident in the ncighborhood. The time had
been when Susan had almost determined
upon becoming the wife of an enterprising
young gracer named Perks, who had recently
opened business of his own and was said to
be thriving.
Susan really liked Perks, but the roseate
hues OF courtship were darkened by some
trumpery lovers quarrel, and as Susan said
Perks was in the wrong, and Perks declared
that Susan was entirely at fault the affair re.
suited in parting. Neither would give way.
and neither would agree to the mediation OF
a third party; SO Susan at once returned all
tn" little love gifts which Perks had lavished
upon her.
Inc Jealous young grocer's parting words
were that he hoped che would not make a
mistake, and that he felt she would repent Of
her conduct to him; to which Susan disdain-
fully tossed her head and turned away. Thus
ended one love episode in the pretty house
maids life.
Herr kiddini was. as Susan had stated, a
harlequin at Christnastide and teacher of
dancing ard calsthenics throughout the re-
mainder of the year. Our heroine met him
first at the abode of a married friend, who
had once been a fellow-servant in the job
bins mansion, and that spirit of curiosity
which seems to be excited by all who are in
any way occupied before the footlights in
vested Herr Kiddini with an Importance he
would otherwise not have possessed. He
was decidedly not goodlooking man-his
eyes were sunken and fringed with thick
lashes, and slight mustache failed to hide
the sinister expression OF his mouth. But the
fact of his being ION the stage" blinded
Susan and Susan's friends to everything else.
Here they were at tea with the gentleman
who tomorrow night would appear before a
crowded audience, in a tight-ftting dress
covered with spangles, the grace of whose
dances ELECTED such applause, who bore the
thing totally different, and who jumped
through shop windows with an agility that
was vainly emulated by clown and pantsloon.
Herr kiddini was moody man not given to
much conversation; still he had sense enough
to perceive that something was expected Of
him after the numerous slices of bread and
butter and sundry cups of tea that had passed
down his capacious throat, SO he invented q
few stories relative to his career, always TAX
ing care that he should appear in the most
favorable OF lights; and ere the evening had
closed he had SO far succeeded in winning the
goodwill Of Susan and her friend the cook
(who accompanied herr that Herr Kiddni
was the principal subject of conversation be.
tween them throughout the week.
How great was the astonishment of both
when, few days after. a thumb stained let
ter arrived for Miss Biflin, irclosiDg an cor
DER for two for the upper boxes at the
theater at which Kiddini was engaged, and E.
greasy half sheet Of note-paper. with the
words lotto Kiddinis ccmpts, scrawled
thereon! The rpppipt nj IL,
manded that Susan should, with cooks as
sistance, concoct letter of thanks to the
great terpsichorean artist. The letter took
some time to write, because, as the cook re.
marked, it wouldn't lido to be too for'ard or
yet too distant" However, at last the hap
Ply medium was arrived at, and with many
bushes suffusing her countenance Susan dis
patched ria the postofffce her Rrst communi-
Gallon to Herr KiddiDi. The next thing was
to obtain the consent of Mrs. Jobbins that
they might spend the evening together, be-
cause Susan declared she wouldn't 60 with
out cock, and the latter wouldn't accept the
ticket for herself and a friend on any account
whatever. Although it was awkward for both
TO be out on the same evening, Mrs. J.'s con-
sent was won, and in the brightest of bon
nets and warmest OF cloaks the two girls
went 10 see the pantOmime in which Herr
klddini took such an active part. Prosperity
had not shed its golden rays upon the theater
VI iaCe anu there was plenty OF paper" to
be had, SO that when Susan and cook took
their seats in the stuffy upper boxes and
looked around them they were not so dis
concerted as might have been the case if
money and not 'orders" had prevailed. The
pantomime was played first that evening, so
that the girls we're not kept long
upon the tenter-hooks Of expectancy.
Inc opening" seemed rather long; but
there is an end to everything, and at
length the lamps were lowered for the
carpenters scene," which was to usher in
the glor es Of the transformation. The usual
bevy Of ftiries appeared suspended In the air,
there We're the customary banks Of impossi-
ored fires. Then Kiddini in his parti-cOlored
harlequin dress bounded upon the stage. the
very pe. lection Of grace and agility-at least
90 whispered Susan to cook, who nodded
acknowledgement throughout the rest Of the
peEfoi nanse he was to them the only object