Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-02-25
JFLL,s SWEEPING c4P..

JBLL'S SWEEPING CAP.
Jell was dainty little school
ma'am, brown-eyed, brown-h haired,
with a GINNING dimple in her left
cheek. She had no beauty but her
hair, and this was her glory. Beau
tiful, glossy, abundant, it rippled
down her back almost to the floor.
Jell rejoiced in innocent, girlish pride
whenever fashion allowed her to dis
play this one adornment. Her elder
relatives, grandma and aunties, said
since she had not the beautiful face
of sister Eleanor, nor the finely
nodded figure and graceful. carriage
of Amelia, she must remain an " "old
maid"
Because" said grandma, no one
nowadays. marries for real merit,
but for money or beauty conse-
quently, be content, my dear, to re-
main single and be a comfort to your
parents" laying her soft. wrinkled
hand on Jell's bonnie young head.
She might do worse" said Aunt
Mary, who had just lost husband and
four lovely children.
/" So she might" said Aunt Caro-
line, meditatively threading her
white fingers through Jelps chestnut
locks. "But, if Pm not mistaken,
this brown hair will not want for ad-
mirers."
1t was decided that Jell should be
a school-teacher for Miss Independ-
ence said if she was not to marry,
she preferred beginning to earn her
own living at once.
So this little woman of eighteen was
enthroned in the great armchair be-
longing to ''District No. 8" and right
royalty she reigned over the white
headed little urchins who stumbled
over "b-a, ba," and those of larger
growth, who penetrated the mys-
teries of arithmetic and geography.
1t was pleasant to teach in the spring
time, when all the world seemed wax
ening into newer, brighter life
when the skies were blue, birds sang,
and the apple blossoms drifted down
in snowy wreaths' before the school
room door. Yes, it was pleasant to
sit there all the long moons, dream
ing of the future, which seemed to
promise sweet and good, though pre-
vented, as by thin veil, from show
ing plainly ; just as far-off clouds al
lowed the bright blue sky tints to
peep through, giving only hint of
the glory beyond.
But 1t was not as pleasant when
the sun blazed fercely, the children
grew fdgetty and inattentive, and
the young teacher became first
weary, then-shaA we say it ?-cross.
Neither was it agreeable, after teach
ing all the week, to labor busily on
Saturday, which she needed as 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, "up-stairs
and in my lady's chamber, "went the
little house-maid Jelb broom aud
duster In hapil, a swaepiug-cap scov-
eilRg hee brown bfaids, on a busy
~ morning. This cap of hers
vas present from Aunt Mary, who
had sent it, accompanied by char
acteristie note to the effect that it
only became cheerful, smiling face,
snd never to wear it when she was
cross. Well, it did become Jell's
face this sunny June day. Smiles
fitted over her countenance as rip
pies break over the smooth surface
of a suu-tinted lake. Light of foot
and light Of heart, sue seemed to be
the embodiment of happiness, as she
threw wide open the heavy hall door,
and stepped blithely. forth, sweeping
the wide, hospital-looking piazza,
and breathing in the delicious fra
GRANGE of the roses that strove to
reach the roof.
An oriole in the walnut tree was
singing, as though filed with ecstacy
on this beautiful dewy morning. He
seemed to inspire Jell, for she too
lifted her voice in succession of
Joyous trills, the rival musician awak-
ening enhancing sounds. So, doubt
less, thought gentleman who ar
rived at this juncture and paused,
tearing to mar the music. But Jell's
quick ear = schoolma' ans always
nave; them-warned her of an audi
ence SO, breaking off short, she
faced around and beheld the in
tru1er.
"Pardon me for interruptipp the
concert" said he, removing his bat
"but is this the residence of Mr.
Evans, and is he at home ?"
Yes, sir" said Jell, laying aside
her broom and inviting him in, then
goihg in search of her father, glad
to escape from the room, and vexed
tpEith herself for ever singing, and
with the stranger for listening. For
she knew by the amused look in his
eyes, although he was polite enough
not to smile, that he comprehended
her embarrassment.
Well, it's no matter now /; I'll
never meet him again." quoth wise
little Jell. But at dinner Mr.. Evans
| said his aoIIar of a., - :. = !