Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-03-24

| nau nOtlOn OF becoming u Teacher. n
woman in need always tries TO teach pro-
fessionally, and hor desire in that direction
is in exact ratio to her inability. l could
draw tolerably well, and, though l had lit
tie knowledge OF thorough base or counter
point, could sing or play music at sight
aud was dextrous performer on the piano
forte. II l could get scholars in music or
drawing, or a situation in some school,
could do very well. So found a cheap
boarding house, with the rector's recon-
mendalion, put modest advertisement in
the Herald, and waited.
But no note came requesting my services,
and no pupils inquired for Miss Norman.
| My full name was Florence Elizabeth Nor
man Grey; but had dropped the first and
| last part of it. Norman was the name of an
old college mate of my father. and Flor
ence had been given me afler his sister,
whose christening gifl-a silver mug-I
still retained. l waited, however, patient
ly, until 1 was reduced 10 my last ten dol
| lar bill, and then 1 set down diligently 10
study the advertisements in the Herald,
thinking If the mountain would not come
| 10 me, II was about time should 20 10 the
mountain.
skipped the shop girl list. Not that
had the slightest objection 10 remain all
day and simper, and look insolently at GUS
toners and throw back my head, and tap
the counter with my pencil, and cry out
"k e-ydiSh ~ at the proper intervals; but l
knew that should have to stand all day
on my feet, my taskmaster not caring that
he is Staying his unhappy slaves in insist
ing on that wearying position. Laudanum
would furnish cheaper mode OF taking
ones life, and bo less painful. Companion
TO an elderly lady was more enticing, but
TO be snarled at and nngged by my employ
er, and suspected by a tribe of nephews
and nieces of vague designs on the family
estate, was not pleasant thing to think Of,
much less 10 endure. But 1 ran Trough
all the advertisements without seeing any
thing. l turned to the servants column,
enphatically headed, "Help wanted-fe.
males and amused myself with The style
used 10 express the wants and desires OF
employees. The following arrested my at
tention:
"WANTED, in a family of one, with Il
chambermaid employed, young woman
for general housework. An American girl,
even II inexperienced, preferred. Wages
ample, and treatment according 10 con-
duct"
Then followed the address.
read ii twice over. Should apply for
this situation-a hOusemaidi Why not2
had experience enough, "wages ample" to
say nothing of good food, comfortable lodg-
iugs, and no care for til e"ways and means"
OF the house. At all events, determined
10 try il.
dressed myself in the plalnest OF my
few gowns, smoothed down as much as pos
sible my rebellious curly hair, substituted
plain linen collar and cuffs for lace adorn-
ments-part of poor mothers preserved
iinery- carefully removed a couple of rose
buds from my shred Of a bonnet, and set
out for No. 32i North street. When l arriv-
ed there, 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. l picked up
courage, and gave the bell pull timid jerk.
No one answering for n bit, l made up my
mind TO so; but just then the door sudden
ly opened, and a girl, with an i'll fitting
dress hanging loosely from her body, and
a very i'll humored expression of couute-
nance, stood in the aperture.
"WellS ?" she asked, sharply.
"Is Mrs. Dartnell at homer"
81 s'pose she be-" was the answer. "Come
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 little cared for. There was
Ia rye 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 ornaments, on the brio a-brac trash
here and there-confusion and untidiness
everywhere. l had merely time 10 note
this when an old lady, in n black alpaca
gown, so neat in person as TO show a mark
ed contrast 10 her surroundings, entered.
"What can do for you, Miss NormanP"
she asked.
"Beity Norman, if you please" replied.
81 have come to see about the place.
"The place "-and a suspicious shadow
crossed her face. She looked at me keenly,
and then took hold of one of my hands.
"This does not look as If it were used to
house work."
at Is, for all that" 1 answered land If
you try 1t, you will find it 10 be willing
and experienced hand"
"Where have you seryedH What is your
reference2"
81 have served at home. l Lave never
lived out, but l understand all about il.
Try meF' 1 exclaimed, desperately, for my
chances seemed slipping away.
"Sit down, ehild-you look tired. There
-you have never lived out before. You
have history; what is itH"
hesitated at first but there was some-
thing motherly in her face, aud told her
all-all except my true name, and even
mentioned that I had dropped part of
that, but what was left was legitimately
mine.
81 will try you," she said, at length /;
"but warn you that am at times very
disagreeable. fractious old woman-very
apt TO find fault You may not like me as
well as am disposed to like you"
at is not my business, Mrs. Dartnell, 10
like or dislike, but to serve you. If you
find fault for good reason, shall endeavor
to amendi If you find fault without occa-
sion, shall try TO bear it,"
"What wages do you expect? ?"
whatever is customary. don't know
hat is given usually"
at is easy to see that you're not accus-
toned to service. l gave my last girl four
teen dollars per month, and allowed her
every Sunday out."
1.-THE wages will do. madame: and. as for