Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-03-09
NO19.
JuDlTH's TEMPTATION.

I
iickered on the walls with red fantasti,
reflections. How the tins sparkled
against the wall, and what song oil
welcome the old copper tea-kettle sang
| upon the hearth And Mrs. Stedhurst' I
| 5eraniums in the window, with the
green velvet leaves and spikes of vivid
| scarlet blossoms to Judith they seems
I'd falrer than any conservatory, crowded
tull OF fan palms and camellias and
railing jessamine.
Judith Black had been very poor.
| She had been dressmaker's assistant
but times were hard, and Mrs. Needle
| ham had discharged two.thirds Of her
force, Judith among the nutnber
Judith had striven to get work. but
situations were few and applicants
many. and the cup of starvation had
been periliously close tc her lips whe II
she crept into the intelligence office,
where Edmund Stedhurst saw her and
| engaged her to help his mother about
! the house work.
81 shan't like her, Ned said Mrs.
Stedhurst, when the s:new girl" had
gone up to her room for the night, and
mother and son were together before
/ the kitchen fire.
"Why not, mo,her1"
"She is too pretty and she has such
naughty queenly sort Of way. ]
should as soon think of asking the
Presidents lady to scrub the floor and
feed the pigs.
''Thats nonsense, MOTHER" said Ed
lnund, half vexed, half laughing.
''She can't help her face, can she
/ IL is some of the scraggy, faced, smallr
pox-marked girls, who were so exact
ing as to the wages they should receive
and the duties they were to he called
upon TO perform, that | wouldn't have
EN- in the house OH any terms. Judith
was the only one who was willing TO
GENE for any sort of work, and willing
to accept moderate wages"
"SheIl suit you" said Mr.. Ste1hurst
| who had come in while discussion
was going on. "Take in.f word for it
mother, she'll suit yon.'
Judith Black stayed a month, ant
! tL>n 1s.is. Stedhuist engaged her TO
another month.
''She is neat said the farmers wife
''and she is quick to learn, and l believ,
her to be thoroughly trustworthy
eff only Ned don't fall in love Will
her, humorously suggested Mr.. Sted
hurst
"Why shouldn't he fall in love will
her if be wants p said Mrs. Stedhulsl
valiantly-
S'My dear, my DEAR demonstrated
Mr. Stedhulst, s'what do we know abou
her2h
"What do we know about any girl
for that matter?" said Mrs Stedhurst
"She is certainly very pretty and yer.
faithful, and very honest"
"Honest," put in AR. Stedhurst
dryly, ''because she has no temptation
to be otherwise.
| "Now, Phineas, you are too bad,
said Mrs. Sledhurst, impatienlly. ''I'h'
carrant jelly has never been disturbed
in the closet, and I've left the suga
bowl twice on the dresser with thirty
three Jumps of sugar in it And thirty
three there were, when counted EN-
after she had gone to bed
"No very great temptations those !!
said Mr. Stedhurst, smiling.
/ NO" said his vile, "but straw.
show which way the wind blows
About mouth subsequently to This
conversation Edmund Stedhurst CANT
to his father.
"Fatlisr," said he, Il was twenty
Two years old in October
Eyes said Mrs. Stedhurst, lookius
hard at The end of the awl with which
he was mending his Sunday harness.
"And you were year younger THAI
that when you were married y
IL believe so, Ned"
"Have you any objections to N,
taking wife?'
.:None in the world-if it prove,
that she is the right sort of wife !
answered the old gentleman.
sFathel, have fallen in love Will
Judith Black, confessed Edward.
"Just exactly what have feared al
! along" said Mr.. Stedhurst with shrug
of his shoulders.
! "Why do you use that word feared,
father1' questioned Edmund.
because, my lad, she is almost :
stranger to us.
"Father, would stake my life on
her truth aud honesty cried the young
man.
because You are in love with her
my son! Edmund, look here! Have yot
spoken to her yets'
! .sNot vet, sir.
"Will you do me favora'
MIA .....lx1 n l;ts1, sgIshaf IA.