Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-22
SCSAN'S MISTAKE.

Among all the trim housemaids in Blooms
bury not one could compare with Susan
BlfHn, who had the privilege OF being a ser
vitor I'm the mansion OF Mr.. JObbins alder
man and tallow- chandler OF the city of Lon
don.
Not only did Susan excel I'm the neatness
OF her dress and the cheerfulness with which
she performed her duties. but she also carried
on the palm with respect TO personal ap-
pearance, as would have been admitted by
any one who observed her pOuting mouth
rudy cheeks, bright, full black eyes and
the pleasant smile which constantly shed
ugnt over her features and helped to en-
nance the charms with which nature had en-
dowed her.
Susan BifTin was an extremely well-con-
uucted girl, and knew more than most peo-
pie In her station OF life, inasmuch as her pa
rents (now dead) had been respecta Die trades
iolk, who in the latter portion of their life
mad 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 advantay yes; now
let US look at the reverse of the me ial. The
pretty housemaid's chief fault was that she
was in love-and desperately, too-a circum-
yerest censure from her mistress who, to
her credit, be il said, took an interest ia her
servants not often manifested by people of
such ran as the wife OF this city magnate.
Mrs. Jobbins had four daughters-mar-
riageable years upon years ago-a1d who as
yet never had the ghost of an offer. Now, of
thing had these vestals fallen In love, and set
their foot firmly on the road which leads to
Hymen' temple, but with young servant
atat twenty IL was a very different matter.
Mrs. Obbins took the affair up warmly, as
did also the vestals alluded to, and persist
emily Informed Susan that If she knew when
sne was well OF she would remain single,
&c; in fact, If possible, the young ladies ex-
pressed greater horror OF matri mOny than
even their mamma and went about the house
declaiming against the perhdy OF mankind
In terms that would have fully qualified
them 10 become shining lights in any society
OF female celioates, although as cook senten-
t1ously remarked In the sacred precincts OF
the kitchen, IF their ma hadn't married Mr.
Jooolns, where on earth would they have
Dem , "A good ioos perhaps, II their ma had
cooks, who also had a sweetheart, IL may
be inferred that the Misses Jobbins were not
quite so well ii ked downstairs" as their
maternal parent.
Perhaps, however, the great reason for Mrs .
Jobbinss dislike 70 SGsan's courtship was
fectiOns upon what Mrs j. termed ssthea-
harlequin.
The intimacy between Susan and her be-
trothed was still young, but on one side, at
least, IL seemed as though h had existed for
years, tnasmuch as Susan was a tender,
DIM fell upon his knees a. the house of a mu-
tual friend, and, with uplifted arms, begged
her to be ''his," she at once yielded him all
the affection her fresh young heart was ca
The harlequin, however, was not Susan's
first sweetheart. Such a neat, pretty girl
among the sons OF the small tradesmen resi-
dent in the neighborhood. The time had
been when Susan had almost determined
upon becoming the wife of an enterprising
young grocer named Perks, who had recently
opened a 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
resulted in a parting. Neither would give
way, and neither would agree 10 the medi-
alton Of third party; so Susan at once re-
turned all the little love-gifts which erks
had lavished upon her.
The jealous young grocer's parting words
were that he hoped she would not make a
mistake, and that he felt she would repent of
her conduct 10 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 Christmastide, and a teacher
OF dancing and calisthenics throughout the
remainder OF the year. Our heroine met hi
nrst at the abode Of married friend, who
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 nth an Importance he
would otherwise not have possessed. He
was decidedly not a good looking man-his
eyes were sunken and fringed with thick
Iashes, and slight moustache failed To hide
the sinister expression OF mis- 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 gentle
man who Tomorrow night would appear be-
fore q crowded audience in q tigilt-fitting
dress covered with spangles, the grace OF
whose dances elected such applause, who
bore the wand which turned everything into
something totally different, aud who ia mped
through shop-windows with an agility that
VafnIW punulafa1 hy QsrsVn nd ant
loon. Herr ktddtni 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 batter and sundry cups OF Tea that
had passed down his cap2ciOuS throat, 80 he
invented a few stories relative to his career
ALWAYS taxing 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 hel
friend the cook (who accompanied herr, that
= Herr kiddini was the principal subject OF
conversation between them throughout the
week.
How great was the astonishment OF both
when. a few DAYS after, a umb-stained let
ter arrived for Miss BIffin, enclosing an
sorder" tor two for the upper boxes at the
theatre at which Kiddini was engaged, and
q greasy half-sheet OF note paper, with the
words "Otto kiddinis compts," scrawlei
tbereoni The receipt of this courtesy de
manded that Susan should, with cooks as
sistance, concoct a letter of thanks to the
great terpsichorean artist The letter tool
some tlIne 20 WIFE, DocduSep as Tue COOK re
marked, IL wouldn't "do 70 be too for'ard OF
yet too distant" However, at last the happy
medium was arrived At, and with many
bushes suffusing her countenance Susan de
spatched via the post-office her first com
munication TO Herr Kiddini. The mex
thing was TO obtain the consent OF Mrs job
bins that they might spend the evenins
together, because Susan declared sh,
wouldn't go without cook, and the latter
wouldn't accept the ticket for herself and
friend on any account whatever. Although
IL was awkward for both 10 be out on the
same evening. Mrs. Us consent was won
and IN the brightest OF bonnets and warnies
ofcloaks the two girls went 10 see the pan
rOruime m xvfairh HQrr Kidiini taax an az