The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-12-02

How bright and cheerful the kitchen
of the old Stedhurst farmhouse looked
to Judith Black upon the dreary De
cember evening when she first came
there to live How merrily the fire
tiickered on the walls with red, fantastic
reflections How the tins sparkled
against the wall, and what song OF
welcome the old copper tea-kettle sang
upon the hearth. And Mrs. Stedhnrsts
ceraninms in the window, with their
velvet leaves and spikes of vivid scarlet
blossoms-to Judith they seemed falrer
than any conservatory, crowded full OF
fan palms and camellias and trailing jes-
samine.
Judith Black had been very poor.
She had been dressmaker, but times
were very hard. She had striven to Get
work. but applicants were many, and
the cup of starvation had been peril
ously close to her lips when she crept
into the Office where Edward Stedhurst
saw her. and engaged her to help his
mother about the homework.
Il shant like her, Ned" said Mrs.
Stedhurst. when the "new girl had
gone up to her own room for the night,
and mother and son were together be-
fore the kitchen fire
"Whv not, mother ,"
shes too pretty and she has such
a naughty. queenly sort of way. l
shouldn't think of asking lady to SCRUB
the floor and feed the pigs"
.Thats nonsense, mother" said Ed
ward, half vexcd, half laughing. "She
can't help her face, can she 1t is some
of the scraggy faced, small-poX-marked
girls who were so eXactlng as to the
wages they would receive and the duties
they would he called upon to perform,
that / wouldn't have 'em in the house
on any terms. Judith was the only one
who was willing to come for any sort OF
work, and willing to accept moderate
wages.
'.She'll snit you, said Mr.. Stedhurst
who had come in while the discussion
was going on. Take my word for it,
mother, she'll suit YOU
Judith Black stayed for month, and
then Mrs. Stcdhurst engaged her for
another month.
"She is neat, said the lady, and she
is quick to learn, and believe her to
be thoroughly trustworthy.
"lf only Ned don't fall in love with
her" humorously suggested Mr.. Sted-
hurst.
why shouldn't he fall in love with
her, if he wants TOP SAID Mrs. Sted-
hurst. valiantly.
MY dear, my dear demonstrated
Mr.. Stedhurst, what do You know
about herr
"Wnat do we know about any girl,
for that matter sad Mrs. Stedhurst.
"Shc is certainly very pretty, and very
faithful. aud very honest.
Honest" put i'll Mr. Stedhurst
drvlv. "because she has no temptation
to he otherwise.
"Now, Phineas, you are too bad.
said Ms Stclhurst, impatlently. The
currant Jelly has never been disturbed
in the closet, and | have left the sugar
bowl twice ON the dresser with thirty
three Jumps of sugar III it. and thirty
three there We're. and l counted them
after she had gone to bed.
Not very great temptations. those,
said Mr.. SiedhurSt. smiling.
No" said his wife, but straws show
which way the wind blows"
About month subsequently to this
conversation, Edward StedhurSt came
to his father.
Father" said he. Il WAS twenty-one
wears old III October.
YES, said NJ. s,tedhurst.
And you were IL year younger than
that when YOU were married ?
II believe so. Ned.
Have you any objections to my tax
ing Il wife,
None in the world-if it proves that
she is the right sort of wife, an
swered the old gentleman.
Father, have fallen in love with
Judith Black" confessed Edward.
Just exactly what l have feared all
along said Mr.. Stedhurst, with shrug
of his shoulders.
"Why do you use the word feared,
father?" questioned Edward.
Because, my lad, she is almost a
stranger to us
Father, / would stake my life on her
ruth and honesty said the young
..n 800, o~., -, Iowa with her