The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-23
Select Gales.
Wishing to be a Lady.
A STORY FOR GIRLS.

"Come Mamie, child, it is your turn
to-day to take care of the dining-room
Your sister Greta is attending to the work
above stairs, and Bridget is ready for her
orders by this time"
Nannie's face, as she looked up from
the book she was reading, did not express
her usual energetic good humor. Yester.
day she had taken tea with companion
of her own age-a young miss of fourteen,
who knew quite well, as she supposed,
what was proper for lady, and had filed
Nannie's head with ideas that had been
working there ever since.
"Why, mamma, said she, as she reluc.
family took up the cloth to wash the break
fast china, 81 don't see how it is Greta
and must do so much housework; I am
sure papa is able to hire another servant.
And Just look at my hands all red and
ugly; and Bertha Speare says they will
grow uglier and uglier if am kept at
drudgery at the time. Her hands arc
beautiful--and she wears the prettiest
rings She ncuer has to wear calico morn
ing-dresses either.
"Yes, Mamie, | understand oil about
it. Bertha Speare is remarkable well.
informed young lady. Drudgory will never
do for such as you, and she, l see; it is
only fit for mothers and servants. Go up
stairs now and put on your best merino
dress and kid boots, and take down your
curl-papers, and make yourself as fine as
possible"
Mamie looked at her mother. Itwas a
quiet, placid face she saw, but she knew
by its expression that she was in earnest.
Mrs. Lanes children were never mistaken
on that point. Such thing as disobedi-
ence was never thought of when she wore
that look of decision. So Mamie dropped
her mop and went up to her room, won
dering in her heart what her mamma
could mean. She had only thought Of
having little argument with her mother,
Mamie was fond of argument--and she
had been forestalled SO completely that she
was puzzled. But on one thing sho was
clear: she must obey.
After she was dressed-and it took her
much longer than usual to array herself,
for she was rather nervous over it-she
shyly and reluctantly descended to the
dining room. There stood mamma, hay-
ing had the cradle brought in, with the
baby in it asleep. She was washing the
china and talking to Bridget-the one
servant-who had been summoned from
the kitchen.
"You see, Bridget" she was saying
"the marketing has just come in, and
there's the beef to roast, and the caulihow-
er to prepare, and as for the pudding, 1
have had watchful night with Mally, and
shall have to give that up"
Yes, ye do look tired, mum. But,
by yees lave, master was spakin' about the
puddin', and Miss Mamie said she could
make il. a
"Don't you see Miss Mamie is all dress
ed p said mamma, turning round "We'll
have to do without her, too, Bridget"
Bridget gave queer, puzzled look at
Mamie, who had just entered, attired in
best afternoon trim, at nine o'clock in the
morning. "0h, ! ask pardon, " said she,
with her best Irish manners, 81 didn't
know ye were going out. If its going to
the town ye are
"Miss Mamie is not going anywhere"
said mamma, quietly going on with her
work. ''That will do, Bridget"
Bridget knew when she was dismissed,
but she was by no means satisfied eIt's
quare, though" she said to herself, as she
retreated to the kitchen Mistress Lanes
up to something. Yen never see that
look on her when she isn't"
Mrs. Lane was minister's wife--a
country minister, who, having small pri-
yate property Of his own, besides his wife's
still smaller portion, devoted his surplus
money to the poor Of his flock. The min
ister's wife was wise little woman, and
had concluded that in training her daugh-
ters to take their share in household cares,
she was doing service both to the house.
hold generally and to them in particular.
"Besides" she said, "I have the baby, and
can leave him to no other hands; il is
time you begin to relieve me Of such cares
as take my time from him." Asa general
thing both girls had been inclined to con-
cur cheerfully, and took no small pride in
doing well the part assigned them, and in
papas praise Of their thrift
But this morning Mamie had rebelled,
aud Mrs. Lane always met rebellion prompt
lv Sha now trrnad IN MAMMA m;lb ko,.