Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-02-11
Selected Nlisfellanp
JUDITH'S TEMPTATION.

How bright and cheerful the kitchen
of the old Stedhurst farmhouse looked to
Judith Black upon the dreary December
evening when she first came there to
live. How merrily the fire fickcred on
the walls with red fantastic reflections
How the tins sparkled against the wall,
and what song of welcome the old cop
per tea-kettle sang upon the hearth.
And Mrs. Stedhursts geraniums in the
window, with the green velvet leaves and
spikes of vivid scarlet bossons-to
Judith they seemed fairer than any con-
servatory, crowded full of fan palms and
camelias and trailing jessamine.
Judith Black had been very poor.
She had been a Gressmakcr's assistant,
but times were hard, and Mrs Needle
ham had discharged two-thirds of her
force, Judith among the number. Judith
had striven to get work, but situations
were few and applicants many, and the
cup of starvation had been pcriiously
close to her lips when she crcpt into the
intelligence Office where Edmund Sted-
hurst saw her and engaged her to help
| his mother about the house work.
Il shan't like her, Ned" said Mrs
Stedhurst, when the new girr' had
gone up to her own room for the night.
land mother and son were together before
the kitchen fire.
why not, mother p
"She is too pretty; and she has such
a naughty, queenly sort of way |
should as soon think of asking the Prcsi.
dents lady to scrub the floor and feed
the pigs"
That's nonsense, mother" said
Edmund. half vexed, half laughing
She can't bel Up her face, can she? L
is some Of the scraggyfaced, smallpox.
marked girls, who were so exactng a,
to the wages they should receive and tn,
duties they were to be called upon t.
perform. that | wouldn't have'cm in tho
house on any terms. judith was thu
on " one who was willing to come fo
any sort of work, and willing to accep
moderate wages"
She'll suit 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 month, and
then Mrs. Stedhurst engaged her fol
another month.
'Sbe is neat" said the farmers wife
"and she is quick to learn, and / be-
lievc her to be thoroughly Trustworthy .
eff only Ned don't fall in love with
her" humorously suggested Mr.. Stcd-
! hurst
why shouldn't he fall in love with
her if he wants p said Mrs. Stedhurst,
yaliantly.
"My dear, my DEAR" demonstrated
Mr.. Stedhurst, what do We know about
her p
''What do we know about any girl,
for that matter ?" said Mrs. Stedhurst.
She is certainly very pretty, and very
faithful, and very honest
Honest" put in Mr. Stedhurst, dry
ly, because she has no temptation to be
otherwise"
Now, Phineas, you are too bad,
said Mrs. Stedhurst, impatiently The
currant jelly has never been disturbed
in the closet, and I've left the sugar
bowl twice on the dresser with thirty
three Jumps of sugar in it. And
tbirty-three there were. when | count
EDEN after she had gone to bed"
mo very great temptations those :"
said Mr. Stedhurst, smiling
NO." said his wife "but straws
show which way the wind blows"
About month subsequently to this
conversation Edmund Stedhurst came to
his father.
Father" said he. II was twenty
two years old in October"
Yes" said Mr. Stedhurst, looking
bard at the end of the awl with which
he was mending bis Sunday harness.
And you were year younger than
that when you were married p
Il believe so, Ned"
Have you any objection to my taking
a wife p
"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 Ed,nunJ