The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-11-28
Judith's Temptation.

How bright aud cheerful the kitchen
Of the old Stedhurst farm house looked
to Judith Black upon the dreary De
comber evening when she first came
there Ia live How merrily the fire
fickered on the walls with red. fantas-
tic reflections How the tins sparkled
against the wall and what "A song of
welcome the old copper tea-kettle sang
upon the hearth And Mrs. Sted-
hursts geraniums in the window, with
their velvet leaves and spikes IF vivid
scarlet blossoms-to Judith they seemed
fairer tnan any conservatory. crowded
full Of fan palms aud cafnelias and
trailing lessamlne
Judith Black bad been very poor
She had been n dressrnaker, but times
were hard. She had striyen 10 get
work, but applicants were many. and
the cup of starvation had been peril
ously close to her lips when she crept
inte the office where Edward Stedhurst
saw .,or. and engaged her to help his
mother about the housework
II shan't like her. Ned. said Mrs
Stedhurst, when the "new girl" had
gone To her own room for the night
and mother and son were together be-
fore the kitchen fire.
Why not, mother
She is too pretty; and she has such
a naughty .qneenly sort at WAY.
shouldn't think Of asking lady TO
scrub the floor and feed the pigs
That's nonsense. mother" said
Edward, balf-yexed. balf-laua hing
''She can, help her face. can she Il
is some Of the scraggy faced. small -pox
marked girls who were so exacting as
~ the wages they would receive and
the duties they would be clllci upon
10 perform. that wouldn't have 'em in
the house on any terms. Judith was
the only Que who was willing TO come
for any sort of work, aud willing to ac-
cept moderate wages
She'll sui, 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 a month.
and then Mrs stedhnrst engaged her
for another month
"She is neat" said the lady. and
she is quick to learn. and believe her
10 he thoroughly Trustworthy"
III only Ned don't fall in lova with
her" bumorously suggested Mr. Sted-
hurst,
why shouldn't lie fall in love with
her il h. wants 10 = said Mrs Sted-
hurst. valliantly
MY dear. my dear" demonstrated
Mr.. stedhurst what 10 you know
about her
What do you know about any girl,
for that matter I" said Mr.. Stedhurst
she - certainly very pretty, and very
faithful, and very honest.
Honest pat in Mr.. S,eihurst,
dry.y, because she has no temptation
10 ~ otherwise
Now, Phiuess. you arc too oad. "
said Mrs ~Stedhurst, impatiently
The eurreu; jelly has never been dis
tarhsed in the closet, and have left the
sugar bcwl twice ou the dresser with
thirty three Jumps of sugar in Il. and
thirty three there were. and counted
Austu AiA1E SiN ttAtt NNtsN 80 hsa
Not very great temptations those. "
said Mr. StciLurst. smiling
No" said hiS wife, hut s,rsws
show which way the wind blows"
About = month subsequently 10 this
conversation. Edward Steihurss came
- bis father.
Father" said be Il ~as twenty one
wears old IN October"
YES" said Mr.. Ste,ihars,
ADD yoa were year younger than
that when you were married
Il believe 81. Ned
Have you Auy shlect'on to my TAX
ing a wife =
Meme in the world # IL proves
tha, she il the right sort ot a w.ts'
ans~ere3 the oli gentleman.
Father. am 10 love With Judith
Black. Confessed Edward
jus; exactly what have feared s.l
along >Aii NJ Steihurst. with a
shrug of his shoulders
Nv by d. you use the word icaye,i
father >" ,aues-tsua.f Sffu@ri