Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-01-13
SUSAN'S MISTAKE.


AMONG all the trim housemaids in Blooms
hpry not one could compare with Susan BIZ
In who had the privilege Of being servitor
IN the mansion OF Mr.. Jobbins, Alderman and
tsIlow-chandler. Of the city of London.
Not only did Susan excel In the neatness OF
her dress and the cheerfulDess with which
she performed her duties, but she also carried
aft the palm with respect to personal appear
snce 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 hght
aver her features and helped TO enhance the
charms with which nature had endowed her.
Susan Biffin was an extremely well-con-
ducted girl and knew more than most people
In her station of life. inasmuch as her parents
fnow dead) had been respectable tradeslolk
who, in the latter portion OF their life, had
fallen into difficulties, but had taken care
mat, despite the wrecking of their worldly
prospects, the education of their only child
should not be neglected.
Thus much for Susan's advantages; now
let us look at the reverse Of the medal. The
nretty housemaid's chief fault was that she
was in love-apd desperately. too-a circum-
stance which, Of course, called forth the Sc
yerest censure from her mistress, who, to her
credit be il said, took an interest in her sery-
ants not often manifested by people Of such
rank as the wife OF this city magnate.
Mrs. Jobbins had four daughters-mar-
riageable wears upon years ago, and who, as
yet, never had the ghost OF an offer. NOW,
of course II would have been commendable
thing had these yestals fallen In love and set
their foot firmly on the road which leads to
Uymen,s temple; but with young servant
ptat. twenty 1t was very different matter
Mrs. Jobbins took the affair up warmly, as
did also the vestals alluded TO, and persistent
~ informed Susan that II she knew when she
was well off she would remain single, etc. !:
In fact, II possible, the young ladies expressed
a greater horror OF mHtrimony than even
their mamma and went about the house DE-
claiming against the perhdy OF mankind Ia
terms that would have fully qualified them
To become shining lights In any society oil fe-
male celibates, although, as cook sententlous-
Iy remarked In the sacred precincts OF the
Kitchen, "If their ma hadn't married Mr..
Johbins. where on earth would they have
been? good job, perhaps, II their ma had
remained single" From this remark OF
cooks, who also had sweetheart, 1T may be
inferred tina. the Misses Jobbins were not
quite so well liked "down -stairs' as their ma
ternal parent.
Perhaps, howeve-, the great reason for Mrs.
Jcbbins' dislike TO Susan's courtsbip was that
the pretty housemaid had fixed her affections
upon what Mrs. j. termed theatrical, but
what Susan always spoke Of as harlequin.
The intimacy between Susan and her be-
trothed was still young, but on one side, at
least IL seemed AS though II had existed for
years inasmuch as Susan was tender,
sympathetic creature; and when Herr Kid
dinifel upon his knees at the house OF
mutual friend, and, with uplifted arms,
begged her to be "his," she at once yielded
him all the affection her fresh, young heart
was capable OF bestowing.
The harlequin, however, was not Susan .
first sweetheart Such a neat, pretty girl
could not fall TO have plenty OF admirers
among the sons OF the small tradesmen
resident In the neigbborhood. The time had
been when Susan had almost determined
uIon becoming the wife OF an cnterprising
young grocer named Perks, who had recently
opened business Of his own and was said to
be thriving.
susan really liked Perks, but the roseate
bues OF courtship were darkened by some
trumpery lovers quarrel, and as Susan said
rerlss we In tho wrong, and Perks declared
that Susan was entirely at fault, the affair re.
suited In parting Neither would give way.
and neither would agree to the mediation OF
third party; SO Susan at once returned all
the little love gifts which Perks had iayished
upon her
The Jealous young grocer's parting words
were that he hoped che would not make a
mistake, and that he felt she would repent OF
her conduct to 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 teacher Of
dancing and ealisihenics throughout the re-
mainder OF the year. Our heroine met him
first at the abode Of a married friend, who
had once been a felow-servant In the job
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 with an Importance he
would otherwise not have possessed. He
was decidedly not q good-looking man-his
eyes were Hunken and fringed with thick
lashes, and q slight mustache failed to hide
the sinister expression Of his mouth. But the
fact OF his being ION the stage" blinded
Susan and susan's friends 10 everything else.
Here they were ut tea with the gentleman
who tomorrow night would appear before
crowded audience, In q tight-fttiDg dress
covered with spangies, the grace oil whose
dances elected such applause, who bore the
wand which turned everything into some.
thing totally different, and who jumped
through shop windows with an agility that
was vainiy emulated by clown and pantaloon.
Herr kiddini was a moody man not given 10
much conversation; still he had sense enough
70 perceive that something was expected OF
him after the numerous slices OF bread and
butter and sundry cups OF tea that had passed
down his capacious throat, so be invented
lew stories relative to his career always TAX
Ing care that he should appear in the most
W uBnt@. anu ere Tue tstHlhR Httu
closed he had so far succeeded in winning tho
goodwill Of Susan and her friend the cook
twho accompanied herr that Herr kiddini
was the principal subject OF conversation be.
tween them throughout the week.
How great was the establishment OF both
Mhen, few days after, thumb-stained let
Ter arrived for Miss Biffin, irclosfng an "or-
GER for two for the upper boxes ut the
theater at which Kiddini was engaged, and 2,
greasy halfshect Of note-paper. with the
words lotto Kiddini's ccmpts" scrawled
thereon! The receipt Of this courtesy de-
nanded that Susan should, with cooks as
sastanee, coneoct letter OF thanks TO the
great terpsichorean artist. The letter took
some TINE TO write, because, as the cook re-
marked. II wouldn't "do 10 be too tor'ard or