South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-09-08
Wishing to Be a Lady.
A CHAPTER FROM REAL arr.

"oth aooNe stairs, and bridget is ready
for her orders by this time
Nannie's face, as she looked ND from
the book she was reading, did not ex.
press her usual energetic COOL humor.
Yesterday she had taken tea with a com.
panion OF her own aye-a young miss Of
fourteen. who knew quite we'll, as she
supposed, what was proper for n lady.
and had filled Nannic's head with ideas
that had been working there ever since.
why. mamma" said she, as she re-
luctantly took up the cloth to wash the
breakfast china, II don't see how il is
that Grcta and I must do so much house.
work; l am sure papa is able to hire
another servant. And just look at nv
hands all red and ugly; and Bertha
Speare says they will grow uglier AID
uglier il | am kept at drudgery all the
time. Her hands are beautiful - and she
wears the prettiest rings! Shenerer has
to wear calico morning dresses either"
Yes, Mamie. understand all about
1t. Bertha Speare is q remarkably well.
informed young lady. Drudgery will
never do for such as You and she, see
it is only fit for mothers and servants.
Go up s'airs now and put on your best
merino dress aud kid boots, and take
down your curl-papers. and make your
self as fine as possible
Mamie looked at her mother II was
quiet, placid face she saw, but she
knew by its expression that she was in
earnest. Mrs. Lane children were new.
er mistaken on that point. Such thing
as disobedience was never thought OF
Vr no ha 10, L. 4
SO Mamie dropped her mop aud went
up to her room, wondering in her heart
what her mamma could mean. She had
only thought of having q 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 sh, was clear; she
must obey.
After she was drcssed-and il took her
much longer than usual 10 array herself,
for she was rather nervous over it.-shc
shyly and reluctantly descended TO tho
dinlng-room. There stood mamma. hav.
ing had the cradle brought in. with the
baby in it asleep. She was washing the
china and talking to Bridgct-the one
servant, who had been summoned from
tho kitchen
"You see, Bridget" she was saying.
the marketing has just com; il, and
there's the beef to roast, and the cauli.
Hover to prepare, and as for the pull.
ding, have had a watchful night with
Mally, and shall have 20 give that up"
Yes, We do look tired, mum But,
by yer lave, master was spakin' about
the puddin', and Miss Mamie she said
she could make it,"
Don't You sec Miss Mamie is all
dresscd?" said mamma, turning round.
Well have to do without her. too,
Bridget
Bridget gave queer, puzzled look q;
Mamie, who had just entered. attircd in
best afternoon trim ut nine o'clock i'm
the morning. "Oh, ask pardon" sail
she, with her best Irish manners, IL
didn't know yc were going out. If It's
going TO the town We are -
Miss Mamie is not going anywhere"
said mamma. quietly going on with her
work. That will do, Bridget"
Bridget knew when she was dismiss.
cd, but she was by no means satisfied.
"iCs quare, though she said to herself.
as she rctreated TO the kitchen: "Mis.
tress Lanes up TO something. Yell new
er see that look on her when she isn't"
Mrs. Lane was minister's wire-a
country minister, who, having n small
private property Of his own, besides his
wife's still smaller portion, devoted his
surplus money TO the poor Of his flock.
The ministers wife was wise little wo.
man, and had concluded that in train.
ing her daughters TO take their share in
household cares. she was doing service
both to the household generally and TO
them in particular. Besides" she said
II have the baby, and can leave him 20
no other hands; it is time YOU began to
relieve inc Of such cares IA take ms time
from him. As n general thing, both
girls had been inclined TO concur cheer.
fully. and took no small pride in doing
well the part assigned them. and in pa.
pas praise OF their thrift.
But this morning Mamie had rcbclled.
and Mrs Lane always met rebellion
promptly. She now turned To Mamie.
with her sweetest smile. and said -
You look very smart and lady like.
daughter. Now 20 into tho parlor; this
is no place for you. dressed as Won are.
Go in and amusc yourself as YOU like
best"
But, mamma - said Mamie. blush.
Ing deep with modification. II didn't
mean
oh. my dear couldn't suppose YOU
would say what you did not mean lou
shall not spoil your hands. my love. and
YOU shall not wear calico wrappers n
YOU do not wish 10. Yousare onite As
worthy to he a lady hope. as Bertha
Spcarc. sit down and make Yourself
comfortable"
Greta was busting the parlor. and
mamma Waylaid her. Run. Grcta"
said she, and fetch your sister that
tootstool. and turn on litsle moro heat.
That will do. Are You quite comfort.
able now2"
What could poor Mamie do but saw.
Yes, IN the most feeble way. thouGh
IN one sense she had never felt go nm
comfortable in her life. She took up a
book, more 70 hide her bushes than 20
read but the letters had q vvev ~ r,,,-