St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-02-16

room myself directed her to the meal
and hominy bins, to the spice boxes,
tea chest, coffee bag, and unlocked the
great closet where the pickles, mangOes,
and iellies were stored. Then l told
her at what hour 1 would come to the
store room with her in the evening for
supper and breakfast, and in the morn
ing for dinner.
"When / can not come myself l will
send Crecy," | said, as carelessly as l
could.
A smile of bitter meaning curved her
lip. "You heard that l was a thief,
also, Madame 2"
at has been my custom to trust the
keys to no one but Crecy," l said coldly
-''she is of proven honesty"
"And | am-whatever you please to
think me-" she said, in an under-tOne.
'.Is this the barrel of brown sugar ?"
"No. That is sweet crackers, and
the next is rice; the sugars are on the
other side ;" and so we came out of the
store room after she had filled her
measures.
In the morning Crecy said to me:
'Miss Nelia, did you glib Therese
sweet crackers for the children yester-
day ?"
''No, did not"
"There was dozen or so at the bot
tom of the meal measure. She said the
mistress glib 'em for the children"
l watched he1 the day following, but
could not discover that she took any
thing not ordered. The same report
reached me about the crackers.
I
ture,' as you call her-well she is superb
but she steals, before my eyes even.
| really believe she does it because S 3
saw l would not trust her,"
"You are doubtless right. She steals
to revenge herself on you for your sus-
picions of her. l believe if she were
trusted she would prove trust worthy.
Have you asked her more about her
self yet ?"
eyes, | asked many questions.
find she was born in "a French West
Indian island, that she went to France
with her young mistress, where the
young lady went to complete her edu-
cation. Afterward they went to Eng
land, where the young lady married.
Finally the family returned to the
island, but in embarrassed circum-
stances, and Therese passed into the
possession of the uncle of the young
lady whom she had served as maid.
In this household she acquired her won
derful skill in the cuisine from an old
French cook still in possession of his
office, though too feeble for the full
performance of its duties. There, too,
She married the confidential servant of
the master, quadroon, who had trav-
eled great deal in Europe, and who
acted now as the planters man of bust
ness. Therese's children were born
here, with two others who died. The
family ruin came to this household also,
and broke the old mans heart. After
his death the estate was divided, the
negroes sold Il trader purchased
Therese and her children, and brought
them to this country, where she in time
became the property of Mr.. Scranton.
The husband was carried off to some
other island, st. Thomas, / believe.
And this is the story which you and
can fill up as we study her peculiari-
tieS.n
"This accounts for her accomplish
ments. have heard that she can read
and write; that she can embrOider, and
that she has even something of musical
talent and cultivation. She is as good
lady's maid, as good child's nurse-'
"Oh, she could never be intended 10y
nature for that ~ l said, hastily, and
my healt sank within me, remembering
the dainty care | had given personally
and always, to the little child whom
had laid in the grave after few months
of beautiful life.
Weeks went by. There was not a
jar in my household arrangements
guests came and went with little more
care on my part than if | were enter
tanning them at hotel. Then my hus.
band, fully satisfied with the menage
went off on his contemplated journey
his sister, too, was absent on visit
and | was quite alone. My dressing
room window opened into a garden,
separated only by Il kind of hedge made
of peach trees, cut off low, and kept
broad and fiat, for drying and bleaching
clothes from the large laundry yard o.
which / have spoken. Into this the
pastry room opened, with door on the
opposite side opening toward the COO
spring house. | walked out near tC
this hedge, apparently examing some
fine hyacinths, but in reality more in
terested in watching through openings
in the thicket the play of Philippe ant
Ettie. The boy was as graceful, an(
as well-bred even, in the abandon o
his sport as gentleman's son. Wei
might the mother of such children cling
to them with the idolatry which poo
Therese showed.
Suddenly loud tones arrested my at
tention, and, looking up, l saw Harry
who was an old, perverse, and opinion
ated man, standing by the pastry table
one hand Oh the slab, and one uset
menacingly near the face of Therese
AS looked she stepped back with he
arm raised, gesture equal to that wit
which Grisi reproaches and threaten
her false Roman lord in "NOrma."
The old man made dextrous retrea
into the yard. A torrent of invectiv,
in French and English followed him
and then / saw Therese turn toward
door that led through corridor int
the house. Before she could reach m
room l was in it and had locked tn
door. / had no fancy for the seen
woman in her rage, though | fel
, obliged to hear what she had to say.
She came through the hall steppin
heavily, as if with the might Of he
passion, and knocked at my door.
, "Well, what is wanted ?"
! ~ would like to speak to yO
. Madame"
"Say now what you have to say
l Therese. ] don't wish to open III
r door,"
81 must speak to you of Harry
Madame. The miserable old man ha
: offered insult to me. l can not tax
3 his contumelV In his Ignorance L