Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-08-03
HER OWN LIVING.

Tall and slight, with blue, wistful eyes,
lips ripe and red as woodberry, and com
plexion all carmine and white, like a
damask rose in the sunshine, Ermina
Halls was face that an artist would
have fallen down and worshipped. But
it is ever as philosophers tell us, there
is compensation in all things. The
pock-marked girl who sat across the
aisle from her in church was million
aires daughter, and this young thing
with the angel face was on the outlook
for an eligible position as govermess.
For Ermina Hall was penniless, and it
was necessary for her to earn her liveli-
hood in some way or other, and the
trade OF governess was at least gen
teel.
keep day school," suggested old
Mr. Prince, who had been very wont to
dine every Sunday with Judge Hall dur
ing that eminent bankrupt's lifetime,
and to consume a quantity of lobster
salad, champagne and boned turkey
which was simply appalling on those
festive occasions.
Nobody would come to me" said
poor Ermina, with tears in her eyes.
She had supposed, inexperienced child
that she was, that Mr.. Prince would
have been ready with twenty or fifty
dollar bill in this, her necessity.
"Needlework," suggested Mr.. Clay,
who had mysteriOusly made money out
of the very speculation that had beggar-
ed the dead man.
l never learned to sew" faltered En-
nina. Il could not earn cent in that
way" uu,
education of women in the present day
is outrageously defective. 1t should be
reformed"
"Do you suppose" meekly hazarded
Ermina, that | could obtain any copy
ing from your office? Mademoiselle La
fern used to say wrote an elegant hand
Here is specimen"
Up strokes thin, down strokes black
and long tails to the g's and y's-Italian
school, eh? Pshaw! Your writing may
do for a perfumed note, or young lady S
album, but no lawyer would look twice
at it. But l dare say you will scratch
along somehow"
Howl" murmured Ermina, resolute-
ly repressing the tears that were rising
to her eyes.
How? Why, there are ways enough
Nobody needs to starve in this country
dare say if you keep on the lookout
something will turn up"
And that was all the satisfaction Er'
nina Hall got
She went next to her rich cousin, Mrs
Bellaire Bolton.
81 am sorry you came this morning
Ermina," said the lady, coldly. Il an
busy with my accounts.
81 won't detain you an instant, saiC
Ermina, with sinking heart. MI
need something to do very much"
Mrs. Bellaire Bolton shut her lips to
gether as if her mouth were a new pat
ent portmonnaie, and penciled down hel
figures without looking up.
And | though" went on Ermina
her heart failing her more and more,
could perhaps teach your little children
I would work for very little, and"
Quite out Of the question: said Mrs
Bellaire Bolton. 1 have just engaged
a Swiss bonne, who will give them the
regular accent.
And Ermina turned away, feeling al
most desperate. Lunch was now in pro
gress-she could perceive the fragrance
of the chocolate, and see the dining
room girl setting French rolls and spice'
salmon on the table, yet Mrs. Bellair
Bolton never invited her to stay ant
break bread with them.
"Oh, how strange and cruel the worl'
is," thought Ermina, with choking sen