Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-08-03

"a young girl like you can be useful
if she's grateful and willing, SO I'll keep
you, Beulah Moore"
l was only fourteen years old, but
knew as well as know that should
have preferred service anywhere else.
But as she spoke thought darted into
my head.
Grandfather had certainly spoken Of
hiding will somewhere.
If stayed and rubbed and scrubbed,
and busted diligently, l should discover
it il it was above ground, and net stolen,
as Mr.. Curdle believed.
All, how delightful to discom6t her at
last.
How well worth the hard fate and the
hard work l knew l should have to en-
dure.
Yes, even her unpleasant company
could be borne with this end in view.
So l said, taking care not to speak too
eagerly, that would stay, and l gave
myselfa year to find the will in.
A year is an eternity at fourteen.
That very day, old Miss Humphries
began to show mo my position by turn
ing me out of my pretty bed room, and
sending mo into the garret with sloping
roof.
had pretty carpet, white curtains, a
book case, Turkish chair, and dainty bed
all white and pink, and toilette service
pink and white also.
had never done any work except put
this room in order, for we had two old
servants besides man.
Now ! scrubbed the floors and washed
windows and dishes, and had no time to
read or sow, or wander in the woods. or
enjoy myself in the garden.
Miss HUMPHREYS sent all 10y school
girl friends from the door when they
asked for me, and it was after long,
hard fight, that obtained my books,
my sewing basket, ard my window plants,
with which to mako my garrot more
homelike.
My black suit became shabby.
felt ashamed to go to church, and l
knew not where to procure other clothing.
was very miserable, but all the while
never forgot my object.
Not only did l continue my search all
day, but at night often patted about the
house in my bare feet,
had found many curious places whore
q will might have well been hidden,
For instance tho posts OF grandtather's
bed had hollow space in them, covered
with a carved cap, shaped like "a pineap-
ple which came off.
And behind the carved wooden man
tlepiece in his room - the original house
was q hundred years old, they say, and
very curious-there was u receptacle that
might have concealed Afty Wills.
The old woman never suspected me.
Besides, she WAS half the time asleep,
nodding in her chair.
She had delight in seeing me at work,
and set me tasks Os hard to mo rs those
the maleyolent fairy put upon poor Ora
ciosa we're to her.
Wherever | was sent went.
Who knew where the will might be
But now the year l had given myself
was nearly over, and the malevolent fai-
ry Of my existence had ordered ma Ia
whltewash tho COW house-and l had
agreed to do it with feeling upon me
that endurance was almost at an end that
hope was almost gone, that must leave
there If / starved.
No wonder was thin, and had lost my
hne complexion.
The lime was mixed and the brush YVES
found.
"Put it on thick. Beulah," said my
task mistress "we don't want any Of the
boards TO show. Why, where's your
stick ?"
"I can't find one to It," said ] discon-
solately. "Oh, can reach, | Think
"You can't" said she, "The idea of
whltswashing with abort brush. Go
und hunt stick. Why l know where
there's ene-in your own room. / saw
it o-day."
"That's dear grandpa's cane" said /.
81 don't care. Get it," said she. ut
is only stick, cane or not"
al won't use that in such n way" said
/; "grandfather's cane, that he used to
walk with every day-that | used to ride
on when wasa baby. Dear old cane,
that seems part ofhim, l wouldn't use IT
for worlds"
'sentimental nonsense" said the old
woman. "Tht idea p' When Ian dead
they can do what they like with my um-
brela, I'm sure. Oct the STICK"
81 won't, y said |.
Then | will, and you'll use IT," she
said.
Away she wen: to the garret, and down
che came with the thick and heavy cane,
with neither curve nor carving on it-a
sort of pale grey wood polished like glass.
Here's the stick said she, "and
you'll see my word is law here"
never stirred.
"Tie that stick on the whitewash brush
and 20 to work." she said.
~ won't" said !.
"You won't"
"No."
"You're pretty big girl, Beulah
Moore" said she, "but If you don't III
whip you"
81 dare you to touch me" said l.
She lifted the stick,
I'm not sure whether she would have
struck mo, or whether it was only in mea'
! ace; tut ! caught II.