The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-09-28
OUR STORY TELLER.
BETSEY BLAKE'S RIDE.
BY A. c. LEROY.

There are many heroes and heroines
whom the world never knows about
whose histories are never printed in any
book; who receive no "Montyon .
prizes; and yet whose deeds are as
worthy Of record as those that have
gained immortal renown.
| saw ore of these heroines the other
day, in small almshouse, ON the out
skirts of London.
| had heard a whisper OF the brave
deed she had done, so | asked her to tell
me about it. She was a small, delicate
old woman, clean and trim as new pin,
and she kept her two small rooms with
neatness and cleanliness to match.
"Tell me what you did when you
were a young servant" | said.
"Lor, my dearl | don't know what
there is to tell you, Pm sure. / ddn t
do no more than my duty. My mother
was a wonderful particular woman, and
brought us all up to do Just what WAS
our duty, and to do it with all our
might"
f"Itwas when you were in service"
put in.
"Well, yes, my dear; | was but a
slim young girl, and my missus, when |
come to the farm, looked at me all over
like. LORI says she, you be small
And the master-Mr. Brown was his
name, my dear-he laughed, and says,
1t amt always the biggest body as has
the biggest heart"
felt quite confused like, and made
my courtesy, and mother answered for
me-
"She's small, ma am, but she's will
ing,
I" And you staid there some time %
/ again asked, wishing to come to the
point.
g Yes, my dear; they was good people
master specially. Missus were strict,
and her tongue was not of the smeothest.
She used to scold goodish bit, but |
soon got into her ways, and served her
az well az ] could, till, after while, she
got fond of me, and would often say
.. Betsey Blake, you're a good girl. |
wish there was more like you And |
says, My sisters be uncommon like me.
ma am"
But things went wrong about the
place. My master was one of the easy
sort as let things go their own way and
take their chance; and then there came
Two or three bad years, and master had
to borrow money, and missus got more
and more worried, and used her tongue
more freely in consequence.
land then she parted with one of the
servants; and one day she fairly gave
way, and cried over it all, and she saws
to me-
Betsey Blake, you'd best seek some
other place, for, one way and another,
things is going very hard with us, and |
don't see, | am sure, where the money
for your wages is to come from at
present.
Then I'll wait, ma'am, thank yon,'
| replied; and don't you take on 50.
Things will clear up in time. At all
events, I'm not going for to leave YOU
when you be in trouble
:" Thank you, Betsey Blake says she.
You will get your reward some day.
But your adventure-tell me about
that" | suggested.
must tell you, miss, as we was liv-
ing up beyond Highgate. 1t wasn't as
1t is now, you know, but dreary wild
moor and heath like. We hadn't MANY
neighbors-only one house near ours.
where man lived as was a surly. Gu
rious sort of fellow.
had met this man now and then.
when l was out on errands, and he had
tried to say civil word or bit of a
compliment to me; but / only answered.
Thank you kindly, SIR and took no
more notice, as mother had told me
always to be civil, but never to stay and
taik 70 man as was not my relation.
Martin Fuller was his name, and he
ana my master were not over good
friends, though Martin was always
trying to fiatter up poor master.
Well one day my missus comes TO
me in terrible trouble.
Betsey Blake says she, we shall
be ruined What shall we do? NV
poor husband has just fallen terribly