Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-10-11

lived previously had died, the family
had scattered, and wailc waiting for Il
permanent place She had been staying
With my friend, who could not afford
the luxury Of II domestic permanently.
looked with surprise ut the delicate
white, dimpled hands, the pretty slight
figure, the lovely earnest face, lighted by
Il pair Of eyes is soft as they were dark
and iustrouS, and 1T the curve ola mouth
that woald have excited aa artists ad-
miration. lnvolunarily | exclaimed:
You do my work What do YOU
know about work? lmpossihle." Yet,
while spoke, grasped 1T this straw Of
comfort and said: "But come into the
house and rest You must be tired after
Your long ride. What Kind of work can
you do2'
General housework was the reply.
\ given III 4 ditiident manner, which was
is new rs pleasing in my Western cx-
\ perlence. "But please read the letter,
Mrs. Hathaway, and You will see that
Mrs. Arkwright considers me CONNIE
tentto do the work Of II family, that is,
whore themistress has general oversight
and takes some part III il herself.
Immediately there came before mo
4 vision of this fair creature down on
her knees scrubbing the floor or ut the
wash-tub; her pretty hands covered
with suds, or her head tied up in Il towel,
welding the broom along in search Of
cobwcbs; it seemed too absurd, and |
laughed aloud ut the thought with II bad
habit / had acquired from being 50
much alone STILL | said to myself.
she will save me some steps. ] can
be no worse Oft than am"
\ | must dgrcSs for Il moment. Ono
standing object Of discussion between
my husband and myself was that |
held that inherited qualities would tell
in other words, that race would final
~ make itself felt there was n great
power III the accumulated culture Of
successive generations; that therefore
there was something ii what is called 4
good family" He stoutly declared
that it was "all bosh!" Education and
circumstances, lie said, made the great
difference between people. But now
since he had injured his hand, and
could not 30 as many things for NO
about the house rs had been his wont,
such rs bringing in the wood, making
the fires and the like, we did not fight
our good-natuued battles Both his
spirit and InInc were eubduod his es-
pecially, for lie WAS 50 proud and sem
sitive and his moi being able to tighten
my burden was IL modification to him
that weighed upon his health and often
made him moody and irritable of hate.
In the short walk from the garden
gate to the house furtiycly studied
the face and general air of my COM
panion; and influenced by many opin-
ions about blood | constructed quite IL
romance of which she was the heroine.
She was the descendant of an ancient
race, | said to myself; i knew by her
arlstocratic face and carriage.
John came iii almost immediately
after we entered the house, and on
being told of the new arrival, and catch
ing Il glimpse of her in her stylish
travelling dress gave sort of snitl. with
his head up III the air, showing that he
thought that She woula not do. Still
he seemed more cheerful than Of late
at the tea table, more like his usual
crous side Of things.
Wnetherit was the charm of that
October sunset, or the advent Of
stranger, know not, but il weight
seemed to have rolled from my own
spirits. had never allowed servants
to eat at the same table with us; and
Margaret, for that learned was the
name OF my new "help," had been
waiting. now told her to sit down
and eat hersupper.
Lutte IN the evening when / returned
to the kitchen. there was Maggie, with
pretty, white apron on, the dishes all
washed, the room in order, and she her
self studying the cook book, which she
found Oh the shelf. | longed in my heart
to ask her into the parlor, but thought
1t would not do; but somehow | felt
strangely attracted to the girl, whose look
were SO at variance with her position
| now proceeded formally to business
and engaged her at 81 week to do my
work, including washing and ironing,
adding that | myself expected 10 ease
oil the burden when it was too heavy
for her, and saying that in house clean
ing times and other emergencies | ex-
pected to hire extra help, if it were
possible to secure il.
"But YOU hardly look strong enough
to do what require | said, in concu-
sion.
"Oh, yes, | am stronger than | look,
and my health is perfect she answer
81 ! expect 70 be very happy here;
i i - quiet and lovely il this coun-
try.
She then put some intelligent ques-
tions rs to her duties, and said that she
was just studying up some dish for
breakfast when came into the room.