The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-07-26

Opening <n0ulU ottut wi W.
gladly accepted il for Minna; but
for myself, was determined TO Try
great London, and, unaided, battle for
myself. In two years John Murray was
to come back from Australia TO fetch me
for his wife, and till then would be in
dependent. So the day came at last
when, with many tears, we two girls
had 70 separate, and with aching heart
left the old Lincolnshire home, and
reached the great dreary void OF Lon
don early one afternoon.
I was not long in finding place
where could stay, in the shape OF q
second-floor front room in one Of those
heart-aching streets near the Found
ling--streets that echo from morning TO
night with mournful cries uttered by
vendors whose goods IL is impossible to
surmise, and with the dismal echoing
tones Of the various organs. Sopainful
were these last to me, that often of an
evening, when l have returned from a
weary, disheartening search for an en-
gagement, and sat alone and hungry,
fearing to spend my money in any thing
beyond the tea and bread and butter up
on which existed, these doleful strains
cheering, maybe, to some-haye had
such an effect upon me that have sat
and sobbed till, utterly worn out, have
fallen asleep, to wake, perhaps, hours
after, to find it very late, and crawl
shivering of to bed.
As the weeks passed on and my ad-
vertisements and fees paid to the various
registry Offices had been without effect,
! I used TO crawl back to my room, grow
ing more and more disheartened. |
was always plain, sallow-looking girl,
and now in my fast-wearing black be-
gan to feel that was day by day grow
ing NOR shabby and weary-looking,
and that M feeble chances of obtaining
q post were growing less and less.
/ used to sit and ask myself whether
had tried hard and knew had-but
it was always the same. Whether ad-
,vertised for situation as governess, or
went from a registry Office 10 offer my
self as companion to a lady, it was al
ways the same noticed look Of dis
appointment AS soon as | entered the
room, for was neither pretty mol
bright-looking, and my mournful black
helped to saddcn my aspect. 1t was al
ways the same-the lady did not think
l should suit her, and in blank disap-
pointment had to return.
And now it had come to this--that
my landlady had grown as tired Of me
as the people at the registry offices
where had more than once been told
rudey that l was not likely to get .
place as governess or companion, but
had better look lower That afternoon
evidently suspicious OF my ability e
pay, and perhaps disguised with my
miserable way Of living, and afraid
should be left an invalid upon her hands
she had-rudely, it seemed to mere
quested me to leave.
In my present circumstances I wa'
utterly prostratedby the news, forI dareS
not take lodgings elsewhere; and coul(
see nothing now but TO sell a portion Of
my scanty wardrobe and go back x
beg for assistance from my fathers
friend.
What change! and how soon hat
my hopes Of Independent action beer
blightedl was heartsore as felt how
that in that great city there was wealii
being squandered and luxury arounc
me while was literally starving; fol
my poor living was telling upon m,
fast What should doP What shoult
4 do?
It was with weary iteration had sale
those words and wcpt till tears came ne
more, and dull, stolid feeling of de
SPAR had come upon me. had alDnos
shrunk away in the streets from thu
bright-faced, happy girls passed, ans
ut times / found myself asking what hat
been my sin that should be thus pun
ished.
lay awake that nightfor many hours
watching the light from the street LAM
playing upon my ceiling; and at last
towards morning, the remembrance Q
words / had often heard came to M
with sad sense Of repose, trust ant
restfulness, and believe fell asleep a
, last with a smile upon my lips, repeat
ing q portion Of that comforting sen
tence ending, "Are you not much bet
|, ter than theyP'
It was bright, sunshiny morning
, when awoke, To hear some one knock
ing at my door, and, hurrying on fey
things, I answered.
"Ahi was Just agoing to take 'er
down again. said my landlady harshly
(" Some folks can afford TO lay in be
all day; can't. Here's two letters 70
I you. And mind this, Miss Laurie;
never bargained to come tramping u
! TO the top Of the house with letters an
I messages for you"
\ ~ am very much obliged, Mrs. Rud
(; dock" said gently, As l took the LEI
tiers with trembling hands, while, mu
; tering and complaining, their beart
J, went down stairs. 1t seemed very har
' then, but believe il was the woman
habit, and that she was not bad at hear
!, but warped and cankered BY povert.