Connecticut western news., 1879-01-08
A CHAMBKRMAID'S CHRISTMAS,

WHAT DELIA's IMAGINATION TOLD HER
 WHAT SHE WOULD GET AND WHAT THE
 BoARDERs REALLY GAVE HER.
 A servant girl in Chicago boarding house, who discharges the arduous duties of chambermaid's position, when she was dressing herself on Christ mas morning, entered into brief men, tai calculation of the presents she would be likely to receive from the various boarders of the establishment. "Mrs. A., in the big front room on the second floor" said this female Alnaschar, twill probably give me that black silk dress she used to have for @ second best dress, now that she has got new one; and Mrs. B., in the back room, asked me if I had new shawl the other day, and when said hadn't said that perhaps Santa Claus would bring me one, so I guess that's all right; and up on the third floor Mrs. c. wanted to know what my second name was, and so I suppose she's going to give me box of handker- chiefs with my monogram on them l; Mrs. D. told mo not to waste money buying parasol, for one of the board CTS would be sure to give me one at Christmas time; and that widow, Mrs. E., with the spinal-complainted child, ought to give me something if its only pair of cuffs and collar, which is about the meanest that @ person in 8 boarding-house can afford to be-" Hay ing settled these matters to her satisfac- tion, the faithful domestic went down to breakfast and told the other girls what the boarders had promised to give her {; took her duster and went out to levy her contributions. Arrived at Mrs. A. s room she wished that lady the comph- ments of the season with much warmth and respect, and Mrs. A. said, "Delia, here is little Christmas present for you," and gave her small pasteboard box. The chambermaid's face was elongated till it reached down to her brooch, and she closed the door with some warmth, muttering to herself, "The old painted hag wish I could make her eat her collar and cuffs with those false piano-key teeth of hers that she hasn't paid for yet" Taking a reef ill her face, however, she tripped smi- lingly into Mrs. B. s room, and Mrs. B.. said, "Ah. Della, merry Christmas to you; here's collar and pair of cuffs. '' "The mean, skimping thing" said the chambermaid, as soon as she was in the hall once more "next time her husband tries to hug me on the stairs see if cry out OF scratch his face, that's all. See if don't get square with her for this. J Proceeding up to the next flight, Della called at Mrs. c. $ room, and when Mrs. c. said archly, "Ah, Della, can you guess what I'm going to give you for g Christmas box ?" the poor girls heart sank clean down into her slippers, and she answered, "A collar and pair o1 1 cuffs, and when she had received hel gift didn't say "Thank you," but slam med the door so vehemently that Mrs. C.'s pet china vase was knocked off the mantelpiece and smashed, which was some consolation, anyhow. Mrs. D, gave the girl a beaming smile and 0 pail of cuffs and collar, and the grateful recipient of her bounty said to herself, eff ever that wall-eyed camel wants to get the sheets changed on Thursday again, perhaps I'll do it ! Oh, yes oi course p and with 8 bitter laugh she strode into Mrs. E. s room, and when the widow said, "Delia, you've been avery good girl since I came here to board and if you'll open the top drawer of the bureau over there you'll find little pasteboard box-." This was the last hair that broke the chambermaid's s heart aud with yell of disgust she exclaim ed, "Keep your old measly collars and cuffs. If couldn't give chamberladJ anything better than collar and cuffs, I'd go and board at the poor-house. And her overtaxed nature found relief in tears. "Delia," said Mrs. D., with icy severity, CT often feared that you drank, but now am certain of it. ] was about to say that in that drawer you would find small pasteboard box con. taining pair of earrings and two five dollar gold pieces, but after your inn pertinent conduct I shall certainly not bestow anything on you, you undesery- ing minx.''