Wilmington argus. (Wilmington, Del.) 1880-18??, 1880-01-14
CATHERINE.

II you tnlilh tlle lowers AN going TO tel
about were pink and white girl, witt
sweet eyes and fine hair, and tall, hand
some fellow saying soft things to her, you
are greatly mistaken.
We had been at summer hotels, at the
seaside, and among the mountains, where
pert Irish girls, and sometimes perter Yankee
ones, Haunted around the table in parti-col-
ored costumes, and with hair frizzled and
pulled over their eyes, la poodle.
We were tired of people, and wanted tc
rest; so we induced farmers wife to count
us among her family, and let us share theiI
fresh butter and sweet cream. These and
the Strawberries, and the chickens, were all
very nice, but the most refreshing sight
there was real genuine servant.
She was middle-aged woman, with
horny hands, hair touched with gray, and
a patient, sad expression in her ewes. Her
voice was low and pleasant, and her smile
very winning, although she was uncommon
ly plain, and bore marks Of an encounter
with that destroyer of beauty the small
pox.
Catherine-she answered to no such pet
. name as katy, or ''Kittyn-always wore
q clean, well-starched print, with frill of
the same at the neck; a checked apron, tied
with tape around her waist, and her hair
was always combed smoothly over her fore
head. She was one of those rare women
who can get up dinner, and then, as if by
magic, put herself in perfect order to serve
at table.
Catherine was doing diuble duty at this
time. The boy, whose duty it was to milk
seven COWS and feed two hundred hens,
had gone home, i'll, and MS the men were ali
busy in the harVest-fields, his work came on
her. The farmer had gene down TO New
York to get another man, and was expected
]. holpe thesiext day - y.-s---
fAat evening, we went out to see Cath
crime milk, and as we stood beside her and
the delicate buff -colored Jersey COW she was
milking, we fell into conversation with
her.
She told us she was well acquainted with
her work, having been farm-servant in
"Hengland" She thought work lighter
and wages better here than there, and re-
marked;
''If servants were willing to be like SER
wants here, and not be always struggling to
look like ladies, they might lay by good
bit for sick day, Or for old age"
said that it was cheering to meet one
who was contented with her lot; upon
which she heaved deep sigh, and / saw
that it was the same old story-'an aching
void" if no deeper sorrow.
She did not look up, nor court sympathy,
but could not help saying:
81 suppose you left your parents behind,
and your brothers and sisters?"
"No; my parents died when were bit
Of a child. My brother died ten years
ago."
''Well, one sighs for the very green earth
Of his native land, said.
"oh, well, don't know about that,
me'am; never think of that. It's just as
green and sweet here. Gods earth is about
the same all over;" and again there was
deep, deep sigh.
We followed Catherine as she bore the
shining pals into the dairy, and there we
met the lady of the farm.
Yes, we mean just that, for she was
lady as well as farmers wife. She met
Catherine with a smile, and said:
''Be patient one more milking, Catherine.
The masters coming tomorrow with man
who will be twice the help to you Joe was?"
Catherine smiled and replied; "I'm not
a-weary, and neither am impatient,
ma'am.n
We left the brick-hoored dairy, and as
we passed into the sitting-room, l said to
the lady, What woman has some great sor-
row."
"0h, no; only perhaps little "omesick
for hold Hengland;'N was the reply. ''She
has has been with me two years, and has
never spoken Of any trouble.
81 have had my suspicious, however, 1"
she added, 'that she might have husband
somewhere, although she passes for an old
maid. The worthy man in our cottage,
who has a nice home and some money,
wanted to marry her, last winter, to secure
good mother for his boys. But she said,
No, that she 'ad mo- cart for marrying"
When the open wagon came up from the
depot, about sunset next day, we all went
to the kitchen door TO welcome ''the mas
ter" AMI to take peep at the new man.
Catherine stood in the doorway, the pic
tlre of neatness. She was dressed in one
Of her "Henglish gowns" in which good
sized cowslfps reposed on ground of re-
freshing lilac color.
complimented her dress, and her high
topped comb, and her broad muslin collar,
when she smiled and replied:
Srhese all were given me at fair at
'ome, years agone, and have worn them
out twice. Some way, J. just felt like dress
ing up this afternoon. Perhaps it was to
please you, who have spoke so kind to me-"
'sfhank you, Catherine. Here comes
the wagon, See what great muscular
fellow the master has broughtln
The master gave the rens TO one of the
hay-makers who was just coming in to tea
bade another to take Timothy's ''box" into
the barn-chamber, and then he walked into
the Kitchen with his new giant, saying:
Come in and get your supper, so as to