The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-08-07
Wanted.

Martic Woodbridgc-her name was Mar
tina, but no one called her Solved on tho
outskirts of q small village.
Her father was farmer, but not pros
porous one. Nature, with her frost anC
droughts, was always getting the upper
hand Of him, and the crops which he raised
were sure to be those which brought the
lowest price in the market. The cankel
worm stripped his apple tree, and late
frost blightcd the corn and oats. He had
the misfortune to buy cow which intro.
duced the cattle disease into his farm-y yard,
and Creamer, Spotty and Whlteface-thC
thee COWS that always filled their pals the
fullest and made the most golden butter
sickened and died.
This was the question which NIartic puz.
zled over FROM day to day, coming at last
to the conclusion that she must try her
luck in the big world which she had seen
so little of outside OF her own village. She
would 20 to London, and, if possible, find
there situation as governcss, in which
she could at least provide tor her own sup
port.
Her mother let fall few quiet tears over
the plan, and smiling patiently through
them said, "Ask your father" Mr.. Wood
bridge said ''No" at first; but having lain
awake all night over his difficulties, he
called blartic TO him, kissed her solemnly,
gave her a weary sigh, and with it his con
sent.
So it came to pass that on cool, crisp
October morning, when the woods were at
their brightest autumn flush, and the frost
had Suffered the grass into little silvcry
blades and spears, and made the few pale
flowers that fingered by the roadside hang
their heads, Martie put on her bravcst
smile, made hopeful, comforting, little
speeches, kissed them all goodbye at
home-the dear old home, SO full of joys
and troublcs-and started for London, to
put INTO that great, hurrying driving,
iostling market the modest wares she had
TO offer.
Martle was eager and full Of hope; but,
alas! how much cagcrness and hopcfulness
go down to death every day, in the frantic
rush and scramble for the good things
going. Martie in the great city, looking
for work to do, seemed like quiet little
wren trying to pick up worm o. a crumb
and clawing for plumber
Martic was met the moment she stepped
from the train by an old friend of the
family, who had kindly promised to re-
celve her at her house, and do what she
could to assist her.
The next day. early in the morning, a
modest, unpretendng little advertisement
was sent to one of the daily newspapers.
What stupcndous affair it seemed to Mar
tie, and how her unsophlsticated little
heart beat at the thought of 1t! Nothing
could come of it that day, however; and
mi, ol, ,,,f u;f1 A Il
little shopping, and stare at q few of the
city lions, let us take look at the quarters
she has fallen into
house, very select and very gcnteel. It's
inmates were the learned Prof. Bigwig
and family, from whose presence certain
literary aroma was supposed to pcrvade the
atmosphere; the brilliant Col. Boreas hero
according to his own account-of num-
berless battles, rising young lawyer, with
his pretty, blushing girl.wiic, all fresh and
lovely In her new bridal toilet; arlch widow
and her still richer daughter, who, 1t was
said, was soon to become the hclpmatc of
the clerical member of the household, the
Rev. Paul Apolles; and last though not
the least, the representative of the fine arts,
MIR. Raymond, an artist, whose pictures
had won golden praises from critics and
connoisseurs, and golden prices from p,,r-
chases
Mr.. Raymond was Martle's left-hand
ncighbor at the table. With the first glance
at his dark face, iron-gray hair and mus
tachc and deep-set gray eyes, che felt
rather inclined to be afraid of INN. When
he smiled she liked him better and thought
the gray eyes looked kind; and as she felt
very SHY and lonesome among all these
strange faces, she was glad to have him
talk little to her, and take care that she
was provided with all she wanted.
On the second morning after her arrival
in the city, Martes advertisement appear
cd. Mrs. Allen sent paper up to her
room before she was out of bed, so that
almost as soon as her eyes were open she
had begun to hope, and to be afraid, and to
wonder If out of 80 many people who she
supposed would come to see her, any one of
them would think well enough of her to
want her services
Martic was very painstaling with her
toilet that morning. She wanted to look
her best. She spent twice the usual time
over hes wavy, gold-brown hair, and when
she had put on her pretty gray dress-thc
gray dress was for mornir 4, and tho black
silk for afternoons fastened the dainty
spotless collar and cuffs she dallied fully
five minutes over her little stock of ribbons,