The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-04-24
WANTED.

Marte oodbrtdgc-htr maine was Martha, hut
M one called her solved on the outskirts Of u
small village. Her father was q farmer, but not
prosperous one. Nature, with her frosts and
drought,. vas always getting the upper hand Of
him. aud the crop. which he raised were sure 10 be
;hnsc that brought the loves; price in the market.
The canker-wnrm stripped his apple tree. and a
late fFost iyhie, the corn and oats. Io had the
misfortune To- buy COW which introduced the cat
tie disease into his farm ard. and Creancr, Spot
" and Whieface-thc three cows that always
iiled their pals the fullest and made the most
golica buitcr--sickenel and died.
Thi. was the question which MaTiis puzzled over
from day To- day. coming ut last to the conclusion
that she mus, try her luck in the big world which
she had seen 80 little of outside of her own small
village. She would go to London. and, if posi-.
BILE. find there situation n governess, in which
che could at least provide for own support.
Her mother let fall few quiet tears over the
plan. aud smiling patiently through them said.
Ask your father" Mr.. Woodbridge said mo"
at fr,t but having lain awake all nigh; over his
difficulties. he called Martie TO him. kissed her
solemny. gave weary sigh, and with /; his consent.
80 IL came 20 pass u cool. crisp October morn.
ing. when the woods at their brightest Autumn
hush, and the frost had stifcned the grass into
little sivcry blades and spears, and made the few
pale flowers that fingered by the roadside hang
their heads. Marte put on her bravest smile. made
hopeful comforting little speeches, kissed them all
good bye at homo-thc dear old home, 90 full Of
joys and troublss-and started for London, 20 put
into that great. hurryins. driving. ostling market
the modest wares she had to offer.
Martie was eager and full Of hope; but, alas
how much eagerncss aud hopefulness go down 20
death every day. in the frantic rush and scramble
for the good things going. Martic in the great
city. looking for work to do, seemed like q quiet
little wren trying to pick up worm or n crumb
where hawks and vul,urcs were sna,ehing and
c.awing for plundcr.
Mariie va. met the moment she stepped from
the train by old friend Of the family. who had
kindly promised 60 receive her at her house and
do what she could ,o assist her. The next day,
early in the morning. modest. unprstending little
advertisement was sent 10 one Of the daily news
papers. What q stupcniuous affair IL seemed 10
Msrtic. and how her un-ophi-ticaicd little heart
bca, at the thought of il. Nothing could come Of
Il that day. however; and while she goes out with
Mrs. Allen t" io little shopping and stare at
few of the city lions. let u take look at the
quarters she has fallen into.
Mr,. Allen kept u small private lodging house,
very select aud very sentesl. Its inmates were
the learned Professor Bigwig and family, from
whose presence q certain literary aroma was sup
posed 20 pcrvadc the atmosphere the brilliant
Col. Boreas, hero-accoriiug TO his own account
of sumberisss battles y rising young lawyer.
with his pretty, biushing girl wife, all fresh and
lovely In her new bridal toilet; . rich widow and
her still richer daughter, who. IL was said, was
soon 20 become the hclpmate Of the clerical mem
Der Of the household, the Rev. Paul Appolos; and
last, though not least. tho representative Of the
fine arts, Mr.. Raymond. an artist, whose pictures
had won golden praises from critics and connois-
ssurs. and golden praises from purchasers.
Mr.. Raymond was Martie's ieft-hand neghbor
at the table. With the FIRST glance at his dark
face. iron-gray hair and mustache and deep-set
gray eyes, she Felt rather inclined 10 be afraid Of
him. When he smiled, she liked him better, and
thought the gay eyes looked kind; and as che
a.
faces she was glad to have him talk little TO her,
aud take care that she was provided with all she
wanted.
On the second morning after her arrival in the
city Martics advertisement appeared. Mrs. Allen
sent n paper up TO her room before she was out Of
bed, 90 that almost as soon ~ her eyes were open
she had begun 10 hope, aud TO be afraid. and 10
wonder II, out Of so many people who she supposed
would come 10 see her. any one Of them would
think well enough Of her 10 want her services.
Martis was very painstaking with her toilet
that morning. She wanted TO look her best. She
spent twice the usual time over her w.vy. gold
brown hair; and when she had put on her pretty
gray dress-the gray dress was for morning. and
the black silk for aftcrnoon-and fastened the
dainty spotless collar and cuffs, she dallisd fully
Eve minutes over her little stock Of ribbons. try
ing this one and that. and went down At last TO
breakfast, looking, to Mr.. Raymonds artist eyes,
which took her In nj glance, like wild rose just
out Of thicket, with the dewy morning brightness
brimming In her brown eyes, the pink Of rose
petals In her cheeks. and son, warm, shimmerng
suubsams woven into the ripple Of her brown hair.
How his artist fingers longed for canvas and colors
10 give his beloved 81. Agnes that beautiful hair
hut the wild rose might 40 well have been bloom
ing In her native thicket. In vain Martis peeped
from the front windows, and held her breath when
the door. bell rang. No one came to see the gray
dress that morning.
The black dress Jared better. II was called
upon and Martis went down 20 the parisr with
her heart In her mouth. 10 meet the grand lady
whose carriage aud dAshing horses she had watch
Ell as they drew up In splendid style before the
house. hut, alas Martis was not experienced.
and Msr,ie was too young, and, though madame
did not cay 90, Martis was too pretty, and 70 set
youth and beauty before him In the shape OF .
Young govsrnsss would be tempting Providence.
Madame was very sorry. hoped this aud that aud
swept gracefully out to her carriage, while Martis
mounted with rather slow step to her little fourth
story room, TO watch and walt, and wonder IL
everybody wsuld find her too young. She was
not 10 blame for Il, anyhow, she said 10 herself.
trying to coax laugh.
No one else came that day, but the next morn
ing there was nm early call for "the lady Who ad-
vcr,ised." Martis was glad she had on the gray
dress; perhaps she looked older In Il. But gray
or black was all the same she was again weighed
In the balance and found wanting-not in years
this time, but in 0erman; and as one weary hour
aftsr another went by, and no other applicants
appeared, Martis grew heavy hearted. Her ad-
vsriissment was 10 appear for three days. Two
had already passed, resulting only In disappoint-
msnt. Mrs. Allen tried TO eaceurage her, but
when night came, and the 0 o'clock dinner, Martie
felt sad aud homesiek.
al hope no one has made arrangement 10 carry
you OF Just yet," Mr.. Raymond said, ~ he took
seat beside her at their end OF the long table.