The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-06-01
Selftf Story.'
A CLEVER ,RUSE.


PARCEL to be left an orphan, and to be
dependent on her own self entirely to
work her way in the world. Her father
had heen a man Of poor business .act.--
While her mother lived he contriyed to
exist without being more than a tribe
behind each year, but those trifes accu-
mulated until, in many years, they made
u considerable sum. Jennie's brother
bad been educated as civil engineer,
and had accepted situation IN Brazil
She had been left alone with her father
to do all the drudgery of housekeeping,
and as result had been deprived Of SO.
ciety of her own years She had mai
den aunt, her fathers sister, who had
wealth, but there had been no intercourse
between them, and she did not even know
her residence.
Jennie managed to make her way to
New York. hoping there to secure sit
uation. The sale Of household effects
had given her 800. but the amount was
well nigh exhausted in cheap boarding
house, she in vain seeking place for
employment such as she desired and
coveted. She at last seized leading
daily paper crowded with advertisements
of Nv Wants," and the foll) wing arrested
her attention:
"WANTED-In family OF one, with a
chambermaid employed, young woman
for general homework. An American
girl, even if inexperienced, preferred.
Wages ample, and treatment according
to conduct"
Then followed the address. Pushed
! into hard corner, she det ,rmined TO
make application for the plabe. Attired
plainly she made her way to 324 West
street. She gave the bell timid
ljerk. The door was soon opened and q
girl, with an ill-ftting dress banging
loosely from her body and very ill-hu-
mored expression of countenance, stood
in the aperture.
"Well p she asked sharply.
"Is Mrs. Wentworth at homer"
Il s'pose she be-. Come in ard III
see. What's the name ?"
"Jennie Gaffett." She had decided to
bold in secret part of her name, al
least for time.
Jennie was soon after shown into the
parlor. 1t was handsomely furnished
but in an untidy condition. She had
merely time to note this when the old
lady, in black alpaca gown, so neat in
her person as to show marked contrast
to her surroundings, entered.
She was surprised at her coming to
seek "a place." She looked at the young
girl keenly, and taking hold Of one ef
her hands remarked that it did not look
as if she was used to housework. The
old lady was rather pleasant in her con-
versation, and succeeded in getting from
her the substance OF her history.
81 will try you," she said; "but | warn
you that r times am rather fractious
very apt t0Sfnd fault"
Jennie told her it was her business to
try and do her duty. Agreement was
made as to wages, and next day "Jennit
Gaffett" was installed as mistress of ,h'
kitchen. She liked the situation, ane
after a. number of months had passed
her mistress and herself began to sp
proach familiarity. At length there wa
little change in her monotonous life
One Sunday, while at church. as she wa'
about departing, the organist came dow'
the aisle to speak to the rector ahou
their contralto singer who had been sud
denly taken i'll. He was in. trouble tt
know how to fill her place. Jennie hat
the courage to step up to the organis
and tender her services. A short tria
satisfied him, and upon obtaining leav'
nf Mrs. Wentworth went to the churcl
and filed the vacancy. 1t was surpris'
to her mistress that she had musica
ability and drew forth the remark:
"Why, / never knew you were must
cal; you never touched the piano"
.It.is not the business of housemaids.
replied Jennie, SO play on their mistress
piano."
Mrs. Wentworth answered very good.
but at the same time urged her to pla'
and sing and was pleased with her per
formance.
1t so happened that Miss Beddon, th
church contralto singer, failed utterly il
health, and Jennie was engaged in he
place at a salary of $500 a.year Sh
would not, however, leave Mrs. Went
worth. The old lady, appreciating he
services and manner, engaged anothe
housemaid and placed her in charge a
housekeeper.
i One evening a letter came TO Mrs
Wentworth. 1t was from her nephew