Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-02-03
MISC ELL Eous.
CATHERINE,

I you think the lovers am going to tell
(" about were pink and white girl. with
sweet eyes and fine hair, and tall, handsome
fellow saying soft things to her, you are mis-
taken
We had been at summer hotels at the sen.
side, and among the mountains, where merit
Irish girls, and sometimes perter Yankee
| ones .firted around the table in parti, cojored
costumes. and with hair frizzled aud pulled
over their eyes, 10 poodle.
We were tired OF people. and wanted to
rest; SO we induced farmers wife TO count
US among her family aud let US share their
fresh butter and sweet cream. Those and
the strawberries, aud the chickens. were all
very nice, out the most refreshing sight
there was real gesBine servant
She was midde>acod woman, with
horny hands, hair touched with prav. and
patient, sad expression in her ewes, Her
voice was low and pleasant. aud her smile
very winning. although she was uncommon.
iy plain, and bore marks of an encounter
with that destroyer of beauty-the small
pox.
Catherlne-she answered to no snch net
name as "katy." or "Kitty"-always wore
clean, we'll starchod print, with fril of
tue same as the neck; checkered 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 nv
magic. put herself 10 perfect order to servo
at tsbe
Catherine was doing double duty at this
tIme The boy, whose duty it was to milk
seven cows and feed two hundred hens, hs 4
gone home, i'll. and as the men were all busv
IN the harvest fields, his work came on her
The farmer had gone down to Now York 10
get another man, and was expected home the
next day.
That evening, we went out to SEQ Cathe.
rlnc 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 we'll acquainted with
her work, having been a farm,servant
In "Hengland." She thought work lighter
and wages better here than there, and rc.
marked
"lf servants were willing to be like SER
wants here, aud not be always struggling to
look like ladies, they might lay by a 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. aud saw that il
was the same old story-'an aching void !" If
DO deeper sorrow.
She did not look up, nor court sympathy,
but | could not help saying:
~ suppose you left your parents behind
and your brothers and sisters?"
"No; my parents died when were . hi,
OF child My brother died ten years ago"
rWell. one sigbs for the verv green eart,,
of his native land" 1 said.
'Oh, we'll, don't know about th.,
ma'am; | never think of that. Its inst "a
green aud 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 tho farm.
Yes, we mean just that, for she was lady
as well as farmers vile. She met Catherine
with smile, and said:
BE patient one more milking. Catherine.
The masters coming to- morrow with a man
who will be twice the help to YOU Joe was2"
Catherine smiled and replied: "I'm 10.
a'weary. and neither am impatient ma am ;"
We left the brick foored dairy, and as we
passed into the sitting>ronm, said to the
lady. That woman has some great SORROW 1"
Oh, no; only perhaps q little s.omesick
for hold Hengland," was the reply. "Sbe
has been with me two years and has never
spoken of any trouble"
81 have had my suspicious, however" :" she
added, Chat she might have a husband
somewhere, although she passes for an old
maid The worthy man in our cottage. who
has nice home and some money, wanted to
marry her, last winter. to secure a good
mother for his buys. But she said. ono:
that she 'ad no 'eart 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 master"
and to take peep at the new man.
Catherine stood in the doorway, the pic
ture of neatness. She Was dressed in one of
her " Henglish gowns" in which good sized
eows!ips reposed on ground of refreshing
lilac color.
conplimented her Dress and her high
topped comb, and her broad muslin collar.
when she smiled and replied:
''These were all given me at a fair at
'ome. years agone, and 1 have worn them
but twice Some way, jus. feel IKE dress
zing up this afternoon Perhaps it was to
please you, who have spoke so kind to re.
'Thank you, Catherine Here comes the
Wagon. See what great muscular fellow
the master has brouehtr'