Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-30
Romance OF a Janitress.


and crying as IL my heart must break over
the feelings brought into life by the sound
of sweet young voice singing Crock me
to sleep, mother" | could not help it,
threw myself upon the floor of the hall where
was, in perfect abandon of grief. took
no note Of time or place, remembering moth
ing but that / was entirely alone. / had
heard no one coming, and so was startled
when felt hand upon my head and heard
the words Tut, tut this will never do,
child you'll be sick. Have you lost your
canary or pet cat Tell an old man all
your troubles" I started up ashamed, but
looking at the speaker, / saw a strange face
"a face strong, kind and true, with piercing
eyes which seemed TO look into my soul /
said
81 beg pardon, sir, were you looking for
fiat ?"
"a fat2" he answered, with a merry
twinkle in his eyes. "If wanted that
found one without going any further, when
saw little, foolish girl lying fiat on the
floor trying her best to inundate my friend
Fleming's house with tears"
As he was speaking felt my face growing
scarlet. | fancied he feared another out
burst, so he said:
Excuse me, dear, can you tell me where
! can find the janitress-who certainly is
not very faithful one or else she would
show herself"
In answer / drew myself up to as tall a
height as could get, and said
Eyes, sir | am the janitress."
I" Youl Why Do you think you are
on the stage? Come, now, no nonsense.
have no time for such tomfoolery. I'm in a
hurry"
He tried to look cross, but as he only sue
ceeded in looking queer, being in that nerv-
GUS state that | must either laugh or cry, /
burst into fit of laughter. Then he was
angry-muttered something about hysteria
told me to stop, or he would box my ears.
This brought me to my senses, so gently
told him that | had charge of the house,
and would give him any information he re-
quired.
With most quizzical look, he asked
"Can you tell me if you have a sick gen.
tleman here-a Mr.. James Talbot. | am his
medical attendant, DR.. Arthur Colville, at
your service, madam. Can | trouble you
for your name ?'
| said, Ruth Hopkins, SIR"
"Well, Mrs. Ruth Hopkins, as / will prob
ably visit this house every day for some
time, and as l know my nervous system
would suffer il ] were obliged to witness to-
days scenes often, therefore, to prevent a
repetition, | will give you a prescription,
which you will have made up and then swal-
low it down. If you do not | will complain
to Mr.. Fleming, who is one of my best
friends"
| took the paper without making any
answer, was afraid to do anything else
As we were going up stairs to Mr.. Talbot's
apartments the doctor said
ain few days when you are compare
lively recovered from this attack | wish to
hear how it is that such midget as you
should hold such position" He then said
"Good morning." aud with most courtly
bow went into the patients room.
l won't slowly down the stairs to my own
room. Upon reaching it | TOOK myself Sc
verely to task for daring to give way to
such emotion. What right had |, a servant,
to enjoy the luxury of feeling, uniting my
self for my duties ? "Let the dead past
bury its dead had been and must be again
the law OF my life. felt that there must
be no more looking back for me.
The first thing to be done was to see DR.,
Colville before he left the house, and to try
to do away with the impression had unfor-
tunately given him Of my unfitness for my
position, watched for him, and as he was
leaving said:
"Dr. Colville, wish to tell you that
though am small, am not child. l am
twenty-eight years old-long, long past girl
hood. Mr.. Fleming has employed me for
more than year, and to-day is the first time
have forgotten myself. Do not, beg of
you tell him of my foolish conduct, for he
might be displeased and discharge me then
what would do 2 have no home but this,
and have not one friend in the city. | can
assure you, that" had spoken thus far
very rapidly, giving the doctor no time to
answer. | had not even looked at him,
when | was interrupted by hand being put
over my mouth, and the word stop" thun.
dered in my ear. "What do you take me
for one of your own sex gossiping old
woman Do you think have nothing to
do ? that have time to talk of such non-
sense as the sayings and doings of my
friends unfaithful servant"
This was more than | could bear in 81.
lence.
said, 81 am not unfaithful-and think
you had better be kind, gossiping old
woman, than man who would speak in this
way to helpless woman"
"Hoity toity The child is roused rage
is becoming to you. didn't think you were
so pretty" Then, as he looked at me, his
voice changed into low, kind tone, aud he
said, Girl, child or woman-whatever you
are--forgive me, | spoke hastily, but you
touched upon tender spot. Do not fear,
see you are fighting the battle of life with
weapons to which your tender hands are un-
used but bear up bravely little while,
then all will be we'll"
After this | saw the doctor every day.
He merely said Good morning" as he
passed me. | do not know why | should
have expected anything more, but as day
after day went on and / received no further
notice from him l felt disappointed His
last words TO me had acted like a powerful
tonic. was determined that Mr.. Fleming's
friend should see nothing TO find fault with
in the care taken, and that was not SEN
timental girl, but hard-working woman.
liked my life, it was a busy one, and not
Inonotonous. Tenants were coming and go.
ing. All had a little world of their own,
into many of these the janitresswas admitted.
/ had heard from Mr., Talbots attendant
that he was very dangerously ill. | was
thinking OF the sick man one morning, wish
ing could do something for his comfort
when my door opened, and, 10 my astonish-
ment, DIR. Colville came in.
Good morning, Miss Ruth. Why, what
pretty little nest you have here With
bright colored chintz, birds, flowers and sun
light, you are to be envied. Will you hire
this room out furnished ? If you will, III
be your tenant !" and not waiting for an an
swer he seated himself in an easy chair,
then said al have come to hear the story.
Tell the truth, but spare the love passages
Don't look indignant !"
interrupted him by saying that " | always
told the truth, and that all the love had
given had been reciprocated."
"Well, well, we won't quarrel | saw
Mr. Fleming to-day, and he wished me TO
ask you the story of your life and the why's
and the wherefores OF your leaving your
country home"
Mr. Fleming's name was enough. Much
as disliked the idea of looking back, / was
afraid to refuse As hestated for a mo-
ment, scarcely knowing how to begin, the
doctor said "Just tell me of your home"
and so | obeyed;
"My home was away among the Green
Mountains. Ii was fine old mansion, over
looking green meadows, through which
river wends; its bright waters
sparkle like silver gems through sweeping
boughs proud old trees tower above their
roof hawthorne hedges inclose the yard
and gardens and make sweet the air high
rise in the distance, their tops
hidden in the clouds the village church nes-
Ties down in the valley, with its quaint
white tower row of poplars waving quietly
IN front Of IL and over the low church.
gard wall hangs the ivy whose leaves never