The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-07-15
THE YOUNG MISTRESS.


big house on the hill, with its observa
tory, French windows and broad piazza
well, there the Rushtons lived, when
was young, and my home was in the lit
tie buff house near by, and my fatIc
carried on the Rushton farm, m,
mother attending to the dairy.
"Thcy had one child, Elsie, three
months younger than myself, and among
my earliest rccollcctiOns she fgurcs
largely. As she was frail child, aud
not disposed TO play much ont Of doors
unless | was with her, her mother en-
couragcd my frequent visits to her
honge, although she early taught me to
think | was not her daughters equal.
She was II very naughty woman, and l
always dreaded 10 encounter her, but to
me the pleasure Of Elsics company
atoned for any amount Of disagreeable-
ness on her mothers part, and, as ! did
not have to see her every time went to
the big house, got along very we'll.
."Miss Barton, the goycrncss, was the
one had the most to do with, and she
was always very pleasant to me Under
her tuition Elsie and ! learned to read
together, and afterwnrd pursued all our
studies under her guidance in the pretty
school.room. winch, to this day seems
to me the lOycliest spot ever was III.
IL was on the southeast corner Of tine
house; the large bay window was CON
stantly filled with tropical plants, which
il seemed to me were never out of
bloom then the sun came streaming in
the whole day through, for the doctor
said this was better than drugs for little
Elsie the canary and mocking birds
sang from their silver cages and the
gold fish and their happy companions
iOatcd around in the crystal globe sus-
pended from the ceiling, distractng our
attention, Of course, and somewhat re-
tarding the progress Of olIr studies but
for one like Elsie everything around
must be made to assume the most cheer
ful aspect. And even was allowed to
be there for the same rcnson that the
birds and the aquarium were, to add
another fcnturo pleasing 10 the eyes
and heart of the child Of fortune for she
would neither study nor play in my alb
senco
"'You have two little girls i stran-
gers would say who came TO the villa, MS
it was called.
"'No, the tOw-hcndcd one il not
mine, Mrs ltushton would reply 'she
il only my Elsics little maid, in pros.
pcctivc. OF course, they play and study
together now.
"'rhs she would say with II naughty
toss Of her head, and ns often as other
wise the one addressed would add
Well, she is pretty child
"Oncc, ON hearing her mother speak
SO, said to Elsie Your mamma
says am to be your maid, but don't
care much, for then can always be
with YOU.
80 fou need not he my maid, replied
Elsie; you shall be my little sister,
Lucy
"'rhon | repeated to my mother what
Mrs. Rushton said, and she kept me
away from the big house two or three
days but Elsie ircttcd and pincd So for
me that Mrs. Rushton sent for me, and
then she took us both out riding in the
grand carriage, talking very pleasantly
to me, and bought me nice new doll.
After this there was no parting Elsie
and |, and we grew up together my nd.
vnnlagcs Tor an education being not
whit less than hers. But that We were
not socially equal was fact that i'm
pressed me more and more forcibly year
by year. Mrs. Rushton's prophecy was
becoming true. As Isy affection for
Elsie increased, which it seemed to
every day of my life, and she was very
fragile and helpless. naturally took to-
waiting upon her until | unconsclously
drlltcd into u kind Of attendant. When
wc.werr going to ride, ! took charge of
her shawl and bundles, carried her
books when we went to the piano to |
practice; arranged her hair, adjusted |
ncr dress, in short acted the pnrt of |
Mt all times. And, when We
were grown up, although | Ind been
gwen the same advantages for an cdu-
cation, and compared in looks and ap- |
peannco with Elsie, was in no sense
IN an equality with her. But, when by
our foudncss for each other
aas 80 great that W. felt like sisters
md, II we were parted for day, it
ccmcd M if either could hardly survive
he separation. Thus, to crafty Elsie
II her affection for me, Mrs. ltushlun
Wished mo to remain with them, and
me clothes and money to my
leHrts content 50, notwithstanding the
lights | had to endure, had not. in
lew Of my great love for Elsie, any real
Reuse for leaving them.
Elsie WINS given great party ON her
Sth birthday. making me little cast
own, ms my own birthday Of that age
nd three months previously passed
ithont particular notice from anyone.
Ncept present of n new silk dress from
Isle. This dress, | altcrward learned
'om the donor, was to be worn mt her
arty, Mt which she said | must he pres
ut M II guest. This was the first Of her
pming out, and presume Mrs. Rushton
fought my presence would act us n
imulant to Elsie ON the occasion, and,
n this reason, allowed me to be pres {
1t apparently on an equal footing with t
So | was permitted to play I
lets with Elsie. to sing for the enter
OF the company, although no I
10 had taken the pains to introduce ]
o to but few of number. as Elsie was /
o bashful and Mrs. Rushton too n
oud. A part Of the ladies had seen n
fore, and, as they knew the position / a
cupied at the villa, 1 naturally felt |
ry humble in their presence. Others, C
10 knew nothing of me, inquired who p
vas of Mrs. Rushton, and l overheard h
r saying to one lady, 'Oh, she is only a
'ie's privileged maid, who, for this v
,e, is acting the part of guest. ri
If you had not told me this Ishould 70
5 she is an accomplished, elegant p,
ng lady. How finely she plays and
y sweetly she singsp as