The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-11-06

They didn't keep any servants-didn'
need any, pity 'twould be if two
hearty girls like hers couldn't do theil
own work.
Poor Martie She would not say ne
at once, because this was, so far, bel
only chance; SO she promised to give al
answer soon, and she went back to hel
room praying heaven to send her some.
thing better.
She thought her prayer was answered
when a gentleman called that evening
talked with her about his three little
girls, and seemed we'll satisfied with
the modest account she gave of herself
He was very particular about music,
however. and would be glad to hear
Miss Woodbridge play. Their inter.
view had taken place in the kindly shell
ter of the quiet little reception room
but the piano was in the big parlor, and
in there the professor and the Rev. Paul
Apollos were discussing earth and
! heaven. The colonel was stalking
about, showing off his martial figure,
and the young bride, by the side of her
new lord, was holding court in the
midst of a lively circle Of callers.
Shy, bashful Martie! How .,uld she
play before all these peopleP Poor
timid little wren, that had just crept
from under the mother wing and flown
out of her nesti Could she show what
sweet music she knew how to make with
a crowd of listenersP
There was none Of the airs and grace
of the music-pounding young woman
about Martie, as she dropped down upon
the piano stool and took a moments
grace before entering upon the dreadful
ordeal. Twas no use waiting, but ali.
t {3njt3 man would but sit down!
Why will he stand beside her and
watch her poor. frightened fingers as
they trip and stumble, give wild jump
for a distant note and miss it, make q
dive for one octave and light on another,
and at last lose their way altogether and
go on chasing each other UP and
down the key note. Martie.. knows the
piece she is trying to play as well as she
knows her name, but it flies out of her
head and slips away from cher fingers,
and she ends at last with finale of her
own improvising, feeling her hair stand
;traight upon her headsas she does it.
The gentleman was "much OBJ liged.n
| # almost Immediately, and Martie, in
q state of grief and modification, was
rushing through the hall, exclaiming,
with sob, as she covered her face with
her hands, "What shall l dop" when
she was suddenly stopped at the foot of
the stairs by Mr.. Raymond.
"My dear child" said he, " don't take
it so much to heart. I've heard you
play that piece before, and thought how
we'll you did it; but, of course, you
couldn't play with all those people
staring and listening. The man was a
brute to ask you to do it."
con, no; it is l who am such q sim
pleton," said Martie; but you are very
good to me-" and she hurried upstairs,
longing to get where nobody could see
her, but feeling comforted a little, even
then, by the tender sympathy which had
done its best to console her.
Once in her own room the foodgates
were opened, and Martie cried over
what she called her disgraceful failure
until she had succeeded in getting up a
raging headache. Then she went to bed
with the determination of writing in the
morning to Mrs. Myrick, informing tina
lady that she was ready to accept her
offer and enter upon the eddication" of
her daughters. But before she had
time to carry her resolution into effect
Mrs. Myrick herself appeared, having
made up her mind that Martie would
not do for them. She hadn't been
brought up in their ways, and was like
to be too purtickler.
Thus vanished all hopes of success
from advertising. Mrs. Allen next ad-
vised that Martie should try one of the
educational agencies in the city, and an
application was accordingly made.
Then followed more days of anxious
waiting and of hopes deferred, resulting
at last in visit and generous offer
from lady who won Martie's heart at
the outset with her pleasant face and
winning ways, andsher gentle, motherly
talk about the little boys and the two
little girls at home for whom she wanted
q teacher and companion. But, alas
that home lay hundreds of miles away
/ It seemed to Martie like going to the
ends of the earth. She had twenty-foul
hours in which to decide; spent halfthe
time in wavering between yes and no.
between the courage to 60 and the home.
i sickness which crept over her at the
very thought of it. Then scolding her.
self for a genuine coward, she made
up her mind that go she must, and &c
she would.
"Whatf" exclaimed Mr.. Raymond, in
a tone of surprise. Have you really
made up your mind to go SO far from
home and all your friendsp"
i