The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-01-28
A SEARCH FOR A SITUATION

Martie Woodbridge-her name WAS
Martha, but no one called her So
lived on the outskirts of small village.
Her father was q farmer, but not a
prosperous one. Nature, with its frosts
and droughts, was always getting the
upper hand of him. and the crops which
lie raised were sure to be those which
brought the lowest price in the market.
The cankerworm stripped his apple
trees, and late frost blighted the corn
and oats. He had the misfortune to
buy COW which introduced the cattle
disease into his farmyard, and Creamer,
Spotty and Whiteiace-the three cows
that always filled their pals the fullest
ana made the most golden butter sick
ened and died.
This was the question which Martie
puzzled over from day to day, coming at
last to the conclusion that she must try
her luck in the big world which she had
seen so little of outside of her own small
village. She would go to London, and,
ifpossible, find there a situation as gov
erness, in which she could at least pro-
vide for her own support.
Her mother let fall a few quiet tears
over the plan, and smiling patiently
through them said: Ask your father.
Mr.. Woodbridge said No." at first;
but having laid awake allnight over his
difficulties, he called Martie ID him,
kissed her solemnly, gave a weary sigh,
and withit his consent.
So il came to pass that on cool, crisp
October morni lg, when the woods were
at their brightest autumn flush, and the
flcsl had stifTened the grass into little
silvery blades and spears and made the
few pale flowers that fingered by the
roadside hang their heads, Martie put
on her bravest smile, made hopeful, COM
forting little speeches, kissed them all
goodbye at home-the dear old home,
so full of Joys and troubles-and started
for London, to put into that great, hur-
rying, driving, j)stling market the
modest wares she had TO offer.
Martie was eager and full of hope;
but, alas how much eagerncss and hope
iulness 90 down to death c,cry day in
the frantic rush and scramble for the
good things going. Martic, in the great
city, looking for work to do, seemed
like a quiet little wren trying to pick up
a worm or crumb where hap ks and
vultures were snatching and clawing
Tor plunder.
Martle was met the moment she
stepped from the train by an old friend
of the family, who had kindly promised
TO receive her at her house, and do what
she could to assist her. The next day,
early in the morning, modest .unpre-
tending little advertisement was sent TO
one of the d.-ily newspapers. What
stupendous affair it seemed to M1rtie,
and how her unsophisticated little heart
beat at the thought Of ii! Nothing could
come of it that day, however; and
while she goes out with Mrs. Allen to
do little shopping and stare at n few of
the city lions, let us take look at the
quarters she has fallen into.
Mrs. Allen kept a sm'll private lodg-
ing house, very select and very genteel.
It's inmates were the learned Professor
Bigwig and family, from whose presence
certain literary aroma was supposed
10 pervade the atmosphere; the brilliant
Colonel Boreas, hero according to his
own account--ol numbeross battles;
rising Young lawyer, with his pretty,
blushing girl wife, al fresL sne lcrely
In her new bridal toilet; rich widow
and her still richer daughter, who, 1t
was said, was soon to become the help.
mate of the clerical member of the
household the Rev. Paul Apollos; and
last although not lcast, the.rcprcscntative
cClho iiuc arts, Me- Raymond, nm artist
whosn pictures had won golden praises
from critics and connoisseurs, and golden
prices from purchasers. !