Middletown transcript., 1881-06-24
THE NURSERY GovERNEss.

II am very sorry for the family,
said Mr.. Murray, knitting his brow
into a thoughtful shape ''but | reall,,
don't see what can do in the matter
One cannot offer money to Harolt
Wendall's wife and daughter, and un
fortunately am not at the head Of
government bureau to bestow situation'
on lone, lorn females. No, | really
don't see my way clear to any method
Of helping them.''
And he pushed aside the piteous little
letter signed 'Horatio Wendall, " which
had so graphically depicted the wants
and woes Of the bankrupt merchants
family.
As he did 50, the door opened, and
his aunt, Mrs. Barnabas bennington,
came ina plump, overdressed matron,
with rose-pink cap-ribbons, dead-gold
jewelry, and a silk dress that trailed
full a quarter Of a yard on the floor.
ssKenneth,' z said Mrs. bennington,
"this can't 60 on any longer"
'What can't go on any longer?" said
Mr.. Murray.
''This domestic uproar," said Mrs.
bennington, with every ribbon loop on
her cap quivering with excitement.
'sThis general lawlessness- utter
lack Of anything like order and discip-
line in your household n
Mr.. Murray smiled and shrugged his
shoulders.
''Is it the children again 70 said he.
''It's the children again. said Mrs.
bennington.
'And what have they been doing this
time ~ questioned Mr.. Murray, with
an air Of mild resignation.
"What haven't they been doing ?'
said Mrs. bennington, eleyating both
her hands. "They have harnessed up
the Eastlake drawing-room chairs for a
four-horse stage coach they have bro
ken the great Persian jar, with the me-
dallion paintings on it they have cut
out all the plates in the Encyclopedia
Brittanica, to daub them up with their
horrid little paint-boxes, and worst of
all, Betty CHANGED to go up stairs, a
little while ago, and found them all
playing tag on the roof Of the house. !"
''This must be put a stop to-" said
Mr. Murray.
"Just what | say myself" declared
Mrs. bennington, tanning herself We
hemently.
seBut how ~ queried Mr.. Murray,
with a troubled expression Of counte-
nance.
Engage a goyerness," said Mrs.
Bonnington-''a "a nursery governess, now
some nice, unassuming, substantial
person, who
''The very thing r. said Mr.. Murray,
instinctively laying his hand upon the
half-opened letter, that was still on the
desk. "Harold Wendall's orphan
laughter had just written to me, to tell
ne Of the destitution that they were in,
Ind to ask me to help them in some
Ssay. Ill offer her the situation
''She won't take it, = said Mrs. Bon
nington.
"Why shouldn't she ~ said Mrs.
Murray.
Reduced gentry are a deal too
proud to stoop to work for a living"
said the lady.
'tThen they must reconcile them
selves to starye,'' said the rich man,
with an incipient frown gathering be-
tween his level black brows.
''And besides, !" added the rich mans
aunt, II don't at all relish the idea Of
a naughty slip Of thing like that dom
ineering over my dead niece's children,
and taking offense at every look and
word. \
s'She won't domineer. And I don't
believe she'll take offense," asserted
Mr.. Murray. cat all events, | mean
to make the trial. Don't you see, my
dear aunt, it's a clear pointing Of
finger Of Providence ?-three noisy
children that NAt a governess and a
young woman that stands in need Of a