The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-10-20

One is raised to a kind OF personag
by all the deniZens of the little street
and terraces. She made me a clums,
little curtsy, and grinned amicably
And I was encouraged by the littl
maid. She was about fifteen, rathe
grimy, in a gown much too long fo
her; but yet her foot was upon he
native heath, and I was an intruder
She knew all about the family, NJ
doubt, and who they were, and tht
name Of my clerk, and the relations il
which he stood to her young mistress
while I was only a stranger feebly
guessing, and impertinently spying
upon all these things.
rs the young lady at home?"
asked, with much humility.
The girl stared at me with wide
open eyes; then she said with broad
smile, "You mean Miss Ellen, don't
ye, miss?" In these regions it is sup
posed complimentary to say miss,
as creating a pleasant fiction Of per-
petual youth.
"To tell the TRUTH" I said, with q
consciousness Of doing my best to con-
ciliate this creature, Il don't know
her name. It was about some music
lessons"
"Miss Ellen isn't in," said the girl,
"but missus is sure to see you if you
will step into the parlor, MISS" and
she opened to me the door Of the room
in which | had seen my faithful John
ny at the window, and heard her sing
ing to him, in the twilight, her soft
song. It was a commonplace little
parlor, with faded carpet and those
mahogany and haircloth
chairs which no decorative genius,
however brilliant, could make any
thing of. What so easy as to say that
good taste and care can make any
house pretty? This little room was
very neat, and I don't doubt that Miss
El!en's faithful lover found little
paradise i'll it; but it made my heart
foolishly sink to see how common
place It all was; a greenish-whitish
woolen cover on the table, a few old
albums, terrible anti
in crochet work upon the
backs Of the chairs. [ sat down and
contemplated the little mirror on the
mantelpiece and the cheap little vases
with dismay. We are all preiudiced
nowadays on this question of furni-
5ure. Ny poor little music-mistress!
how was she to change the chairs and
tables she had been born to? But, to
tell the truth. | wayered and doubted
whether she was worthy Of him when
[ looked round upon all the anti-mac-
lssars, and the dried grasses i'll the
green vase.
While was struggling against this
irst impression the door opened, and
he mistress of the house came in.
She was a little woman, stout and
'oundabout, with a black cap decorat-
ID with flowers, but a fresh little
cheerful face under this tremendous
leaddress which neutralized it. She
,ame up to me with smile and would
lave shaken hands, had [ been at all
for such a warmth Of saluta-
ion, and then she began to apologize
or keeping me waiting. "When my
laughter is out [ have to do all the
Waiting npon him myself. He doesn't |
ike to be left alone, and he can't bear
but me or Ellen in the room
With him. she said. Perhaps she had
Explained beforehand who he was, but
II the confusion of the first greeting
had not made it out. Then I stated |
ny business, and she frightened up
till more.
"Oh, yes; I am sure Ellen viii un-
ertake it with great pleasure. In
he road, at No. IS? Oh, it is no dis
ance; it will be no trouble; and she is
o glad to extend her connection
With private teaching it is such
reat matter to extend your connec-
ion. 1t is very kind Of you to have
AIKEN the trouble to come yourself.
'erhaps one of Ellen's ladies, who are
Il SO kind to her, mentioned our
ame?"
THAT is Just where I am at loss"
said Gneasily. No; but | have seen
er passing all these years, always so
with her bright face. She |
as been a great fayorite of mine for
long time, though I don't know her
ame."
The mothers countenance bright
ned after moments doubt. Yes"
he said, she IS a coed girl-always Il
right face. She is the life of the
ouSe.'
And have seen" said /, hesltating
core and more, ID gentleman | pre- /
ume there is to be 1t marriage by
nd-by. You must pardon my curios-
~, I have taken SO much interest in
hem"
A good many changes passed over
he mothers face. Evidently she was
ot at ali sure about my curiosity. |
,hether perhaps it might not be i'm
ertinent.
"Ah!" she said, with little nod. |
you have remarked John. Yes. Of .
curse, 1t wa sure to be remarked. so
onstantly us he comes. | need not
make any secret Of it. In one way I !
would rather he did not come 50 /
ften; but it Is pleasure to Ellen. I.
Yes; | may say they are engaged-"
Engaged? After ali these years!
}ut L remembered that had no right, /
,eing an intruder, to say anything
I have seen them in the summer
.veniugs-'
Yes, yes" she said; 'yes,'' with
lgain nod OF her head. Perhaps it
was imprudent, for you never can tell
these things will come to
bat it was her only time
Tor little pleasure. Poor child. I
always see that she gets that hour.
They 60 out s5ill, though you would
not say it would do her much coed. in
The dark; but there Is nothing she en-
Joys SO much. She is the best girl
that ever was | don't know what
should do without her." and there
,rns q mlin1ncr Of nlnist1lrn in thn