Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-06-27


not an enemy's darter.
Stephen Billings had not been the cnly
direction in which Sophronia had sought
relief. She had an aunt living in New
York, the wife of one of the wealthiest
Mrs. Bird was very fond Of her niece and
having no children of her own, would
long ago have adopted Sophronia, if the
latter could have been induced to leave
her parents. AS it was Mrs. Bird had
insisted on securing to the bright and
pretty girl the advantages Of a full course
at the Wilbraham academy. To Mrs.
Bird, Sophronia had written, revealing
the home situation under pledge OF Sec
recy, and begging her aunt to secure for
her some young pupils for forenoon
class. Mrs. Bird in reply warmly ex-
postulated with Sophronia, offering her
permanent home, and proposing an i'm
mediate loan. But Sophronia was firm,
declined all these kind overtures, and
pleaded for the forenoon class; and the
very next day after her interview with
Stephen Billings she received letter
from Mrs. Bird announcing, still with
much tender protest, that the class was
arranged, and she could assume its di-
rection at any moment.
Sophronia persisted in carrying out
her plan. On arriving in New York,
Sophronia amazed her aunt-who receiv-
ed her warmly, and made her at once the
mistress of lovely room-by going out
on the third day, and returning with the
news that she had found and taken cheap
but reputable lodgings in another part of
the city with kitchen privileges.
Kitchen privileges :" cried Mrs Bird
looking a, her niece in real dimay, my
dear Sophronia, what on earth can you
wan, of kitchen privileges :"
"Why to board myself, of course. |
must earn and save every cent | can,
said Sophronia, earnestly. Il have CIV
en- my word, and l will keep it. And
can't you see, dear aunt, there is but one
way"
"No, | can't" and Mrs. Bird folded
and unfolded her hands in sincere vexa-
ton. You do not need to be so proud.
If this is what is meant by New England
pride, I'm sure it's very ugly virtue. 1t
was all very well for those delicate wo-
men who had to come over in the May
flower, and be dumped on Plymouth
Rock with nothing to eat or wear, poor
things for they couldn't help themselves
I've never believed-for there's no sense
in it-that they came Of their own free
will, and chose hard times and everything
dirty and disgreeable.
But with you Sophronia, it's very dit-
serent. and you might please me if you
would"
Sophronia gently shook her head.
q" Do let me do as l feel l ought. with
out having to feel that vex you, she
pleaded; and then she kissed her aunt
with so sweet look of tenderness and
inae.ibility that Mrs. Bird yielded.
The arrangement, in no way interfered
with Sophronia's management Of her
class, which she met daily in the vestry
of chapel which had been fitted and
assigned to this purpose through Mrs.
Birds representation, and at her expense.
Sophronia enjoyed her work.
One evening when Sophronia had been
some four months in the city, Mrs. Bird
gave reception to the lovely and popular
trapedienne Mile. Bland. At supper the
guests who had been severally contribut-
ing little anecdotes and recollections fol
the general amusement, called on Mile
BLAND for the most curious incident which
she could recall in connection will
her profession.
1.-The thing you ask for occurred thu
very week. Last Wednesday, near th'
close of the matinee. | met a young
| lady in the passages who begged me t'
direct her to Nile. Bland. Of course
took her to my dressing room. She was
plainly dressed, but in good taste, an'
was not only beautiful. with charming
manners, but so earnest and so frank
was captivated by her. She made
strange request. She said, without an.
prelude, that she was in great need c
money, and to obtain it wished to pro
cure the disguise of poor old woman
and to learn how to assume it readily
She caught every suggestion of mine with
the quickness of an artist; and at tn
last, imagine my perplexity when she at
tempted to pay me, not for my kindness
she said but for the costume, and tn
little parcel of cosmetics. l had reaii
to quarrel with her."
"Where did she come from VIVA