The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-07-28
A LADY HELP.

Her father, Commander Dundonald
PoppiDger, had the gunboat Iris when
his wife presented him with little black
browed, dark-eyed daughter. So, against
the dictates of her own taste, which
would have led her to give some more
appropriate name to the olive-skinned.
dark.eyed stranger, Mrs. Poppinger
acceded to her husbands request, and
had the baby baptized iris and as Iris
she grew up. At this time her father
died, and her mother was left to glory in
his memory and-a pension of seventy
pounds year. Things that were ap-
palling to the girl we're said to and OF
her then by rich relatives, who assumed
the right to criticise and direct her life,
but who never gave her shilling to help
to make that life respectable one. Iris
went as unpaid drudge to her mothers
rich cousins wife. Every one who knew
little about her, and heard her speak OF
herself, said this lady was q most estim.
able woman, quite model British ma
tzon.
This is an experiment merely, re-
member, about Iris Poppinger, she ex-
planned to her circle when it was settled
that Iris should come to stay at the
Witheringtons' house In Connaught
Place, as lady help to the wealthy city
merchants wife. "This is an expert
ment merely. I don't feel myself bound
to keep Miss Poppinger if she proves
useless to me; if she has awell-regulated
mind, che will be so thankful for the
blessing of much more comfortable
home than she has ever known, that she
will strive to be humble and useful"
''Come, come, now" her husband
said, half iocularly, but with feeling
nevertheless; "Iris isn't coming here to
be drudge, you know, my dear; you
must remember the girl has been well
brought up, and you-well; you must be
considerate and make allowances for
her."
Mrs. Witherington had the reputation
of being a Tartar in her household.
Therefore her husband thought it we'll
to pour little oil upon the troubled
waters, on which poor Iris would shortly
sail.
''I shall do nv duty by your cousins s
daughter, Mr.. Witherington; have no
fear of that" she said, with an air Of
overtaxed patience. 81 do not bring any
one from my side of the house into our
Eden; do not wish the introduction of q
serpent into Paradise"
"Why, bless my soul Iris is but girl,
with no more of the serpent about her
than-than you have, my DEAR" Mr..
Witherington said warmly. And Mrs.
Witherington smiled coolly, and said.
I'VE shall see."
Iris was received very Kindly in her
new home. That is. the Witheringtons
were going out to dinner when she ar
rived, cold and hungry, at o'clock in
the evening, at her new home; but Mrs.
Witherington's own maid who looked
upon his as rival) gave her some tea
and toast Her bedroom was large,
healthy, and airily furnished.
IF could get by fire" the poor girl
said pleadingly to Bond, the maid.
'Well, don't know what tkelr wishes
are about your going down stairs yet, !"
the maid said, circumspectly; "but Mrs.
Witherington wouldu't hear of fire in
your room, that know. When you've
taken off your things you might come
into Mrs. Witherington's dressing-room
with me-"
ST think-I am too tired" Iris said,
choking back all semblance of feeling
hurt as we'll as she could. But the task
was little hard for her. Was she to be
the waiting woman's companion?
''I'll be that, I'll be anything; I'll put
my neck under the yoke to any extent
to help mother, to make things easier
for motherI" the poor child said to her
self that night after her prayers had
been said, and she had crept dispiritedly
into bed. And the next morning il
seemed as though she were to be imme-
diately rewarded for her brave resolve,
for Mrs. Witherington came to her quite
early and kindly said:
Iris, / hope you slept well, and I
hope you have remembered all you owe
Mr.. Witherington? We do not ask for
any earthly reward for the good we do,
but still would not have you migrate
full or careless about the benefits you re-
celve. You are to stay in bed and have
your breakfast comfortably this morning.
/ never expected too much of anyone,
and your journey may have fatigued you.
When you are dressed come to me in my
dressing room, and I'll appoint You
some of your duties"
sid rather get up now" Iris cried:
I'm not fatigued. hate breakfast in
bed. I'm ready for my duties"
Mrs Witherington lifted up con-
cientiously kept plump hand, and
shook it warmly.
''You must subdue that unruly tenn
per and tongue, Iris; you must learn to
be grateful and humble in your de-
meanor toward those who befriend you
ut the cost of much trouble and anxiety
to themselves; am afraid you have not
been taught to keep yourself in subiec-
ton. You will have your breakfast in
your own room this morning, and after
it, in two hours time, you will come to
me-"
She sailed out of the room as she said
this, leaving behind her a general i'm
preston of fatness and horidpess, and of
feline cautiousness. Had she waited q
minute longer, Iris would have asked
TO be allowed to go out and take little
walk in the fresh air in the park. The
thought of breakfast was repugnant to
her. But Mrs. Witherington did not
grant her this minute for action.
The fact was, Mrs. Witherington had
planned her arrangements rather too
CLOSELY. Bond, her maid, was an expen.
siye luxury; therefore, when Mrs. With
erington agreed to take Iris into her
house as lady-help she determined at the
same time to get rid of Bond, and make
Iris assume Bonds duties. But she did
not wish Iris to be alarmed by Bonds
report either of these duties or of the
one who exacted them. Therefore, she
had settled that Bond should leave the
house in the afternoon of the day on
which Iris was to arrive IN the evening
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