The Red Cloud chief., 1884-07-04

alluded TO what years she might still
have to live. and to the abject misery
of her latter days. which would be the
consequence of her resigning her pres
cnt mode of life. Mrs. Baggett vas
supposed TO have been born ut Ports
mouth. and, Therefore. 10 allu,te to
that one place which sic knew.
Before / describe Mr.. Whittlestaf
and Miss Lawrie. l must devote a few
words TO the early life of Mrs. Baggett.
Dorothy Tedcastrr had been born in
the house of Admiral Whittlestatf. the
officer in command of the Portsmouth
dock-yard. There her father or her
mother had family connections. to visit
whom Dorothy, when 4 young woman.
had returned from the then abode of
her mistress, Mrs. Whittlestaff. With
Mrs. WhittleStaff she had lived from
birth, and of Mrs. Whittlestaif her mind
was so full that she did conceive
her to be superior to her majesty and
all the royal family. Dorothy, in an
evil hour, went lack to Portsmouth,
and there encountered that worst of
military heroes. Sergeant Baggett.
With MANY lamentations and confess
sions as to her own weakness, she wrote
to her mistress, acknowledging that she
did intend t marry '.B." Mrs. Whit
tlestaff could do nothing to prevent it,
and Dorothy did marry ''B." Of the
misery and iil-usage, Of the dirt and
poverty, which poor Dorothy Baggett
endured that year. it needs not here to
tell. That something had passed between
her and her old mistress when she re-
turned to her must. l suppose, have
been necessary. Of her married life. in
subsequent years. Mrs. Baggett never
spoke at all. Even the baker only
knew dimly that there had been a Ser
geant Baggett in existence. Years had
passed since Mrs. Baggett had been made
v to her present master. And he.
though he probably knew something of
the abominable Sergeant, never found
it necessary to mention his name. For
this Mrs. Bsggett was duly thankful,
and would declare among all persons,
the baker included. that .'for q gentle
man to be a gentleman, no gentleman
was such a gentleman" as her master.
1t was now five-and-twenty years
since the Admiral had died. and fifteen
since his widow had followed him.
During the latter period Mrs. Baggett
had lived at Cookers Hall with Mr..
Whittles.aff, and within that period
something had leaked Il As to the
Sergeant. Mrs. Baggett, in her very
heart of hearts, was deeply grieved at
what she considered to be the poverty
of her master. You're a stupid old
fool. Mrs. Baggett,' her master would
say. when her regrets would be eX-
pressed. Haven't you enough to eat,
and a bed to lie on. and an old stocking
full OF money somewhere? What more
do you want?"
"A stocking full of money" she
would say, wiping her eyes; "there
ain I no such thing. And As for eating,
of course 1 eats as much as | wants. |
eats more than l wants, if you come to
that
Then you're very greedy"
"But to think that YOU shouldn't have
a man in 4 black coat to pour out a
glass of wine for You. SIR"
Il never drink wine, Mrs. Baggett."
We'll. whisky. But it's a come
down in the world. Mr.. Whittlestaff."
"If YOU think I've come down in the
world, you'd better keep it to yourself,
and not tell me. l don think that I've
come down."
"You bear up against it like a man,
sir: but, for a woman like me, l do feel
it." Such was Mrs. Baggett and the
record of her lie.