The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-02-28
THE NURSE-MAID'S PLACE.

'fWhat shall l do?' said Linda Car
roll, folding her white hands together.
"Grandma's fortune has gone up like
skv-rocket. Grandma does nothing but
cry, and / haven't a friend in the
country, or any means of earning a dol
lar. They wouldn't take me anywhere
As goYerness, or as sales-woman in any
store without experience and refer
ences. I've painted "a flower piece and
Il hangs in the stationer's window as it
has hung for six months.
II offered to sew for the dress maker
and as soon as she saw my needlework
she said: 'Ah, goodness gracious, that
would never do!' My superficial edu-
cation was very well for a young heir
ess, but it is of no use to a poor girl
who needs to earn her living; and be-
gin to be afraid that what Grandma
says about sitting on the corner and
holding out our hands may come true,
absurd as it sounds. Who is that?n
AMe, Miss" said a voice in the crack
Of the door, ard q rosy Irish face of
sixty was thrust in. ''I come to see
had you any pieces for the wash to-
daEPn
1--WE been obliged to do my own
washing, Mrs. MacLynn," replied
Linda.
"Sure, wasn't We suited, Miss?" cried
the woman. 'It was wet weather and
the last was dried indoors, and not SO
white as I'd like
4 was very well suited, [ am sure,
Mrs. MacLynn, " said Linda, "but we've
been losing money, and my purse was
empty | couldn't afford to pay for it. y
Lord help you, Miss. Tn sorry to
hear it, said Mrs. MacLynn; "but
there's trouble everywhere. Here s my
own cousin, Katie Wiggins her mother
was my aunt's second husbands wife's
brOther-in-law's daughter down a
fight OF stairs and broke her leg, and
she cook in an illigant house at thirty
dollars a month. They took her to the
hospital the day. Sure it is a good
place she had, and the sarvent's wages
wonderful. Fourteen dollars month
iora girl to mind the baby! Well, good
morning, Miss. -
4 suppose could mind the baby, at
least thought Linda. And then she
remembered the landlady's black looks
at dinner time.
Perhaps could board grandma in
tle country for that sum- she thought,
and get the travelling expenses by sell
ing my jewelry. Things are getting
desperate. +" And she took up the news :.
paper and looked over the advertise
nents
" Wanted a young, genteel, person
piake charge of little boy, she read.
lerhaps that might do, if / lean swallow
my pride" she sighed. And noting
ele number, she put on her plainest hat
ana mantle and hurried out into the
ohe found the house after a walk of
% nonr-a handsome residence-and.
laslng been ushered into the reception
Woman.
Inc arrangements are all left in nv
iiaaas said this person, smoothing her
s.ack and white gingham apron. "You
nOin De wanted to take care of a
,so.hefless child. Poor Mrs. Bellamy
wsa ,.ia last week. and common servant
%ll not do. Mr.. Bellamy relies on my
%scfeton. I'm the housekeeper-have
osu Ier ten years. He is a broken
satseu man; never looks up or speaks
i anyone. Dear Mrs. Bellamy-now
II aaa asagen-had most trying DISPOSE
M believe she generally scolded
,aa ,l III night; and she got pneumonia
a.owlng up the window because he
nut nut, n But that was all her nerves,
,au y ae adored her. He'll never recover
Is ioss. He has hat-band all over
= nat and her miniature and hair in
ecket on his watch chain. You
,ts,;.. sa expect much gayety in this
snasd n,lGeed household, but you'll have
Taaaay afternoon-Tll take Master
vso, soIlias then-and an evening once a
reg What referencesp'
Linda smiled.
Al would grandma do?" she asked.
~ %. eaen she told her little story.
rs.ms. Possett listened and considered
an .lally she agreed to waive reference.
Tbs. oaered twenty dollars a month.
nnass rss sum Linda knew would secure an
rssISad sgsa nall.room in her present place of
secsn.ae sseace Tor her grandmother, and she
homss s the position thankfully. At
Of sne spoke of her position as that
seFness' and the old lady wept