The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-31
THE NURSE-MAID'S PLACE.

THE NIKSEsMAlDS HLAGE.
s.What shall do?" said Linda Car,
roll, folding her white hands together.
"Grandma's fortune has gone up like a
sky-rocket. Grandma does nothing but
crv, and | haven't a friend in the
country, or any means of earning a dol
lar. They wouldn't take me anywhere
as gOverness, or as sales-woman in any
store, without experience and refer
ences. I've painted "a flower piece and
it hangs in the StatiOner's window as it
has hung for six months.
81 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 NAV come true,
absurd as it sounds. Who is that?"
"Me, Miss said a voice in the crack
of the door, and rosy Irish face of
sixty was thrust in. II come to see
had you any pieces for the wash to-
day?'
1--WE been obliged to do my own
washing, Mrs. MacLynn," replied
Linda.
''Sure. wasn't We suited, Miss?" cried
the woman. sit was wet weather and
the last was dried indoors, and not so
white as I'd like"
81 was very we'll suited, l am sure,
. Mrs. MacLynn," said Linda, ''but we've
been losing money, and my purse was
empty. | couldn't afford to pay for it. "
''LOrd help you, Miss. I'm sorry to
hear it." said Mrs. MacLynn; "but
there's trouble everywhere. Here my
own cousin, Katie Wiggins her mother
was my aunt's second husbands wife'S
brother-in-law' daughter-fell down a
flight of stairs and broke her leg, and
she cook in an illigant house at thirty
dollars 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
for girl to mind the baby! Well, good
morning, Miss"
Il 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
the country for that sum-" she thought,
land 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
mentS.
as Wanted a young, genteel, person
to take charge of little boy ," she read.
Perhaps that might do, if can swallow
my pride" she sighed. And noting
the number, she put on her plaineSt hat
and mantle and hurried out into the
street
She found the house after a walk of
an hour-a handsome residence-and,
having been uShered into the reception
room, was received by neat, elderly
woman.
1.-The arrangements are all left in my
hands. said this person, smoothing her
black and white bingham apron. ''You
would be wanted to take care of a
motherleSS child. Poor Mrs. Bellamy
died last week. and common servant
will not do. Mr.. Bellamy relies on my
discretion. I'm the housekeeper-have
been for ten years. He is a broken
hearted man; never looks up or speaks
to anyone. Dear Mrs. Bellamy-now
in heaven-had a most trying DISPOSE
ton. | believe she generally scolded
him all night; and she got pneumonia
throwing up the window because he
shut 1t. But that was all her nerves,
and he adOred her. He'll never recover
her loss. He has a hat-band all over
his hat. and her miniature and hair in
a locket on his watch chain. You
won't expect much gayety in this
afflicted household, but you'll have
Sunday afternoon-Pll take Master
Thomas then-and an evening once a
week. What references?"
Linda smiled.
"Would grandma do?" she asked.
And then she told her little story.
Mrs. POSSett listened and considered.
Finally she agreed to waive reference,
and offered twenty dollars a month.
That sum Linda knew would secure an
upper ballroom in her present place of
residence for her grandmother. and she
accepted the position thankfully. At
home she spoke of her position as that
OF a governesS, and the old lady wept
afresh, as well she might, when Linda's
modest trunk was carried away
Master Tommy was an nunmanageable
little boy, who seemingly inherited his
mothers temper. A regular battle was
necessary before he could be washed or
clothed. He refused to 60 to bed at
night, and he refused to get up in the
morning. When one took him for a
walk he ran away. He climbed out of
the windows and stood upon the sill.
He tore thingsfo for mere mischief sake.
and was as fond of biting as mad
dog; but Linda was cool, quiet and
good-humored. In week or so she
got the mastery over him, and even be-
gan to teach him something. Of the
iather she saw nothing, but at night
she heard him pacing the room over
head with long and solemn strides.
''lt-s his conscience, my dear" said
Mrs. Posset. He saws he is sure he
wasn't all he should be to his poor
Amanda, and that he broke her heart.
He never even answered her back, and
I've had him get up in the night and
go everywhere to buy strawberries
when they were not in season because