Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-10-09
Gales and Skftthes.
A NEGLECTED DAUGHTER.

a Fortunatus, as You must believe Dy the
way YOU constantly poster me for money.
In your dead mothers day girls didn't rig
themselves out for the purpose OF attract
ing attention. A plain calico frock and
simple straw bonnet are all that female
requires tor Sunday wear"
And the speaker, small. stern vlsaged
man. closed his grim mouth. and relapsed
into silence, watching his tall, handsome
daughter narrowly out of his keen black
ewes.
Father, You are terribly unjust 10 me,
vour daughter. You are one of the richest
men in Meadowland, and it is your duty to
see that Your daughter is respectfully II
not handsomely dressed My apparel IS
neither decent for church wear nor the
street. Repeatedly You have turned a
deaf ear to nv entreaties TO do something
whereby could purchase my own cloth
ing, for an. ashamed of being pointed at
and stigmatized "a the 'Miser's Daughter
and made the butt of ridicule on account
of nv scanty, old fashioned garments. If
NV mother had lived it would have been
otherwise
/ The tears gathered in her gray eyes as
she thought of that gentle woman who lay
at rest in the cemetery on the hill, and she
began to pace the floor in quick, nervous
way.
/ 1t irritated her father this rapid walking
to and fro, and he cried out sternly:
"Sit down, Huldah You act like a child
/ instead of a young woman almsst out of
/ her teens. That outburst OF yours was
especially childish. and provocative of no
/ good whatever. You dress well enough,
and will not have YOU aping those brain
| less ultra fashionable women who frequent
! the village during the summer season.
And as for seeking a situation" he con-
tinued with thump upon the table, don't
| ever let me hear you mention it again.
Hiram Lester is too proud to have his
daughter work for a livelihood"
Then he ought to be too proud to see
his daughter 90 dressed worse than any
scullion,' was the retort that rushed to
/ Huldah's lips.
/ As he left the room she gave vent to a
shower of tears.
at is too bad" she sobbed may, it is
shameful to treat me thus. If he were
poor should not mind it but he is so rich
that he counts his money by the thousands
He gave me a good education, because a
Lester must not be allowed to grow up ig-
norant, but he is not willing that should
apply it to any practical use. could teach
if he would let me find a school, or
might give music lessons, provided could
find the scholars. But no, ! must stay al home
and keep his accounts. and cook his
victuals, and receive-what do receive !?
with an abrupt pause, for my labor?
Ha, ha." with a bitter laugh, 1.-The food
eat and clothes gypsy would sneer at.
| shall bear it no longer; a reformation
takes place, and at once. Fathers pride
shall be humbled and shall have a be-
coming costume without its costing him a
farthing."
Tying on her old sun hat, she went
down the street in the direction of the only
grand mansion in the village. 1t belong
ed to bachelor, Robert Ranger, who
became possessor of it by death of an
uncle.
AS yet he had not seen the property,
but he was expected daily from California
where he had been soiourning for the past
year.
With firm steps Huldah pressed onward
till she reached the place, "a stately pile of
gray granite, over which the Virginia
creeper clambered, and the well kept
She went directly to the housekeeper
with whom she was we'll acquainted
Mrs. Madison heard her proposition
with surprise.
1T is astounding" she exclaimed with
uplifted hands. The daughter of the
second richest man in the place in quest
of work ~
Yes, III admit that, smiled the appli-
Int ,l,r,, :. -,
clothes to make myself presentable at
church and in the street. Father, who has
no intention of being misery. but who
has no knowledge of a woman's wants,
will not get them for me so | must earn
them myself. You want girl to help
clean house and get it in readiness for Mr.
Rangers arrival solicit the situation. :"
And when Huldah bad the housekeeper
good bye, it was with the understanding
that she should begin her work in the
morning.
And very good it is for you my dear, ~
said the kind old lady, THAT your father
is to be absent on business for ten or
twelve days; he would raise such fuss
that you would be glad to relinquish all
hopes of earning what you deem absolute
ly indispensable to your happiness. Good
bye, and don't hurry to get here in the
morning she shouted, as the girl went
down the walk with bouyant steps.
That night Mr. Lester went away on
business of Importance, and the next
morning Huldah presented herself at the
Ranger mansion to make herself generally
useful.
As the days went by, Mrs. Madison
found her perfect treasure She was
never cross like some of the girls in her
employ, and her duties were cheerfully
performed,
TWAS warm radiant morning in spring.
Flowers were blooming, birds were war
bling, and all nature wore iubilant look,
and as Huldah, scrubbing brush in one
hand and pail of water in the other, en-
tered the broad, cool hall to give it a
cleaning, she cast her eyes longingly on
the belt of woods lying beyond, and wished
she were tree to wend her way thither.
But strangling all such desire, she set
down her pail and energetically com.
menced her work.
With her sleeves rolled up above her
elbows. displaying to advantage her round
white arms. and singing a love ditty at
the top of her voice, she scrubbed vigor-
ously away; and there in the doorway. a
CLEAN of mischief visible in his dreamy
brown ewes stood n 10