Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-11-13
AUNT DEBuRAH'S DRUDGE.

kitchen till nobody expected anything
else of me. | had been retained IN the
house on sufferance at first, because
Aunt Deborah's brother, my father,
had run through all his property, and
was only distinguished by his shift
Iessness and the size of his family. i
SUPPOSE | was never missed from that
supcrabundant home circle; anyway,
they never came to see me, nor ever
inquired after me, that | know Of
Aunt Deborah had great deal OF
company, being rich and childless
widow, and fond of society. Bat no
one ever noticed me | was not even
snubbcd, for it was not worth while to
snub mere drudge like me.
NV cousin, Elsie Allston, was also
4 member Of my aunt's family, but
she received very different treatment
from that which fell to my lot. Her
father was aunty's favorite brother,
therefore she was educated, and was
understood TO be certain Of a home
and life's comforts always, and of
fortune at Aunt Deborah's death
Yet | did not envy my fortunate
cousin, for while | was let alone, and
at least took pride in the conscious
ness that | earned my own living.
Elsie was continually being tainted
with her dependence, and was kept in
abiect scrvility by her constant
threats of disinheritance.
Elsie would have been kind 10 me
if had allowed it, but | had "A sort of
pride which forbade me to receive
patronage from any one. | must be
received On an equal footing, or not al
all The only pleasure Of my life was
unlimited liberty to use the books in
my aun's great and ever increasing
library. My rough work untitled my
hands for sewing, n fact for which |
was sufficiently thankful, as it increas-
ed my leisure hours.
For the first two or three years Of
my stay | read novels exclusively.
But one Of the novels happened 30
have noble and aspiring woman for
IT'S heroine. Somehow, the story Of
that life haunted me day and night,
and resolved to be something worthy
Of love and respect, whether ever re-
celved my reward or not.
My first step was to map out a line
of thought and conduct, and a course
OF reading. My intellectual nature
was to be nodded by some of the best
books in my aunts library. and that
ideal woman of whom had read was
to be my moral lever, lifting me into
an atmosphere of self forgetting holi
ness aud love. believed that if Aunt
Deborah's drudge had never had an
opportunity of showing her. devotion
TO the human race, her own soul
would grow rich by the quiet effort.
IL had been years since | formed
this resolution when Mr.. Gleason,
forming nue Of a party of visitors,
came to my auntS house. But having
company to cook for in the summer
had come to be a settled thing, and
all company meant to me was drudg
cry, and less time 10 read.
There was no prophetic voice to
whisper to my heart, on the morning
of Mr.. Gleasou'S arrival, that my fate.
my hope and my dispair, my blessing
and my misery had come to me. He
was only one more guest, to be cook |
for ard to be waited upon by the i
drudge.
One day Elsie came to me with her
sweet weak face fearful and pleading.
You must help me, Hannah,
said she.
"lIelp you do what, child2"
ITO keep Aunt Deborah's good will |
and marry Mr.. Gleason. You see Mr.. |
Gleason is very poor, and if aunt
threatens to disiuherit me It may less
en- my chances of getting him"
| think my establishment and DIS
gust showed themselves in my face as
answered
,,,l
your promised husbands So lit
tie faith, and yet willing to be
his wife,"
She made an impatient gesture.
You don't understand" she said
slowly and unblashinely. '1Ie has
not asked me to be his wife, out he
will. am sure he will lie does not
love nc very much, but when we are
married, and he sees my devotion, it
will be different"
Then she put her face in my apron
and sobbed bitterly, and | knew by
her tears she had many misgivings.
How can l help your asked.
Il don't know" she replied through
her tears but you can manage any
thing, l am sure. Aunt Deb says you
are to this house what grease is to an
axle; that is, you make everything
run smoothly"
l could not help smiling, as l res
Piled
THAT is the first compliment l ever
received, and | think it is an exceed
ingly doubtful one. 1t cannot be ex.
pected that kitchen drudge can sue
ceSsfully intermediate in so delicate 81
matter as love affair. WHY, Elsie,
was never in love in my life, and
daily pray heaven to preserve me
from any such calamity; because the
man l could love would not notice
such person as l seem to be-"
II don't know" said Elsie, dubious
ly, and for the time forgetting her
troubles. There is something about
YOU different from other servants
something strong and masterful; but
l think you are troubled with morbid
Sensibilities. Promise that you'll help
ne if you can, Hannah"
ives, can make that promise with
perfect safety" l replied.
l formed a little plan of action very
speedily. That evening l went to
Aunt Deborah's room, and being bid
den TO enter, my first words were.
Il suppose you mean to leave Elsie
penpiless if she marries poor young
man"
"Yes," replied she, 81 have secured
for her the offer of very eligible hus-
band. Ii she does not see fit to accept
him, her future must be what she
makes it."
Then" said l, Elsi's loss will be
my gain, hope. Don't fail to con-
slider me after she has flung away her
chances for some day becoming your
heiress."
Aunt Deborah looked at me stead
lily for moment, as if she felt inclin-
ed to think was taking leave of my
senses; then she sat in her chair and
laughed long; laughed until her round
face was very red indeed. As soon as
Sha m IN q condition To Ssaaal Sho