The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-12-31
ELSIE'S LOVER.

Il suppose it isn't right to say such a
thing" said winsome Elsie, with a
plaintive sigh, to her friend and conf
dant, old Nurse Barnes; but | often
wish I'd never been born. Nobody
knows what to do with me, and | GER
tainlv don't know what to do with my
self -
Dear, dearr' said Mrs. Barnes,
Il don't know said Elsie sadly.
Uncle Joseph wants me to 90 and
work in the factory. He thinks Knight
earn twelve shillings week, after had
had few weeks practice"
Its not hard work. said Mrs.
Barnes. You'll soon get used to it,
my dear. One can get used to any
thing"
And Aunt Betsey wants to send me
up to the Manor House to help Mrs
Perkins, the housekeeper," went on
Elsie. Il was there a week in the
spring. Oh, with long BREATH
''it is the prettiest place! One room all
full of books, don't you know, and a
hall where they hang nothing but pic
lures. | used to creep all over the
place, when the squire was gone out on
horseback and Mrs Perkins was tohin e
her after-dinner nap. | used to sit down
in the silk chairs, and fan myself with
the BIG scented fans, and make believe
was great heiress, with lots of ser
wants to order about
'.Oh, Elsie! that was making very
bold" said Mrs. Barnes, with an awe,
stricken shudder.
''Yes, | know" confessed Elsie; -'but
it was only making believe, after all,
and nobody knew. But | saw Nh.
Raven twice. and he talked to me just
as kind-oh! a deal kinder that Uncle
Joseph does. And he told me the names
of some of the rarest flowers, and offered
to lend me books out of the grand Ii
brarv But Mrs. Perkins told Aunt
Betseg that | am too idle and awkward
for service So now [ don't know
whether | am to be bound to Miss
Miggs, the dressmaker, or sent TO learn
the artificial flower trade"
ITS most pity, amt it?' said Mrs.
Barnes, looking sympathizingly at Elsie.
And just then, as she surveyed the large
dark ewes, the cheeks glowing scarlet
under their stain of gypsy sunburn, the
1.-THE, graceful figure in its outgrown
gown, the fancy suddenly crossed her
mind that, under some circumstances.
Elsie Linn might be almost handsome.
You see. | have no one really be-
longing to me-" said Elsie, signing,
Even Uncle Joseph was only my
mothers half-brother. And they don't
know what to do with me-"
What would you like best to do?''
said Mrs. Barnes, who was pairing pota-
toes for the one o'clock dinner.
Il should like 10 be an authOreSs, and
write books said Elsie, with kindling
eyes.
s.Bless me, childr' said Mrs. Barnes,
"what do YOU know about authoresses?
Nothing" confessed Elsie; that's
the trouble. Or | should like to paint
pictures. and to be famous; or be queen
of a country that was at war. and lead
the soldiers to victory, mounted on q
coal-black horse; or do something very
great and grand, so that people might
never forget my memory.
Mrs. Barnes first started and then
sighed. Pour soul, there was perhaps a
time when she, too, had her wild dreams
and impossible imaginings.
''Such things don t happen nowadays,
Elsie" said she. Women have to
scrub, and wash and sew in this coun-
try, not ride to battle or paint grand
pictures. Better leave off thinking of
such fate.
Yes" cried Elsie, with start, as the
clock struck twelve. And Aunt Betsey
will be wanting me to set the table. |
must hurry home. How she will scold
to be sure"
But to Elsie's infinite relief. when she
reached home. Aunt Betsey met her with
no frown.
Come in quick. child" said she,
land change your frock. Mr.. Raven is
here
''Ohr' cried Elsie, with skip over
the doorstep, "am to be Mrs Perkins
maid?"
1--WE don't know" said Aunt Betsev
mysteriously. Time will show. Don't
jump about, my child. Try to take
short steps, and be a lady. And, oh.
what a dreadful tear that is in YOUR
dress. Never mind now Run Quick
and change it as soon as ever YOU can.
and then come down to the best parlor. y
But long before Elsie Linn's simple
toilet was made. an awful fear took pos
session of her that Squire Raven had
come to tell Uncle Joseph of the big
bunch of hot-house grapes which she
picked, SAB rosa, last spring and gave
to little Billy Sniffen, in the road. the
last day she was at the Manor House.
There were such lots of them.'' she
argued with herself, Hanging there in
the sunshine, ell purple and fragrant.
and Billy had just got over the scarlet
feyer-poor little mite!-and did long