Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-09
A MODERN PARIAH.

pOse you IL HdNe 10 come ana stay
with me, now, Lisbeth yer fathers gone
an yer brother Joe bin an got merred"
The speaker was tall, gaunt woman,
whose expressionless face seemed cut out
even in this hour of trial. Lisbeth Morton
looked up quickly. No. thank you, aunt
Rachel; you have no work for me. am
sure, and should not like to be burden
am going TO the city, and intend to get a
situation as housemaid. I'll work little
cheaper than the others DO, if l can have
time to so to the Art School one day in the
week and some of the evenings"
Going out to service?" the hard voice
answered sneeringly. Its Just like you.
didn't think my brothers darter ud stoop
80 low. What'll Jim Downing say2"
g | haven I asked him." replied the girl,
with proud lifting of her head and vivid
color in her cheeks.
Well, you'd better" advised Aunt Ra-
ohei. and if he don't put his foot down on
that. my name amt Rachel Jones, that, S
all"
g / shall do as | think best for myself"
answered Lisbeth very quietly, and left the
room to attend to some household duties
The gray evening came slowly on. Brother
Joe and his new wife took Aunt Rachel to
her dreary home on their way to spend
the evening with Il neighbor. Lisbeth sat
down 10 her sewing with fast beating
heart. listening at intervals for step she
knew so well, that might at any moment
be heard on the gravel walk beneath the
window. She had not long to wait, for
gentle knock was followed By a quick
opening of the door in country fashion,
and young man, with close-cropped yet
dark-curling hair, entered without further
ceremony. He took her hand and attempt
ed to draw her down to chair beside him.
but she sprang lightly up under pretense
Of turning down the wick Of the lamp for
fear it might crack the glass, and then
seated herself on the opposite side of the
fireplace. Yet the tones of her voice were
tender, even trembling as she talked of
everyday affairs at last with some hesita-
ton she saidS"I wanted a chance to tell
you that am going to the city to stay"
The young man looked surprised, and
there was a protest in his voice as he said ::
Why Lisbeth, isn't it rather sudden
You surely don't mean to st1yr"
Yes | do" she answered drearily, I'm
not wanted here. Maria takes my place
already, and it's right she should but it
cuts me up dreadfully. I've been head of
the house and all Joe had to depend on so
long-I can't get used to it'
1t is only till next year." he protested
Then my apprenticeship is finished and
you might take me for better and for
worse"
There was a minutes pause, and then she
spoke slowly, but with an air of conviction
s. couldn't; my clothes would wear out :;
nay temper would be soured; should not
be worth taking. | am not lit for anything
but housework; fathernever thought it mat
tered for girls. Now l must begin my life
and it will be hard at first. But | have
just got so far with my studies in art, |
want to get further, so shall get house
maids place, and can save over 500 by the
time you are"
She never finished her sentence, for he
broke in, " You servant, Lisbeth Nor
ton, you will not degrade yourself So"
do not think it degrades me, trying to
earn an honest living, any more than if
was dress maker or music-teacher," she
answered with spirit.
His face paled with passion, his dark
eyes glowed.
If you go to service | have done with
you, he said finally.
You have, James Downinglr said Lis
beth, in cool, calm tones" and there is the
OOOr-t5OOu evening.
His manner changed "Oh, Lisbeth. be
persuaded" he said, imploringly, with a
sound as of tears in his voice. But she
shook her head and did not speak, as he
picked up his cap and fumbled for the
latch, evidently bind with grief and anger.
Neither OF them remembered in after years
just how they parted, but the sad break
never healed, and during the weeks that
she remained at the old homestead, Lis
beth did not again meet her old lover.
Miss Arabella Downing was strong in her
denunciation of the young girls project.
To think our jim had an idea of marry
ing her once, she said in q moment of
confidence, "a common servant It's
shame for her. She might have taken in
sewing, or trimmed hats, or had straw
berry bed, that's fashionable now, ANYTHING
but that; well, she's lost caste any way and
Jim will likely marry Amelia Blakely, who
has little money, though she isn't as pretty
as Lisbeth Morton. But then beauty's ONLY
skin deep, anyway" which must have
been a consolation to her if her glass was
faithful. And so in this small village.
where every one did their own homework,
where every farmers wife was nurse.
seamstress, housemaid, cook" all in one.
our little forlorn girl was an outcast from
society because she chose to do whatever
her hands found to do well. Aunt Rachel.
IN fit of spasmodic generosity, made for
her twelve large aprons, OF the coarsest
crash toweling, suitable for a sculery maid
in her pot-washing moments, and Lisbeth
thanked her for them with good grace.
But all these petty trials made the parting
from the old home less severe, and it was
almost with sigh of relief that she babe
farewell to her early associations, and after
planting rose bush on the graves of her
parents, stepped out into the world without
further regret, than to be SO far from those
grassy mounds
Mrs. Lyster was a widow with two I'M
married daughters who were lust out in
society, and spent all the time they could
spare from that arrogant mistress in the
pursuit of art. with a little music and en-
broldery that was also artistic Maude was
not more than seventeen" but tall and
stately, with hauteur of manner that
was not so pleasant as the affectinnate dis
position OF Mignon, the younger. They were
good girls, brought up in a CAV. thought
less manner, without troubling their
heads over any social problem. In fact
they considered all women out of place
who asserted theirrights, and believed those
socially beneath them TO be of different
caste altogether. Isn't it curious. mann
ma ?" said Maude, one morning, as she idly
cut the leaves Of the latest fashion maya
zlne Tour new housemald LiSbeth,
wears gloves, and such pretty ruffied aprons
and neat dresses. | wonder if she wants to
save her hands, or what is the reason 2"
Mrs. Lyster smiled. That is no fault.
my dear child; the girl does her work well
and is q treasure. She is rather superior
and is ambitious; goes to the art evening
class, and gets one afternoon in the week
as well. l got her for two dollars q month
less than the last maid on that account.
and she is far more deft and handy"
Maude looked her establishment THE
art class Why she's only housemaid.
and it's really too bad. Rene Lindsay and
To,, nov,s Gol,r,rr 20 .bat ,1os. =,