Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-01-14
ELSIE'S LOVER.

II 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; .sbut | often
wish I'd never been born. Nobody
knows what to do with me, and / GER
tainly don't know what to do with N.Y.
self. y
Dear. deart' said Mrs. Barnes,
what are they going TO do with you?''
Il don't know" said Elsie sadly.
Uncle Joseph wants me to 90 and
work in the factory. He thinks might
earn twelve shillings week, after had
had q 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 week in the
spring. Oh. with long BREATH
''it is the prettiest place! One room all
full of books, don't you know, and q
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 taking
her after-dinner nap. used to sit down
in the silk chairs, and fan myself with
the big scented fans, and make believe
| was a 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 Mr..
Raven twice, and he talked to me just
as kind-oh! 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 IL
brary. But Mrs. Perkins told Aunt
Betsey 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"
"it's most pity, amt it?" said Mrs.
Barnes, looking sympathizingly at Elsie.
And just then, as she surveyed the large
dark eyes, the checks 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 do9"
said Mrs Barnes, who was pairing pota-
toes for the one o'clock dinner.
Il should like to be an authoress, and
write books" said Elsie, with kindling
eyes.
"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 country that was at war, and lead
the soldiers to victory, mounted on n
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
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 a skip over
the doorstep, ''am to be Mrs. Perkin' S
maid?"
I'VE don't know" said Aunt Betsey
mysteriorsly. Time viii show. Don't
Jump about, my child Try 10 take
short steps, and be lady. And, oh,
what 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. "
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 dollhouse grapes which she
picked, SUB 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, changing there in
the sunshine, all purple and fragrant
| and Billy had just got over the scarlet
fever-poor little mitei-and did long
for them So knew it was wicked, but
the temptation came over me so sudden
" that couldn't help it. And now il
Mr. Raven has told Uncle Joseph, and
Uncle Joseph is going to scold me-
Elsie drew a deep inspiration of hor-
ror ut this idea, but she must face her
| fate. and endure it as best she might.
And in her best frock. which was scant
and faded enough in all conscience, she
| descended with heavy heart to the
best room.
| Bring her in! Bring her in" said
! Uncle Joseph with chuckle II never
/ vet sold even yearling calf without
( giving the purchaser chance to look al
his bargain ha, ha, ha! And if you
really want the child. Squire"
/ Mr.. Raven rose courteously and put 8
/ chair for Elsie as she entered, with
/ dropping head and cheeks afiame.
I'VE are old friends, he said; .'are
we not?'
At the sound OF his gentle, measured
accents. the prickings of Elsie Linn.
| conscience became intolerable. She
lifted her large startled eyes to Mr.
! Ravens face.
'I'm very sorry, sir" said she
please. I'll never do it any more"
"Do WHAT" said Uncle Joseph, star
ing.
Il am quite at loss to understand
you" said Mr.. Raven courteously.
1.-The grapes, please faltered Elsie
getting redder and more confused thar
}! ever. Il didn't pick EN- for myself; il
was for little Billy Sniffe1i, aud L.
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