The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-01-02
ELSIE's LOVER.


II suppose it isn't right to say sucl
q thing" said winsome Elsie, with 6
plaintive sigh, to her friend and con
q liant, old Nurse Barnes; "but
[pften wish I'd never been born. No.
body knows-what 70 do with me, and
4 certainly don't know what to dt
with myself"
Dear. dear ~ said Mrs. Barnes
what are they going to do with
YOU ?n
II don't KNOW" said Elsie sadly
Uncle Joseph wants me to go and
work in the factory. He thinks ]
might earn twelve shillingS a week
after l had had a few weeks prac.
fice."
Sits not hard work." said Mrs.
Bafnes. You'll soon get used to il,
sssli S.lear. =
"And Aunt Betsey wants to send
me up to the Manor House TO help
Mrs. Perkins, the housekeeper," "
went on Elsie. II was there a week
in the spring. Oh"-with a long
hreatll-"it is the prettiest place
One room all full of books, don't you
know, and hall where they hang
nothing but pictures. l used to creei
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 i'm the silk
chairs. and Ian myself with the bis:
scented fans, and make believe l was
a great heiress, with lots of servants
to order about"
"Oh. Elsie! that was making very
bold, said Mrs. Barnes, with an awe.
stricken shudder.
.Yes, 1 know" confessed Elsie
"hut it was only making believe,
after all. and nobody knew. But /
saw Mr.. Raven twice, aud re talked
to me just as kind-Oh ! a deal kinder
ti.an Uncle Joseph does. And he told
me the names of some of the rares,
flowers, and offered to lend me books
out of the grand library. But Mrs
Perkins told Aunt Betspy that am
too idle aud awk ward for service. S.
now l don't know whether l am tC
he bound to Miss Miggs, the dress.
maker, or sent to learn the arlificia
flower trade"
"It'S most pity, amt il ?" sait
Mrs. Barnes, looking sympathizingly
AT Elsie. Aud just then, as she sur
yeyeI the large dark eyes, the cheeks
glowing scarlet under their stain u
ypsy sunhurn, the 1.-THE, graceful
| figure in its outgrown gown, thu
fancy suddenly crossed her mind that
under some circumstances Elsie Linz
might he almost handsome.
"You see, 1 have no one really be
longing to me-" said Elsie, signing
"Even Uncle Joseph was only III,
mothers half-hrother. And they
don't know what to do with me-"
"What would you like hest tU do p
said Mrs. Barnes, who was parins
potatoes for the one O'Clock dinner.
II should like to he an authoress
and write books" said Elsie. will
kindIing eyes.
"Bless me, child !" said Mrs Barnes
"what do you know about author
esses ?"
"Nothing." confessed Elsie "that'
the trouble. Or l should like TO pain
pictures. and TO he famous !; or b
| queen of country that Was at war
and lead the soldiers to victory
mounted on a coal.b horse or d.
something very great aad grand. 81
that people might never forget IN!
memory.
Mrs. Barnes first started and the
sighed. Poor soul, there was perhai'
a time when she, too, had her will
dreams and impossible imaginings.
"Such things don't happen nova
days. Elsie" said she. "Wome
have to scrub. and wash and sew i
this country, not ride to battle Il
paint grand pictures. Better leav
off thinking of such fate"
YES" cried Elsie, with start. a
the clock struck twelve. "And Aun
Betsey will be wanting me 10 set th
table. / must hurry home. How sh
will scOld to be sure"
But to Elsie's infinite relief. whe
shen reached bone. Aunt Betse
/ met her with no frown.
"Come in quick, child" said sh'
sand change your frock. Mr.. Rave
is here"
"Oh! I" cried Elsie, with a skip owe
the doorstep, "aln to be Mrs. Pc
kin's maid ?"
"We uOn't know" said Aunt Be
sey mysteriously. thine will show
I II -. I