Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-02-25

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ing. 1t didn't matter what the stories were.
Anything would do for his readers, SO long
as the characters were lords and ladies, and
there was plenty of love in it. My next at
tempt to get away from the school ended in
another disappointment A poor old man,
who had once been an actor, used to come to
US twice week and get few shillings by
teaching the girls TO read aloud. He was
called Professor Of English Literature and
he taught out of a ragged book Of verses
which smelt of his pipe. l learnt one of the
pieces and repeated it to him, and asked if
there was any hope Of my being able to go
IN the stage. He was very kind; he told me
the truth. My dear, you have no dramatic
ability; God forbid you should 60 on the
stage L, went back again to the penny
journals, and tried a new editor. He seem
ed to have more money than the other one;
or perhaps he was kinder. got 10 shiIlings
from him for my story. With that money l
made my last attempt advertised for a
situation as governess. If Mr.. LnIey had
not seen my advertisement might have
starved in the streets. When my aunt heard
of it she insisted Gil my begging her pardon
before the whole school, Do girls get half
maddened by persecution? If they do /
think must have been one of those girls |
refused to beg pardon, and was dismissed
from my situation without character. VIII
you think me very foolish? I shut my eyes
again when l woke in my delicious bed to-
day. I was afraid that the room, and every
thing in it, was dream" She looked
round, and started to her feet. "Oh, here's
a lady! Shall go away?"
The curtains hanging over the entrance to
the library were opened for the second time
With composure and dignity the lady who
had startled Sydney entered the room.
Have you been reading in the library?"
Mrs. Linley asked. And Mrs. Presty an
swered: mo, Catherine; l have been listen
ing" ....
Mrs. Linley looked at her mother; her
lovely complexion redeemed with a deep
blush.
Introduce me to Miss WesterteId," Mrs.
Presty proceeded, as coolly as ever.
Mrs. Linley showed some hesitation. What
would the goyerneSs think of her mother?
Perfectly careless of what the governess
might think, Mrs. Presty crossed the room
and introduced herself.
miss Westerfeld, l am Mrs. Linley's
mother. And I am, in one respect, q remark
able person. When I form an opinion, and
find it's the opinion Of fool, am not in the
least ashamed to change my mind. I have
changed my mind about you. Shake hands,"
Sydney respectfully obeyed.
''Sit down again."
Sydney returned to her chair.
81 had the worst possible opinion of YOU"
Mrs Presty resumed, "before | had the pleas
ure of listening on the other side of the cur
tain. 1t has been my good fortune-whats
your Christian name? Did hear it, or have
forgotten it? Sydney eh? Very well. 1
was about to say, Sydney, that it has been
my good fortune to be intimately associated,
in early life, with tWoremarkable characters.
Husbands Of mine, in short, whose influence
over me has, [ am proud to say, set death
and burial at defiance. Between them they
have made my mind the mind of man. I
judge for myself. The opinions of others
(when they don't happen to agree with mine)
I regard as chaff to be scattered to the winds.
No, Catherine, | am not wandering. | am
pointing out to a young person, who has her
way to make in the world, the vast impor-
lance, on certain occasions, of possessing an
independent mind. II had been ashamed
to listen behind those curtains there is no in
jury that my stupid prejudices might not
have inflicted on this unfortunate girl. AS
it is, have heard her story, and I do her
justice. Count on me, Sydney. as your
friend-and now get Up again. Ny grand |
child Never accustomed to wait for anything
since the day when she was born) is waiting
dinner for you. She is at this moment shout |
ing for her gOveTneSS as King Richard q am
a great reader of Shakespeare once shouted
for his horse. The maid (yOu will recognize
her as stout person suffering under tight !
stays is waiting outside to show You the |
way to the nursery. Au revoirl Stop! |
should like to judge Of the purity Of your
French accent. Say 'au revoir' to me. Thank |
you. Weak in her French, Catherine" Mrs. !
Presty pronounced, when the door had closed |
on the gOyernesS; ''but what can you expect, |
poor wretch, after such a life as she has led? |
Now we are alone. | have word of advice |
for your private ear We have much to an |
ticipate from Miss Westerfield that is pleas |
ant and encouraging. But l don't conceal it |
from myself or from you, we have also some |
thing to fear?'
- IL ANetA' AhIo' LlAiiSS ACpCuLSos uOu
understand you"
Never mind, Catherine, whether you I'M
derStand me or not. | want more informa-
ton. Tell me what your husband said to
you about this young lady"
Wondering at the demon of curiosity |
which appeared to possess her mother, Mrs |
Linley obeyed. Listening throughout with |
the closest attention, Mrs. Presty reckoned |
up the items of information and pointed the |
moral to be.drawn from them by worldly ex-
perience.
First obstacle in the way Of her moral de-
velopment, her father-tried, found guilty, |
and dying in prison. Second obstacle, her
mother-an unnatural wretch who neglected |
and deserted her own flesh and blood. Third |
obstacle, her mothers sister-being her moth |
er over again in an aggravated form. Peo-
pie who only look at the surface Of things
might ask what we gain by investigating
Miss Westerfeld's past life. We gain this:
We know what to expect Of Miss WeSterfeld
in the future"
81 for one," Mrs. Linley interposed, tex
pect everything that is good and true"
Say she's naturally an angel" Mrs.
Presty answered, land l won't contradict
you. But do pray hear how my experience
looks at il I rpmnm ror yvhat q Iifo che hoe |