The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-01-20
ELSIE'S LOVER.

thing" said winsou,e 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 l cer-
tainly don't know what to do with my
self"
..Dear, dear!" said Mrs. Barnes,
.swhat are they going to do with you?'
81 don't know" said Elsie sadly.
"Uncle Joseph wants me to 60 and
work in the factory. He thinks Knight
earn twelve shillings week, after l had
had few weeks practice y
s.It's not hard work." said Mrs.
Barnes. You'll soon get used to it,
my dear. One can get used to ally
thing
land Aunt Betsey wants to send me
ND to the Manor House to help Mrs,
Perkins. the housekeeper," went on
Elsie. 'I was there a week In the
spring. Oh."-with a long breath
sit is the preteicst place! One room all
full of books, don't you know, and q
hall where they hang nothing but pic
lures. I used to creep all over the
place, when the squire was gone out on
horseback, and Mrs. Perkins was taking
her after-dinner nap. fused to sit down
in the silk chairs, and fan myself with
the big scented fans, and make believe
Twas great heiress, with lots OF SER
wants to order about.
.tOh, 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 l saw Mr..
Raven twice, and ne talked to me just
ss knd-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 l.
brary. But Mrs. Perkins told Aunt
Betsey that ! am too idle and awkward
for service. So now don't know
whether I am to be bound to Miss
Miggs, the dressmaker, or sent to learn
the artificial flower trade"
ats most pity, amt it9" said Mrs.
Barnes, looking sympathizingly at Elsie.
And Just then, as she surveyed the large
dark eyes, the cheeks glowing scarlet
under their stain of gypsy sunburH. 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, I have no one really be-
longing to me- said Elsie, signing.
Even Uncle : Joseph was only my
mothers haE-brother. And they don't
know Whist 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.
II should like to be an authoress. and
write books" said Elsie, with kindling
eyes.
..Bless me, childr' said Mrs. Barnes,
s.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 ct war, and lead
the soldiers to victory, mounted on a
coal-black horse; or do something very
reat 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.
'sSuch things don't happen nowadays,
Elsie" said she. Women have to
scrub, and wash and sew in this coun.
t-y. not ride to battle or paint grand
pictures. Better leave off thinking of
such q 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
Come in quick, child" said she,
land change your frock. MIR. Raven is
here"
..Oh!'' cried Elsie, with skip over
the doorstep, ..am Ito be Mrs. Perkins
maid?"
I'VE don't know" said Aunt Betsey
mysteriously. Time will show. Don't
lump about, ny child. Try to take
short steps, and be a lady. And, oh,
what dreadful tear that is in your
dress. Never mind now. Run quick
and change itas soon as ever you can,
and then come down to the bestparlor." "
But long before Elsie Inns simple
toilet was made. al awful fear took pos
session of her that Squire Raven had
come to tell Uncle Joseph Of the big
hpnch of bot-bouse orapes which she