Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-03-02
ally beneath them to be of dl fferen

ally beneath them to be of a di fferent
caste altogether.
''Isn't it curious, mama?" said
Maude one morning, as she idly cut
the leaves of the latest magazine.
Your new housemaid, Lisbetb,
wears gloves, and such pretty ruffled
aprons and neat dresses. | wonder
if she wants to save her hands or
what is the reason?"
Mrs. Lyster smiled. THAT is no
fault, my dear child; the girl does
we'll, and is treasure. She is rather
superior, and is ambitious-goes to
the art evening class. and goes one
afternoon in the week as well. / got
for 50 a month less than the Last
maid on hat account, and she is far
more handy"
Maude looked her astonishment.
The art class! Why. she's only
housemaid, and it's really too bad
+ Rene Lindsay and Tom Davis belong
to that very class. if it's Prof. Pan.
telie's; shall be very much surpris-
ed if they stay when they find out ser
wants go there
Nonsense" answered the mother;
sit is no ones affair who goes, so as
they and are admitted. The girl is
thoughtful. and hopes to become an
art teacher by and by, she told me,
and | am sure it is much nicer to
have girl with artistic tendencies;
she dusts and arranges the parlors
with exquisite taste-every caller
notices it, and thinks you girls do it
for me; and she handles the choic-
est bric-a-brac carefully. 1 really
never had as faithful girl"
So Lisbeth continued to attend the
classes, and worked in the early
morning in her attic bedroom as soon
as daylight came in, and if her pic
lures were "skyed" it mattered but
little, for no one saw them but her,
self, and the glimpses of the early
sunlight, the first glow in the east,
that she watched in those working
moods, formed picture that always
remained in her memory as long as
life lasted.
Lisbeth won the hearts of her fel
low. servants by many little acts of
kindness, till Kitty, the parlor maid,
told her one day in confidence that
she was trying to study arithmetic
and bookkeeping, so as to take sit
uation in store some day as sales.
woman.
Gould you make more money and
be as comfortable?" Lisbeth ventur-
ed to ask.
NO." answered Kitty, "but | shall
be treated as human being in the
house where board, and be indepen-
dent. l don't mind the work, that's
easy; but it's having Miss Maude
look at me as if was post, aud
talking TO other girls about the ser.
wants as if we were not of the same
flesh and blood She doesn't even
| wait till our backs are turned. but
treats US like dirt under her feet"
and Kitty's democratic little head
gave toss of scorn as she spoke.
Lisbetb often saw the young ladies
busy with their desultory drawing,
but they never seemed to consider
her as human being, with thou hts
and feelings, or capable of observing,
mere training in early life aud at the
| art school fitted her to be their CON-
panion in everything except in mon-
ey. Yet there was great gulf be-
tween them socially, because one had
to earn her daily bread by the labor of
her hands.
Professor Pontelle was very much
interested in mis- quiet scholar; her
grave, pensive tace, the deep thought
fulness of her pure gray eyes, remin
! d, d him of the wife OF his early N an-
hood, who was taken from him dur
ing the first year of their married
life. 1t was ten years ago that she
died, and he had never seen woman
on whom he cared to bestow second
glance; they were so frivolous, many
of them, and studied art only for
fashions sake, forsooth; but this
| young girl seemed 10 enter into his
methods and understood his moods.
He watched her closely; saw how
lonely she appeared. aud apart from
the rest; even penetrated the feeling
that was to be seen among some of his
fashionable pupils WHO seemed not to
care about making any advances to.
ward her Was she not their equal
IN position? He curled his lip in
scorn-a peasant before they lett Eu-
rope; he was alone, aud could snap
his fingers at the world if this sweet
girl would consent to be his wife
And all the while Lisbeth labored on
in silence. serene, ambitious and hope
ful determined to master the art of
teac hing as we'll as the teaching of
art, and fit herself for more congenial
employment.
The closing of the summer term
came in June, and reception WAS
given to the pupils and friends The
rooms were crowded; fashion smiled
on anything artistic and delighted to
honor the handsome professor who
presided over the school
Foremost among the gay groups were
Maud and Mignon Lyster, who en-
joyed such gatherings, but wished par
ticu larly to see and criticise Lisbeth' 3
work. After some music, it was an
nounced that essay would be read by
one Of the pupils and when Lisbeth
appeared in her simple white dress.
with no ornaments but q bunch of
pale roses at her throat and belt, the
audience listened attentively to her
words. Calmly, and in rich, deep
tones, she spoke of ''Simplicity of
Art" and when the last eloquent
words were said, was greeted with
rapturous but well bred applause.
AS she stood alone the pleased pro-
fessor gave her his arm and escorted
her down the long room, stopping
now and then to introduce her to
some gentlmen who wished to con-
gratulate the fair essayist.
A few minntes passed in pleasant
conversation, when suddenly there
fell upon her ears, it fell sharp and
clear. Didn't you know, Mr.. Will
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