Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-03
THE MANDARIN'S HEAD.

which, without being very magnificent are
very pretty, lady was arranging the orna-
ments and furniture Of a parlor into which
she had evidently just moved
She was very large woman, but of elegant
proportions and her dress was handsome-a
morning robe Of blue cashmere richly em-
broidered Behind her little white capped
maid unpacked basket of bric-a-brac, and,
having busted each piece. handed it TO her
mistress.
Through the open windows came the sound
OF traffic-the rumble OF wagons, the roll Of
carriage wheels. New York was at its busiest
and gayest on that clear, late, autumn day
Now and then the cry Of some street vender
was heard, and a newsboy was striving to at
tract purchasers by roaring ''extraw-ex-
traw," in deep, horror stricken tones, and,
amid all these noises, ever and anon arose
wal-shril and pfaintive as the shrek of the
banshee--which seemed to come from the in
terror of the house.
is there sick child in the house. Phebef'
the lady asked, after she had listened with a
shudder to this sound for several minutes
What u fearful waiii''
Yes, my lady," replied Phoebe land it is
fearful to be sure. It's the janitress' little
boy, if you please. my lady"
Phoebe we are in America, and you must
try to say maain the other maids do"
said the mistress with n smile, 81 am not
rich enough 10 play my lady here in my ia
tive country, though the title belongs to me
in England.
Yes ma am M remember, ma'aui." said
the maid But II you please, aam that
is the janitress child a-howling Sarah, at
the second fat, ma'afn, she told me how it
was 1t isn't sickness na'am, its beatngs"
'Beatingsf repeated tile lady
Yes, my La mean yes ma fam She does
beat it awful, she does y"
do you suppose she is doing it nowT
YES ma'am," said Phoebe.
And the people in the house permit itF
cried the lady
They don't interfere said Phpbe They
have spoken, if you please, but she says as
her child is her own property, please maam.
and she'll do as she likes
The lady smiled
"Show me the way to the jantors room.
Phoebe" she said,
Its below: the sounds come up the regis
tiers, | suppose" said Phoebe Then the two
descended the stairs together.
At a door leading from the entrance hall
a pretty door with a little sliding panel be-
side it like those at the box offices-they
paused ut the instant terrible scream was
heard within. and the lady opened the door
and entered
A wiry, old woman in a black dress and
white apron. with little cap on her head
the very picture of neatness-stood in the
middle of an orderly room, holding a little
boy by the collar OF his pink shirt waist aud
beating him with bundle Of tagged leather
thongs It is the old instrument Of punish
,nent on some vessels yet, believe, but sail
- I'll.
furniture beaters" now.
This woman was putting the thing to its
original purpose and the torture Of such
blows, even when given BY her weak. little
old arm, must have been terrible TO 50 small
a child.
Take that and sass M again. she cried
take that and thati"
A moment more and shs paused Some
one had coolly taken her by tbs collar Of her
dress and drawn her back Now a lady, to
whose shoulder the janitreD' head scarcely
reached, took the cat-o'-nine-tails from her
and drew the wailing child toward her.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself
said this unexpected visitor. curtly. If the
child needed correction little switch would
he enough I've a mind to have you arrested
for using this"
And what right have you to interfere,
a'am, I'd like to knowI" cried the woman.
Il am Lady Vernon responded the other,
quietly.
She knew that the woman was of English
birth by her accent and she chose to oyerawe
her by title She succeeded.
"I'm sure nv lady, cried the janitress.
your ladyship can't know how the child
tries my patience, and all have to BEAR
And I'm sure,n replied nv lady, that
you'll have to control your temper for
though the owner Of this house il abroad |
could write to him and have YOU dismissed
you know"
I'm sure you'll not do that to . Door wild
ow, my lady" sobbed the ianitres.
IF you strike the child again shall, said
Lady Vernon "Phqbe, bring the child up
stairs and amuse him q little Now, my good
woman, what is the price Of this thing-
Its my furniture beater. ma,am,n cried
the woman. worth dollar
The lady placed some money on - table
and walked away with the cat-o'-nine-tails
under her arm. while the janitress started
after her.
"a real lady she said, In an awe stricken
voice "Ah but they are ,aughtyi they're
born to it,
1t 80 happened that Lady Vernon was born
in Massachusetts, a Yauksa Oirl To the ha,l