Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-04-16
From the Independent.
PAULINA'S VENTURE.

Aunt Betty was slave, the cook in
81 family, living, forty years ago, in a
village on the borders of Southern
state. She was one of the most striking
agures among the negroes when they
gathered in the evening under the great
oak trees by the big spring-a tall, lean
nlulatto. with little piping voice and
8 timid. irresolute face. She always
wore huge clean apron OF bed-ticking,
and red bandanna kerchief about her
white hair. She bad one child, girl of
,, who had the singular beauty so often
found in quadroons.
They belonged to DR.. Blake. His
only daughter, Elsie, had no other
playmate than little Polly, who was to
De her maid when both girls were
grown. In the meantime. Polly, who
was as fair as her young mistress, wore
der cast-oH clothes, ran and rode with
Ger, sat beside her when she took her
lessons, and even slept on a cot in her
room. In consequence, when the war
was over, and Aunt Betty, much to her
dismay, found herself free and obliged
20 earn wages and buy clothes for her
self, she had young girl of Is on her
hands, beautiful, full of energy and
hope, and with the tastes and habits OF
d refined child.
DR.. Blake was dead; his widow and
daughter left the village, going down to
Louisiana to live.
You will GO with US, of course, Aunt
Betty" said Mrs. Blake. 81 cannot af-
ford to pay Polly anything; but she will
have her home with us until you teach
h 70 II hnr oh
earn high wages in New Orleans"
Tank you, Miss Laura" said Betty;
goodness knows it takes load of'n
my mind. dunno muffin bout money.
n neber bought picayune's wurf fob
de chile in my life. Paulina, you suit
GingIy 60 into de kitchen dis day !"
Miss Laura, I doan want TO be
eook," said Polly, coming up to her
mistress, her voice hoarse with fright at
her own temerity.
Mrs. Blake stared at tie girl, who
YES usually gentle and tinid. 1t was as
# mouse had started up to stop her
path. Nonsense she said. do
what your mother bids you"
Mamma" said Elsie, 81 do not see
Why Polly must be cook. She could
earn as much money as laundress Or
1ady's maid.''
I don't know said Mrs. Blake,
Il think not"
aemently. "Doan go way, Miss Laura
my life fob me in this minute. Lemme
speak just once. [ can read N write
same as Miss Elsie. [ can do sums n
play on the piano-all her tunes. She
caught me-"
Yes; you learned quicker than 1
did," said Elsie, laughing.
They say there'll be big schools for
us now. Why can't stay herein learn,
n be like white folks? Why must be
: cook ?"
She held out her hands, trembling.
Cor the first time Mrs. Blake noticed
shat the girls face was fine and strong,
her eyes full of intelligence.
4 have nothing to say in the matter,
child" she said with a yawn. You
belong to yourself now. But you can
hardly expect me to support you in
your collegiate course. Now, you
see," she continued. turning coldly to
Elsie, ''the imprudence Of teaching
these people anything ~
Polly, alone with her mother. terri
sied the old woman with the vehem-
ence of her protests.
1--WE are free, free ~ she repeated
hundred times. "There is TO be a
school where [ can learn just the same
things as Miss Elsie. If she was poor
she wouldn't have to be cook. Why
must I? Why can't [ be like white
folks, nanny
Aunt Betty cried and scolded. and
then fell to kneading her bread and
praying atthe top of her voice to quiet
ner soul. But she was sorely shaken.
oft oil
TO see her like white folks
eff YOU 90 wild Miss Elsie, she glib you
aer cloes," she suddenly interiected
into her prayer. How you gwine get
frocks n silk apuns gwine to school,
Aey?"
The more I knows the more 1 can
earn" said Paulina. 'There are hum
dreds OF ways of making money when
you have been to school,"
Betty, of course, yielded at last.
Mrs Blake and Elsie departed to re-
turn no more. Betty, who was famous
as cook throughout the country. went
cut as an expert to weddings, parties,
etc, and made marvellous pickles, jams
Snd jellies, which she sold at high
price. With the money thus earned
Polly was sent to one of the universe
lies established for colo1ed people.
she Stuulou ldItuluiiy tuc todCuoTS
were competent. At the end of four
years she came home.
Aunt Betty looked with awe at the
quiet, neatly dressed girl. "Yoh look
Ike white folks, fob shuah; dough I
link you ought to wear some jualry. [
kin afford it. Dere's some pink di-
monds in de drugstoh windah--"
"Never mind them now" said Polly.
*sAll [ need now is something to do.
There was no place as teacher vacant.
But want to begin at once. [ want to
see you at rest. nanny. You've
worked for me long enough. Now I am
going to earn the money and you shall
have a long holiday" She lifted the
withered, yellow hands and kissed
them.
Aunt Betty's eyes shone with delight
and prio E In her girl. 'An' what'n
yoh gwine to do, Paulina ?'' she said.
"Oh, don't know. There are hun.
bred WAYS in which an educated woman
can earn her living"
81 white woman muttered Betty,
under her breath. But Polly did not
hear her.
The village had grown into thriving