Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-03-07
LOITY'S ADVENTURE.

was quite young when l went out
to service-only sixteen-and l was
quite frightened at the idea of going
among the grand folks; but father had
not left much, except debts and mort
cages, when he died, and mother was
feeble, and there were all the little
children to be taken care of; and
Neighbor Ford told me that theJ
wanted parlor-maid at the court.
There amt so much to do" said
Farmer Ford, ''and twelve dollars a
month"
'But a servantp said mother, and
she put her black stuff apron to her
eyes and began to cry in that weak,
uncertain way shc had.
"We're all of us servants, Lydia, to
the Lord" said Neighbor Ford. "And
if every one of us docs his duty in the
state of life where it pleascs God to
put us, there amt nothing more to be
expected"
'Mother," said I, ''only think of it!
Twelve dollars a month. How much
it will help usl Oh, mother, l am so
gladp
"The child looks at it right" said
Neighbor Ford. ''Shes got more sen SC
than y ou have, Lydial'
So l went to Christall Court. There
was housekeeper there, and butler,
and seven servants besides me, and l
soon learned to perform the duties of
my place neatly and well.
Mrs. Christalls mad used to give me
many useful hints-she was quiet, sub
stantial Englishwoman whom the fami-
ly had brought from foreign parts with
them. But her brother fell i'll, and she
went home to nurse him, and there
came fine French mademoiselle in her
place, whom they called Mademoisclle
Veroniquc. She spoke two or three differ
ent languages, dressed hair like a fash
lon plate, altered over Mrs. Christalls
bonnets and dresses until her wardrobe
seemed twice as large and varied, and
had score of other accomplishments
at her finger ends. Mrs. Christlll said
she was "a perfect treasurer" the old
housekecper laughed until her
sides ached, at Veroniquc's stories;
the fooiman fell deeply in love
with her, and all the other maids copi cd
her dresses, repeated her smart sayingi,
and strovc, in various ways, to initiate
her. But kept quietly aloof. Some
how was afraid of Mademoisele Yer
unique. She had great, luminous green
eyes like those of cat; she showed her
teeth, in glistening double rows, when
she laughed, and, although she was al
ways priding herself on her compile xion,
l am quite sure it was powder and
paint.
She came smiling to me one night
it was of Sunday evening, l remem-
Der, when l was sitting by the window
reading my hymn book, and wondering
what mother and the children were do
ing.
''Here is ma petite Lottee," she said.
"The shy bird who shrinks away from
me always. But l have eyes, Lottee,
and have already made myself to per-
ceive that you are very prettce. All!
Say not the truth? Aud you shall put
a rose in those brown braids, Lottee,
and dance tonight. Peter is going,
and Felix and Amanda; and the coach
man, who proves himself most amiable,
will take us in the wagonette.'
"But it is Sunday evening"" said I.
Msdemoise.le Veronique made q
grimace.
"We are not Puritans, Lottee," said
she. ave have all been to the church
today. Why not make little simple
enjoyment tonight, like tho peas ants of
ma belle Normandiea Madame dimes
out; the children, with their good,
heavy headed nurse, will be asleep
''Did Mrs Christall say
madame knows nothing-abs olutely
nothing" reiterated Veronique, impa-
tiently. care we poor servants to be
always slaves9 Come, ma petite. The
good Felix especially wishes to dance
with you, and l have promised hin
that you will be there"
Felix was the upper gardener who
was in charge of the gresn- houses ant