The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-08-29
LOOKING FOR A JOB.

1OONlN9 VOn - WIZ
Feelings of Young Woman Who Was
Thrown ON Her Own Resources.
The first place I applied for was
position as governess, in answer to an
advertisement that "a young lady Of
refinement who could teach SO and SO
would find good home, with small
wages. Call between 10 and 49,"
rose at light the next morning and
compelled myself to eat biscuit and
drink a cup Of milk. was boarding
myself then; that is, lived in a tiny
room and kept the spirit in the body
with break and milk and cookies and
sometimes Clipped beef. l began to
tremble hours before it was time to go.
I thought it would be necessary to look
as well as possible, so I arranged my
hair in the most becoming way, with
soft curls over my too high forehead,
and put on my pretty best blue dress and
choice bit of lace at the throat. 1 had
a few such things left. Then surveyed
myself, a piece at a time, in the tiny
glass and my heart sank. Hooked hope
lessly young and girlish. No one would
ever dream of harboring such COVER
ness. Why, could not govern any
thing larger than year-old baby, who
could be kissed and cuddled and CHR
ruped into good humor.
Then began all over again, took off
the blue dress and lace and smoothed
back my hair, which was naturally
wavy and full Of kinks, by wetting and
brushing it vigorously, and fastened it
down with black band. I donned my
plain old black dress and stiff linen
collar. Oh, if I were only tallerl I
tried putting chips in the heels Of my
shoes, but the effect was scarcely per-
ceptible; besides, reasoned that I could
not endure that right along should the
position be obtained, SO took them out.
Well, the result was hardly satisfactory,
but it was the best I could do, and that
high white forehead, without stray
lock to soften it, did look, I thought,
decidedly solemn and digniied. Then !
practiced before the mirror to secure an
expression 'smild, but firm," and at 9:45
1 started out; oh, no! / mean I walked
majestically forth, at least I tried to.
The street and number were noted on
slip of paper in my pocket, but that
was an unnecessary precaution. Was
there any danger Of my ever forgetting
that number-"1419 Highton avenue,
south?" 1t had sung itself over to me
all that morning and the previous
evening to all the tunes from yankee
Doodle" to .Suwanee River" It had
seemed as though the whole army of the
worlds inhabitants lived on Highton
avenue at 1419. moved up the avenue
with what I imagined was stately
bearing. Who was there to know that
sight of the handsome stone house filled
me with dismay.l I walked slowly by,
as if the idea Of stopping had never &C.
CURED to me. Then I houted at my
own weakmindedness, turned, got as
far as the lower step off the street, then,
in very panic of dismay, wheeled and
passed on. I turned once more, with
some uncomplimentary reflections upon
my own folly, and forgetting my digni-
ty in impetuous haste, ran up the steps
and touched the bell. How idiotically
hoped that they might not be at home
or that the bell might fail to work. But
no, the door opened.
1 was ushered in, and after few mo-
ments the lady appeared, bringing with
her two of the offspring of the house,
evidently to pass their opinion upon the
article displayed for their approval. The
older was an overdressed girl of about
fourteen, who surveyed me with
naughty condescension. The other was
a large boy of twelve years, with long
yellow curls hanging nearly to his
waist. The mother questioned me about
my attainments, while the young lady
indifferently turned the leaves of book
and the young gentleman stared at me.
She was pleased to know of my prof
cheney in French and painting, but
seemed SO young and inexperienced;
had been accustomed to teaching? /
was obliged to confess that had not.
She had misgivings. Her son was i'll a
great deal and required indulgence with
wise training. I did not wonder at his
illness, looking at those ridiculous baby
ish curls on that great boy i'll trousers
I thought his malady must be conta-
gious. began to feel extremely indis-
posed myself. And her daughter, she
continued, was very mature for her
years. and sometimes, perhaps, exacting
and
Mamma" murmured the daughter
languidly, "please do not humiliate me
before servant"
Quite mature!
On the whole, my lady thought
would hardly suit, and she blandly
wished me good morning .--Kate Fields
Washington.