Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-06-24
.LOTTY'S ADVICE.

mortgages. when he died, and mother
was feeble. and there were all the little
children to be taken care of; and
Neighbor Ford told me they wanted
parlor- maid at the court
There amt so much to do" said
Farmer Ford, and twelve dollars
month.
but a servant" said mother and
she put her black stuff apron up to
her eyes and began to cry in that
weak. uncertain way she had.
We're all of US servants Lydia.
to the Lord " said Neighbor Ford.
And if every one of us does his duty
in the state of life where it pleases
God to put us. there amt nothing
more to be expected.
Mother" said l. 'only think Of
it! Twelve dollars a month. How
much it will help us! Oh mother. l
am so glad!''
The child looks at the matter
right" said Neighbor Ford. She's
got more sense than you have. Lydia"
So l went to Christall Court There
was a bousekeeper there and butler
and seven servants besides me. and l
soon learned to perform the duties of
my place neatly and we'll.
Mrs Christalls maid used to give
me many valuable hints-she was a
quiet substantial Englishwoman.
whom the family had brought from
foreign parts with them. But her
brother fell ILL., and she went home to
nurse him, and there came fine
French mademoiselle In her place.
whom they called Mademoiselle
Veronique. She spoke two or three
different languages, dressed hair like
fashion plato. altered over Mrs.
Christall's bonnetS and dresses until
her wardrobe seemed twice as large
and varied, and had score Of other
accomplishments at her finger ends.
Mrs. Christall said she was a per
feet treasure. the old housekeeper
laughed until her sides ached at
Veronique's stories; the footman fell
deeply in love with her. and all the
other maids copied her dresses, re-
peated her smart sayings and strove
in various ways to initiate her. But
kept quietly aloof. Somehow. / was
afraid of Mademoiselle Veronique.
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
always priding herself on her COM
plexiOn, l am quite sure it was powder
and paint
She came smiling to me one night
it was of a Sunday evening. l re-
member, when l was sitting by the
window reading my hymn book. and
wondering what mother and the
children were doing.
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 perceive that you are very
And you shall put a rose in those
brown braids. Lottee. and dance to-
night Peter is going. and Felix, and
Amanda; and the coachman. who
proves himself most amiable. will
take us in the wagonette.''
1t is Sunday evening"" said 1; l do
not wish to go. have been brought
up to spend Sunday evening quietly
at home"
And Mademoiselle Veronique's per-
suasions batteries and Establishments
were In vain.
= They all went I could hear them
returning at one o'clock in the morn
ing. tiptoing past my bedroom door;
and their descriptions of the festive
gathering at the breakfast table the
next day were enthusiastic in the ex-
treme.
There's to be hop Friday night
week" said Felix. with band from
Mincaster. Lofty will 60 this time l
am quite certain. if [ ask her; and
Mr. and Mrs. Christall will be in New
York that night for the charity ball
Friday night week" 1t came be.
fore we knew it. almost. Mr.. and
Mrs Christali went to the charity
ball. the latter so superbly dressed
that the servants gathered in a little
group behind the buffers pantry door
to see her go out in her diamonds and
pink silk. Old John. the elder coach
man was to wait at SlIngton Station to
bring them back at three o clock
the other coachman. Thompson. was
IN league with Veronique and her
friends and was to harness up the
wagonette as soon as the coast was
fairly clear for Veronique. Hatty.
Julia and Felix.
And Lofty might 60 too If she
only would. said Hatty. reprocnfully.
Il don't think it's right said ].
Mrs Hood had gone to see her
daughter at Slington. leaving the
house in Julss charge. for Julia had
been there some time and was re-
garded as quite trustworthy; the old
butler always went to bed at nine; go
that when the wagonette was of
was the only person left about the
place. And had hardly seated my
self by the fire with my needlework
| before there came tap at the door.
! started. for / was nervous and
easily frightened and the house
seemed unnaturallv large and lone
some in the quiet evening silence 1t
vas a little boy-a stunted. big-eyed
creature-whom did not remember
to have seen in the nelghborhood be-
| fore
| Are you Lottie Lee?" he asked.
| '1cS. | answered. in surprise
Its Your mother" said he. She's
fell on the ice and broken her leg.
She wan IS you right off,"