The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1895-09-04


lay, in her Fifth avenue mansion, sup
plant for the position of nursery gov
, erness.
A gorgeous footman opened the door
--such radiant being as poor Elsie's
backwoods experience had never i'm
agined.
"Well, what is it?" he abruptly asked.
II called on Mrs. Grindlay by the adj
vice of Mr. Grail. In fact" she added,
for she thought it would pay to be
little confidential, 81 am seeking the
position Of nursery governess here"
"Oh, please sit down."
Elsie placed herself uncomfortablyi in
one of the antique hall chairs, whose
heraldic designs astonished the unso-
phisticated child, that had been taught
to believe that the citizens of this free
and enlightened land were above such
fripperies.
| In few moments there was the .tr0u
| troa of silk dress heard, and stout,
handsome woman, superbly dressed,
ablaze in diamonds and gold, though it
was barely yet midday, and accompa-
MED by two young ladies, equally bodiz-
ened, made her appearance.
The gorgeous footman whispered a
few words in his mistress ear.
"Oh," she said, and looking Elsie
critically over from head to foot, you
are the young person Mr.. Grail has en-
gagged for me as nursery governess-
yes--I think you will do. Thompson,
you can show her to the schoolroom."
And without waiting for an answer,
she swept into room, followed by her
fair satellites.
Elsie's first glance at nursery in a
Fifth avenue mansion was a revelation
she never, through veal or woe, forgot.
Three girls and q boy, varying in age
from eight to twelve, were engaged in
a pitched battle, pushing, pulling,
humping, punching each other like
savages, and yelling at the top of their
voices, while n distracted maid was
vainly cndeavoring to separate them.
'Miss Melie," the woman was scream
ing, IN tell your mamma; Master
George, amt you ashamed of yourself;
Miss Julie, let go your sisters hair, you
spiteful thing"
The combat ruight have continued to
rage indefinitely, but an ill-directed
blow from Master Georges fist struclS
n case of stuffed birds, which fell crash
ing to the ground.
you've done i'll" "I1l tell ma, will.
"Oh, you bad, wicked boy!" resoundcd
on all sides.
Elsie seized the opportunity to ster
forward and make her presence known
81 am the new governess," sho said tc
the maid. 'Are these the children
am supposed to take charge OFF"
''rhey are; and thank the Lord
you've come, miss; I'd sooner be shut
up with lot Of Gagged tigers than be
their keeper for another day"
'l1l tell maj yelled the sweet limo
cents in chorus.'
"You will all take your seats and re
main perfectly STILL" said Elsie, reso
lutely. George, take this place beside
me-"
MA says governesses and servants
are to say Master George, when they
speak to my brother" observed the eld
est pet pcrtly.
"And you, Julia, for your imperti
nence, will stand in the corner will
your face to the wall" and, saying
this, the young governess led the in
solent child into punishment, which she
was too much astonished at to resist.
Yet not long was 1t before Elsie hat
all the little ones round hOr, talking
pleasantly and hopefully Of to-mor
rows lessons.
1t was at this propitious moment
that the door opened and Mrs. GrindlaJ
entered the room.
In moment Babel broke loose again
The clamorous children gathered rount
their mother, screaming their troubles
in her ears.
"She pinched my arm and made mC
stand in the corner" "Shc won