Year: 1870

An arrangement with which |, girl
of twelve, did not entirely coincide.
thad visions ofa lady ofan uncertain
age" with severely plain dress, spec
tacles, a sharp nose and sharp temper.


Plans Of how | could best tease and
disgust the lady SO she would decline
the honor Of instructing me were form
ing in my youthful brain.


My mother was wealthy widow. l
had no sisters and but one brother who
had Just finished his education at col
lege. How proud we were of Gerald !.
with what delight we had looked for
his coming home in vacations and how
sad we were to see him leave.
But now he was in business in the
city, and as we lived but few miles
from there, he was with US every night.
He and Mamma were speaking of my
education one day, and Gerald advised
her to get governess for me. Nam
ma had always taught me, but she
found that taking care Of large house,
looking after the servants and enter
tanning company, was as much as she
could well attend to, and as she did not
approve ofgirls leaving home so young,
she concluded to accept my brothers
advice and advertise for a governess.
|, (who by the way was somewhat spoil
ed) said: II won't have an old woman
watching me all the time"


But knew from the determined look
on my mothers face, that all argu-
ments were useless, aud | said nothing
more. ..... .......


The advertisement was answered by
lady having the requisite accomplish
meuts.


A carriage was sent to the depot for
her one afternoon. | stood at one of
the drawing room windows waiting for
her arrival, anxious to see what she
was. like Gerald came up behind me,
and pinching one of my ears, said rogue
ishly: "Ah Oracle, these delicately
tinted ears will receive many sound
boxing when your governess comes.
You will be lady like little girl then,
afraid to laugh aloud, for fear of receiv-
ing sharp rebuke from the Mortified
spinster," l was Indignantly disputing
this assertion, when the carriage drove
up to the gate, and lady alighted.
She was small, and slender, and was
dressed in deep mourning a heavy
Grape veil hid her features from my
view.


She was shown to her room by SER
want, and soon afterward entered the
drawing room with mamma. Then |
saw that she was not the elderly lady |
had expected to see, but young, beau
tifu girl, not more than twenty,


Her face was pale, but the regular fea-
lures would have served as model for
a sculptor, Her eyes were large and
dark, and her black hair combed back
from her fair, smooth brow, was ar.
ranged in heavy braids at the back of
her head Her black dress fitted her
faultless form nicely, and although plain,
was very neat.


She was 80 different from what | had
expected, that stood for a moment,
almost speechless with astonishment.
Mamma took my hand and said; This
is your pupil, Miss Elton, Oracle my
dear, your governess" She pressed
her lips to my forehead, and said in
low, musical voice


II hope we will be good friends,
Oracle"


Instantly all my rebellious schemes
vanished, and after tea I sat on an OF
toman at her feet the whole evening;
her small white hand played with my
curls as she talked to Mamma and Ger
aid. ! noticed that she did not laugh
aloud, but when anything witty was
said smile rested for moment on her
face, lighting up her eyes with wonder
ful brilliancy, but departing, left them
sad and mournful.


When Miss Elton (who was weary
after her days journey had retired, my
brother pulled me down on the sofa by
his side, and said, smiling:


"Well, Grace, she is not an old maid
after all, and rather handsome, too,
don't you think sol


"Rather handsome, indeed | replied
scornfully, why she is perfectly IOuely
and Gerald, | don't believe she will box
my ears, after ALL"





"And thereby neglect her duty" he
returned, trying to look grave.


.. ,o..Iu - ia :-.n~In1