Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1880 — THE YOUNG MISTRESS. [ARTICLE]

THE YOUNG MISTRESS.

Little Bertie and Angie Whipple were visiting their aunt in the country, who, when her work was done up in the afternoon, entertained them by relating the following story: “ Both of you children have seen the big house on the hill, with its observatory, French windows and broad piazza; well, there the Rushtons lived, when I was young, and my home was in the little bull' house near by, and my father carried on the. Rushton farm, my mother attending to the dairy. “They had one child, Elsie, three months younger than myself, and among my earliest recollections she figures largely. As she was a frail child, and not disposed to play much out of doors unless 1 was with her, her mother encouraged my frequent visits to her home, although she early taught me to think I was not her daughter’s equal. .She was a very haughty woman, and I always dreaded to encounter her, but to me the pleasure of Elsie’s company atoned for any amount of disagreeableness on her mother’s part, and, as I did not have to see her every time I went to the big house, I got along very well. “Miss Barton, the governess, was the one I had the most to do with, and she was always very pleasant to me. Under her tuition Elsie and I learned to read together, and afterward pursued all our studies under her guidance in the pretty school-room, which, to this day, seems to me the loveliest spot I ever was in. It was on the southeast corner of the house ; the large bay window was constantly filled with tropical plants, which it seemed to me were never out of bloom ; then the sun came streaming in the whole day through, for the doctor said this was better than drugs for little Elsie; the canary and mocking birds sang from their silver cages, and the gold fish and their happy companions 'floated around in the crystal globe suspended from the ceiling, distracting our attention, of course, and somewhat retarding the progress of our studies ; but for one like Elsie everything around must be made to assume the most cheerful aspect. And even I was allowed to be there for the same reason that the birds and the aquarium were, to add another feature pleasing to the eyes and heart of the child of fortune, for she wotdd neither study nor play in my absence. “ ‘ You have two little girls ! ’ strangers would say who came to the villa, as it was called. “ ‘ No, the tow-headed one is not mine,’ Mrs. Rushton would reply ; ‘ she is only my Elsie’s little maid, in prospective. Of course, they play and study together now.’ “This she would say with a haughty toss of her head, and as often as otherwise the one addressed would add : * Well, she is a pretty child.’ “Once, on hearing her mother speak so, I said to Elsie; ‘ Your mamma says I am to be your maid, but I don’t care much, for then 1 can always be with you.’ “ ‘ You nwd not be my maid,’ replied Elsie; ‘you shall be my little sister, Lucy.’ “ Then 1 repeated to my mother what Mrs. Rushton said, and she kept me away from the big house two or three days ; but Elsie fretted and pined so for ni" that Mrs. Rush ton sent forme, and then she took us both out riding in the grand carriage, talking very pleasantly to me, and bought me a nice new doll. Alter this there was no parting Elsie and I, and we grew up together, my advantages for an education being not a whit less than hers. But that we were not socially equal was a fact that impressed me more and more forcibly year by year. Mrs. Rushton’s prophecy was becoming true. As i?.y affection for Elsie increased, which it seemed to every' day of my life, and she was very fragile and helpless, I naturally took to waiting upon her until I unconsciously drifted into a kind of attendant. When we were going to ride, I took charge of her shawl and bundles, I carried her books when we went to the piano to practice ; I arranged her hair, adjusted her dress, in short acted the part of a subordinate at all times. And, when we were grown up, although I had been given the same advantages for an education, ami compared in looks and appearance with Elsie, I was in no sense on an equality with her. But, when by ourselves, our fondness for each other was so great that we felt like sisters; and, if we were parted for a day, it seemed as if either could hardly survive the separation. Thus, to gratify Elsie in her affection for me, Mrs. Rushton wished me to remain with them, and furnished me clothes and money to my h art’s content; so, notwithstanding the slights I had to endure, I had not, in view of my great love for Elsie, any real excuse for leaving them.

“Elsie was given a great party on her 18th birthday, making me a little cast down, as my own birthday of that age had three months previously passed without particular notice from anyone, except a present of a new silk dress from Elsie. This dress, I afterward learned from the donor, was to be worn at her party, at which she said I must be present as a guest. This was the first of her coming out, and I presume Mrs. Rushton thought my presence would act as a stimulant to Elsie on the occasion, and, for this reason, allowed me to be present apparently on an equal footing with themselves. So I was permitted to play ducts with Elsie, to sing for the entertainment of the company, although no one had taken the pains to introduce me to but a few of number, as Elsie was too bashful and Mrs. Rushton too proud. A part of the ladies I had seen before, and, as they knew the position I occupied at the villa, I naturally felt very humble in their presence. Others, who knew nothing of me, inquired who I was of Mrs. Rushton, and I overheard her saying to one lady, ‘ Oh, she is only Elsie’s privileged maid, who, for this once, is acting the part of a guest.’ . “‘ If you had not told me thislshould says she is an accomplished, elegant young lady. How finely she plays and how sweetly she sings !’ “‘Well, she has been brought up here, having the.benefit of our governess’ instructions.’ “ ‘ That accounts for it, then,’replied the aristocratic lady, looking at me sharply. “ ‘ Yes, but we cannot think of making an equal of her ; it was only to gratify a whim of Elsie’s that I consented to her being present on this occasion.’

‘ ‘ I could not bear any more, and immediately left the room. Half an hour later Elsie found me crouched upon one end of the sofa in our school-room crying as hard as I possibly could. She began to cry too, and declared she would not go back to the drawing-room until I accompanied her. Then she kissed me, and told me I was dearer to her than anyone else, and said she wished she was half as good or pretty as I, and that I must excuse her mother, for she thought more of style than of hurting anyone’s feelings. “‘Well,’ I said, ‘Miss Elsie, since you desire it so much, I will go back with you, but it is wholly on your account, as it would cause so much talk if you were not to return ;’ so I dried my tears, and Elsie did hers, and then we made our way back to the company. The rest of the evening, or night, rather, for our party did not break up till nearly morning, Elsie was particularly attentive to me, and I was treated very civilly by all present. But I rejoiced in the idea that this was to be the last time I would be required to appear in such a formidable company. My happiness consisted in nothing of the kind. I was of a retiring nature, and the quiet days spent alone with Elsie and our books made up the sum of my enjoyment. Happier than ever now seemed the days of our studying together in the lovely school-room under the directions of our dear governess. Alas 1 they were past, and Elsie would go more into society, and, perhaps, in a little while care less for my company. How swiftly these thoughts revolved in my mind, as mingling in that august company I strove to appear at ease, and how glad I was when the guests dispersed and 1 could creep to my little room, and there pour out mv tears afresh.

“After this Elsie and her mother were constantly on the go, but I had no desire to accompany them, nor was I invited. Elsie would gladly have taken me everywhere she went, and often on her return from places she cared nothing for going would seek me out the moment she entered the house to embrace me and cry in my arms. Then I would remove her jewels, undo her hair, lay her wraps away in the press, and, perhaps, bathe her temples, feeling quite happy for the privilege of doing this. The position I occupied at the villa was a very comfortable, easy one, and one for which I was well paid, so I had no cause for complaint, after all. Still, there slumbered in my bosom that desire for liberty or independence which is so dear to all, and which I could not, as I was then situated, really enjoy. So I one day intimated to Elsie that I thought I would leave the villa, for the purpose of conducting a small private school for young ladies, which should be completely under my own insight and supervision, feeling capable and desirous of the undertaking. She at once began to sob, and said she could not hear a word about my leaving her. A young man was paying attention to her, and had been for some time, but I did not know as anything serious would result from it, until she now told me that she would probably be married in about six months, and she wanted iqe very much to remain at the villa until after that event, when we would go to her new home, which was to be a very luxurious one, and there I would be on an equality with her in every respect, as I would pass for her sister. “Loving her as I did, how could I refuse this request, made while she tearfully clung to my neck, and looked so affectionately into my eyes. So I promised to remain, trying to assist her in every way I could until she was married, and we Both went to the city to live in her new, elegant home, where, as she had promised, I was introduced to all her new acquaintances as her own sister, though I continued to assist her in various ways as heretofore, for I had grown up in that way, and would not have been happy if I had. been denied that privilege. Everything that money could procure we both had ; still, after a short time, I could see Elsie was not happy. Her husband was disposed to be crusty at times with her, although to me he always was very pleasant. This vexed me, and I treated him coldly, but the Grosser I was to him the more he seemed to try to court my favor, and he often tried to induce me to accompany him to places of public amusement, when Elsie was not going, but I always had some excuse for staying at home, and not oncß did I go anywhere with him unless his wife was with us, nor was it often he found a chance to speak with me when she was not by. She did not complain to me of his indifference to her, or say that he was abusive, but I saw and heard enough before one year was at an end to know that he was both. Loving Elsie as I did, I, of course, was eniaged at his conduct, and I began to think, perhaps, if I were away from them, they might bo happier, and I one day told him I was going home for awhile, as my mother was anxious to have me with her. Elsie was not in the room at the time, although she was in the one adjoining, and I expected she would presently join us. “ ‘No, you are not going,’ he said; ‘ if you do, however, I will go, too, for there will be nothing to stay here for, then,’ and, before I knew it, his arm was about my neck and his lips pressed to my cheek. “At this instant Elsie entered the room, and, although I was struggling to release mytfclf from his unwelcome embrace, and finally struck him a severe blow in the face, I think Elsie, at the time, half believed I was a little in blame. At all events, she looked at me reproachfully, gave a fearful scream, and sank half dying on the sofa. I went to her as soon as I could, and tried to pacify her, and convince her of my innocence. Her miserable husband left the house, and I did not see him again. The next morning I started for my mother’s home, convinced it was the wisest thing I could do, and hoping that, when once left alone, the unhappy couple might become more interested in each other, and, perhaps, in time, be more reconciled to the fate which it would seem might have been a propitious one. After this experience, I said I would never marry for riches.—indeed, for a long time, I declared I would never marry at all. My parents now had a farm of their own, and so my mother was glad of my help. I lived with them three years, then became acquainted with your uncle—a promising young farmer—ami married him, and, I believe, we have so far been about the happiest couple anywhere We have not been blessed with great riches, but have had plenty for our comfort, have been contented, healthy, prosperous, and, as I said before, happy.” “And what became of Miss Elsie?” asked little Angie, who, up to this time, hail been so attentive to her aunt’s story she had not spoken. “She died in less than three years after I left her. I often heard from her until a short time before her death, as we corresponded regularly, and I think from her letters that she and her husband did live in better agreement long before they were called to part from each other. She and I 'both felt it a great grievance to be parted, but, thinking it for the best, tried to be reconciled to it.” “And what became of the grand folks at the big house ? ” asked Bertie. “Mr. Rushton is dead, but his widow still lives there in her former glory, and, if wealth with all it can employ fails to make her happy, then, doubtless, she is of all others the most miserable. But, children, I may as well bring my story to an end right here, and go into the house and get tea for you and y our uncle, who, I see, is coming from the field.” So both followed to their auntie’s

kitchen, begging her by the way to tell tell them what had become of all the accomplishments she learned while at the big house. She took them into the large dairy, and then, pointing to the door through which they had entered, said, “They were all left behind when I entered this room.” “ Oh, what a pity ! ” said Bertie ; “ still, you are happy ? ” “Yes,” the aunt replied, and went about her work. Pittsfield, Masp.