1 1 fttttii Ira Hi fl MfitM m-m
Ay INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER. f'
Now I31oomiiell, Xai., August 3, 1S7G. iv0. 31
lllw vf
FRANK MO 11 TIMER, 1
Editor and Proprietor. c
Vol. IV.
Js Published Weekly,
At New IJlooni field, rcnn'si.
BY
FRANK MORTIMER.
BCnsritll'TION TERMS.
OJVJJ DOLLAR 1'ER YEAR!
irv aivaaoi:.
THE UNTRIED GOVERNESS.
A Step-Daughter's Experience,
T GIVE my daughter Julia three
I years. You understand? If she
makes a good match within that period,
well ; if not, I have done with her. I wash
my hands of her completely." Mrs. Mu
ciller gently ehafed her left hand with her
right, arranged her rings, and replaced her
fingers upon the laco handkerchief in her
lap, as though the operation were com
plcted. "Amply sufficient, my dear Sirs. Mucil
lcr, for a young lady who doubtless inherits
her mother's tact for improving a favora
ble opportunity ;" and Mrs. Sharing took a
comprehensive glance at tho drawing
room of Braiihfield Villa.
"At least," Mrs. Muciller Baid, in reply
to Mrs. Sharing's remark, "I can rely on
Julia's discretion. She is not likely to be
betrayed into an undesirable match. My
daughter is not flighty, like some girls."
When Mrs. Sharing had taken her leave,
Mrs. Muciller thought a few minutes, and
then touched the bell.
"Send Miss Noddy to me," she said to
tho servant.
Nora Cray, for that was Miss Noddy, can
hardly bo described as a relation of Mrs.
Muciller, being nothing more than a kind
of connection in fact, a step-daughtor,the
child of her first husband, to be precise.
She was a little thing of her age, which was
quite two-and-twenty. She had smooth
brown hair, neatly dressed, but rather odd
looking, as it actually showed the shape of
the back of the little head, -without any
chignon at all to improve it. She had
bright brown eyes too,; but you could not
say she was pretty, ller's was a plain face,
but good-tempered and pleasant to look
upon. She came to the drawing-room, in
answer to Mrs. Muciller's summons, in a
print dress, not fashionable or new, though
neat ami becoming, and her hands whito
with flour.
"Noddy what are you doing, io come
into the drawing-room in that state?"
"Pies," said Noddy laconically, and
smiling.
" You might liave waited till you had
finished your -work," said Mrs. Muciller,
"as I wish to speak to you on something of
imiortanee."
" They said you wanted me directly, so I
came," Noddy explained.
u Very well ; as you are hero, you may
remain ; but plcaso, don't sit down, or you
will be sure to soil tho chairs with your
Houry bands. I need not remind you,
Noddy," Mrs. Muciller said, with a smooth
and rather pretty lisp, "that I have sought
to discharge tho onerous and unthankful
office of step-mother to you in two families
to the best of my ability. You have too
much good sense to feel hurt at not having
icen placed on a precise equality hero with
my daughtor Julia. You well know that,
bad your poor father, Mr, Cray, still lived,
you would in all probability have been re
quired to take at least as active a share in
household duties as you have done with me.
You have, therefore, no reason, nor, I feel
sure, any desire for complaint on that score.
But it is needful that I should inform you
that tho time has arrived for a change in
our mutual relations. You are aware Julia
returns to-morrow from finishing her edu
cation. It is my intention to make great
personal and pecuniary sacrifices, with a
view to her advancement in life. You will
therefore see it to be your duty at once to
look out for a situation as governess in
some respcclable family. I will not hurry
you Tor a few weeks, and I shall do my best
meantime to help you find such a situation ;
but I name throe months as the time at
which our present connection should cease."
"O, dear!" said Noddy, her usually
cheerful face becoming quite blank "I'm
sure I'm not fit for a governess. I don't
know near enough to teach."
" Perhaps not. No ono does. What of
that? You arc quite ascoinprtcntas many
young ladies I know who go out. No girl
is expected to be competent in her first
place. You learn at your first situation
rt hat you want to teach at tho second. It
is the sanio in all business. Now, let us
see what we can say in tho advertisement
French, German, Italian, and the usual
accomplishments, I suppose; that is the
customary thing."
"But I scarcely know a word of French,
not a syllable of German, and can't even
understand an Italian song," objected Nod
dy ; "and as to accomplishments, I eaa
only play hymn tunes, as you call them, on
the piano."
"Very well, Miss ; and pray, what of
that? Nobody will ask you for more, will
they? You will go with young children
first; you can teach them English, and
spelling, and that, and what little French
you know, and their notes on the piano;
and if their parents wish for more, you can
tell them it is not advisable so overfill little
heads too soon ;' can't you ?"
"But I should be so ashamed," 'pleaded
Noddy; "pleaso don't say all that, for in
deed I couldn't teach at all when it was
found out how ignorant I was of all I had
professed ; and people would despise mo
when they found me out."
' Nonsense ; nobody will find you out.
Why, how do you think I began as a draw
ing mistress? Tho same as other people do.
I bought my specimens of a lady artist
and always took care to bring my pupils
drawings homo to bo corrected by the same
lady. My drawings were admired, so wero
those of my pupils, and I obtained a con
nection. I forget what became of tho ar
tist ; but you may bo sure she never came
to any good. You see sho had a certain
order of talent for production, while I
possessed tho superior ability to render
her commodity marketable. As to adver
tising anything short of what I have told
you, it would bo useless ; every governess
does the same, for the reason that every
othor governess does so too. If people bo
lieve it, that is their affair; mine just now
is to get you a situation ; and when I have
done so I shall consider myself relieved
from farther responsibility."
Noddy went back to her pies ; but a
heavy heart won't make light pastry, and
Noddy's wouldn't rise.
The next day Julia returned a tall
showy blondo of eighteen, with tho languid
air of completion which a finishing school
so successfully imparts, Julia Muciller
was an accomplished girl ; sho had learned
all tho last new tricks of musical execution
and showed peculiar facility in the per
formance of pieces of the Bubblings of Morn
and Dribblings at Eve order. Those she
could r'altlo though with an air of easy
superiority to tho instrument, to tho mu
sic, and even to her audionce, as though
such trifling feats of sleight-of-hand were
the most easy accomplishments in the
world, as perhaps they are whon once you
know tho trick. Sho was on singing terms
with most of the gushing song of flimsy sen
timent of the day. She could paint groups
of impossible flowers, chatter boarding
school French,emhroidor in beads and wool,
dance, and read novols on the sofa. In a
word, Julia was flnishod.
Poor Noddy's little heart quite sank
when sho was admitted of evenings to tho
drawing-room (when there was no company)
to hear the rehearsal of Miss Muciller's ac
complishments, for it inado her despair
more than ever of being able to lay even
tho groundwork for such a display. But
tho advertisement was already sent to a
weekly paper, spite of all Noddy's entrea
ties, detailing her proficiency ; and so she
could seo nothing to be done but to borrow
some of Julia's early tehool-books, and try
in spare moments, to gain a little knowl
edge of what sho was expected to teach.
It was with some difficulty that sho could
even do this, for Mrs. Muciller did not liko
to see her reading, observing that her duty
was to devote her mind exclusively to house
hold affairs, and there would be plenty of
time for study when she went to her first
situation. " You have only to keep your
self one losfon in advance of your pupils,"
Mrs. Muciller said, "and you arc safe. It
is very strange if a grown person of average
abilty cannot manage to compete with
children to that extent." ' So Noddy would
get up early, and get all her dusting dov.e
and manage to make an hour at least for
study before breakfast.
Within a week of Julia's return from
school, Mrs. Muciller received this letter by
afternoon post :
"London, June 27, 18.
"Dear Mns. Muciij.ek You will be
surprised to hear 1 am just homo from
Bombay moro so, perhaps, to learn I'm
tired of India, and mean to settle in Eng
land. I shall run down and pay you a visit
in a day or two, and shall probably stay till
you turn mo out, as your cool, country
scenery will be a relief to eyes that still
have the glare of the Indian sun in thein.
Don't put yourself out of the way. You
need not reply, as I shall not bo in Loudon
after to-morrow. Yours,
"Fuank Gkogegan."
"AVell, that's cool," said Julia.
"It certainly is," said Mrs. Muciller;
"but ho must come. In the first place, ho
is a nephew of tho late Mr. Muciller, and 1
suppose fancies he has some right in his
uncle's house. In the next place, I am not
disposed to dispute the point, for he has
been making a deal of money in India in
connection with a reclamation of Land
Company. Ho must have turned a pretty
penny, or ho would not think of setting
down yet. Thoso Geogogans are a money
making family, and always were, and not
satisfied with a little. I should have invi
ted him myself had I known him to bo in
England. I consider his visit highly desir
able You must look your best, Julia,
when ho conies."
Julia languidly smilod obedience. "But
he does not say when he is coming, mam
ma." " No ; just like tho Geogagans ; always
thoughtless. However, we need not trouble
about that to-day, as it is time for you to
dress for Mrs. Sharing's croquet party."
So Julia rang tho bell for Noddy to come
and do her hair.
On the 28th of June being tho anniversa
ry of Coronation Day, is kept holliday at
most country places. Both Mrs. Muciller's
servants had hurried to get their work dene
early; and as " their people," to wit, Mrs.
Muciller and her daughter (for Noddy did
not count) wero going out, they wore given
the afternoon as a holliday.
It was a real treat to Noddy to eta spare
afternoon all to herself, with no work to do,
and no ono to find fault, wit'a her. She
made up her mind she would spend tho
time in trying how to learn to teach music.
So she went to the piano in tho drawing
room, and began at the beginning of hor
Piano-forte Tutor, and went slowly on till
she come to the scales, which she com
menced practicing.
It being very Lot, all the doors and win
dows of tho house were thrown open to get
tho breeze, and the fragant breath swept
in through the hall-door, and along the
passage, and to the drawing-room, bearing
the scent of roses and jasamine to Noddy,
as she sat there practicing scales. It is
rather monotonous work but her whole
mind was in it. Sho was indeed so absorb
ed in her occupation that if a person had
come up the gravel-path, and across the
lawn, and straight into tho room where sho
was, it is doubtful if sho would havo no
ticed it. Of course, it would be unlikely ;
but I say if a person had done so (the piano
was at the farthest end, in tho shadow of
tho large room,') Noddy was so preoccupied
that it is not probablo sho would have ob
served tho intrusion. She had been grind
ing away at the F minor scale, up and down
and up one and two and threo and four,
and one and two and
"O bother I" said Nqddy, flinging her
hands on her lap, "what an awful little
goose you are 1 You havn't a bit of gump
tion, nor a mite of common sense. As to
being a governess, and can't play scales,
you must be a noodle to think of it a
dreadful noodle !"
You're about right there !" said an un
mistable masculine voice from somewhere
by tho door. Noddy started as if sho had
been shot ; then sho blushed red and hot
at being surprised. But tho owner of the
voice walked boldly into tho room. Noddy
being left in solo charge of Braiihfield Villa,
and seeing an entire stranger march in like
this, did not liko the look of it. Ilis look's
wero nothing to provoke a dislike, be it
said a tall, fine-bronzed man of thirty,
with a tawny moustache and handsome tun
burned features. Sho resolved to challenge
him.
" What do you want ?" she said, brusquely-
...
"You," said he "you are Miss Mucil
ler, I imagine?"
"No ; I am Noddy Norah Cray, that is,"
she stammered, correcting herself. "Please
what is it?"
"Cray?" tho stranger said, "Cray? any
relation to Mrs. Muciller?"
" Yes."
"O, I think I know, then. So you are
Miss Cray, eh? You will seo who I am from
this card ; and as you havo not offered me
a seat, I'll take one, after shaking hands
with you." He held out his hand frankly,
and Norah could not refuse it.
" I don't know who you are," said Noddy.
The stranger had lounged himself on the
sofa.
"Then, perhaps, you'll look and Bee."
"Mr. Frank Go-Go-Gcog-a-gan ?' asked
Norah, puzzled.
" Oa-gan, if you don't mind. It's spelt
heathenish, but it reads easy. You've heard
of your cousin, Frank Gecgagan, in India,
surely? That is, ho miht have been your
cousin, if Mrs. Muciller's marriages had not
mixed the relationships so confoundedly."
"No," said Norah.
Ho whistled. "Didn't Mrs. Muciller tell
you I was con .i ng ?' '
Nora did not wih to expose the precise
state of tilings between herself and her
step-mo cher, and did not choose to tell an
untruUi ; so she replied : "Mrs. Muciller
received a letter just before she went out
tliis aftornoon, but sho was hurried, and I
did not know its contents. So you are ex
pected, then?"
"I said I was coming, but not exactly
when."
"That's awkward, said Noddy.
"Why?".
" Because wo are not prepared to receive
you. Mrs. Muciller would have been home,
and Julia, had they expected you to arrive
to-day."
" You are very plain."
" You are not complimentary," retorted
Noddy.
"I didn't rofer to your looks ; but I won
der if you would insist on my saying they
were anything different?"
" You can say what you please," said
Noddy ; It is a guest's privile ge."
" Well, you are the coolest little baggage
of a cousin to welcome any one homo from
abroad one could well expect to find. Are
you not glad to see me ?"
' Well, not particularly," said Noddy.
How should I bo, never having seen yoi
or heard of you before ? Besides, you come
at an awkward time, when nobody is at
home. And for aught I know, you may be
an impostor, and have watched your opporr
tunity to enter tho house when it is unpro
tected. I don't think you are that, though,
you are not polite enough. But one never
knows."
" Upon my word, you are not flattering.
Still, at any rate, I think yon might have
offered mo some refreshment, as I have just
come off a journey."
"I am very sorry," said Noddy; "but
Mrs. Muciller has taken the keys with her.
I can only offer you a cup of tea or coffee,
and some broad and butter. Everything
else is locked up."
As Mr. Frank seemed to think that would
do very well indeed, Noddy went out to pre
pare it, and presently returned with a tray
of tea and coll'ee and a single cup.
" Two cups, please," said Mr. Frank.
Norah was not generally accustomed to
take her meals with tho family. She was
certain Mrs. Muciller wotdd not like this
arrangement, but divining a refusal might
prove embarrassing, she brought a second
cup, and joined Mr. Geogagan at tea.
When they had finished, Mr. Geogagan
said he should walk up to tho station to
arrange about his luggage being sent, and
on his return ho should insist on Noddy
giving him some music. In five minutes
in walked Mr. Frank again, clamorous for
his music. Now, Noddy was never in tho
habit of playing for anybody's amusement
but her own, and was quite certain if Mrs.
Muciller heard of her taking the liberty of
playing to please a visitor, it would be
considered a deadly offence. Moreover,
she expected Mrs. Muciller to arrive cvery
minute.
But Mr. Frank insisted with such vehem
ence that a refusal seemed like palpable af
fectation; so Noddy risked the consequences
and began to play Mozart's Ah Perdona !
Sho had only go half-way through it.
when Mrs. Muciller nadUIulia appeared at
the window. NoiVly shut up tho piano,
threw down her music, and fled.
" What impertinence !" ejaculated the
widow. She was so fairly astounded at
Noddy's barefaced impudenco, as to be be
trayed into making this remark aloud,
and Frank Geogagan heard it. Sho had the
tact, however, at once to divine it,nd to
correct her mistake. " What impertinence,
Mr. Frank, of you, to bo sure, to come and
take us all by surprise without a warning !
However, wo must try and overlook it, as it
is your first offence. I'm sure I hope it will
not bo the last. We are delighted to re
ceive you, although, had you told us when
to expect you, we might havo given you a
better reception.!'
"Well," said Mr. Frank (but he detected
the artifice), "I thought I told you pretty
exactly. I said 'in a day or two,' if I re
member rightly, and I came in a day' in
stead, of 'two,' to show my anxiety to pay
my earliest respects to my aunt and hor
daughter, for I presumo this is Julia?"
Julia made a most finished reverence, and
offered her hand in the most approved
stylo. Julia was well and carefully dressed
for tho croquet party. " That is fortunate,
at any rate," Mrs. Muciller thought. We
might havo been surprised at greater disad
vantage. So much depends upon first im
pressions." A few interchanges of courtesies from
the ladies, with commonplaces from Mr.
Frank, and Mrs. Muciller and her daughter
retired to remove their bonnets, if the lit.
tlo bits of flowers and lace adorning their
hair might be so designated. Mrs. Muciller
took this opportunity of administering t
severe rebuke to Noddy upon her boldness,
forwardness, and presumption in attempt
ing to entertain their visitor in a manner k
unbecoming,
to be continued.
t"To preserve a friend, honor hin'
when present, praise him when absent, anil
assist him cordially in time of need.