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-t -l 1 A A O JTC 2' I ME Jl , 1
Editor ami l'roprictor. i
Vol. IV
Js rublished Weekly,
At New IiloomlieM, ronn'a. .
BY
FRANK MOttTIMER.
SUBSCRIPTION TERMS.
ONE DOLLAR 1'ER YE All !
THE UNTRIED GOVERNESS.
A Step-Daughter's Experience.
B'
UT Sirs. Mucill cr was a student of ex
pediency. She felt it would bo Unde
sirable (a favorite word of liers) that Nod
dy should continue to take her meals apart
from the family, with a visitor in thehou.se.
Tho continuance of such a course would
convey an impression, not so much false,
as undesirable. Sho therefore "desired"
Miss Norah's presence at supper, and made
known her wishes for the future. But
Noddy pleaded headache as excuse for the
evening, and remained in her room, hear
ing the sounds of music coine faintly up
from the drawing-room, when the door was
t opened, till bedtime.
Next morning, Noddy was up and about
soon after tho lark. As blithwly as lie, sho
was singing about her work, for there is
nothing in all the world liko cheerful work
to prevent any one feeling dull and un
happy. How strange a drawing-room looks in tho
morning light, in all the disarrangement of
only a "little music" of tho night before !
Nobody ever dared touch tho drawing-room
to " tidy" it but Noddy that was her par
ticular province and her pride. There she
was, that bl ight June morning, sweeping
and sweeping away, and singing, as her
mind like the lark's, soared above tho dust.
"Bravo 1 Cousin Noddy !" It was Mr.
Frank who had been strolling about tho
lawn with a cigar in tho fresh morning air,
and who had walked up to the window.
"Oh dear," said Noddy, pleaso don't
tease me. Don't you see I'm busy?"
" I'm coming in to see," said ho, enter
ing the casement.
Noddy looked pleasant enough in hor
print morning dress her hair neatly ar
ranged close to hor head, where it could not
stop without struggling out into little curls
here and there, and a faint blush on her
cheeks, partly shy, partly vexed at being
teased. "O, please, go away, do or I
must sweep you up," sho entreated ; " and
O, please go away," she added more seri
ously, remembering Mrs. Mucillcr had cau
tioned her respecting hor behavior to Mr.
Oeogagan.
Six weeks had come and gone at Braith
fteld Villa. Tho advertisement had been
inserted five times, but still no answer. A
situation as governess is not tho easiest
thing obtained. It is something like that of
prime-minister, thero aro always plenty of
candidates for the office, and most of the
candidates (poor things) aro about as well
fitted for it.
Mr. Frank had more than fulfilled Mrs.
Muciller's most sanguine anticipations.
Ho had proved a most attentive cavalier to
Julia. They wero not actually engaged,
however ; indeed, beyond tho courtesies re
ferred to, Mr. Frank had not mado tho
slightest attempt at anything more decisive.
But still, peoplo will talk, and Mrs. Mucil
ler liked to hear them. Peoplo began
vaguely to suppose that Julia had made a
fortunate hit, and that was in all probabil
ity an accomplished fact ; but they' hesita
ted to do more than hint their belief, with
out something like foundation. Mrs. Mu
clllor, fully aware of tho important part
AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY
gossip plays in the history of daily life, de
termined to turn it to account. Sho reas
oned thus : Mr. Geogagan is evidently im
pressed with Julia, but he is a little shy, or
dilatory, in coining to tho point. In either
case, a favorable rumor may do much in
bringing about a desirable result. It may
encourage hiin ; it must stimulate him.
Willi this idea, in the courso of her next
private conversation with Mrs. Sharing,
when that lady inquired, with certain
friendly nods and elevations of tho eye
brows, if sho might venturo to offer con
gratulations on a certain fortunate event,
Mrs. Muciller gave her unmistakably to un
derstand that she might, although perhaps
expressed in that coy language of partial
reserve with which women like to enchanco
tho value of private communications.
Now, thought Mrs. Mucillcr, I know Mrs.
Sharing to bo tho greatest gossip in the
neighboihood. She will bo certain to spread
the news of Julia's rumored engagement
far and wide. It will undoubtedly get
round to Frank Qeogagan, and will lead
him at once to make that proposal for which
he seems so ready.. So the rumor shall
make the fact and the fact keep tho rumor
in countenance.
Meantime the the subject of Mrs Mucil
ler's design appeared to bo in tho most ge
nial ignorance. Ho continued to pay the
same respectful attentions to his charming
cousin Julia. He took little notice of Nod
dy, as a consideration for the lady of the
house indeed dictated, for ho had more
than once observed that any slight atten
tion to Miss Cray was visited on her with a
glanco of disfavor from Mrs. Muciller when
she thought ho was not looking. But Frank
Geogagan had very quick, restless eyes that
could seo round a corner.
As for Noddy, if she owned to herself one
feeling at all about tho matter, it was just
one of sadness that a school girl should
render a mtin so artificial and constrained,
and unlike his real self, as she thought Mr.
Geogagan was becoming. But thero was
another feeling at tho bottom of her heart,
that Noddy would not own to herself. The
wind bloweth where it listeth : you cannot
tell whence it comes or how. There wero
Phajcian ships with sails ever set that car
ried their owners without oar or eflbrt
whithersoever they listed.
And in these six weeks Noddy had come
to love Mr. Frank. Sho would not havo
confessed it to herself ; she would havo de
spised herself had sho believed it. How
was it ? Dear soul t Is thero any bettor
reason to be given for loving any body than
the child's reason Because I do? Must
wo not all come back to that? Noddy had
seen few peoplo ; few people had ever taken
notice of her, or seemed to think of her as
worth talking or caring abont. Mr. Frank
always had a word of some sort for her.
Many a morning ho would chat pleasantly
to her Ps she dusted tho room ; many a tirno
he would refrain from speaking to her, orof
her, before Mrs. Muciller, for her sake.
Well, you may say this, or you may put it
how you will, but you will have to come
back to tho littlo child's reason at last, for
all tho wiser peoplo in tho world who havo
tried to give any better explanation havo
talked nonsense, and, what is more, own
ed it.
Frank Geogagan had mado many friends
in the neighborhood, and it was not long
before one of them congratulated him on
his engagement to Julia Muciller. It stag
gered him at tho first; but, bless you I Mr.
Frank had his eyes about him. He took it
as coolly as possible ; never said a word to
contradict it. He saw it would not do, as
this would bo a palpablo reflection on Mrs.
Muciller, by whoso tacit indorsement at
least ho ascertained such a roport had ob
tained currency at all. Ho just smiled, and
thanked his friends, and so gave renewed
crcdenco to tho report, which now had re
ceived tho final stamp of veracity. Mind,
I do not defend Mr. Frank's conduct ; I on
ly stato what ho did ; and now I am going
to tell what came of it.
Dear reader you have followed mo thus
TVow Hlooniflelcl, l'ji., Lnnst O, 1S70.
far do you think T am telling you fiction 1
If so, I ought not to make Frank Geoga
gan a party after the fact to a deceit. There
was once an audienco that thought the
squeak of Archippus more lifelike than
that of tho real pig. Remember this.
The latter end of August a picnic had
been arranged to Cherlcigh Lake, a most
delightful jaunt, and Mrs. Muciller, Julia,
and her Indian lover were to go of course.
It so happened, however, at tho very last
minute, that important business required
Mr. Geogagan's attention in London. I
need not further relate the naturo of tho
business than to say it was understood to
bo something in connection with the Indian
Reclamation of Land Company, and that it
was urgent. It was not a letter that sum
moned Mr. Geogagan, but a printed notice,
stating that, in consequence of the sudden
depreciation of shares (which had previous
ly gone up many hundred per cent, above
their paid-up value,) a hevy call was made
on the shareholders.
Mind onco more. It is not for mo to
defend Mr. Geogagan. I tako tho facts as
they come. I cannot apologize for facts,
and won't. It was settled that Mrs. Mucil
ler and her daughter were to go to the pic
nic, while Mr. Geogagan went to London to
transact his business. Mr. Frank never
went near tho metropolis at all ; he just
marched over to Mr. Sharing's to smoke a
cigar. And when the house was clear,
Noddy sat down to her books to study
teaching.
It has been said Mi's. Mucillcr knew Mrs.
Sharing for a gossip. Mr. Frank also knew
Mr. Sharing for one. With this knowledge,
how it was he went and confided to such a
man the state of affairs, I must leave you to
guess.
Over their cigars he stated something
liko this to Mr. Sharing : "The fact is this.
Every penny I could get together I put into
this Indian Land Reclamation scheme.
The shares went up fabulously, till a hun
dred pounds became worth thousands. Tho
scheme was feasible, and likely to succeed
and to pay at any premium the shares could
go to, it was good. I had every confidence
in it. Suddenly, a panic comes, the shares
drop nearly to par before wo in England
can get the intelligence, and wo are called
on to pay up our amounts. Now, I know
you are accustomed, to advance money on
security, will you lend me three thousand
pounds on a deposit of shares to twice tho
amount?"
"Ah, my young friend," said Mr. Shar
ing, you seo that's tho way and tho way
of yours, always. Here you go and mix
yourself up in tho rashest of speculations
without a chance of success as independ
ent as you can bo, all tho time you're all
alike. Then you get into a holo as wo say,
and you como to mo to help you out. Look
you ; your shares aro not worth that," and
ho snapped his fingers ; "not worth the pa
per they are printed on. Three thousand
pounds? Three thousand fiddles, sir."
"But," said Mr. Frank, "It is only a
temporary depression, owing to a panic ;
tho schenft) is a good ono ; tho shares will
go up again."
"Yes, liko a gunpowdor mill I The whole
affair will explode that will bo the next
rise, and tho only ono. I'm sorry for you
sorry for you, sir," Mr. Sharing gontly
emphasized his sorrow by tapping it out
with his finirer-points on tho table
"thought you had better judgment. You
are just liko a moth. You havo been daz
zled with a glittering prospect, and rushed
straight into the llamo. Now you com
plain that your wings aro singed."
" Pardon I havo not complainod. . I do
not believe my caso so bad as you repre
sent, and I do not yet despair of making
you see it in a different light. Rumor may
have infomied you that I havo been so for
tunato as to secure the affections of Miss
Muciller. I havo not mado minuto inqui
ries as to tho amount of that young lady's
fortuuo, not wishing to appear mercenary,
but I havo every reason to suppose, from
NEWSPAPER.
the style in which her mother and herself
are living, and from the fact of her being
an only daughter, that she will receive a
handsome portion on her marriage. If you
take this into consideration, you may be
disposed to look upon my security as at
least sufficient to covertho loan I seek."
Mr. Sharing was silent for a minute.
"That is how the wind blows, is it 1" he
thought. " So you fancied you had got
hold of a fortune, my lino fellow; and Mrs.
Muciller, on her part, was of very much
tho same opinion respecting you. Why,
the girl won't havo a penny ! As if the
style in which a woman lives, who has a
daughter to marry, could be the least crite
rion of her means ! You know very littlo
of tho world, Mr. Frank." But he remark
ed aloud : "I havo certainly heard of your
happiness in that respect, but you will bear
in mind you aro not; yet married to
Miss Muciller. There's many a slip, you
know. And in addition to this, I havo every
reason to believo that whatever may be the
extent of Miss Muciller's fortune, it would
be placed beyond her husband's control."
"That's about the neatest way I can put it
without injuring tho young lady," ho
thought. " For that matter, her fortune is
beyond any body's control 1" And he
smiled and tapped the table again.
"Well, sir?" said Mr. Frank.
"Well, sir?"
"Then I am to understand that you re
fuse to eutcrtain the question?"
"Entirely. I don't discount impossibili
ties, but only extreme probabilities. It is
not in my line."
"I need not remind you, at any rate, that
the subject of our conversation is private,"
said Mr. Frank.
" And confidential. Certainly. May I.
offer you another cigar? No? Well, if
you must bo going, good morning, sir."
"Private and confidential stuff and
nonsense !" Mr. Sharing observed to him
self, as soon as ho was alone. " That is all
very fine, young gentleman but it is right
Mis. Muciller should get just a hint that
her catch is a very littlo fish that had bet
ter be thrown into tho river again. I will
tell Mrs. Sharing, and trust hor to make
use of the information."
Mr. Frank went back to Bralthficld, and
found Noddy sitting in the window trying
hard to perfect herself in the mysteries of
the accordance of French parCicipta paam.
She was huddled up with her book in her
lap, her elbows on her knees, and her head
in her hands.
"Noddy!"
" What, not gone to London 1 Have you
missed the train, Mr. Geogagan?"
"No neither; I was not going. Put on
your bonnet, and como out for a walk."
She hesitated.
" Come, put away your books. Tho walk
will do you good, and Julia will not be
jealous."
Still sho hesitated; sho thought of Mrs.
Mucillcr.
" Come, Noddy ; I'm in difficulty and
some trouble, and I think you can help mo.
So put away those books."
Noddy hesitated no longer. In two min
utes sho was ready, and camo down with a
calm, wise expression on hr littlo face,
ready to help.
They set out, and walked for nearly half
an hour without a word. Noddy remem
bered that sho was wanted for help or ad
vice of some kind, and so was quiet wait
ing to hear. Through pleasant cornfields,
glistening like seas of restless gold, while
the warm summer breath passed over the
ripe oars, and bowed them in long, Hooting
waves, wheroon tho cloud shadows floated
wide, swelling waves that calmly rolled
tho sunshine along tho cool reedy music, as
the breeze played on the heavy grain and
burning poppios wero upheaved or borne
under by the chasing waves. By Lodges,
bright with summer flowers, and cool with
ferns and eroeping greon. Along paths
patterned over with tho moving shadows of
oak, and elm, and willow.
Terms: IN ADVANCE.
One Dollar per Year.
INo. 33.
Noddy, what would you say if I
told
you I was ruined?"
l'I should say I didn't believo you."
"All the property I have in India is in
the ' Anglo-Waddy Company' for the recla
mation of land from the sea. I doubt if I
shall ever see a sixpence of it again. Mi.
Sharing told mo to-day the share certificates
are not worth tho paper they aro printed
on."
"Well," said Noddy, "I thought you
were ruined. Is that all?"
"All?" ho returned, rather sharply.
"Is it not enough to be ruined? Not a six
pence of it, not a penny-piece, shall I see
again !"
"O," said Noddy, half talking to herself,
"is that ruin? It seems to mo a man is
never ruined whilo he has life and strength
and health, and cheerful courage."
"It is easy to talk. You never had any
money to loso."
" No, not much. But I have a little
property for all that."
"Indeed. And, pray, how much?"
"Thirty pounds in tho saviugs-bank,
which my father left me."
Mr. Frank laughed, despite of his own
trouble.
" Dear mo ! I didn't know you wero an
heiress before. Now you would grieve to
loso your money 1"
" I should be sorry."
" Then you can't find fault with mo for
being tho same at losing so many thou
sands." " Tho amount makes no difference. My
thirty pounds is my all, and I should bo
just as sorry to loso it as you aro at losing
your all. Buc though I'm only a woman, I
shouldn't say I was ruined that is ab
surd." "You aro a Job's comforter, at alt
events."
" There aro very few comforters likt Job's,
in these days," said Noddy "very few
persons who would sit down in silent sym
pathy, the deepest of all sympathies, for
three days and three nights with a friend.'
"So you look upon mo as a friend?"
"Yes," said Noddy, blushing a littlo, but
displeased with herself for doing so, on ac
count of an avowal so innocent.
" And can you give mo any better advice
than Job's friends?"
" Perhaps not."
" Tell ma what you think I ought to do."
"Do?" said Noddy, quickly. "Go and
work. It's a brave thing, work is. Yoa
will forget all about being ruined, and only
remember you are a man, doing a man's
work. I don't know what I should do
without work myself ; it is tho most sooth
ing and refreshing comfort I know, even to
me, and it must bo better to a man. But
your case is nothing like Job's. If it had
been only his monoy Job had lost, his
friends would just havo staid at home, and
sent messengers offering to help him to
work, and Job is just tho sort of man who
would havo been content to take it."
"Noddy, I really believo you'ro right."
"I'm suro I am. Haven't you Been mo
sweep ?"
"Yes," laughed Mr. Frank ;.but that
is hardly in my way digging would coma
more natural than that."
"Then dig. But there's plenty of work,
for earnest workers with brains without
digging. I dou't pretend to toll you tho ex act
direction in which it lies, because that
is out of my province ; but I am sure you
will find it, if you are in earnest."
"I will," said Mr. Frank, and he wan
quiet again for a little. t
And Noddy was quiet too. Sho had
something on her mind sho wished to say,
but hardly liked to mention it. However,
she began : " It you mean what you say,
you will not remain much longor hore."
" I shall not remain much longer hero,"
ho echoed abstractedly. , , .
" You will begin at onco to , slriko out a
new path, as a brave man should ; and you
will walk aa straight, and feel as proud ass.
man ought who feels ho is neither ruined
nor disgraeod when he has only lost his mon
oy." concluded kext week.