Newspaper Page Text
lowa County Democrat. t/ VOL. XII. Tiro VIEWS. NOBS rRBT. ‘ *1 ho world is old. the world is cold," She very coldly said. “Ami all ’<• prize beyond us lies 'llll we lie with the' dead." "The world is old. the world is sold. A thousand lives can prove Dow failures cast us all at lust Into the worldly groove." A thousand lives ore not my life, Nor arc they types of mine; Instead of cold, the world Is gold. And dazzles with its shine. She shook her head, she broke her thread. And paused to count the stitches: And still she told the world was cold, And colder all its riches. And still I hold the world is gold. And golden all Its glory ; And still she sinus of "lleeting things," That dismal, dreary story. The and. ises blow, the roses grow, In pi. den. fluid and wood. And cure is Heeling while youth is sweet, And God is very good ] I still must weave, amt still believe Mv dreams must all come true; tor liope is bright, and sorrow light, Where llte is fresh and new. M Y CURIOUS COMP A MON. “ Wanted by a young married lady, a companion to rondo with Iter during her husband's absence in India. A liberal salary will be given, with every home comfort, to any one suitable. Ap ply, personally, if possible, at No. -10 Upper Barkeley street. W." The foregoing advertisement was dis patched by me after considerable cogita tion and 1 waited the results with some anxiety. My husband, Major Coneyers, had. been suddenly ordered to India; and having no sister or any available cousin whom 1 could invite to stay with me during his absence, 1 thought a com panion was the best thing with which I could provide?myself; accordingly, 1 in dited my small paragraph which 1 had the satisfaction of seeing placed in a very conspicuous part of the paper on lli(> morning after 1 sent it. 1 lived in London, consequently fell certain that tin 1 personal interview would he easily managed; hut 1 had committed an error in not naming a particular hour, as from 11 in the forenoon until quite late iu the day the applications for a per sonal interview with my unfortunate self never ceased. The first arrival was a very handsomely dressed lady of about 50, who came, evidently, quite prepared to enter upon Iter duties sit once, and quite overpowered me with a series of questions and statements, without giving me the faintest chance of making any inquiries myself. She had lived with Lady This and Honor able Mrs. That, and one and all had treated her luce a sister—she felt cer tain that 1 would do the same—indeed, she quite knew me alread/. Home comforts were exactly what she cured for; as to salary it was no object to her —a hundred a year was all she asked, though dear Lady Golding had said she was never to take less than two. “1 am afraid," I put in at tills junc ture, “ that even one hundred is beyond what I intend to give, and 1 live so quietly"— “We won't quarrel about salary,” interrupted my would-he-companion, “ and as to quietness, it is just what 1 want.” A peal at the door-hell emboldened me to still greater determination, so 1 replied very resolutely for me: "I do not think we should suit; lam sorry yon have had the trouble of coming." “ t'o am 1," site rejoined dryly; “but one ought not to trust to advertise ments." Hardly noticing my " good morning,” she got up, and flounced down stairs, evidently in great wrath at her rejec tion. Another lady to sec you, ma'am, announced my parlor maid, Avery quiet, sweet-looking, little per son came forward, and at the first glance 1 fancied 1 had found a suitable companion. But alas loiter story was a sad one, and there were reasons which rendered it impossible forme to avail myself of her society. She was mar ried. Her husband was a hopeless in valid, and they wore very poor. She had not been educated highly enough to he a governess, and when she saw advertisement, site fancied, if the salary was good, she might he my com panion by day, and return at night to iter own home, which was at no great distance from my house. She looked so thin and so ill that 1 was almost tempted to make some arrangement with her. but as 1 intended leaving town occasionally, second thought showed me it was out of the question. Besides, 1 could not have borne to think that while site was with mo, she would always ho in agony to ho with her husband —which, had 1 engaged her, would most naturally have fol lowed. 1 told her -a a- kindly as prw-i --blc, and, after making her take a glass of wine and some cake—-which latter I saw her furtively convey to her pocket, for her sick husband.! supposed—she gave me her direction, and took herde parture. 1 afterward went to see her. and her talc was sadly verified. But to proceed. My next visitor was a most pert dam sel. without any pretensions to being a lady, who informed me that her pa was dead, and as there were many of MINERAL POINT, WIS., FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, IS7S. them at homo, her nta wanted her to do for herself. 1 had not mueh dith culty in dismissing her. And of the legions that followed. I cannot attempt a detailed description. By the after noon, I was thoroughly exhausted, and made tip my mind to see no more, when, just as it was getting dusk, my servant came up to tne drawing-room and informed me that such a nice-look ing young lady was in the dining-room quite the nicest that had been yet. '• Ask her to come up stairs, then, \ Kllis. but do not admit any one else.” 1 replied; and the next minute the drawing-room door was thrown open by Ellis, and “ Miss Burke" was an nounced. She was dressed in mourning, and even in the dim light, was, 1 eould see, a pale-faced, rather handsome girl of j apparently about four and twenty. Her height was over the average, but seemed greater from her extreme thinness which struck me as almost striking. “Good evening," shu said, in a low and rather pleasant voice. "1 am afraid 1 am very late; it was so kind of you to see me.” “ It is late," 1 assented," but that dot's not matter." " Thank you," responded my visitor, “ 1 came about your advertisement— t I saw you wanted a companion, and I am anxious to gel a situation of that kind.” " I have had so many applications to day." 1 answered, for want of some thing better to say. “Ah! lean quite fancy it," returned j Miss Burke. " I lear lam too late?" “No," I replied; "1 have aeon no one yet to suit me." “ If you would only try me. 1 should do my utmost to please you,” she said almost pleadingly. “ 1 have already been a companion, and 1 can give yon references which may induce you to think of me;" and Miss Burke opened a small black velvet bag, which until then ! had not perceived, and placed in un hands a monogramed and coroneted epistle, addressed to herself, purporting to come from a Lady Montaeute, whose companion she had been for two years, and who expressed herself in the warm est terms, assuring Miss Burke, when ever she returned from the continent, whither she was just then going, that it would give her the greatest pleasure to answer any inquiries in her favor; in the meantime, Lady Montaeute author ized her to make what use she chose of the letter now sent, ending by saving she was certain, wherever she went, Miss Burke must boa favorite and an acquisition. <l'hut followed a letter from a Kev. Mr. White, from a remote rectory in Cum berland, stating that he had known M iss Emily Burke from her childhood, and could certify that she was not only de sirable in till respects, but tv most amiable and talented young lady, whose family wore both well known and highly re spected. Nothing eould be more satis factory; and after reading the two mis sives carefully by the light of the lire, 1 raised my eyes toward my visitor, whom 1 found regarding me in the most eager manner imaginable. “They are most kind letters," I said: “and so far as references go, I am sure I could do no better. Your duties would I*o very light—it is really only for the sake of companionship that I inquire any one,*as Ido everything for myself, but I have been very lonely since my husband went away. “ 1 can imagine it.” responded Miss Burke, sympathizing!}*. ‘ I should do my utmost to cheer you.” “ Von are very kind to say so,” 1 an swered. "Should we agree as to terms, when could yon come?" “To-morrow, if yon will permit me,” replied Mis- Burke. “lam in lodgings, and tln> expen-- e of them is so great that I should be only too glad to give them up—l am very poor,” she added in a low tone. 1 was sorry for the poor girl, and feel ing I had been as prudent as nossible in perusing her references, and trusting a good deal to her air of quiet respectabil ity, I proceeded to state my terms,which were eagerly accepted. After a little I conversation, all was settled, and my Companion promised to make her ap -1 pearanceon the following day. For the ! rest of that evening I was unusually I meditative; 1 was pleased, and yet not I pleased. She was not altogether my beau ideal of a companion. Although ladylike, and with undeniable refer ences, there was a certain awkwardness in her manner. Her room was to be on the satin 1 floor with my own: and on the following 1 morning 1 went in, a short time before she arrived, to see that everything was ready for her. It was October, and the weather was chilly, so I desired that she i should have a lire, as 1 fancied, coming from wretched lodgings, it might be a (sort of welcome to her. At 1 o’clock she arrived, bringing with her a small black box as her sole luggage, which Ellis and the housemaid, between them, carried directly to her room, whither she followed them almost immediately, to take off her things, {accompanied her. and remained for a few minutes, telling her to join me in the drawing room as soon a- she could, lunch being ready. She presently appeared, very much altered bv the removal of her Unmet. She w ore her hair in a crop, a fashion I detested: and her figure without her I cloak w as only redeemed from aw kward ness by the well-made black dress,which had evidently been the work of a first rate mxiitff. Site wore n,< ornaments except a plain gold ring on the little finger of her left hand, which I noticed was particularly large. 1 ceased to crit icise her after we hud been together for a little while. She was sc pleasant, so chatty, and yet so quiet withal, (bat ere evening came 1 began to congratulate myselt on my own perspicacity in hav ing engaged her. and was fully prepared to indorse Lady Montaciile’s opinion, that she was sure to be not only a favor ite but an acquisition. A fortnight slipped quietly away, and in my weekly budget to nty husband, 1 gave most charming accounts of nt\ companion, which our everyday inter course seemed fully to confirm. But about the third week a something 1 could not explain, made me take a dis like to her. 1 had ni! bee i very well, and her kindness hud boon mremilting; consequently 1 felt almost angry with myselt for indulging in a feeling which I could not help acknowledging w;u both unreasonable and childish. But it gained ground m spite of tin , self; and one night, as I was standing by the looking-glass in ntv b. droom. which was in the shadow, I caught sight of Miss Burke, who was leaning on the mantlepiece in the full light of the gas, 1 which burned on either side of it, re garding me w ith a stealthy and search ing glance, which I instantly observed. Iml had snlftcient sense to take no notice of. Tito expression in her large black eyes haunted me for days, and caused me to say good night loiter on the land ing, and in addition, to lock my door, a precaution 1 had never before thought of taking. One night shortly afterwards I awoke, fancying I heard a movement outside my door. My room was perfc tlv dark, and 1 was convinced some had suddenly awakened me. I listened in tently, almost too terrified to breathe, until 1 heard mostdistinctly the handle of my door cautiously turned. Anal most death like horror seized me, and for an instant I was ahsolnletv rigid with terror; bin the spell was broken I>y another audible etlorl t i ipen the door, and the hall clock striking three, which made me spring up in ft >d, seize the matches, and, with trembling lingers, attempt (wo or three limes to strike a light. At last 1 was successful, and the welcome blaze of the gi. which 1 lit gave me coinage to call out boldly : " Who is there?" But no answer came. I pulled my bell vigorously, and in a few minutes 1 heard steps appro telling, and Ellis' welcome voice asked if 1 was ill. “ No, Ellis, not il!,” I said, “butterri fied," as 1 unlocked the door and ad mitted her. “ Someone tried my door not live minutes ago." “Tried yonr door, ma'am? surely not 1" ejaculated Ellis, " Yes, Ellis; I am certain of it, audit has tdven mi l such a shock. 1 cannot he left alone again." “What is the matter, dearest Mrs. Gonyers?" exclaimed Miss Burke, who appeared in my loom just as 1 had made the last remark to Ellis “ I have bent frightened," I answured; “but do not disturbe yourself, Miss Burke; it was probably nothing.’’ “ It could not have been anything, or I must have heard it," she said, half In me and half to Ellis, “ Fray, do not tumble yourself,” 1 responded; " I am only sirry you got up at nil.” Site staid fur a few minute-, but get ting no encouragement In remain, re lumed In her own room, assuring me if ' she heard a sound she would be with me in a moment. The instant she was safely gone, I turned to Ellis, desiring Iter in the first place to close and lock the door; and in the second, to prepare to remain with me until morning; for I was so un hinged by the circumstance, though il was, that to be left by myself was out of the question. Ellis had been with nm ever since my marriage, now three years, mid bid i been well known to my Im-hand's family all her lift 1 , consequently, I fell I might trust her, sol said: “ Ellis, I have my own suspicious; but we must Mo nothing until we are sure, Mean while, yon must have a bed made up in this room, and we must watch “Miss Burke?" whisper* <1 Ellis. “ Yes," 1 replied; "it was she who i tried my door." “Well, ma’am,” eon-tided Ellis, " 1 have been downright afraid oflmr this sometime hack civil sunken though she is. But what eould she want at your door?” "That I do not know, but we may fun! out.” By dint of a blanket oil'mv bed, and sundry shawls, Libs was made 1 comfort able for the re-t of the night on the sofa, and I returned to bed, not to sleep, for I was thoroughly upset, but to lie and wonder how I wn- ever to get through the ten month* that still remained of my husband's absence. Tired and unnerved, 1 met Miss Burke at breakfast, and we spent our morning in a very silent fashion. 1 wrote to my hu-hnnd' whilst she walked restlessly iiUinl the drawing room, constantly ask- ing me how I was, an inquiry for which 1 did not feel so grateful ns I might have done under other circumstances. Lunch came, and afterwards Miss Burke, who was usually most nnwil ling to go out. asked me if 1 could spare her for the afternoon, as she wanted to go to see a sick Iriend. " Certainly," 1 replied, glad to get rid of her. About four o'clock 1 lay down on the sofa in the inner drawing room, and must have fallen asleep, for I hoard no one come into I Vie room, hut I awoke with the consciousness that someone was leaning over me with their face in close proximity to my own, 1 felt rather than saw them; so close were they to me that their lips seemed almost touching my own, and ns 1 sprang tip I came in violent collision with my companion, ” Miss Burke I" 1 exclaimed, indig nattily, but I could say nothing more, for, after all, the crime of leaning over tne was not of a deadly nature, though coupling it, as 1 instantly did, with tin previous suspicions, 1 felt not only extreme!} angiy hut considerably alarmed. " 1 was afraid yon were ill, dear Mrs. Uonvors, I do hope 1 have not dis pleased yon,” she proceeded in a dc precuting lone. " 1 did not mean to ollelid } on. "It is of no consequence," 1 answer cd, rising front (lie sofa; " but please do not do so again. I nm nervous and easily startled." The circumstance was then tacitly dismissed, and we got through the even ing very fairly. I rather looked for ward to a safe night, for I knew Ellis’s bed was in readiness for her. I said good night a little cnrlicr'lban usual to Miss Burke, but did not inform her Unit I had indited ait epistle to her friend, tin l Kev. Mr. W hile, to ask for further particulars as to her nnteH>- ilents. 1 heard her come up to her room, and w hen her door closed a feeling of compassion came over me, for I fancied I had not only unjustly suspected her, hut been very cold in my manner, which she had evidently fell. Ellis came after 1 was in bed, and in a short time I had oral evidence that she was slumbering, it made me feel secure, at nil events, though I was certain that I should dream of all kinds of unearthly things if the snoring went on all night. Nothing happened to alarm ns, and next morning in a subdued and anxious voice, Miss Burke hoped 1 had not bt en disturbed, and that Kllis had kept me from feeling nervous Ibis last re mark very reproachfully. z\bout twelve o'clock when we were sitting in the drawing-room, Ellis came up and told me that a gentleman want cd to see me on business, but would not give his name. “Probably about some subscription," 1 observed; “perhaps 1 had better see what he w ants." Without a suspicion of w hat awaited me, 1 went down stairs, and on entering the dining-room encountered a short and red-faced man, who. bowing pro foundly, asked if 1 was Mrs. Conyers, On me replying in the aftirniative, bo continued: “ May I ask what establish ment yon have?" I must have looked astonished, ns lie exclaimed: " I am a detective policeolliccr, mad am, and my business here will, I am afraid be an unpleasant one." "Indeed?" I ejaculated, “In what way ?" " From information I have received I believe yon have a person under your roof who is wanted on av ry serious charge. I must ask ymtr permision to summon every one in the Inmse in this room. I have taken precautions to pre vent any one leaving it, and if yon will kindly accede to my request, I shall get over a painful duty as quickly as possi hie." If my lips had been capable of nller ancc, the words they would have formed would have been " Miss Burks," but I -aid nothing. I merely rang the bell, which Ellis, answered so promptly, I fell certain she must have been behind the door, ready to protect me, in case of an ! emergency. “ Summon the servants, Ellis," I said; “and and ask Miss Burke to come down s!airs." It was almost like a dream to me, seeing my four domestics walk in; and then suspecting nothing cn me Miss Burke, “Got you at last, sir?" cried the de tective, making an agile dart toward my companion. “ Not without some trouble," cooly re-ponded the prisoner, whose eon rage was apparently quite equal to the oc casion. In my wildest moments I bad never dreamed of so desperate a de nouement, and the discovery perfect ly paralyzed me with horror. It was 100 dreadful to realize that I hud har bored a w retch of a man in woman's clothing not only in my house but in the capacity of my companion ; In less time than I cun descrilxt it in, the de tective 1 and his prisoner had departed; il was quietly and quickly managed; and though a detailed account of il did appear in the papers, my name was happily for me, not allowed to transpire publicly. The pseudo Miss Burke turned out to be a notorious young man, or I may say lad, of the name of Browning, who having embezzled large sums, as well us stolon a quantity of magniticant jewelry, bad been uimblo, owing to the precau tions taken to prevent his doing so, to leave London or to dispose of the stolen property. Through the agency of a female friend he had adopted his dis guise. and mv unlueky advertisement had suggoted to him the idea of insnr in}? his own safety, should 1 he eredu lons enough to take him upon the re commendations, whieh I nets! hardly say, had emanated from his own pen. Not only had he thought of his per sonal security, hut that of (he stolen goods, whieh in the shape of diamonds and hank notes, were found securely stowed away in the little black box. whieh 1 had thought contained the worldly possessions of my poverU stricken companion, lie was tried, convicted, and sentenced to penal servi tude for fourteen years. My husband's return was hastened by the illness which the dreadful a Hair had caused me. Since then lie and 1 have never been separated. However, should I ever be unavoidably left alone again, my past experience has decided me on one point never to advertise, or to trust to written references, or tin result mav be A furious Companion. Chotul’its Jourtiiil, 11 Isdem. That can never be reasoned down, which was not reasoned up. The heart is the same, whether nndei one or under another garment. The gales of heaven are low-arched We must, enter upon our knees. Prayer is the key of the morning and' the boll at night.- JI/mw MiiWk. Laugh, laugh and be happy. Live aluive the thought of wrong and it will not exist in action. Ne/aer Hlil;. Ho the work of your life well, and whether shoe-black or prime minister, you will stand on the same plane at the judgment dav. None are 100 wise to he mistaken, but few are so wisely just as to aeknowl edge and correct their mistakes, and especially the mistakes of prejudice. \ sailor who jumped overboard to save another was asked if he was lit to die. "I could not be more lit," he re plied, "by declining to do my duty." The first step towards making a man of your sen is to train him to earn what he spends; the next best step is to leach him how to save, his warnings, Young man, don’t waste your lime in complaining that the world owes yon it living, but pull oil'your coat, (lax about, and take the debt out of the world’s bide. Friendship supplies the place of everything to those who know how (< make the right use of it; it makes your prosperity more happy, your adversity more easy. You need not he so anxious nhonl your reputations, A ttc/nd to your char acters, and let your reputations take care of themselves, and if the heart is right toward Hod you will he all right. Hiihhlij. If a true gentlewoman by birth, breeding or education, engages in any work, however hmnhle, she does not sink to its lowest level, Iml she raises it to herself, and it, is thought heller of for her very sake. I'ilwnnl (hirnlt. The HhrixliiiH I iiinii asks, "Did yon ever notice how sensitive are the ears of a woman in church to the crying of some other woman's baby, and bow deafer iliun a post she is when her own ollspring sets up its piercing squall?" After a hard day’s work with small remuneration many a man returns to a hmnhle home content and happy, knowing that the coarse, perhaps scanty fare he will find is seasoned with love hy the wife who watches for his com mg, mill who daily labors as hard and as cheerfully as lui dees for their mn tual support and comfort. The souls dial are dead in transgres sions and sins must be qehikenud by the spirit or they cannot be taken tip into the kingdom of <iod. They are not saved bv a little culture, they are not m ived by a little knowledge picked up from one book and another. They arc saved hy the mighty power of Hod (jniekeninp (hem into new life —Afeodi/. “ No, I don’t want none of your lightning rods,” naifl a Kentucky farm er to a man wlm had Mopped at hi' house to fail up patent lightning-con ductors. " I ain’t afraid of it’s the (hmider I believe’* going to knock us all endwise, some dav.” " S’oii don’t seem to comprehend, said the peddler; "these ere silver-tipped rod' are lightning rods, and the gold-tipped ones are thunder-rods, jti'l what yon want." And lie persuaded the old man P< order up the gold-tipped rods. The cattle disease, which during the present Hutitim r hits wrought dire havoc among the herds on the stanpes of Southern Russia, 1H now reached the I’olish provinces, and is rapidly ajs proaching the frontier. The losses sus tained hy the Russian peasantry since the plague crossed the I’rat Mountiaiis, two years ago, are immense. The au thorities fear that the entire bovine race of Caucasia will become extinct. NO. 41.