The Argosy — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

26 The House of Halliwell. now I’ll tell you what I have had running in my head. We shall be away about ten months this next voyage; let me take Mary with me. I’d say Lucy, but I think she’d better finish up her education ; she does not know of what use it may be to her; and Hester you'll want for sewing and household matters. You'll find enough to do, I can tell you, with only one servant. It would be a change for Mary, and during that time she would be no expense to you for clothes or anything.” “You are extremely kind, Rebecca,” said Mrs. Halliwell, with a smile ; ‘but a ship is not a fit place for a little girl, She would learn the ways of the sarlors.” “And to swear, perhaps,” added Lucy, “‘as our cousin Sam has learnt.” Aunt Copp was exceedingly nettled. ‘‘ Do you think I can’t take care of a child? I should not let her go climbing up the ropes, and mixing with the sailors, as Sam did.” “TI think I must keep Mary at home,” said Mrs. Halliwell, in her quiet way. “I could not part with her just now.” “You don’t know what’s good for her,” returned Aunt Copp ; ‘‘she is delicate, and a sea voyage would set her up for good. But as you please.” F Seaford Cottage proved suitable, and Aunt Copp “settled them ” in it before she left. In her own opinion, it was she who did every- thing; but the quiet usefulness and plain good sense of Hester effected more than she did. It appeared as if Hester had been made for usefulness. She had shown no turn for accomplishments. Music they tried her with, a quarter of a year, but she made nothing of it. A taste for drawing she certainly had, but somehow she was never taught ; it must be remembered that accomplishments, in those days, were as rare as they are common now. Lucy’s education was being conducted on a higher scale. But Hester was great in domestic qualities—her comfortable economy, her clever needle, and above all, her aptitude in a sick room! Aunt Copp watched her with admira- tion, and gave her her meed of praise when she was leaving. “TI told you, you’d be nothing but an old maid, my dear ; but never mind, you will still be happy. <A useful life’ brings its own satis- faction with it—and that’s what your life will be.” (Zo be continued. ) CONNIE LOOKS