The Path of Duty | Page 7

me your name is Miss Roscom."
I replied in the affirmative, and added, "I have the pleasure, I presume,
of addressing Mrs. Leighton?"
The lady acknowledged her claim to that name, and I
continued,--"Seeing your advertisement for a governess, I have made
bold to apply for the situation."
The lady bent upon me a searching look, as she replied,--
"Pray be seated Miss, and we will converse upon the matter."
I gladly obeyed her request that I should be seated, for I felt nervous
and agitated. After a moment's silence she addressed me, saying,--
"You look rather young, for the responsible duties of a governess."
I replied that I was not yet nineteen years of age, that I had not as yet
been engaged in teaching, having only myself left school three months
since,--but that I found it necessary that I should do something for my
own support and that of my widowed mother,--and that I would gladly
do my utmost to give satisfaction, could I obtain a situation.
Mrs. Leighton, after a moment's thought, said,--"Although you are
young for the position, your countenance pleases me, and I feel inclined
to give you a trial."
She then informed me that my pupils would consist of two girls, the
eldest twelve, the other ten years of age, also a little boy of seven. She

added, "I had almost forgotten to enquire if you have brought any
references?"
Whereupon I handed her the certificate of qualifications given me by
Mrs. Wentworth when I left school. She looked pleased as she replied,
"Your being for four years a member of Mrs. Wentworth's school is in
itself a recommendation."
I also handed her the names of several ladies well known in the city,
telling her she was at liberty to make any enquiries of them she might
think proper. She replied that she felt almost certain she would engage
me, but that she would send me a decided answer in the course of two
or three days. I thanked her, and, bidding her good morning, set out on
my return home, much elated with the success of this my first
application.
The salary offered by Mrs. Leighton was a weighty consideration to me,
and although aware that my duties would often prove unpleasant and
irksome, I felt that I could endure much with the consciousness that I
was assisting my dear mother.
My mother advised me not to be too sanguine as I might not obtain the
situation; but, on the third day after my application, my suspense was
relieved by receiving a note from Mrs. Leighton, saying that she would
gladly engage me, if I still wished for the situation; and she named an
early day when she wished me to enter upon my duties. I replied that I
gladly accepted the situation, and would be ready to begin duties at the
day appointed.
Now that I had accepted the position, I began to experience many
doubts as to my success in the undertaking. I had no knowledge as yet
of the dispositions of the children that were to be committed to my care,
not having even seen them; but my mother told me I was wrong to
allow such thoughts to trouble me, and that the blessing of God would
surely rest upon my labors so long as I continued in the path of duty. I
therefore cast away all my desponding fears, and hastened the
preparations for my departure to the home of the Leightons.

I was kindly received by Mrs. Leighton upon my arrival; and, when we
were seated in the parlor, she summoned the children for the purpose of
introducing them to me.
"My dears," said she, addressing the children, "this is Miss Roscom,
your governess."
Then, turning to me, she introduced them each by name. I must confess
that I was not prepossessed in favor of the eldest of the girls. She was
very tall for her age; she had a dark complexion, with very black eyes
and hair, and had, as it seemed to me, rather a forbidding expression of
countenance. She also gave me, as I thought, rather pert replies to the
few remarks I addressed to her. There was not the slightest resemblance
between her and her younger sister; her name was Georgania. There
was something peculiarly attractive in the countenance and manner of
Bertha, or Birdie, as she was called by all the family. She was indeed a
child formed to attract the admiration and love of all who saw her. Her
complexion would have appeared almost too pale but for the rose-tint
on either cheek; she had beautiful eyes of a dark blue, and her soft
brown hair fell in luxuriant curls upon her shoulders. She came forward
as her mother called her name and