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About The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899 | View Entire Issue (April 11, 1896)
H35SHBB as THE HESPEUIAN A LITERARY WOMAN. My Deah Mother: Yuu are anxious by this timo, I am sure, to know whothor I have succoodod in finding a placo. I didn't writo to you sooner, for I thought that yon would not bo homo from Exotor yot. It wttB difficult to find a situation as pri vate toiichor, and 1 couldn't find work in an ollico but, truly, 1 did'nt want to very badly. Whenever i applied 1 wae rofusod on the grounds that tho times woro too hard for them to engage extra help. 1 was just about to despair whon I saw this advertise ment: "Wanted: A young lady intellectually inclined to act as companion to a woman of literary talonts. Kor further information call at 283 Vark stroot. Mus. Catherine D. VanIIousen." It was bold, 1 know, to think for a moment that 1, with only a moderate educa tion, might bo intellectual onough to sccuro this position; but you know how very fond of books I am, and how I have always long ed oven to soo an authoress but to bo tho companion of one. The offer was indeed tempting. Mrs. Catherine D. VanHousen, however, was such an imposing name, and one so full of ambiguous suggestions, that even after 1 had fully decided to seek further informa tion, I was doubtful as to tho advisibility of my boldness. Number 283 also increased my feeling of uncertainty. It was tho middle ono of three brown, massive faced, brick tenements. An. oddly dressed foreign-looking porter answered my timid ring. What did Madam ah, pardon Mademoiselle wish? I said that I should like very much to see Mrs. Catherine D. VanHousen. 1 gavo tho whole name. He thought seriously for several minutes, then said ho would ascer tain his lady's pleasure. Ho disappeared gradually into the darkness of tho long hall. He soon roturned. "My lady will see you," ho said, bowing most wonderfully low. I folt that ho was making fun of mo. Thon ho motionod mo to follow him. Wo stopped at tho furthorost door in tho passago. Tho portor loft mo suddonly; indood, I did not soo him go. I supposod that this was tho lady's room, so I knocked. "Enter, maidon," was tho answer. I stoppod in. Although it was bright daylight outdoors, tho room waB darkonod and was lighted by a Btudy lamp. A woman was sitting near a table, piled high with books and papers. "Did you come in answer to my advor tisomont?" sho askod. "Yes," I said, somewhat nervously. "Advanco thon, my child, I will consider your capability." I came quito closo to hor and stood still. I was afraid that I would not impress her favorably I was dressed so simplo in my dull grey suit. Sho ga.od at mo steadily for somo time, and thon clapping hor hands bIio burst out with, uOh, how divino you are, tho perfect intellectual embodiment, ovon to tho classic gown what a noble brow!" Think of anyone calling my brow noble. 1 had always hated my high forehead. "But wo must see further, -x sho contin ued, "Have you read much? Are you ac quainted with all tho host authors?" Fortunately, I could answer that I had a modern acquaintance with the best litera ture. Could I quote a passage from Browning, hor favorito poet? Yes, 1 could quoto several and explain them too, quite to her satisfaction. Now, could I give an outline of tho Duchess' last Btory? 1 bluahod whon bIio asked this, for I had road tho book by chanco and not because 1 am accustomed to read such works. But 1 outlined tho story. "Yerywell," 1 think that I shall keep you," she said. And so I am here, mother; I wish that you could see Mrs. VanHousen. She is
