the girl. "Now we've got a baby in dis yer house, we'll see how de tings
is gwine for to go."

A baby in the Lee mansion did indeed inaugurate a new order of things
in the family. So young a servant they had not had for many a day on the
estate; and Rosa felt at once the responsibility of her position, and
played the mother to her heart's content. All the care of the child's
education seemed from that moment to devolve upon her, notwithstanding
Miss Lee's repeated assertions that SHE designed to bring up the little
one after her own heart, and that Tidy should never wait upon any one
but herself.

Between them both, Tidy had things pretty much her own way. Such an
infant of course could not be expected to comprehend the fact that she
was a slave, and born to be ruled over, and trodden under foot. Like any
other little one, she enjoyed existence, and was as happy as could be
all the day long. Every thing around her,--the chickens and turkeys
in the yard, the flowers in the garden, the kittens and birds in the
sitting-room, and the goodies in the kitchen,--added to her pleasure.
She frisked and gamboled about the house and grounds as free and joyous
as the squirrels in the woods, and without a thought or suspicion that
any thing but happiness was in store for her. She not only slept at
night in the room of her mistress, but when the daily meals were served,
the child, seated on a low bench beside Miss Lee, was fed from her own
dish. So that, in respect to her animal nature, she fared as well as any
child need to; but this was all. Not a word of instruction of any kind
did she receive.

As she grew older, and her active mind, observing and wondering at the
many objects of interest in nature, burst out into childish questions,
"What is this for?" and "Who made that?" her mistress would answer
carelessly, "I don't know," or "You'll find out by and by." Her thirst
for knowledge was never satisfied; for while Miss Lee was good-natured
and gentle in her ways toward the child, she took no pains to impart
information of any kind. Why should she? Tidy was only a slave.

Here, my little readers, you may see the difference between her
condition and your own. You are carefully taught every thing that will
be of use to you. Even before you ask questions, they are answered; and
father and mother, older brothers and sisters, aunties, teachers, and
friends are ready and anxious to explain to you all the curious and
interesting thing