PTER V. A NEW HOME.

AFTER Colonel Lee's death, which happened when Tidy was about ten years
old, the plantation and all the slaves were sold, and Miss Matilda, with
Tidy, who was her own personal property, found a home with her brother.
Mr. Richard Lee owned an estate about twenty miles from Rosevale.
His lands had once been well cultivated, but now received very little
attention, for medicinal springs had been discovered there a few years
before, and it was expected that these springs, by being made a resort
for invalids and fashionable people, would bring to the family all the
income they could desire.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee were not very pleasant people. They were selfish and
penurious, and hard-hearted and severe towards their servants. They no
doubt were happy to have their sister take up her abode with them; but
there is reason to believe she was chiefly welcome on account of the
valuable little piece of property she brought with her. Tidy was just
exactly what Mrs. Lee wanted to fill a place in her family, which she
had never before been able to supply to her satisfaction. She needed
her as an under-nurse, and waiter-and-tender in general upon her four
children. Amelia, the eldest, was just Tidy's age, and Susan was two
years younger. Then came Lemuel, a boy of three, and George, the baby.

Mammy Grace was the family nurse, but as she was growing old and
somewhat infirm, she required a pair of young, sprightly feet to
run after little Lemmy to keep him out of mischief, and to carry the
teething, worrying baby about. Tidy was just the child for her.

The morning after her arrival, Mrs. Lee instructed her in her duties
thus:--

"You are to do what Mammy Grace and the children tell you to. See that
Lemmy doesn't stuff things into his ears and nose; mind you don't let
the baby fall, and behave yourself."

She wasn't told what would be the consequence if she did not "behave
herself," but Tidy felt that she had something to fear from that
flashing eye and heavy brow. Miss Matilda had protected her, as far as
she was able, though without the child's knowledge, by saying to her
sister that she was willing her little servant should be employed in the
family, but that she was never to be whipped.

"You're mighty saving of your little piece of flesh and blood," said her
sister-in-law. "I find it doesn't work well to be too tender; they need
a little cuffing now and then to keep them straight."

"Tidy is a good child,"