Produced by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net SARAH'S FIRST START IN LIFE. BY ADELAIDE M. G. CAMPBELL. PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE TRACT COMMITTEE. LONDON: SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C.; 43, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C. BRIGHTON: 127, North Street. NEW YORK: E. & J. B. YOUNG AND CO. PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES. [Illustration: "LET HIM DOWN, MISS; IT'S ALL RIGHT NOW."] SARAH'S FIRST START IN LIFE. "Now, Sarah, just you make haste with that kettle, and we will have a nice cup of tea for dad when he comes in." "Dad's" real name was David Brown, and Sarah was his only child, just turned eighteen. The Browns were a happy family, though poor, and they put their trust in God, and did not worry about the morrow. Sarah had just been telling her mother of a situation as kitchen maid that she had been inquiring about, and had almost decided to take, but her father's permission was still wanting. Mr. Brown was a cab driver, and found it sometimes very hard work to make both ends meet, especially in the winter time, when coals were a necessity and dear at best. This conversation took place on Christmas Day, and Brown had promised to be home for tea, knowing how disappointed his wife and Sarah would feel if he stayed out until his usual hour, which was half-past ten. Soon the kettle was singing away merrily on the hob, and Sarah was toasting some bread in front of a small bright fire, when a knock was heard, the door opened, and a man about twenty-four came in. He was evidently not unexpected, as four places were prepared at the table. Dick Bream was one of a large family, and very much devoted to Sarah; they had told each other how they would work hard to earn some money and set up house together, and Sarah was now longing to tell him about her future situation. Dick was a footman, and had a very comfortable place in Belgrave Square--he was getting on well, and his master had promised to help him to get a place as upper servant in a year or two. He and Sarah kissed each other heartily under the misletoe, which was over the door, and Dick shook hands with Mrs. Brown, and they were beginning to talk about Sarah's future when Mr. Brown's cheerful voice was heard calling her to hold the horse, while he got down from the box. Up sprang Sarah, out she ran and stood at Bobby's head, patting and soothing him in his impatience to get to the warm stable and clean hay. Mr. Brown took the horse and harness to the stable, and Sarah held the lantern whilst he wiped down Bobby. "Well, father," said Sarah, "tea is ready, your slippers are by the fire, and I have some news to tell you; but you shan't hear it till you have drunk a hot cup of tea and eaten one of my best baked cakes."