But a cloud soon appeared on the horizon of the child's career.
Mr. Richards became ill, and was ordered by his medical adviser to a
Southerly climate. He was obliged to sell his estate and place
little Beatrice in Mrs. Thompson's boarding school, where she
continued for a few years till the return of her adopted father. He
came, it is true, but the seeds of a fatal disease had been
implanted in his system, and had taken a deadly hold; in a few
months he was no more, and as nearly all his money had been eaten up
in paying travelling and medical expenses, poor Beatrice was left
once more not only without a friend but without a penny in the world.
Mr. Richards had paid her school fees annually in advance, and as at
the time of his demise several months of the term paid for were
unexpired, Beatrice had a comfortable home secured for her at least
during that period; for the future she would either have to perform
menial services at the school, or go out in the cold world without a
friend or protector. The former was considered by the poor girl
preferable to going she knew not where, and so she accepted the
offer of a situation as housemaid, kindly proffered to her by
Mrs. Thompson _out of pure charity_ at two dollars per month less
than the previous occupant of the situation.
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