The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-18

4"
"Who is that young woman 70 she asked
of the individual in attendance.
"She's poor girl, that Mrs. - buys
fine work from, out Of mere charity, she
says" uy
'sDo you know her name? ~
!" have heard it, Pam, but forget it.
"Have you any very fine French worked
capes, Mrs. ---,n asked Mrs Harwood, as
the individual she addressed came up to that
part OF the counter where she was standing,
still holding in her hand the small package
which had been received from the young
woman. This Mrs. Harwood noticed
90, yes, ma'am, some Of the most beau
tiful in the city,"
Let me see them, if you please.
| A box was brought, and its contents, con-
sisting Of number Of very rich patterns of
the article asked for, displayed
"What is the price of this - asked Mrs.
Harwood, lifting one, the pattern of which
pleased her fancy. ...
"That is little damaged" Mrs. - re-
piled. But here is one of the same pat
term" unrolling the small parcel she had
still continued to hold in her hand, "which
has just been returned by lady, to whom
| sent it for examination this morning.
6 1t is the same pattern, but much more
beautifully wrought Mrs Harwood said,
as she examined it carefully "These are
all French, you say?" ""
| ''Of course, ma'am. None but French
goods come of such exquisite fnencss.n
"What do you ask for this? ~
/ II 10 worth f,ftaop I,lIare vTrL,
pattern is rich one, and the work unusu-
ally fine"
Fifteen dollars! That is a pretty high
price, is it not, Mrs. -?''
go, no, indeed, Mrs. Harwood! 1t cost
me very nearly fourteen dollars-and dol
lar is small profit to make on such arti-
clesn H arv
After hesitating for moment or two,
Mrs. Harwood said ....s
Swell, suppose must give you that
tor 1t, as it pleases me'
And she took out her purse, and paid the
price that Mrs. --- had asked She still
stood musing by the side of the counter,
when the young woman who had awakened
her interest short time before, re-entered,
and came up to Mrs. -, who was near
her. e.# @ .@"
81 have favour to ask, Mrs. -" she
overheard her say, in half tremulous, and
evidently reluctant tone. ..
"Well, what is it ?" Mrs. - coldlv
asked "N
/ want six dollars more than have got,
for uery particular purpose. Won't you
advance me the price of three capes, and
will bring you in one week, until have
made it up"
"No, MISS" was the prompt and decis-
i've answers never pay any one for work
not done. Pay beforehand, and never pay,
are the two worst kinds of payn
All this was distinctly heard by Mrs. Har-
wood, and her very heart ached, as she saw
the poor girl turn, with disappointed air,
away, and walk slowly out of the store
"That's just the way with these people,
calculated Mrs. -, in affected indigna-
ton, meant to mislead Mrs Harwood, who,
she feared, had overheard what the young
woman had said 'sThey're always trying
in some way or other, to get the advantage
of you" . .... ...,,
"How so :" asked Mrs. Harwood, wish
ing to learn all she could about the stranger
who had interested her feelings.
"Why, you see, pay that girl a good
price for doing certain kind of work for
me, and the money is always ready for her,
the moment her work is done But. tnot
satisfied with that, she wanted me, Just now,
to advance her the price of three weeks
work If had been foolish enough to
have done it, it would have been the last
ever should have seen of either money.
work, or seamstrcss." . ~.
"Perhaps not" Mrs. Harwood ventured
to remark.
" You don't know these kind of people rs.
well as | do, Mrs. Harwood I've been
ricked too often in my time"
"Of course not" was the quiet reply.
Then after pause. ......,
"What kind Of sewing did she do for you
Mrs-w
"Nothing very particular only little
fine work. employ her, more out of char
ity, than anything else"
"Do you know any thing about herW
She's old Graham's daughter, believe.
Pm told he died in the Alms-llouse, few
weeks ago"
What old Graham :" Mrs. lIarwood
ask ed in a uuick voice.