Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-07-15
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN.

her, hastily answered him.
She pointed out the room in which poor Edna
lived and the strong man, taking her in his
arms, as if she had been an infant, carried her
to her wretched home, and laid her insensible
upon the bed.
No language can describe the terror of poor
Mrs. Etheril, on seeing her idolized child, 'for
the heart cngs closer to its treasures in poverty
brought home apparently lifeless With wild
shrek of despair, she hung over Edna, who lay
unconscious for nearly half an hour.
The young sailor, meanwhile had gone after
medical assistance, and brought the same ply
stefan to Edna, that had attended little Henry
Restore her, he exclaimed, 'and you shall be
well paid
what has that inhuman woman allowed you
to remain in this room till now!' said Dr. G. to
Mrs Ether who was weeping bitterly. If
there's HE'LL he bluntly continued, she'll 90
there He had intended to give her aid him
self, but in the multiplicity Of his cares had for
gotten it.
Edna was restored to consciousness but with
a raging fever upon her. She knew not her
mother, but continually repeated
ooh! how could you kill me! What have |
doner
The sailor, whose name was Frank Durham,
was to sail on the following morning, so when he
took leave, he put into Mrs. Etheril's hand, two
ten dollar bills, and gazing compassionately upon
Edna, took his leave.
For three weeks, was the poor girl PROSTATE.
The money left by the generous sailor Just sufli-
ced to pay for medicine and rent.
The doctor would not take a cent, although
his visits were very frequent, and his attention
unremitting, But for his skill Edna would now
be Wondering beneath the ground But she
| lived to suffer on.
The thoughtess Annie Miller had repented
continually, since those terrible words were spo-
ken, which had produced such an effect upon
the weak frame of Edna.
But the deed was done, for which repentance
is almost unavang; and Annie herself, was at
last to reap the bitter fruits.
The fourth week after her sickness, and at
its close, saw Edna, an emaciated being, crawl
again forth in the bright sunlight, and wend her
way to the tallor's shop.
Why were the blinds closed! Poor Edna,
with new feeling Of desolation, enqured OF
some one near, who told her that Mr. Bradford
had failed
In her despair, she entered the first shop she
came to.
Annie M iller was then dsposing of large
bundle, and as Edna encountered her glance
the same deadly feeling came over hel which she
had experienced at church, and she grasped the
counter for support as she asked IN faint voice
if size could obtain work
Annie Miller passed rapidly out of the shop
Nothing but eight cent flannel drawers re-
piled the man, you can have as many of them
as you want
Edna remembered that nearly the last CEN
had gone, that very day for rent, and this was nc
time for choice.
She took three bundles.
Your name and residencer enquired the
man.
With faltering voice, Edna told him.
He held up his pen.
Live in the house with Miss Miller!
yes replied Edna in faint tone
'Ah ah!' he said Il guess you can't have
those drawers, we employ respectable people
only
Perhaps the man was alarmed, as The agoni-
zing expression came again over Edna's wasted
features, for he hastily added,
GLOW long have you worked on slop-work?
For two years SIR said Edna, though the
tears dimmed her eyes. and almost choked hel
utterance.
And then pity entered her questoners heart
for he said,
'All have heard about you young woman
may not be true, but they tell strange stories
ooh, sir! exclaimed Edna, chow can they try
TO ruin poor girl like me? | have Just arseI
from bed OF violent sickness, caused by thu
, same words spoken in my hearing that you have
just said. OH God knows, my father in heavel
knows that am innocent, entirely innocent
never injured anybody who can be so cruel al
to wish to ruin me, when am sick, and have tC
support my sick mother'
well, | believe you, returned the man, you
look as if you told the truth. At any rate, yot
can have work until have proof positive tina
you are dishonest
With tottering limbs Edna returned to he
desoate home Her young heart, that should
have been as merry as singing bird, seemed
, withered in her bosom, and the suffering ofweek
had printed the marks of years upon her coun
tenance.
How could it be otherwise? Working, toll.
5 ing, day and night, for comparatively nothing
slandered and sick, how could it be otherwise?
One thing excited surprise in both mother
and daughter, surprise mingled with gratitude
: not week had passed, without bringing then
at the end, the large loaf of bread, and the meal
sometimes -four
No one could tell whence they came, as the
carrier always left them at the door, at diferen
times.
Another thing surprised them. Oscar, the
beloved son and brother, had become so pale anc
careworn, yet he appeared ever cheerful wher
with them Poor Mrs Etheril how oCto,