The national whig., 1847-06-19

and also the name of the oversser Of the
room where she worked, and the name ot
the lady with whom she had boarded, ad-
dingl "She is the kindest woman ever
saw" 'it t s.
Her mind was now made up. She decided
upon entering a factory. Another Difficult
ty now presented itself Would her father
allow her to take her clothing and what
money she had p She determined If he
should still adhere to his resolution to ask
him the question.
In the morning she met her father at the
breakfast table. Neither spoke till the
meal was finished. AT length her father in
quired.
Wells Maria have you concluded 10
marry Henry Stevens?"
Maria hesitated amoment, but said firm
ly," have not"
|" You heard my determination, last
night" said, " now repeat il. You
must marry Harry Stephens or quit my
home"
''Icannot marry him father,n said She
I" sooner would quit not only this house,
but the world"
''Then go," said he anrgily rising from
the chair.
6 Shall take my clothes7 Asked
Maria.
=: Yes, go," aud never let me see or
hear from you again, said he, slamming
the door violently, and leaving her alone.
\ Maria sank back into her chair and wept
bitterly. For a moment she seemed al
most inclined TO comply with his wish
but the idea that she must forever linked
to villain, and suffer reproach should his
|.villanies be discovered, was more than she
could bear, and she preferred the anguish
of separating from her friends, free with
honor, to that Of marrying Stevens She
hastily packed up her things, and in few
hours left her fathers house.
AS she passed through the city of Boston
were her sisters resided, desire sprung to
see them-but from her recent treatment
she cared not visit them, and she also fear
ed again meeting with her father. Maria was
well furnished with clothing, and had about
twenty-five dollars in money. Although she
had been surrounded with wealth, she never
till now knew the value Of money. A thou
sand reflections, doubts and fears crossed
her mind as she was pursuing her journey
70 the place described by the girl ofwhom
she had inquired in her fathers kitchen; and
though she felt sad at the thoughts Of being
driven from home she could scarce suppress
a smile at the awkwardness with which
she could engage in any kind Of labor.
She at last arrived atthe house Of Mrs.
n------, .a-- .-r'J. -.s--.S--s W Aidnnon, am
easily obtained the board in her family
She learned also that Mr.. Potter, the over
seer whose name she had taken, was in want
Of help.
II is unnecessary for us to follow the for
tunes Of Maria through their various chan
nels. She entered the factory; learned to
work, and found many friends among whom
and the only one it would be of interest to
the reader to name, was Caroline Perkins,
girl about her own age These two soon
became intimate friends. IL the factory their
looms were next to each other, and they
occupied the same room at their boarding
house. They were attached to Mrs. Dana
with whom they boarded, and she evinced
deep interest in their welfare.
About six months after Maria entered the
factory, an incident occurred which bound,
If possible the two friends closer to each
other. One evening, as they were in the
chamber, and caroline was engaged in pack
ing "A large trunk, Maria, who was looking
on, rather surprised at the amount nfjewel-
ry possessed by Caroline, jokingly inquired
If her beau was ajeweler."
Caroline blnshed, and after some hesita-
ton informed Maria that her father had once
been wealthy, but at his death it was as
certained that his property, though amply
sufficient to pay his own debts would be
swept awayt by the failure of some
friends for whom he had endorsed notes. -
| The creditors had allowed her to keep eye-
ry thing given her by her father except her
piano She also told her that although she
might have supported herself by music
teaching, she preferred working in factory
to remaining among those who though they
we're once intimate friends, would consider
her, after the loss Of wealth, as far below
them.
Maria repaid Caroline by telling her own
history, and her own reasons for leaving
home and corroborated her story by the dis
play oftrinkets her father had allowed her
to take.
| Probably there never were two persons
who enjoyed themselves better than these
two girls. None, save themselves, knew
their history, and as their natural disposi-
tons were not arrogant, they nerer appear
ed to be above their fellow laborers. For
two years they remained together, at the
end Of WEIGH Caroline was married, and
al the urgent request Of herself and husband
Maria was induced to leave the factory fol