Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-12-09
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II,
After they had gone, Mr.. L. retired to his
quiet sanctum, and opening the paper which his
friend H, had given him; read as follows
After had left your rooms, | hurried down
to the cothng-stole in -sreet, hoping, as it
was Saturday afternoon, when the hands are gen
orally paid the poor piuance which they have
earned during the week. to see her.
sauntered in and examined nearly everything
on the counter, as if wished to buy, but my
scrutiny was far closer upon the faces and forms
which entered, than upon the goods which an
impudent, bothersome bore ola clerk kept SHOW
ing before me.
But though amid the pale thin, haggard faces
which came for the scanty earnings of a toilsome
week, there were many interesting and some
beautiful, hers did not meet my gaze Oh how
my heart bled to read so much misery upon young
faces, as saw in one hour of observation that
evening. Cold as it was, they came thinly
dressed, their worn and neede-pierced fingers
gloveless, and so numb that they could scarce
pick up the coins which were so scornfuy cast
upon the counter as the paIry reward for their
weary hours of toll by night and day.
But she came not, fingered until night
came on, and the poor workers had ceased to
come. knew not her name, knew not how
to find her out had her likeness, and at that
moment thought of showing it to the paying
clerk, and asking him if he knew her, and
where she might be found but | had noticed
his hateful, sensual and leering manner towards
many who had blushed as they received their
sc1nty pay from his hands, and | not only scorn-
ed him, but felt that he would contaminate her
pure picture by even glance at it; and then
thought perhaps the dear original had been
forced to endure his loathsome glance of adm-
ration, or had received from him the pitiful
earnings of her labor; and as the thought
rushed athwart my troubled mind like rough
blast across an already stormy sea, felt as if |
could crush him to powder beneath my feet.
Just as was turning to leave the store, a
little boy entered, bearing large and heavy
bundle of ready made clothes,
MISS Fannie sends these ere said the youngster,
who was miniature edition of poverty illustrated, 'and
says she's been so SICK that she couldn't git 'em done
no sooner and she wants the money please Sir
With an angry grow, the clerk opened the bundle,
and after counting the pieces carefully, answered:
She sent 'em in after hours, and she may wait for
her money till next week, lis only fifty cents, she
needn't be in stew about it, guess the firm is good
for it,
please Sir, she told me must bring her the money
for she boards with mother, and we haint got wood
for fire, nor muffin to eat in the house,
Cit out, you brat, that's her lookout. not mine she
ought to send the work home in time; come, clear
yoursef'
Dextrousy lodging the yard-stick which was
thrown at his head, the ragged boy escaped int the
street, whittier followed him.
know not whether it was that always had pas
sion for the name of FANNIE, or why felt an ncna-
ton to follow that boy home, 10 try to get glimpse Of
the poor sick girl whom he called Miss Fannie, and
who destined TO cruel disappointment i'll not re-
ceivng her money, little even as it was but did So
After passing through number Of narrow streets and
alleys, which peculiar to the North End he
tered narrow court, and at the upper end of it went
into low-framed house. which looked as if had been
tackled together in the year one, Stacking and I'M
tenanty did it appear. Through very wide crack in
the door, for the first time in my life played the part
of an caves dropper for by the faint light of allow
) candle. | saw sight which chained me to the spot
1t was pale thin girl with wan cheek, sunken eye
and hagard look bending a low table which was
formed of rough board laid across old barrel up
on which lay the work she was engaged upon. She
was pale, thin by far than the picture but in ar
instant recognized her as the original. raggedly
dressed, dirtylooking old sat on the opposite
side Of the with a stump of pipe in her mouth
but as no smoke issued FROM the pipe, from her
thin bloodless lps one might reasonably have inferred
Fl that she was out of tobacco. 1t cold piercing
codand could see that poor girls half clad form shv
or, but there was no fire in sight.
As the boy entered the poor girl raised her eyes
from her work, and momentary CLEAN of hope, like
solitary gowworm in the eye of night, arose in her
vision as she held out her hand to receive the money
for which she had sent.
But oh God how hopeless, how miserable was the
expression which so closely followed that glance Of
hope when the urchn briefly muttered:
ETant got none he said twas AFTER hours, and you
: might wait till next week.
ooh heaven, how cruel When | have worked night
and day in sickness and distress. Oh God be merci-
full, for have no friend but THEE sobbed the poor
girl as she bowed her head in her pale thin hands,
could see the big tears trickling down between her
I tapered fingers.
| was about to enter the house, for my heart was
full even to bursting, when saw the old woman rise
and act as if about to speak paused to see what next
would occur
The crone taking the old stump of pipe from be-
tween the stumps which once had been teeth crossed
the room, and standing with her arms akmbo directly
in front Of the poor girl commenced trade of which
remember but little, great was my excitement, but
II ran thus: