Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-08-23

was rather cross, and Baby Lady Blanche was the
sweetest little fairy IN the world, and Woulu eol'o
and talk with the dressmaker' much as ever s,e
was allowed Many visions mentally haa OF Inc
lordly household where the chief hlla du.y was sne
privilege of entering carefully dressed with the yes
sert and where mamma was not maHims ~ ~ 9 p
" the Duchess How time passes ne 1'nes uss9
saw in the paper the marriage OF the heautlIul
and accomplished Lady Blanche H; 'n n1.:I
Of Baby Lady Blanche, then of poor Mary filiton'
and sighed. L..
Onr dressmaker worked blithely through the short
winter day. and even when night c!oseu, Sle ha
| in no hurry to 90 home. About nine Q CLOCK tnere
came up to our work-room message that some one
had called to fetch Miss Hilton. . A young man."
explained the domestic, hesitatng suppose whetn-
er she should or should not say 8 gentleman
az am really quite glad. did not like your walk
ing through those dark lanes alone SAID with IN
finite relief and then added, in extreme simplicity,
81 thought you had no brother now g
! "It is-not my brother murmured our dressma-
ker bushing but family, for even the quick blood
of youth seemed to creep anguidy beneath her con-
slant pallor | was a child-a very child then.
don't believe had thought of love or lovers
that is in real life but some instinct made me cease
to question the young woman. Likewise, instead OF
descending with her: staid up stairs; SO that she
met her friend alone. But remember opening the
blind little way and watching two dark figures
passing down the snowy lane-watehing them, and
thinking strange thoughts 1t seemed as If new
1t had opened and with eyes light-blinded had
begun to read-for myself and not for another-be-
fore l again my little dressmaker.
| My aunt and had changed our abode to the very
heart of London, and Mary Hilton had to come to
through four miles of weary streets. | think she
would scarcely have done it for gain: it must have
been from positive regard for her old customers. She
looked much usual-a little paler, perhaps-and
she had slight cough, which was sorry to hear
had lasted some time But she worked Just as well,
| md iurf andy min
the knock at the door, her smile, though half con-
cealed, was quite pleasant to see.
l am getting an old woman now, but to this day
incline to love two people who love one another.
do not mind what their rank in life may be- true
love is the same in all ranks and honestly believe
there was true love between my little dressmaker
and her Daniel Ray. A respectable, worthy young
man was Daniel, as my good and prudent aunt took
care to discover l. in my simple, girlish way dis
covered much more. Little did Mary Hilton talk
about it; but from her disointed words learned
that theirs was a long engagement-thatD Daniel was
assistant in China-shop; that they were waiting
perhaps might have to wait for years, until he could
afford to rent little shop of his own, where she
would carry the dress-making in the floor above.
Meanwhile she at least was quite content; for he
to tea to her fathers every Sunday and in the
week day, wherever she worked he always fetched
her-saw her safe home to Chelsea, and walked back
to the city again Honest, unselfsh, faithful lover
| Poor Mary Hilton She. in her humble way, had
great happiness-the only happiness which fills a
womans heart.
But one night she had to go home without Daniel
Ray He was in the potteries she said, on business
and the poor little thing seemed grieved and trem-
bling when she started to walk home alone and at
night. She scarce minded the bright, cheerful
Streets she said but she did not like to pass through
the lonely squares. The next evening she begged
permission to leave by daylight; and at last with
much hesitation confessed that she had been spoken
to by rude man, and had hurried past her
strength until, reaching home, she tainted. Aud
then, in my nmost heart, drew parallel between
myself-a young lady, tenderly guarded, never suf-
fered to cross the threshold alone-and this young
person, exposed without consideration, to any annoy
ance or danger. The lesson was not lost upon me.
All my life, as far as my power went, have taken
care that whatever her station, a woman should be
treated woman.
For a week Mary Hilton worked for us, coming
and returning each night, walking the whole way,
belieye-though 1 never thought about it then, l
have since and the heedlessness of grlhood has
en- up before me as the veriest dheartedness My
aunt, too-but she had many things to occupy her
mind, and to her, Mary Hilton only the dress
maker Doubtless we did but others did, and the
Young woman expected no more. For | remember,
the last night she looked pale and wearied that
my aunt gave her at supper glass of wine, and put
ting into her hand two shllings instead of the usual
eighteen pence told her to have omnibus ride
home. And then Mary Hilton blushed and resisted,
but finally took the sixpence with look of such
thankfulness! Poor thing
/ The next time wrote for our dressmaker there
came not gentle little Mary Hilton, but the Obnox-
ious Caroline. Her sister in i'll health, she said
and had been obliged to give up working out but
would make the dress at home, if liked. 1t was
settled So only we promised that Mary must come
to us to try it on She came one evening, accompa-
MED by Daniel Ray. For this she family apoogized
saying he would let her go out alone now.
| Whereat my aunt looked pleased and when she
quilted the ROOM heard her go into the hall and
speak in her own kindly tones to honest Daniel.
) Mary Hilton tried on my Dress but seemed scar
eely able to stand the while. remembered this af
forwards, not then, for thinking of my pretty
Dress and whether would look we'll in it, At that
< time how Ionged to make myself fair Poor fool
. but it not for vanity God knows! However, il
will not do to ponder these things now did not
s forget to put my usual question to Mary-how she
s was prospecting in the world and whether there
was any chance of the little china-shop, with
Ct Mrs. Ray, dressmaker,' the first floor! She
smiled hopefully, and said something about I" the
spring. and when her health was better" and in
9 very shy and timed way she limited that, if we
r wanted bonnets or mlliney, there was a sister Of
Daniels lately established in the next street-a sis
= ter always dependent him till now. Faithfully
d promised to give small to Miss Ray, anc
: So loking quite happy, little dressmaker descen
+ ded. | am glad saw that happy look-I glaC
noticed the perfect content with which the little
e delicate thing walked away slowly, leaning on hel
a faithful Daniel.-Otherwise, in my after pity
a might have thought life's burthen heavy, and it
# fates unequal. But it is not so.
% Soon after, my aunt wanted winter bonnet, anC
| proposed to visit Miss Ray. " Certainly, my dea
e Letty,n the contented acquiescence. So W,
l. went, and found there sharpfeatured FrenchifeC
young milliner, the very antipodes of Daniel Dur
ing the trying on inquired after Miss Hilton.
IS every ILL., miss-confned to the house-zconsump
!. ton, think. But wouldn't paler blue suit you