Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-07-05

old man and his wife died within day Of
each other, of the influenza that then ragged
in the city. The hope of serving the
pretty orphan induced me to go to the
house. She received me gratefully and
as an old friend and though we had new
er exchanged word together, there had
been an interchange of kind looks and
friendly nods-those little humanities that
bind even strangers together.
On inquiry into her affairs, found that
she was left almost penniess, but dis
Greet and kind female friend had procured
place for her in Ross glove factory.
Lucy was skilled in all the art and handi-
craft of the needle. Ross, it seems, is a
very thriving tradesman and 10 the warm
recommendation of Lucy's friend he had
promised to board her in his own family,
and allow her sufficient compensation for
her labor.
In few days she removed to her new
home. 1t is now fifteen months since she
left our street. She came once TO tell me
that she was perfectly satisfied with her
place, and since then | have heard nothing
OF her. Do notlook so reproying. my lady
Mentor. | have been intending for some
time to call at Mr.. Ross to make inquiries
about her. My story has brought us al
most to the shop; John Ross, glove
manufacturer" This must be the place.
Stop one moment, Grace, and look through
the window that man, no doubt, is Ross
himself. What fine head You might
know such man would succeed in the
world, let his lot be cast where it would.
He would have made resolute general, a
safe statesman but here he is an honest,
thriving glover, and that perhaps is just as
well nothing truer than the trite old coup
let:
Honor and fame from no condition rise
Act well your part, there all the glory lies
1.-The old man looks as though he
might be a little tyrannical though. Heav-
en- grant poor Lucy may not have suffered
from that trait in his physiognomy. The
only customer is coming out; now we
have a clear field, let US 90 in.''
g Mr.. Ross, | believe -
. The same, Fam"
&" | came, Mr.. Ross, to inquire after
young woman who came to live with YOU
last Christmas
Z" have had great many young wo-
men living with me ma am
The old mans humor requires me 10 be
explicit. ." Her name, MIR. Ross, was
Lucy WendalI."
:" Ay, Lucy Wendal did come into the
factory about that time"
There was an expression of Ross face
at the mention of her name, that might
be,ide good, and it might betide evil to
Lucy. 8" merely wished to know, Mr..
Ross, whether she still remains with YOU"
" Was you friend 10 Lucy Wendall,
ma am"
=" | should think it an honor 10 call my
self so, but could hardly claim that name
She was my neighbor, and interested me
by her correct department and uncommon
dutitulness to her old parents" Ross made
no reply, but fumbled over some gloves
that were on the counter, then tied up the
bundle and laid it on the shelf.
. ! on seem, Mr.. Ross, not disposed to
answer my inquiry. I'm afraid some ac-
cident has happened to the poor girl
/" Would you like to know. ma'am,
what has happened to her 2" He leaned
his elbow on his desk, and seemed about
to begin story.
Certainly, would"
Well, you know when Lucy Wendall
came to me, she was little demure thing
NOT beauty, but SO comely and so tidy,
that she was pretty resting place for the
eye OF old and young. She was as great
a contrast TO the other girls in the work !
shop, as white is to black. She Just sat (,
quiet in one corner, and minded her work, /
and took no part in their gabbling. You |
know what parcel of girls are, ma am,
dinging away from morning till night, like
forty thousand chimney swallows. Lucy
was very different; she made herself neat
and tidy in the morning, and did not lose
half an hour at noon when the prentice
boys were coming TO dinner, twitching out
and furbelowing her hair. The
boys and girls used to have their Joke
about her, and call her the little parson
put she only preached in her actions, and
hat is what call practical preaching,
na'am. She was little master-workman
1t her needle. | never had match for
Ter since | began the business but (you
know there's always but in this life) she
rave me great offence. She crossed me
where could least bear to be crossed"
" Not Intentionally, | am sure, Mr..
Ross"
" You shall hear, ma am. have an
'nly son, John Rosa fine, fresh-looking,
5ood-natured lad. | set my heart on his
marrying his cousin, Amy Bruce. She is
he daughter of my youngest sister, and
lad pretty fortune in hand, enough to
et John up in any business he fancied.
There was no reason in the world why he
hould not like Amy l had kept nv