Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-06-13

onircd Mr.. Green.
j will said Mary; confidently
you Pray where do you expect TO get ST
much money from +?
L expect to earn it, was firmly answered
Mr.. Green paused and turning towards
Mary, looked earnestly into her young face that
was lit up with beautiful enthusiasm.
Earn it, did you say?'
Yes, sir. will earn it and pay it back to
yon, il it takes lifetime TO do it in'
How will you earn it. Mary p
Mary let her eyes fall to the ground. ard
stood for a moment or two. Then looking up.
she said
i will 90 10 lowell
TO Lowell p
'Ycs sir.
And work in a factory?
Yes sir
Mr.. Green moved on again. bnt in silence,
and Mary walked with an anxious heart bv his
side.--For the distance of several hundred
yards they passed along and not word was
spoken.
TO Lowell 2 at length dropped from the
lips of Mr.. Green in a tone half nterrogative,
in surprise. Mary did not respond, and the
silence continued until they came to point in
the road where there two ways diverCed.
Have you thought well of this, Mary p said
Mr.. Green, as he paused here, and laid bis hand
upon gate that opened into part Of his farm.
WHY should think about it, Mir. Green p
replied Mary. 1t is no time TO think, but TO
Hundreds of girls 20 into factories, and
it will be to me no hardship, but pleasure, if
thereby can bel lp my father in this great ex-
tremity.'
Is he aware Of your purpose?'
OH Si mo
lie would never listen to such thing
Not for moment.
'Then will you be right in doing what he
mus disapprove?
1t is done for his sake. Love for him is my
prompter, and that will bear me up even against
his dispeasure.
But he may prevent your going, Mary
Not if you will do as ! wish
Speak on.
Lend me three hundred dollars on my prom
ise to you that | will Immediately 60 to
Lowell, enter a factory, and remain at work
until the whole sum is paid back again from my
earnings
'Well'
j will then take the money and pay Of the
mortgage. This will release father from his
debt TO Mr.. Dyer, and bring me in debt to YOU
i see =
Father is an honest and honorable man
He is, Mary said Mr.. Green His voice
slightly trembled, for lie was touched by the
words Of the gentle girl.
lie will not be able to pay you the debt in
my stead
mo-
And, therefore, deeply reluctant as he may
he o let me 90, he cannot say nay
Walk along with me to my house, said Mr..
Green as he pushed open the gate at which he
stood, : | must think about this little more
The result was according to Mary's wishes
( Mr.. Green was true friend of Mr.. Bacon's.
and he saw or believed he saw in his daugh-
ters proposition, the means OF his reform. He
therefore, returned into the village, and going
to the office Of Grant, satisfied the mortgage on
Mr.. i cons property, and brought all the pa
pers relating thereto away and placed them in
Mary's hands.
Now, said he, on doing This. 4 want your
written promise to pay me the three hundred
dollars in the way proposed. will draw upthe
paper, and you must sign it,
The paper was accordingly drawn up and
signed. 1t stipulated that Mary was to start
for Lowell within three weeks, and that she
was to nave two years for the full payment OF
the debt
My brave girl : said Mr.. Green, as he parted
with Mary no one will be prouder of von
than !, if you accomplish the work to which
YOU are about devotng yourself. Happy would
| be, had | a daughter with your true heart and
noble courage
Mary's heart was too full to thank him. But
her sweet young face was beamng with graft
tude, as she turned away aud hurried homC-
ward.
Mr.. Bacon was walking uncasy, backwards
and forwards in the Old porch, wuen Mary en-
tered the little garden gate. She advanced to-
wards him with a bright face, holding ont as
she did so, small package OF papers.
Good news, father ! she exclaimed. 'Good
news.
How? What, chld?' eagerly asked the
old man, his mind becoming suddenly bew.der-
ed
'The mortgage is paid, and here is the re-
lease : said Mary, stlIl holding out the package
of papers.
PAID paid, Mary! Who paid it 2 returned
Mr.. Bacon, with the air OF man awaking from
dream
i have paid it, father dearr answered Mary
in trembling voice; and she kissed the old
mans cheek, and then laid her face down up
on his breast.
y on, MARY w mere Gu you yet money l!
q borrowed it, murmured the happy girl.
Mary Mary! what does this mean? sale
the old man, pushing back her face and gazing
into it earnestly. Borrow the money! Who
who would lend you three hundred dolars?-
Say childn
& borrowed it OF Mr.. Green, replied Mary
and as she SAID this, she glided past her father
and entering into the house, hurried away Il
her mother. But ere she had time to inform he
of what she had done, the father joined them
eager for some further explanations. When
at last he comprehended the whole matter, ht
was, for time like man stricken down by
heavy blow.
Never, said he in the most solemn manner
will consent to this. Mr.. Green must TAX
back his money. Let the farm go! 1t shal
not be saved at this price.
But he soon conprehendcd that it was to-
late to recall the act of his daughter Tin
money had already passed into the hands q
Dyer, and the mortgage been cancelled. Still
he was fixed in his purpose that Mary shouI
not leave home to spend two long years OF in
cessant toll ina factory, and Immediately Gale
on Mr., Green in order to make with him some
different arrangement for the payment of IN,
loan. But, to his surprise and grei, he ioun
that Mr.. Green was unyeldng N his determi