Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-08-15
VOL. 3.----NO. 40.

VI Tcudiniug lot snOEt ume Win lnem
Contrary to her expectations they refu.
sed her. Their husbands had married
them more on account of the wealth ol
their father than any affection they had
felt for them, and they feared if ,hey
gave Maria home, their father would
disinherit them. Such is the effec,
wealth has on the affections.
Maria re,reated to her chamber and
after giving vent TO flood Of tears, de.
liberated on what course 10 pursue
One thing was certain, she determined
not to marry Stevens. The next thing
was how should she obtain liying!--
After thinking of The matter sometime
she saId to herself-"WelI, / have good
constitution and can labor, but how
would it appear for the daughter Of the
rich Mr.. Grafton to 60 about the city
soliciting employment. At this mo.
ment she recollected having heard one
Of the house.maids speak Of being en-
ployed in factory, and she descended
into the kitchen.
"Hannah," said she addressing the
girl, ~ heard you few days since speak
of working in factorv,-how did you
like il then!''
10, | liked il very much, Miss Maria,
and should have remained there had my
health been good"
"Was your work harder than your
work here" inquired Maria.
mo, ma am, | don't think it was; bu,
it was more confning."
"Will you tell me where it vast" a.
gain inquired Maria.
The girl gave her the required infor-
nation and also the name of the over
seer of the room where she worked, and
the name of the lady with whom she
had boarded, adding-"She is the kind
est woman ever saw"
Her mind was now made up. She
decided on entering the factory. Ano,h-
er difficulty now presented ITSELF
Would her father allow her to take what
clothing and what money she had! She
determined If he still should adhere to
his resolution, TO ask him the question.
In the morning she met her father al
the breakfast table. Neither spoke till
the meal was finished. At length her
father inquired
"Well, Maria, have you concluded to
marry Henry Stevens!"
Maria hesi,ated moment but said
firmly--.'I have notr'
"You heard my determination last
night" said he, IL now repeat it. You
must marry Henry Stevens or quit my
house,"
~ cannot marry him, father" said she
--'sooner would ! quit not only this
house, but this world.''
"rhen go!" said he, angrily, rising
from the chair.
'Shall | take my clothing!"--inqui uired
Maria.
"Yes; go, and never let me see or hear
from you again" said he slamming the
door violently, and leaving her alone.
Maria sunk back into chair and wept
bitterly. For moment she seemed al
most inclined 10 comply with his wish
but the idea that she must be forever
linked to villain, and suffer reproach
should his villainies be discovered, was
more than she could bear, and she pre-
ferred the anguish of separating from
her friends free and with honor, to ,ha,
Of marrying Stevens. She hastily pack.
ed up her things, and in few hours had
left her fathers house.
As she passed through the city Of Bos-
ton where her sisters resided, a desire
sprung up TO sec ihem-but from recert
treatment she dared not visit them, and
she also feared again meeting with her
father. Maria was well furnished with
clothing and had about twenty five dol
lars in money. Allho' she had been sur
rounded with wealth she never till now
knew the value of money. A thousand
reflections, doubts and fears crossed her
mind as she was pursuing her journey to
the place described by the girl Of whom
she had enquired in her fathers kitchen,
and though she felt cad at the thoughts
OF being driven from home. she could
scarce suppress smile at the awkward
ness with which she would engage in
any kind Of labor.
She at last arrived at the house Of
Mrs. Dana, the lady designated by Han
nah, and easily obtained board in the
family. She learned also that Mr.. Pot.
ter, the overseer whose name she had Ia
ken, was in want Of help.
Its unnecessary for us 10 follow the
fortunes of Maria through their various
channels. She entered The factory; learn
ed TO work, and many friends, among
whom, and the only one it would be Of
interest to the reader 10 name, was Caro-
line Perkins, girl about her own age.
These two, soon became intimate friends
In the factory their looms were next to-
each other, and they occupied the same
room at their boarding housc. They
were attached to Mrs. Dana. with whom
they boarded, and she evinceda q deep in.
terest in their welfare.
About six months after Maria entered
the factory, an incident occurred which
bound, il possible the two friends closer
to each other. One evening, ss they
were in the chamber, and Caroline was
engaged in packing large trunk, Maria,
was looking on, rather surprised at the
amount Of clothing and jewelry possess