The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-07-30


out enghgemcnta
dentally that her hands HeiE III % plol
occupation. Among her new ladies, re-
member, where the juvenile sei0ns Of ducal
household, wherein she used TO be employed
for weeks together. Now, / was simpleton
in those days; had romantic reverence 70
rank-not vulgar curiosity, but an ideal hom-
age-and greatly did delight in hearing
about the little noblewoman; and Mary Hilton
seemed to like telling, not pompously, but
simply, how lady Alice was a beautiful child
and Lady Mary was rather cross, and Baby
Lady Blanche was the sweetest little fairy III
the world, and would come and talk with "the
dressmaker' as much as she was allowed.
Many visions | mentally had Of the lordly
household, where the chief filial duty was the
chief privilege Of entering carefully dressed
with the desert, and where mamma was not
mamma at all, but "the duchess.'
How time passes The other day saw in
the paper, the marriage of the beautiful and
accomplished Lady Blanche Il
thought of Baby Lady Blanche, +" and then Of
was greater air Of content about her, which
spoke OF improved fortunes. And, in making
poor Mary Hilton, and sighed.
Our dressmaker worked blithely through the
short winter day, and even when night closed,
she seemed in no hurry to go home. About
message that some one had called to fetch
Miss Hilton. "a young man." exclaimed the
domestic hesitating, | suppose, whether she
should, or should not say gentleman.
81 am really quite glad. | did not like your
walking through those dark lanes alone, said
/, with infinite relief; and then added in ex-
treme simplicity, al thought you had no
brother nowr'
sit is-not my brother" murmured our
dressmaker, blushing, but family, for even the
thick blood of youth seemed to creep languidly
beneath her constant pallor. was child--a
, very child then. don't belieVe,l had ever
thought Of love, or lOvefs-thatis, in real life;
but some instinct made me cease to question
the young woman. Likewise instead Of de-
scending with her, staid up stairs, 50 that she
met her friend alone. But / remember open
ing the blind little way, and watching two
dark figures passing slowly down the lane--
watching them, and thinking strange thoughts
It seemed as if new page were half opening
in life book.
It had opened; and with eyes light .blinael
had begun to read-for myself, and not toi
another-before again saw my little dress
maker.
NV aunt and had changed our abode ia
the very heart Of London, and Mary Hilton
had come to us 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 as usual--a little paler, perhaps; and
she had a slight cough, which was sorry to
hear had lasted some tine. But she worked
lust as well, and Just as patiently; and when
nine o'clock came the knock at the door, her
smile, though half concealed, was quite pleas
ant to see.
am getting to be an old woman now, but
to this day incline to love two people who
love one another | do not mind what are
their ranks; and honestly believe there was
true love between my little dressmaker and
her Daniel Ray.
A respectable, worthy young man was Dam
iel, as my good and prudent aunt took care to
discover. |, in my simple, girlish way dis
covered much more. Little did Mary Hilton
talk about it; but from her disjointed words
learned that theirs was long engagement
that Daniel was an 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
on the dressmaking on the floor above.
Meanwhile she at least was quite content
for he came to tea to her father every Sun
day, and in the week day, wherever she work
ed, he always fetched her--saw her safe homi
to Chelsea, and walked back to the city again
Honest, unselfish, faithful loverl Poor Mar,
| Hilton! She, In her humble way had grea
happiness--the only happiness which fills
woman heart. tis.
But one night she had to 60 home withou
! Daniel Ray. He was in the pottefies, sh
said, on business, and the poor little thing seem
ed grieved aud trembling when she started
walk home alone. and at. night She scare
minded the bright, cheerful streets she sale
but she did not like to pass through the lionel
squares. The next evening she. begged pei
mission to leave by daylight; and at last. Wit
much hesitation, confessed that she had bee
spoken to by some rude man, aud had huFrie
on past her strength until, reaching home, 81
| tainted. And then, in my inmOst heart,
drew parallel between myself--a young lad
tenderly guarded, never suffered to cross th
threshold aloRe-and this young person, e
posed, without consideration, toauy annoyang
or danger, The lesson was not lost upon M
All my. life, as far as my power went, ! hay
taken care that, whatever her station, Woma
should be treated as a woman
] For week Mary Hilton worked for usi com
! ing and returning each night, walking th
whole way, | believe--though | neys
thoughtAbout il then, have since; and th
heedlessness of girlhood has risen up before n
as the veriest hard heartedness. MY aunt, toS
but she had many thing to occupy her mind
and to her, Mary Hilton was only ythe dress
maker. doubtless we did but as others dl
and the young woman expected no Nmore.-
For remember, the last night she looked s
| pale and wearied, that my aunt gaveber u
supper glass Of wine, and putting intO, be
hand two shillings, instead Of the usua
eighteen pence, told her to have an 0mnibu
ride home. And then Mary Hilton blushe
and resistsd, but finally took the sixpenee wit
look Of such thankfnlnessi Poor thingi
The next time we wrote for our dressHakel
there came, not gentle little Mary Hilton, hu
the obnoxious Caroline Her sister was il
i'll health, she said, and had been obliged I
give up working out but would make the dres
at home, i we would. It was settled, so "
promised that Mary must come to us to try i
on. She.eame one evening. accompanied B.
Daniel Ray. For this she family apologized
saying, Che never would let her 20 ont alon
now Whefeat my aunt looked pleased; an'
when she Quilted thereon, / heard her 20 int
the hall and speak in her own kindly tones 4
honest Daniel
Mary Hilton tried on my dress, but SCENE
hardly able to stand tie while / remember
| ed this afterwards, not then. for was think
! ing Of my pretty dress, and whether would