The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-06-21
THE PRINTER GIRLS.
BY LAURA.

BY LAURA.
"Pshaw, Frank, are you crazy? just 10 think
of going to invite her to your party. What will
people say
| don't know nor do / care much, bu~one ding
I kno A. if she is not invited | shall have nothing
to do with it. My mother always taught ME to
respect moral worth, rather more than vain
/ compishments.'
/ The above conversation took place the evening
before a party which Frances Macom gave her
friends. And she did come, the seorned Rebecca,
and most heartily did Frances welcome her TO the
social gathering.
Frances Malcom was the only daughter of
wealthy parents, who with her two brothers re
ceived every advantage of education that the.rpO-
sitiOn enabled th 10 bestow.
Jemima I.amotte was of French origin, she had
always lived in aifluence in a populous city. She
had queeHy air aud stately step, and with all was
quite naughty coquette. Rcbecca Collins was
the daughter OF poor but honorable parents. her
only fortune good intellectual endownentS,
and good noble and generous heart. Obliged at
early are to seek a livelihood, she chose the
art preseryatiye of all arts printing. \ gentle
man in the city in which she resided had opened
his Office to girls, and several besides Rebec,a
availed themselves of the opportunity to learn that
useful and interesting business.
Thus time passed on, and Notwithstanding the
difference in the social condition OF Francis and
Rebecca, they were very dear friends Every sat
uTudy HlHut lOauu luSul EtdllL8 anu ltL4Alie III
Francis room Rebecca was progressing in her
appranticeshin. when Mr.. Malcom failed in bust
ness, and soon afterwards died. Mrs. MalcOm was
almost haart-broken; her situation was more pitia-
BILE from the aimess life she had lived she found
herself aad daughter almost without property, and
what was worse, no knowledge of the means to
acquire it.
They removed to Cincinnati, hoping to obtain
assistance from their relatives but IN this they
failed When they had nearly exhausted their
resources, in attempting to secure employment
Frances returned one evening from of those
fruitless errands and found that her mother had
been suddenly taken ILL., she had borne ulal and
want until her powers gave way The physician
pronounced her disease Inflammation of the BRAIN
During her illness she seemed at one time better,
and Francis being very weary, fell into a profound
sleep, but was aroused by her mother, who feebly
asked for drink of water As she handed it to
her She noticed that she looked very pale. 'Daugh-
ter said she Il am dying.
Frances was very much ala med, and hastily
aroused a neighbor to go for the doctor, but she
soon saw all over.
Frances murmured the dying woman, "ta}e
good care of yourself be good girl, be careful OF
your associates, though you have nothing bat
good name TO depend upon you will find friends
Here her voice failed, she family whispered fare
well. and expired.
As soon as Frances could compose herself suf-
fcientlv she with her own hands prepared the
corpse of her dearly loved mother for the grave.
As the clods of the valley covered the form of her
mother from her view she felt indeed that she was
alone.
Sad and detected she sought her roonl and with
feelings better felt than described she walked the
floor until the sun rose.
Something must be done certainly" and she
knew not what After some time spent in refec-
ton she disposed Of what little furniture they had
left at a low rate, and paid her rent. The small
sum she had left when she had settled all demands,
was sood gone. She could not get employment
and did not know how to work, even If she had
found any to do.
She was in despair and for three days she gained
q mearre subsistence by begging. Feeling wretch
ca ana degraded, II the end Of The third day she
sank on the steps Of an elegant mansion. She
thought finer past lifc-alas that il should have
haea thus--hes former associates, and among them
she thought OF Rabecca, and wondered what had
become Of her. oh, that had learned some trade
when was young, aud l never need have come to
this pass.
But let us leave her and see if we can find Re
becca. When We last left her three years ago,
She was yet an apprentice in the printing Office At
the expiration OF her time she went to Cincinnati.
where she was then earning iouraermaus wages,
and laying uN for herself a comfortable income
Oae div when she was returning with cheerful
sten from her daily labor, in her reye-;cS CcU2ar
ing her own Independent situation with soma Of
those she had known in her former years, and
scarcely knowing what she was doing, she ex-
'ttttAtAINr h14-At~> N-A~As AAs'c " AtN~0
Malcom:"
Frances, as before said was sitting on the steps,
and heard the exclamation. She Sp-anC to her
feet and said. Here am / who calls me-"
Good heavens Frank, is this you? How came
YOU here3 and the two were soon in each others
arms,
Frances had proud spirit, and did no. Ike to
be dependent on her friends, bu; after some per-
suasioG she agreed to accompany her home. After
walking few squares in silence. each busy with
her own thoughts. they reached her boarding
house. Rebeeea presented her friend TO the lady
q the house aad they retired 10 her room. w hen
the lea bel rang, She brought tray 10 her room
anu iAe tso friends took supper alone. After al
was removed, Frances gave her friend history Of
her mistostunes, and asked if she knew anything
few days
The next morning she felt much refreshed. and
the Two girs aided by the landlady went out shop
ping, and simple wardrobe was soon procured
for Frances.
The next week she obtained a situation in the
same Office with Rebecca. whose industry and tact
in business secured the favor of her EMPLOYER and
she was soon promoted to the station Of foreman
in the Office
After lapse of FIVE years they purchased
printing establishment, and are now carving on
a good business in one of our large cities.
Meanwhile Jemina had experienced reverse
of fortune which operated favorably on her mind
and She is now apprentice in the establishment
OF Rebecca and Francis.