The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-06-05
From Peterson's Magazine.I
THE FACTORY GIRL
By CLARA AUGUSTA.
CHAPTER III.

The Ievee was splendid" So the
girls said, the next day. MIR. Templeton
was present, and though he had not dan
ccd himself, he had put no hindrance on
the gaiaty of the others. They all united
in announcing him a handsome, kind
hearted gentleman and wondering if he
was to marry the beautiful Miss Gordon,
to whom report had assigned him.
Returning to her boarding house, at
dinner time, Annette was obliged to step
into the gutter to allow stylish carriage,
with a span of black horses, to pass by
Casually glancing up, she saw that TIE
occupants were MIR. Templeton and
young lady of surprising loveliness. The
fair face was turned towards him, wearing
a gay smile The ermine tippet and vel
vet mantle repelled the cold which made
Annette shiver in her thin cotton shawl.
That night her prayer was long and
fervent, and its burden was: ooh, God
keep me from vain envyinSs :"
The week was weary one. 1t was
midwinter, and the severe cold, acting on
Annette's delicate organism, produced in
fuenza and fever. Her miserable shoes
admitted the snow at every step, and the
well worn garments were but Il slight pro-
lection against the wintry blasts. For
five DAYS she was confined to her room
but feeling better on the sixth, she resu
med her place at the mill. 1t was Satur-
day, and the day on which the quarterly
payments fell due. At night Annette
went down to the connting room with the
others but the warmth Of the parlor so
overcome her, that she did not rise from
the chair, into which she had sunk at
her entrance, until all her companions
were gone The paymaster had left too
only Mr.. Templeton remained. She went
up to his desk with her unspoken request
in her eyes. He made no remark, but
counted out the money, entered the pay
ment on the book, and opened the door
for her as she departed.
Arrived at the boarding place, from
force or habit, Annette counted the roll
of bills, but started in surprise when she
had finished. There was the full amount
of her three months wages. For five
DAYS she had been absent, no deduction
had been made.
Annette was not easily tempted, and
the money, though of great importance to
her, had no power to make her forswear
her honesty. Her very first act on Mon
day morning was to so down to the coun-
ting room and explain the mistake. 1t
was very early when she arrived, and, as
before no one was there but Templcton,
who, engaged in reading the morning pa
per, did not notice her entrance until she
spoke.
''There has been a mistake made in my
quarterly amount" she said. sickness
compelled me to be absent from my work
five days last week, and there has been no
deduction made in my wages There is
the balance" And she laid it down be-
fore him.
81 was aware Of this" was the answer.
''Mr. Granger keeps record of all absen-
tees. There was no mistake We are all
liable to sickness. Good morning" He
had forced the note into her hand and
bowed her from the room be fore she had
time to offer single word of objection.
And that afternoons mail carried all
the ready money which Annette Burns
possessed, to Mr.. Steele, being her second
on the mortgage of Elmstead.
The next morning telegram was han
dcd to her on her way to breakfast
Freddie Burns is sick. The doctor has