The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-10-19

not think of that. What do they want
of boy, / should like to know if I
couldn't do just as well' Answer the
DEVILS call for copy run errands from
morning till night and read manuscript
to the lazy, yawning editor; 4. e. decipher
such unintelligible hieroglyphics as
would make monkey laugh. Does
printers boy do that believe could
do all that, though with the privilege of
getting malediction once an hour or
two, better than stitching to the tune of
Hoods Song of the Shirt and Arthur
used to say that I had peculiar tact for
guessing out the meaning of cabalistic
characters, and making sense out of nom
sense, which I got, no doubt, from copy
ing law papers for Uncle Hamilton.
in vain, to get employment suited to my
sex and condition, during the past few
weeks, Heaven onl knows, and cannot
believe shall forfeit its favor by playing
the fictitious role of boy. l will, / must
try it, whether I succeed OR not, and
upon the whole, I think l should like
that freedom and independence that are
supposed to belong to the rights of panta-
LOOMS" said she smilingly.
Having come to this conclusion, the
young lady proceeded to invest herself
soberly to her unnatural garments, but
she could not help smile when she took
a survey of herself in bit of cracked
mirror, and saw how near she resembled
her brother, when bright boy of sixteen
all but the hair. 1t was dreadfully
against the grain to clip those dark shin
ing curls, but she did it-for necessity is
stern master-it was struggle of life
and death with her, and she must hest
tate of no means that would ensure
success. After surveying herself to see
that all was right and marching up and
down awhile to get used to the feeling
of the strange garments, and to get her
courage up to the sticking point, she set
out upon her mission.
The editor of an exceedingly popular
weekly, as we'll as daily journal was sit
ting in his Office, pen in hand, porting
over a pile of manuscript, and trying to
gather his ideas into Il focus, for a spicy
leader, during the pauses of a nervous
headache, when our boy, with tremb-
ling heart, was usheredin into his presence.
"Boy, sir!" echoed the obsequious
servitor sententiously. The editor looked
up scowlingly, for he had just caught an
idea and did not like to be disturbed.
"You advertised for boy" said she
tremblingly.
eyes! You are the fourth who has
applied for the place to-day" And with
keen, searching glance from Il pair of
sharp eyes, she was told to sit down and
wait.
The boys courage fell out yet good
many degrees lower at this, and if her
case had been one with less desperate
she would have made a hasty retreat
AS it was, she dropped into seat, with
pale cheek and doWncast eyes, and it was
some time before she ventured 10 raise
them. He paid no heed to her, how
ever, but continued to write rapidly for
half an hour or more, before he deigned
to bestow on her the least notice. But
this was benefit to her, as it gave her
time to collect her thoughts, and ex-
anime his physiognolny and surround
ings. At last he turned upon her sud-
denly and said:
You want place, do you."
+" Yes SIR"
"What are your qualifications ~
ssSuch as I think would suit you sir.
/ can read, rite, and rum"
"GOOd things! But let me see about
the first" and he passed her book Of
selections.
Now, Alice Hamlin was one of the
finest readers in the world with pleas
ant SWeet-tOned voice, an agreeable ex-
preston, and face that lighted up
wonderfully when she road or conversed,
and the fascination of her looks and
tones was not lost on our bachelor editor,
even though he thought her boy.
"That will do" he said, after several
trials, .but here is where you all fail.
II you can read these, you would indeed,
be a treasure to me just now" and he
passed over handful of the knottiest
kind of manuscript, which to his evident
establishment she deciphered at once.
The editors forehead relaxed it's frown,
and genial smile broke over his face,
as he said:
=" Youw do, ii we can come to terms.
What is your name:"
"Alis-Alison Hamlin, sir" she said
with bright blush, for strange to say,
she had not before thought Of change
of name.
"Have you friends in the city, or rec
concentrations"
Neither. came to the city but \
few months ago to live with an only
brother. He was obliged to go south on
account of falling health; we lost our
property soon after, so | am obliged to
.,v,