Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-06-22
Keeping up Appearances.
BY WILLIAM GILBERT.

| was brought up a weaver as my
father was before me. | was a good
hand at my trade, and | worked steadi-
lyatit. When about twenty-one years
of age | married a girl who was also
a weaver. She was quiet, amiable
and industrious, and made me an ex-
cellent wife. We soon had a family,
but as we were in constant and good
work we not only contrived to keep
the wolf from the door, but lived in
comfort and responsibility as well.
When | was about thirty-five years
of age the head partner said, awe
horu al "0yo boo.4 nA4oh ~~tioGod with
your behavior, and NOW we are going
to advance you. The under-foreman
in our receiving room is going to leave
us, and you may have his appointment
if you like"
was overjoyed at the offer, and
two days afterwards entered On my
duties. They were very light, and
consisted principally in receiving the
work brought home by the weav-
ers, examining it to see that it was
properly done, and giving out the
bobbins for fresh work. Times were
now very fourishing with US, and we
earned sufficient to give our children
good education. Ny employers
were perfectly satisfied with me, and
worked on soberly and honestly.
After | had been seven years under
foreman, the foreman one day died
suddenly; and | was most anxious tc
know who was to succeed him, as he
had been a very good friend to me
and we had worked on very amicably
together. My doubts at last termin
ated in a very satisfactory manner
The head partner sent for me one
morning, and told me that the firm
were so pleased with my steady be
havior, that they had determined tt
offer me the situation of foreman, will
salary of two hundred a year, to bt
paid quarterly. l thanked the hea(
of the firm most gratefully for hi
kindness, and assured him that every
effort should be made on my part t.
give him satisfaction.
"Of that | am assured, Mr.. c." h
said, lit was the first time he had call
ed me "Mister," and was not littl'
aattered by it; "you can now ente
upon your duties as soon as yo1
lplease."
When, in the evening, | told m,
wife of our good fortune, she was com
pletely overwhelmed by it, and 70
sometime could hardly realize it; bu
when I told her that the head partne
had called me "Mr. c." she was eve
more pleased at that than l had bee
myself.
"And why should you not be calle
Mr.. G. ?" she said. II am sure yo
: make as good a gentleman as the bes
| of them"
"Fair and softly, my DEAR" said
"Let US first feel our feet. and then W
will talk of that afterwards"
My duties were not more sever
than formerly, but far more respons
BILE; for was entrusted with consi(
, erable sums of money to pay the worl
men. Once a week my books wer
audited by the firm, and | was fir
! quently complimented, not only for m
: exactitude, but also, as | was goo
: penman, on the neat manner in whiC
they were kept.
= Although my income was now tw
$ hundred a year, it had not increase
much in reality, for it had BEEN su
gested to me that now was in a 81
uation of trust and responsibility,
was hardly just that | should allo
s my wife to drudge like a common we
yer. |, without hesitation, admitte
the justice of this remark, but I har
ly thought my wife would agree to i
however, | was determined to try he