The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-11-24

I" the help" and the blacksmith's widow
and the blacksmith's mother felt proud
to say that none of our people ever
hired out"
But for all that there are people in
this village who look down on us because
shoe their horses and mend their wag-
lons.o
"More fools they to take on airs,'
said the old woman.
$50 say L." said Merrick, "and we
would be- rs bad as they TO look down
on Efac'for washing our dishes. She's
as good as you, and good deal better
than me, rich or poor"
And Merrick Masters had his way,
and the whole place knew they were en-
gagged In fortnight.
Now when he went into tea the first
question both asked him was about his
customer.
"Efie says he is the ehandsomest man
she ever saw" says the old woman.
$50 he is," said Merrick, not one
whit jealous, "but who he is l don't
know. He came and went, and had his
horse shod, that's all I know, and he
asked me who you were, Effie."
"And had this dreadful old apron
on, too," said Efiie.
"He didn't notice that, guess" said
Merrick.
"Why not?"
Merrick laughed.
"Oh, do tell me?"
"Well, he asked who that pretty girl
was"
Effie hid her face in her apron, and
Mrs. Masters turned her head. She
never quite admitted Efiie's beauty.
What notions to put in the girls
head" she thought; and it was a pity,
for Effie was vain enough already. A
greater pity, too, because whenever q
horseman galloped up to the forge there
after, she ran out, under some pretext,
hoping it was the handsome gentleman
who had asked "who that pretty girl
was" Not that she meant any harm,
but to be called pretty girl by such a
man was something glorious.
She saw him at last, and there was a
look, smile, and bow, and after that,
somehow they kept meeting.
Still no harm in it at all, only Effie
did not mention the fact to Merrick or
to his mother; and Effie learned that he
was Mr.. Noreland, stopping at the
great hotel in the village, and guessed
that he was rich and fashionable.
Often she saw him riding with ele-
gantly dressed ladies and gentlemen,
but he always seemed the most elegant
of all to her; and by and by she fell to
contrasting Merrick with him, and wish
ing that Heaven had made him like Mr..
Noreland.
| From that she went on to wish that
she was a lady herself, and that some
body else was in her place, and to feel
above the forge, and the cottage kitchen,
and the blacksmith, and his mother,
who had thought her below her son, be-
cause she was the "help."
One day Mr.. Noreland found her she'd
ding tears in quiet little spot where
they were In the habit OF meeting by ac-
cident, and would have the reason.
"It's nothing-only I'm tired" said
Effie.
Mr.. Noreland drew close to her.
Tired" said he, "no wonder; you
are too good for that sort of thing too
good to work in the kitchen and wear
cotton gowns-and too good to be a
blacksmith's wife. It's no use in deny
Ing it--you know you are."
"Oh, hush," said Efie, L" Merrick is
the best man in the world I'm sure Pm
not tired of Merrick."
"Oh, Of course not" said Noreland,
"and we can't help our feelings" and
he sighed.
Then he whispered a good deal that
Efiie could not understand entirely, but
she knew it was very fine and sentiment
tai, as he quoted poetry and made great
| eyes at her. Out of a hovel, the girl
was sure no one ever was so charming,
and she went home with the firm con-
viction that if she chose she might jilt
the blacksmith's son, and marry the
hhO Souh6 SOheiShiah.
From feeling sure she could, she began
to wonder whether Merrick cared much
about her, and to feel sure that Noreland
loved her better than his life-and q
sharp word from Mrs. Masters finish
ed it.
Something had gone to waste in the
stOre-room, and the old lady fused and
fumed about it as she always did.
"Then as has nothing is alters the
most wasteful," said she; "you'd orter
remember that you're to be married to
man that has something to manage
and to take care of. There's Peggy
Grey, never lets a bit spoil, and darns
and patches, and makes and mends year
in and year out. But she's got three
thousand dollars in the bank, besides
what will come to her when the old man
dies; and she Wasn't took in ON charity.
l wish Merrick had took u fancy to
her."
"Say good-by, and let him do 50
now," said Noreland when the girl had
told him her new trouble.
"Ah, but have no other friends, and
no other home to go to-" sighed Ellie.
"You have" said Noreland, ga friend
who will never cease to love you, and q
, home such rs you deserve, Share my
home and my life, Ehie.n
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