The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-08-30
MisfellaneoAs.
TIE LITTLE FACTORY GIRL.

The bell at the factory struck twelve.
Down the stairway poured the operatives,
the men walking away seduIely, the boys
dnshing pell-mell, and the girls laughing
and chatting in the cloak room.
In the court below, a boy was mounted
upon push cart. lie was hale little fel.
low of twelve years, with hair neatly comb.
ed, clean dress, bright eyes, and honest
lace. He was generally known in the fac.
tory as thoughtful Master Talbot.
"This way, boys and girls!" he cried
"this way 1 have something to say TO,
YOU" .... . ..
The crowd ofyoung folks surged over to
where he stood. ...
"liallo, Talbot" cried one, "have you
turned street preacher ?"
"Mr. Auctioncer," cried another boy,
awhen will the sale begin7"
al say, George Mundy," chimed in a
third, "wl,ere is your hat?" ..tl
ut is a strike I'll bet," said another.
"Will you please listen to me?" said
Master Talbot.
"Be quiet, boys" cried a bcvy Of girls,
reprovingly.
"You all remember little ELLA Parker,
don't you y asked Master Talbot. She used
to tend the loom for lankey Joe Scroggins'
Well, she is dead. She died at five O'Clock
this morning. She is to be buried day af:
ter tomorrow. She was dear sweet lit.
tie thing. So trusting, so accomplishing.
Didn't we al like herf propose that We
attend her funernl in body"
"Ilow arc We to get off |" asked one Of
the boys.
ave can get up a petition" answered
Talbot 90
"How would il do to appoints commit
tee to wait on the proprietor ofthe mills''
suggested Jimmy Lawrence.
"That's it tI,ut's it echoed half a doz.
en- voices. '.. .."
III move that committee Of five be ap-
pointed" said Aggie Burns, one Of the old
er girls. rrr .g ....7
The motion was Immediately seconded.
"Am president Of this meeting7' asked
Master Talbot.
ain course you ls," said Dick M'Allister.
His grammar was bad, but his heart was
In the right place.
"Question p cried little fellow, thurst-
ing his hands far into his breeches pockets.
His call and attitude raised loud laugh.
The former, though parliamentary in form,
was somewhat premature, while tho latter
was comicnl enough to laugh at.
Master Talbot put the motion, and it was
carried unanimously. the little fellow afore-
said, in his excitement, voting, "ny" 70.
peatedly.
"Am to appoint that committee 7" said
Master Talbot.
"ln course you is," and ''in course" the
speaker was Dick M'Allister,
"Appoint yourself first" cried Jimmy
Lawrence. "You must be chairman-and
spokesman"
"Thcn Tappoint John Talbot-myself-
Dick M'Allister, Jenny LAWRENCE"
"You must pint some Of the girls too,"
said Dick.
$50 | will, Dick. You are ladies' man
if you are rough. 1t Is rule, l believe at
least matter Of courtesy, to make the ono
moving the appointment ofa committee,
chairman thereof Miss Burns made the
motion, SO ! shall do the best ! can now,
and add her to the committee, together with
Ruth Abbott. We will proceed to the
counting room Of Mr.. Elliott at one o'clock
precisely. would suggest that the COM
mittee DO instructed, or allowed, to make
all other arrangements that may be neccs-
sary to make"
"Just SO, thoughtful Master Talbot" said
Dick. "l'lldo my share. III stick to you
all the time. Now ioum the meedn', caus
I'm mighty hungry"
Al the hour appointed, tho committee
entered the counting room Of Mr.. Elliot.
He was a portly, pleasant old man. He
came forward, with his spectacles on his
nose, and his pen behind his car, and shook
hands with the whole five In turn.
"This seems TO be delegation. Is 1t apo
,ition 2" ho said, kindly.
eyes sir" soid Dick. "A petition
in boots" W.
"Thcy are generally the most effective"
said Mr.. Elliot, smiling.
"You arc not Spokesman" said Ruth
Abbot, giving Dick nudge. '. '
"Liule Ella Parker is dead, said Master
Talbot, respectfully, holding his hat in his
hand; whercupon Dick, for the fipt time,
remembered his hat was on his head. "She
Is to bc buried day afler tomorrow, at nine
o'clock. We have come TO petition you to
allow as many Of us as may desire to attend
the funeral, to do so."
"Your petition is granted said Mr.. FL.
liot 81 had intended to stop the mills for
one day this week, In order TO have the en-
gines repaired. shall now select the day
Of the funeral for such purpose. Anything
else, Master Talbotf'
"Nothing else. In behalf Of the COM
miuee, we thank you very much.'
Mas,er John bowed. which Mr.. Elliot 70.
turned, Dick drew his left foot around awk.