Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-06-26
MINNIE, THE ORPHAN.

II was . ioi &C, iSuG rOUil, Wllu nGiI &
dozen maps hanging around the walls, and
3 few stiff backed chairs rang ed in geomet-
real precision-a room with not one home
association lingering in any of its four cor.
uerS I GU might have told with one glance
at its cleanly swept green carpet and coldly
polished, curtainiess windows, that it was
the parlor of a public institution; and so,
indeed it was.
The brisk and spectacled little matron of
the orphan asylum sat leaning back in her
eomtortable rocking chair, while four or five
little gIrls, with closely cut hair and down.
cast eyes, stood in row before her, their
long blue aprons and haxen light hair Civ
ing them an odd resem blance to a row of
blue bells in a flower garden; while Mrs
fhllo Parker, In her rustling robes Of golden
green silk. and the cherry colored bonnet
strings, might have passed fer gaudy and
full blown specimen of the tribe peony.
II thiuk she u answer my purpose very
well, said Mrs. Parker What did you
say her name was-Minniet Z"
Minnie Grove. Step forward, child"
said the matron, nodding encouragingly at
slender little creature of about thirteen
whose blue eyes d;iated, and her cheek
blanched with sort of shy terror. And
Minnie stepped forward under the full fire
OF Mrs. Parkers' searching gray eyes.
i hope she hasn' any relations went
on Mrs. Parker. Il never want girl with
forty uncles and aunts and cousins, running
after her the whole time!''
You will have no trouble in that re-
spect, said the niatron with sigh. L do
not think Minnie has soul belonging to her
In the wide world. Her mother died in
great poverty about three years ago in New
York, and Minnie knows nothing whatever
about herself poor child"
That's just as it should be, said Mrs
Parker, with self satisfied air. Poor
people have no business to have any rela-
tons: Well. guess L ii take her. J"
You will be kind to the poor little Or
phan, ma 'sui,' - said the natron wistfully
of course shall, . said Mrs. Parker,
tossing the cherry colored ribbons. ''She
sll have the best of homes in my family
Il should like to have her go to church
at least once every Sunday, and"
To be sure-te be sure, said Mrs Par
Ter, rising, as though she did not care to
pFolong the conversation. "She shall have |
every opportunity; | hope you don't take |
ne for heather. Is that child crying? [ |
hope she is not one of the whimpering kind
The matron' cheek flushed a little as she
whispered one or two cheering words to |
Minnie. ll
And SO Minnie Groves little parcel was |
packed, and her pink colored sunbonnet tied |
On, and she meekly followed Mrs. Parker |
out OF the wide gateway that had sheltered |
ier orphanage so long.
Minnie 2"
W hat are you doing this morning? Why |
1aVn you cracked the nuts, ard polished
Ae stove, and cleared the ashes out of the
Parlor CRATE, when you know we're going to |
nave company for dinner"
should be late at church, ma AMI |
nave only just got ready now, and the bells
nave stopped ringing. I'll. see that the work
done when return" 4
Mrs: Parker's eyes flashed balefully.
-. lake oft your things, Miss, and remain
- home. have had quite enough of this
t1cnulng to church, and this shall be the last
Of It. 2
pale.
but, Mrs. Parker you promised
l dom t care what promised. You are
1nuentur,d to m until you are eighteen
years old, and intend that you shall earn
your own living. Not another word, bat
obey NE.
And Mrs. Parker marched out of the
tamp mouldy kitchen. with the air of
Eagedy queen, while Minnie sat down a
in1ong ng the pots and pans and cried bitterly.
purlng all her trials and tribulations the
;.. sweet sunshine of the sabbath day had cast
~ light through all the dreary ensuing
"eeS-lt had been something to look for
ward to think of and to anticipate Now
.s gentle influence was withdrawn roughly
aaa abruptly, and Minnie felt that she was
Indeed alone. =
M Winnie was busting the parlor chairs the
aeAt morning, as Miss Angeline Parker
wrapper. '- -, : ---'e'-
ASnma," she dravlsd languidly, II