National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-05-01
Only a Dollar.

Wharton; really very nicely indeed.
And if you have any work you wish
done well and cheaply, would ad.
wise you to employ her.
Mrs. Wharton was sitting before
the bright fire of anthracite coal, in
her crimson silk morning wrapper,
with her glossy hail smooth as satin,
and her pretty hands loaded with
rings, lying in her lap. She felt
that she was doing a charitable deed
in employing this poor deserving
soldiers widow, and Il still greater
one recommending her to her friends.
1t is so easy to be good christ
ian under some circumstances
well, l shall certainly send for
her, said Mrs. Marvin. 'What did
you tell me her name and address
were?
'Oh, she is called Mrs. Leggett,
and she lives in one of those bOrrid
musty tenement houses, No. -,
street, the back room in the third
story
Mrs. Marvin entered the details
in her little pearl-bOund tablets, and
took her leave, internally convinced
that Mrs. Wharton was good Sa.
maritan,' of the very highest class.
Meanwhile the latter was gazing
dreamiry into the fire, wondering
what toilet would be most apprOpri-
ate Tor the morrow's evening soiree.
There's my pea green satin, unused
Mrs. Wharton, checking off the va
rious garments on the tips OF her
white fingers but Eve worn it
there already. And there is my
Marie Louise blue silk, if the skirt
was only gored a little more. The
lemCn colored brocade is not becom
ing to me. l am sorry | bought it.
And the. white grenadine not worn
at Mrs. Armyn's. My wine colored
silk, with the ruby set, would look
we'll if the odious Fanny Palmer
hadn't got one just like it. And
purple velve, don't light up well at
night. Oh dear! l really think l
must have something new. a rose
colored TISSUE, perhaps, or white
Indian nuslir. My wardrobe is
getting dreadiully behind hand
Dear me! who's that How you
started me, Mrs. Leggett!
Il beg pardon, ma'am, l am sure
said the slender, meek looking little
seamstress, rustling softly forward,
in her garments of shabby, well worn
black; 'but | knocked twice and
you did not answer
Then you should knock louder,
next time said the irritable fine Ia
dy. However, now that You are
here, yOl NAV sit down. Good gra
cious! how wet you are-positively
dripping.
sYes ma'am; it rains very hard,
and | have no umbrella
No umbrella !? Dear me, how
shocking! Well did you bring home
those tbings''
'Yes, ma'am here they are.'
And the seamstress prvuduced a
neat package from beneath her
shawl.
4 hope to goodness they are not
wet. No; they seem tolerably dry.
What is the bill ?
six dollars, ma'am.'
six dollars! Isn't that high, Mrs
LeggettY said Mrs. Wheaton dis.
contentedly.
Il worked eleven days faithfully
on them ma'am.'
well, suppose I must pay what
yon ask, said Mrs. Wharton, opening
her purse, and slowly examining it.
compartments, dear me! l have on
ly a five dollar bill. l suppose 20,
couldn't change twentyF
Mrs. Leggett smiled bitterly.
NO, ma'am, could not
well, then, We will call it five dol
lars won't wef A dollar is no
much either way and the five is al
I've got
t "A dollar is a great deal to me
Il Mrs. Wharton
The lady's smooth brow contract
ed. Il have given you great dea
OF work Mrs. LeGgett.'
Il know it ma'am, and I am yer,
i. much obliged to you for all you
IS Kindness
: 'And | should he sorry to have S
trihing thing as a dollar part u
> now.'
Mrs. Leggett was silent; she di
not known what to say.
Call it five dollars, SAID Mr..
!. Wharton tossing the bill into til
X lap Of the soldiers widow. "A do
I lar don't signify, and then | recon
/, mended my friend Mrs. Marvin I
:, employ you this morning.
l. Thank you, madam said the poe
!, widow, faintly, as she took the moi
4 ey, feeling inwartly that she hss
$ been defrauded, yet perfectly awal
ss that she had no means of redress.
" 'Ma'am, If you please said Mar,
the waitress, here is the newsi,ap,
boy--he says master told him yo
= would pay the bill this week.
IS How much is 1t Maryi'
"a dollar, ma'am.'
= 'How provoking, l haven't q dc
\. lar in the house,
H. 'IIe says he has orders not
M m leave the house until it is paid
wv He Is very impertinent, said Il
- Indy ool0ping up, and tor the FIR
10 time in her pctted life, feeling Il
- want Of II dollar.
- Mrs. Clarence Fitzgeral was Il
nf =, t.I.,