The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-03-14
ONLY "A DOLLAR.

''She sews very nicely" said Mrs. Wharton
Greatly very nicely, Indeed. And if you have
any work you wish done well and cheaply,
would advise you to employ her."
Mrs. Wharton was sitting before the bright
fire of anthracite coal, in her crimson silk MORN
ing wrapper, with her glossy hair, smooth as
satin, and her pretty hands, loaded with rich
rings, lying in her lap. She felt that she was
doing q charitable deed in employing this poor
and deserving soldiers widow, and a still
greater one in recommending her to her friends.
1t is SO easy to be a good christian under some
circumstances!
"Well, I shall certainly send for her." said
Mrs. Marvin. "What did you tell me her name
and address were Z" AZ
"Oh, she is called Mrs. Leggett, and she lives
in one of those horrid musty tenement houses,
No. - street, the back roem in third story
Mrs Marvin entered the details in her little
pearl-beund tablets, and took her leave, internal
ly convinced that Mrs. Wharton was good
Samaritan" Of the very highest class.
Meanwhile the latter was gazing dreamily into
the fire, wondering what toilets would be most
appropriate for the morrow evenings soiree"
"There's my pea-green satin," unused Mrs.
Wharton, checking off the various garments on
the tips of her white fingers; "but I've worn it
there already. And there is my Marie Louise
SILK, IL Luc SklTJ was only sOTtu u llLllS
more. The lemon-colored brocade is not becom-
ing to me. I'm sorry l bought it. And the
white grenadine not worn at Mrs. Armyn's My
wineeolored silk, with the ruby set, would look
WELL if the odous Fanny Palmer hadn't got one
Just like it, And purple velvet don't light up
we'll at night. Oh, dear I really think must
have something new. A rose-colored tissue, per-
haps, or a white India muslin. My wardrobe is
getting dreadfully behind hand. Dear me who's
Ill., r IL
81 beg your pardon, maam, am sure" said
tho slender, meek looking little seamstress, rust
ling softly forward, in her garments Of shabby,
well worn black; but l knocked twice, and you
did not answer"
"Then you should knock louder next time,"
said the irritable fine lady. "However, now that
you are here, you may as well sit down. Good
gracious! how wet you are-positively drip
ping
Eyes ma'am; it rains very hard, and I have
no umbrella"
'No umbrellaS Dear me, how shocking
Well. did you bring home those thingsI"
eyes ma'am; here they are.'
And the soamstress produced neat packet
from beneath her shawl.
81 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. Leggett z"
said Mrs. Wharton, discontentedly.
Il worked eleven days faithfully on them,
ma'am" :
"Well, suppose must pay what you ask"
said Mrs Wharton, opening her purse, and slow
ly examining its compartments. Dear me! I
have only five dollar bill. suppose you could
not change n twentyT" t~
Mrs. Leggett smiled bitterly.
"Ne ma'am could not"
"Well, then, we will call it five dollars, won't
WEI A dollar isn't much either way, and the
five is all I've got" Et
"a dollar is great deal to me- Mrs Wharton"
The lady's smooth brow contracted. 81 have
given you'a great deal of work, Mrs Leggett."
III know it, ma'am and I am very much
obliged to you for all your Kindness" ttt
And should be sorry to have SO trihing q
thing as dollar part us now"
Mrs Leggett was silent; she did not know
what to say. a.
'Call it five dollars" said Mrs. Wharton, toss
ing the bill into the lap of the soldiers widow.
"A dollar don't signify, and then recommended
my friend Mrs. Marvin to employ you this morn
ing"
"Ihank you, madam" said the poor woman,
falntly, as she took the money, feeling inwardy
that she had been defrauded, yet perfectly aware
that she bad no means Of redress
Maam, II you please said Mary. the wait
ress, mere Is the newspaper boy--he saws mas.
Ter tod him you would pay the bill this week.
"How much is 1t, Nary"
"a dollar, ma'am."
"How provoking. l haven't dollar in the
house"
''He says he has orders not TO leave the houss
until it is paid"
'He is very impairment" said the lady. color.
ing up, and, for the first time in her pstted l;fs
feeling the want of dollar
Mrs. Clarence Fitzgerald was the next nerso,
anno.aced-a lady Of the utmost style, whose
acquaintance Mrs Wharton had Just succeeded
in making
"You will stare at my being out in this storm
my DEAR" floating gracefully into the apartment
'but Tn raising dollar subscription for a Door
musician who has just broken his arm. Of course
may depend on yeu:'
Mrs.. Wharton colored. 81 will send it round
IN the morning"
'Thst won't d." said Mrs. Fitzgerald shrup.
9taG her shoulders. Il am determined To settle
~ business to-day