Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-10-29
The Distinguished Heiress.

need scarcely be wondered at, lor the
question upon which she was pondering,
affected her deeply.
She was an heiress, having come into
possession at majority, Of fifty thousand
dollars. She was prepossessing in her
appearance. and this, as was natural,
added to the report of her wealth, which,
as usual, was considerably exaggerated,
brought her suitors in plenty. Among
them, she made choice of William Win
sor, and in n few weeks they we're to be
married.
William was engaged in the wholesale
clothing trade, and had the reputation
Of a sharp, active man Of business. He
was of good appearance, and 80 far as
could be judged was match for the
heiress. Nothing to his prejudice had
come to the ears of Miss Vernon, until
the day before. A poor woman had
come to the door in evident poverty, and
asked for relief. On being questioned,
she said she had been employed in max
ing shirts at twelve cents apiece for
wholesale dealers-that after making a
dozen and carrying them to the store, she
had been roughly told that they were
spoiled, and that nothing would be paid
for her work; but she might have some
if she would agree to make them better.
She added that this was one of the small
ways in which the firm made money out
of poor women, by pretending that the
work was unsatisfactory done, when
really no fault could reasonably be found
with it.
The sum, small as it was, of which
she had been defrauded, was all impor-
tant to her, as it represented nearly a
weeks work.
"Only a dollar and forty-four cents
for weeks work !" exclaimed Miss
Vernon in dismay.
"That's all, )" said the poor woman.
Glow, then, do you liver"
II can hardly be called living. 1t
is just barely keeping body and soul to-
gether," replied the poor woman.
"And who is this extortioner, who
first offers you starving wages, and then
defrauds you out of them ," asked Miss
Vernon, Indignantly.
William Winsor."
" Who?" demanded Miss Vernon
quickly.
William Winsor."
81 can hardly believe this. l know
the gentleman.
1t is true, and if you will investigate
the matter, you viii find it to be so."
-" aciN investigate the matter. Here
are five dollars for your present needs
Come here tomorrow at this time, and
may have some work for you to do"
The poor woman departed, invoking
blessings upon the heiress.
will look into this" said Margaret
Vernon, resolutely, "and if it proves true
the engagement between William Win
sor and myself will be broken. viii
not give myself to such man.
Nancy" said Miss Vernon the mex
morning to the chambermaid, "have yor
an old dress and shabby cloak and bon
net that you can lend me 2"
81 have some that are so poor that
am not going to wear them again, sale
Nancy, surprised at such an inquiry.
viii you lend them to me?"
S"Of course, Miss; but what woult
!, the,likes ofyou wantof such old clothes ?
GA little fun, that is all, said Mis-
Vernon. q am going myself and see i
! can't deceive somebody"
With this explanation, Nancy wa
content and produced the clothes. Mis-
Vernon put them on and in addition Dor
rowed of another of the servants thicl
green vail, somewhat the worse for wear
and then set out on her mission N
one, in her disguise. would have recog
nized the usually elegantly dressed heir
ess, Miss Margaret Vernon.
Miss Vernon slipped out of the base
ment door, and took her way to a larg
store, on which was inscribed the nam
|; of William Winsor in large gilt letter;
She entered, and after awhile, clerl
spoke to her in a rough voice:
: "Well, what do you want?"
, " want to get some work." she re
, piled in low voice.
=" We can give you some shirts"
4" Anything"
! "Can you sew well?"
think so.
AT any rate we viii try yo1."
A half dozen shirts we're given to Mis-
Vernon, and she was informed, if sati
factorily done, she would be paid twelv
cents apiece. These she carried home
slipping in at the back door.
! Two hours later the poor woman cal