The Van Buren press., 1869-11-02
MISCELLANY.
A Woman Halter.

An advertisement appeared in a daily
paper for milliner and shop girl, at
Madame Lavallc's. No. l2l Pearl street
A pair of slender hands turned the pa
per over; pair OF brown eyes wandered
up and down the longcolumn of"Wants''
until they rested upon this. 5e g A'
1.-THE very place, mamma said Viola
Burnett. And forthwith the little hat and
neat little mantle wers donned, and soon
she was walking in tie direction OF Pearl
street. H-4 f&sf rh atsl sW
~ dare say that there have been many
before me-" she thought. But, surely
there is ne harm, IN trving, when mamma
and needed money SO much, and its
coming all depends upon me."a& .i8ae
1t did not take longto bring her to No.
l2l Pearl street, and she paused before
the glass door to collect herself. There
was but one lady within, and she felt
much relieved, for sht expected to see a
crowd of eager applicants, among whom
her chance would bsbut slight; and, to
find it all quiet and no one to face save
the aforesaid lady engaged in looking
over some boxes in tip rear, was pleas.
urc unexpected. sia4 uf) erfe
/ She entered and the lady came forward.
She was not very young, perhaps thirty,
with a pretty, kindly face; and when
Viola made known. her errand, she gave
little lausl ''l'. sDearsinc! 4 sm
as have had, and all OF Them sour.look.
ing old maids. We should not have five
customers in week. What sweet face
you have! Are you experienced ~ al
"Yes, have worked for year in the
establishment of Mrs Latouche." st
"Ah! her name is well known, and hel
work much admired. I'm sure that you
will suit me, When will you begin p
Now, if yon wish / am anxious to
begin as soon as you eau find work fol
me-" .a3rI.r e6 e0dsinua 81
Do begin at once and, to give us q
specimen of your work, take this hat and
trim it. You must know my dear Miss 81
"Brunett
"Ah, yes, Miss Brmett that / have a
brother who is, in fact, the owner OF this
establishment, and it is to him that you
must look for directions. for. to tell ths
truth, avn soon to be married. 81
Viola nodded, and allowed the French
woman to go on.
IL am widow, and have lived two
long years in state of single wretchcd-
ness, and have now resolved to again
marry. This fact you must understand
brings you directly under tho direction
Of M Paul Lavallc, who, by the way,
must inform you, is thorough woman
hater.'
lis he old?' asked Viola, ,p,.
"No, he is young; but lie so utterly
despises a woman that believe he would
discharge you were you to ask a question
beyond your business. He is polite fol
all that, and may offer You the attention
due to a lady; but beg of you to refuse
every offer, for ifyou do notyou will moi
long remain here" t9fuay,
The request was strange one, never
thcless easily granted, and she promised
to do all in her power to retain her situa
ton iiitHi
1t was late in the afternoon before the
gentleman arrived, and Viola only caught
glimpse Of tall, handsome man; thei
bent her eyes rcsoutely upon her work
e,sMy ybrothe er, Miss Brtinett. dI j a
Miss Brunett raised her beautiful ayes
for moment and then went on with hel
work Ne
do YOU fancy this work, Miss Bru
nett y he asked.
Yes SIR"
81 am glad for Adele is very hard tc
please. Do.you think YOU will be con
tent to rc,nainM A-N~N AS'f-'4.@-
"Yes sir 'f'@f fA
The gentleman turned away, evidently
thinking it useless to try to engage he
IN conversation, and she went soberly OF
with her work. 'ii''
II rained when the time came for Violi
TO return home, and she stood momen
at the door, looking out in the dark, we
streets "4
!" Miss Brunett." said Mr.. Lsvallc, "al
low me to see you home under my um
brella. l"" "t
Viola was surprised, not only becaus
he was a rich man and she poor mill
per. and she wondered at the affair m
No, / thank you" she replied !; 8
can 60 alone"
He had not time to repeat his offer be
fore she was out and half way down tn
street. utiH r'N fH8
1t was darker than she had supposed
and the rain fell in torrents; but shs dre'
her mantle tightly around her, and wit
bowed head walked swiftly along Befor
she reached the end Of the street ther
came sound Of sharp, quick steps upo
the pavement, and Paul Leyalle came u
beside her, Sc A~1tsh tf