The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-02-05
The Disguised Heiress.

| was considerable exaggerated, brought her
suitors in plenty Among them she made
choice of William Winsor, and in few
weeks they were to be married.
| William was engaged in the wholesale
clothing business, aud had the reputation oil
an active, sharp man of business He was
of good appearance, and so far as could he
| judged, was good match for the helress. -
! Nothing TO his preudicd had come to the ears
Of Miss Vernon, until the day before, A
poor woman had come to the door in evident
poverty, ana asked for relief. On being
| questioned, she said that she had been en-
ployed n making shirts at twelve cents a
piece for wholesale dealers-that after maxi
ing dozen and carrying them to the store,
she had been roughly told that they were
| spoiled, and that nothing would be paid her
! for the work; but that she might have some
more, if she would agree TO make them bet
ter. She added that this was one of the
small ways in which the firm made money
out of poor women by pretending that their
work was unsatisfactory done, when really
no fault could reasonably be found
| The sum, small rs it was, of which she had
been deirauded, was all important to her, as
| it represented q weeks work.
Only dollar and forty-four cents for q
weeks work. exclaimed Miss Vernon in dis
may.
That's ALL, spid the poor woman
How. then DO you liver
II can hardly be called living. It's Just
barely keeping body and soul together said
the poor woman.
And who is this extortioner that first Of
lers you starvation wages then defrauds you
| ofthem? asked Miss Vernon very indignant
Iy.
william Winaor.'
'Who?' demanded Miss Vernon, firmly,
quickly.
William Winsor.
Il can hardly believe this. l know the
gentleman
1t is true, and If you will investigate the
matter. you will find it to be so.
4 will invest the matter. Here is five
dollars for your prcent needs Come here
tomorrow at this time, and | may have some
work for You to do.
The poor woman departed, invoking bless
ings upon the heress.
Il will look into this. said Margaret Yer
non, resoutely, 'and, if it proves true the
engagement between William Winsor and
myself shall be broken. l will not give my
self to such man
Nancy sail Miss Vernon, the next morn
dress and shabby cloak and bonnet. that you
can lend me?
4 have got some that are so poor that l
an not going to wear them again, said Nam
cy, surprised at such an inquiry.
'Will you lend them to me?'
'Of course, Miss but what would the likes
of you want with such old cIothes?'
a little fun that's all, SAID Miss Vernon.
4 am going to disguise myself, and see if l
cant deceive somebody
With this expiration Nancy was content
and produced the clothes Miss Vernon put
them on, and in addition, borrowed of an
other Of the servants a thick, green veil,
somewhat the worse for wear, and then set
out on her mission. No one in her disguise
would have recognized the usually elegant
and richly dressed heiress, Miss Margaret
Vernon.
Migs Vernon slipped ont of the basement
door, and took her way to large store, on
which was inscribed the name Of William
Winsor, in large gilt letters.
She entered and after a while a clerk spoke
to her IN a rough voice:
well. what do you want?
j want to get some work, she said in q
low voice
We can give you some shirts.
Anything.
Can you sew well?'
Il thiulI So
AT any rate, we will try you
a half dozen shirts were given to Miss
Vernon, and she was informed that if salts
factorily done, she would be paid twelve
cents piece. These she carried home, Slip
ping in at the back door,
About two hours later the poor woman
called,
Here are some shirts for you to make
said Miss Vernon.
why, they are the same as | have been
making, said the poor woman in great sur
prise.
THAT is true, they came from the same
place.
Am to bring them back there!'
No, you will bring them here. Twill pay
for the work, when done, double the price
you have been receiving
Thank you Miss, you are so very kind
Sew them as neatly possible. l wish to
see whether they will be rejected as poor
work.
'Yes, Miss Vernon, will take pains with
them
Three days later the poor woman returned
with the work completed. Miss Vernon paid
her for them, and requested her to call the
next day.
Nancy, said the heiress, after her protege
had departed i shall wish to borrow your
old clothes again.
Certainly, Miss, said Nancy, if it is not
ashamed you are to appear in such miserable
rags.
No one will know me, Nancy
Shure, Miss, you can take them whenever
you like.
Il don't think l shall need them again,
Nancy, but thank you all the same.
Not long afterwards Miss Vernon, in her
shabby disguise, entered the establishment of
William Winsor, with the bundle of shirts
under her arm
She walked up to the counter and laid
them down.