The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-05-12
, SELECTED STORY.
The DISGUISED HeIress,

sis Tue QlSSuIse9 Hevgesso
Miss Vernon sat thoughtfully at her win
dow plunged in deep thought. This need
not be wondered at, for the question upon
which she was bordering affected her deep
1y.
She was an .heiress, having come into
possession, at her majority, of fifty thousand
dollars She was progressing in her APP
pearance, and this. as was natural, added
to the report of her wealth, which, as usual
was considerably xaggerated, 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, and had the reputation of
q sharp and active man of business. He
was of good appearance, and as far as
could be judged, was good match even
for the heiress Nothing TO his prejudice
had come to her ears until the day before.
q A poor woman had come to the door IN
evident poverty, and asked for relief. On
being questioned, she said she had been en-
ployed making shirts at twelve cents apiece
for wholesale dealels-that after making
dozen and carrying them to the store, she
had been roughly told that they were spoil
ed and nothing would be paid her for work;
but she might have some more 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
work women, by pretending that the work
was unsatisfactory done. when really no
fault could be reasonably found with it.
The sum, small as it was, of which she
h. 4 rloj oil nt tn
her as it represented nearly weeks work.
"Only dollar and forty-four cents for
weeks work !" exclaimed Miss Vernon in
. dismay. .w .-
That's ALL" said the poor woman.
GLOW, then, do you live?''
at can hardly be called living. It's just
barely keeping body and soul together" said
the poor woman.
NJ "And who is this extortloner that first
offers you starvation wages, and then de
frauds you of even them 2" asked Miss Yer
non Indignantly.
civilian Winsor,"
'Who 2" demanded Miss Vernon quickly.
civilian Winsor.n
az. 81 can. hardly believe this. know the
gentleman"
"It is true, and if you will investigate the
matter, you will find it to be So"
Il will investigate the matter. Here is
five dollars for your present needs. Come
here tomorrow at this time and l may have
some work for you to do"
ce The poor woman departed, invoking
blessings upon the heiress.
~ will look into this" said Margaret Yer
non resolutely, and if it proves true, the
engagement between William Windsor and
myself shall be broken. will not give my
self to such man.
Nancy" said Miss Vernon the next
morning to the chambermaid, " have you an
; old dress and shabby cloak and bonnet that
you can lend me? 2"
u have got some that are so poor that
am not going to wear them again." said
Nancy, surprised at such an inquiry.
will you lend them to me?"
{ "Of course, Miss; but what would the
likes of you want of such old clothes 2"
q A little fun, that is ALL" said Miss Yer
non. II am going disguise myself, and see
if can't deceive somebody"
With this explanation Nancy was content
and produced the clothes. Miss Vernon put
them on, and in addition borrowed from
another of the servants, a thick green veil,
somewhat the worse for wear, and then set
out on her mission. No one in her dis
guise would have recognized the usually
elegantly dressed heiress, Miss Margaret Yer
non.
Miss Vernon slipped out of. the basement
door and took her way to large store, on
which was inscribed the name William Win
sor in large gilt letters.
She entered, and after awhile clerk spoke
to her in a rough voice 20
." Well, what do you want ?"
want to get some work." she said in
low voice 5u- ~ liza o. n I
80" We can give you some shirts"
- e Anything
\ "a Can you sew well 2n 'fie 1tGElL .
81 think sou 40 TL'f5i3s
~ SAT any rate we will try you.n
70. A half dozen shirts were given to Miss
Vernon, and she was informed that if salts
faeterily done, she would be paid twelve
cents apiece. These she carried home slim
ping in at the back door.
Two hours later the poor woman called
- Here are some shirts for you to make y
said Miss Vernon. - - = :
SO Why; they are the same as have been
making said the woman in surprise.
7i9df"That Is true, and-they came from the
same place" 20 IN
" Am to bring them back there 90
.aaNo, you viii bring them here. I will
pay for the work when done. doubIe the
price youhave been reeeiying.n
THANK you, Miss; you are very kind.n
" Sew them as neatly as possible. wish
s=tQsee- whether they will be rejected as poor
Sworksr X N q. : = 70
inoitsYes, Miss Vernon, 1 will take pains with
them.nA -iidg1os4 dmoI5 - 90
Three days later the poor woman returned
with the work completed Miss Vernon paid
. her for them, and requested her to call again
the next day. laa gc-t N =
See Nancy" said the heiress, after her pro
tege had departed, Il shall wish to borrow
Sourold clothes again."
s5 s's Certainly, Miss said Nancy, aif it i.
rags" '-sN&
mo one will know me, Nancy"