Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-12-01
The Distinguished IIcire>s.

s.-.-
The Distinguished lleire>s.
Mis- Vernon sat thoushttuly at her win.
dow plunged in deep thought This need
scarcely be wondered at ior the question up.
ON which she was pondcriug, affected her
deeply
She was am heiress, having come into pos
session at majority, of fifty thousand dollars
She was prepos.essing 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
Wusor aud in few weeks they were to be
married
William was engaged in the wholesale
clothing trade, aud had the reputation Of
sharp active man of business He was Of
good appearance, and so far as could be judy
ed was match for the hciress Nothing to
his prejudice had come 10 the cars of Miss
Vernon, until the day before \ poor wo-
man had come to the door Ia evident poverty,
and asked for relief On being questioned, she
said she had been employed in making shirts
at twelve cents apiece for wholesale dealers
that after making 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 drm made money out Of poor
women, by pretending that the work was un-
satisfactorily done, when really no fault could
reasonably be found with it,
The sum- small as it was, Of which she had
been dciraudcd, was all important to her, as
II represented nearly a week = work
Only dollar aud lorty-four cents for a
weeks work 90 exclaimed Miss Vernon in dis
may.
That's all, said the poor woman.
".llow, then, do you live ?"
SIS II can hardly be called living. 1t is
just barely keeping body and soul together, -
replied the poor woman
And who is this extortioner who first Of
( TIERS YOU starving wages, and then deffmls
you out Of them p asked Miss Vernon, indig-
nantly.
\ William Wmsor.9
Who p demanded Miss Vernon, quick
\ ly.
/ William Winsorn
" can hardly believe this. | know the
gentleman"
1t is true, and if you will investigate the
matter, you will find it to be so.
igW 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 blcs'-
I ing- upon the heiress.
| will look into this, said Margaret Yer
non, rcsolutey, and if it proves true, the
engagement between William Winsor and
myself will be broken viii not give my
self to such man
" Nancy said Miss Vernon the next morn
ing to the chAmbermaid, have you an old
dress and shabby cloak and bonnet that you
can lend me ?'
" have some that are SO poor that am
not going to wear them again, said Nancy
surprised at such an inquiry.
" VIII you lend them to me p
"Of course, Miss; but what would the
A likes of you want Of such old clothes ?"
"a little fun, that is all, " said Miss Yer
non. " am going 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 of another
of the servants 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 elegantly dressed heir.
ess, Miss Margare; Vernon
Miss Vernon slipped out Of the basement
door, and took her way to a largo store, on
which was inscribed the name Of William
Winsor in large gilt letters.
She entered, and after awhile clerk spol;,
to her in a rough voice
Well, what do you want?"
" want to get some work, she replied il
a low voice.
We eau give you some shirts
" Anything
Can you sew well 3'
" | think so.
Atany rate we will try YOU"
/, A half dozen shirts were given to Mis-,
Vernon, aud she was Informed, il satislactor
lily done, she would be paid twelve cents
apiece. These she carried home, slipping il
at the back door.
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 boei
making" said the woman in surprise.
That is true, and they came from tn,
same place"
" Am | to bring thom back thero2 2"
No You will bring them here. | viii
| pay you for the work when done double tn
price you have been receiving"
" Thank you, Miss you are very kind"
A" Sew them as neatly as possible. | wisl
to see whether they win be rejected as poo
: work.
Yes, Miss Vernon, will take pain
with them"
Three days later the poor woman returne'
with the work completed. Miss Vernon pal,
her for them, and requested her 80 call tn
next day.
" Nancy" said the heiress, after her pro
tege had departed" " shall wish to borrow
,, your old clothes again"
Certainly, Miss said Nancy, il i
is not ashamed ye are to appear in sucl
rags"
No one will know NO. Nancy
Sure, Miss, you can have them whenever
) you like"
| don't think | shall need them again
but | thank you all the same"
Not long afterwards Miss Vernon, in ho
shabby disguise, entered the establishment o
: Of William Winsor, with the bundle Of shirt