Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1869-03-31
TIE DISGUISED NEIREss.

Miss Vernon sat thoughtfully at her win,
dow plunged deep III thought. This need
be scarcely wondered at, for the question
upon which she was pondering affected hel
nearly.
She was an heiress, having come into
possession, at her majority, of fifty thous-
and dollars. She was prepossessing in he1
appearance, and this, as was natural, added
to the report of her wealth, which, as usu-
al, was considerably exaggerated, brought
her suitors in plenty. Among them she
made choice of William Winsor, and in a
few weeks they were to be married.
| William was engaged in the wholesale
clothing business, and had the reputation
of sharp, active man OF business. He
was of good appearance, and so far as
could be judged, was 4 good match even
for the heiress Nothing to his prejudice
had come to the ears of Miss Vernon, un-
til the day before. A poor woman had
come to the door in evident poverty, and
asked for relief. On being questioned, she
said that she had been making 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 no
thing would be paid her for her work ; but
that see 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
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
had been defrauded, was all important to
her, rs it represented nearly a weeks
| work.
"Only dollar and forty cents for a
weeks work - exclaimed Miss Vernon in
dismay.
That's all, " said the poor woman.
| "How, then, do you live 2"
'sIt can hardly be called living. It's
just barely keeping body and soul togeth-
er,' said the poor woman.
4
offers you starvation wages, and then de-
frauds you even of them ?" asked Miss
Vernon, Indignantly.
civilian Winsor."
II can hardly believe this know that
gentleman" 81.
ut is true, and if you will investigate
the matter, you will find it to be so"
II will investigate the matter. Here is
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.
Il will look into this, said Margret Yer
non, resolutely, and if it proves true the
| engagement between William Winsor and
myself shall be broken. [ will not give
| myself to such a 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 ?"
Il have got some that are so poor that |
| am lot going to wear them again, said
Nancy, surprised at such an inquiry.
''Win you lend them to me ?"
"Of course, Miss but what would the
likes of you want of such clothes ?"
"a little fun that is all, said Miss Yer
non. II am going to disguise myself, and
see if I can't deceive somebody" ..-.
With this explanation Nancy was con-
tent, and produced the clothes. Miss Yer
| non put them on, and in addition borrow
| ed 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 us
ually elegantly dressed heiress, Miss Mar
garet Vernon ..,. ....
Miss Vernon slipped out of the basement
door and took her way to n large store, on
which was inscribed the name OF William
Winsor in large gilt letters.
She entered and after a while n clerk
| spoke to her in a rough voice:
"Wel what do you want ?"
'I want to get some work" she said in a
low voice.
'TWe can give you some shirts"
Anything"
"Can you sew well ?"
'I think So"
s'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 apiece. These she carried home
slipping in at the back door.
Two hours later the poor woman called
''Here are some shirts for you to make, 1"
said Miss Vernon. .1a
"Why, they are the same as have been
making" said the woman in surprise.
''That is true, and they came from the
same place" t,
cam to bring them back there ~
'tNo, you will bring them here. will
pay for the work, when done, double the
price you have been receiving"
Thank you, Miss you are very kind"
EGCo,- ill.,, n, ,,a,t1-y no ,,oog,l,Ia T ,1-;el