Middletown transcript., 1869-10-02
Popular Iales.
THE DISGUISED HEIRESS.

Miss Vernon sat thoughtfully at hel
window plunged in deep thought This
need be scarcely wondered at, for the
question upon which she was pondering
affected her nearly,
She was all heiress, having come into
possession, at her majority, Of fifty thou
sand dollars. She was prepossessing in
her appearance, and this as was natural,
as usual, was considerably exaggerated,
and 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 an active, sharp man Of business, He
was of good appearance, and SO far as
could be judged, was good match for the
heiress. Nothing to his prejudice had
come to the ears of Miss Vernon until the
day before, A poor woman had come to
the door in 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 quite spoiled and that
nothing would be paid her for her work ;
but that she might have 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 their work was
unsatisfactory done, when no fault could
reasonably be found.
The sum, small as it was, of which she
had been defraudcd, was all important to
her, as it represented nearly weeks
work
Only dollar and forty -four cents for
a weeks work p exclaimed Miss Vernon,
in dismay.
That's all" said the yoman,
" How, then, do you live ?"
4" 1t can hardly be called living. It's
just barely keeping body and soul togeth-
er," said the woman.
!" And who is this extortioner that first
offers you starvation wages then defrauds
you of them 2" asked Miss Vernon very
Indignantly.
- w llllalH w luSOr.
"Who ?" demanded Miss Vernon, firm
ly, quickly.
II can hardly believe this. I know
the gentleman
1t is true, and if you will investigate
the matter you will find it so,''
81 will investigate the matter. Here
are five dollars for your present needs.
Come here tomorrow at this time, I may
have some work for you to do"
The poor woman departed, invoking
blessings on the hciress.
81 will look into this" said Margaret
Vernon, resolutely, "and, if it proves
true, the engagement between William
Winsor and myself shall be broken. l
will not give myself to such a man,
Nancy" said Miss Vernon the next
to the chambermaid, "haye you
an old dress and shabby cloak and bonnet
you can loan me 2"
" l have got some that are so poor that
am not going to wear them again." said
Nancy, surprised at such an inquiry.
"Will you loan them to me ?''
"Of course, Miss; but what would the
likes of you want with such old clothes 2"
"a little fun, that is all, said Miss
Vernon. ~ am going to disguise my
self, and see if I can't deceive somebody"
With this explanation Nancy was con-
tent and produced the clothes. Miss Ver-
non put them on, and in addition, bor-
rowed 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 elegant and rickly dressed
heiress, Miss Margaret Vernon.
Miss Vernon slipped out Of the base
ment 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 while clerk
spoke to her in rough voice.
swell, what do you want ?"