Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-01
The Disguised Heiress;
Or
TESTING A SUITOR.

helresS, preposSeSslng III appearance,
and, as natural, had suitors in plenty.
Among them she made choice of VIM.
Winsor, and in few weeks they were
to be married.
William was engaged in the whole
sale clothing business, and had the
reputation of sharp, active man of
business. 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 pow
erty, and asked for relief. On being
questioned, she said she had been en-
ployed in making shirts at twelve cts.
a piece for wholesale dealers; that,
after making a dozen and carrying
them to the store, she had been rough
ly told that they were spoiled, and
that nothing would be paid for her
work, but that she might have some
more, if she would agree to do 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 work was unsatisfac-
torily done, when really no fault could
reasonably be found with it.
"Only a dollar and forty cents for
a weeks work p exclaimed Miss Yer
non in dismay.
That's al" said the poor woman.
How. then, do you live ?"
a 1t can't hardly be called living
It's just keeping body and soul to-
gether," said the poor woman.
And who is this extortioner that
offers you starvation wages, and then
defrauds you of even them p asked
Miss Vernon Indignantly.
William Winsor."
Who?" demanded Miss Vernon,
quickly.
William Winsor."
Il can hardly believe this. l know
the gentleman"
1T is true; and, if you will inves-
tigatc the matter, you will find it to be
so.
q will investigate the natter
Here are five dollars for your present
needs. Come here tomorrow at this
time, and | may have some work for
you to dc"
The poor woman departed, invoking
blessings upon the young heiress.
will look into this" said Marga-
ret Vernon resolutely " and if it is
true, the engagement between myself
and VIM. Winsor shall be broken"
Nancy" said Miss Vernon, the
next morning to the chambermaid,
have you any old dress and shabby
cloak and bonnet that you can lend
me ?"
" | 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 ?"
"A little fun, that's all, ," said Miss
Vernon; am going to disguise my
self, and see if | can't deceive some
body"
With this explanation Nancy was
content, and produced the clothes
Miss Vernon put them on, and in ad.
dition borrowed of another of the SER
wants 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
dressed heiress, Miss Vernon.
Miss Vernon slipped out of the base
! ment door and took her way to a large
store, on which was inscribed the
name William Winsor in large gilt
letters.
She entered, and after a while a
clerk spoke to her in rough voice:
= Well, what do you want?"
: | want to get some work" she
: SAID, IN low voice.
"We can give you some shirts"
Anything"
= Can you sew well ?"
i Il think so"
;; ;; At any rate, we will try you"
A half dozen shirts were given to
Miss Vernon, and she was informed
: that if satisfactorily done, she would
Il be paid twelve cents a piece. These
+ she carried. home, slipping in at the
: back door.
Two hours later the poor woman
e called.
:. Here are some shirts for you to
make, said Miss Vernon.
& Why, they are the same kind as
{ have been makingv said the woman
= in surprise.
c That is true, and they come from
Il the same place"
e "Am | to bring them back there ?
q No; you will bring them here.
Il will pay for the work when done -
l. double the price you have been recei
P wing"
r Thank you, Miss; you are very
% kind"
q /" Sew them as neatly as possible
ST wish to see whether they will be re
s jected as poor work"
Is Yes, Miss Vernon; | will tax,
IS pains with them"
Is Three days later the poor woman
e, returned with the shirts completed
10 Miss Vernon paid her for them, ant
g. requested her to call again next day.
IN Nancy" said the heiress, after he
er protege had departed, 81 wish to Dor
OF row your old clothes again"
TO Certainly, Miss" said Nancy, il
it is not ashamed you are to appear i
such rags"
h. "No one will know me, Nancy"
ee Sure, Miss, you can take ther
n whenever you like"
ly "I don't think | shall need ther
D. again, Nancy, but thank you all tn
to same"
ce Not long afterwards Miss Vernon i
n her shabby disguise, entered the e;
tabliShment of William Winsor, wit
re the bundle of shirts under her arm
ne She went to the counter and laid ther
he down.
What have you got there ?" d.
ed manded pert young clerk.
ut "Some work, sir" said Miss Vel
non, humbly.
s.. "Well. why don't you open the buI
N do ~ cold tho vounr mon ,,;ok;noy h