Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-06-03


could be relied on or not mot q bit Lit.
Brown stone fronts, Wilton carpets, full
length mirrors, vclvetS and satins, are no
crterious of honesty, let mo tell you.
Why,n said she, "you know Mt,
don't you?" mentioning gentleman ex-
tensivoly known in political and literary
circles.
"Oh, yes; well' l replied.
Then YOU know what kind OF an es-
tabishment he keeps. Mrs. en-
gagged me-or, rather. requested my SER
vices for month. stated my tcrms be-
fore took my things off. She laughed
in myhcc."
why" said she, chow ridiculous!
shouldn't suppose you would find any EN-.
ployment at all if you are as suspicious
of everybody rs this"
AFTER long talk agreed to work for
her by the week--that is, to receive my
pay at the end of each week. Ny break
fast at this establishment consisted oftwo
slice, Of stale bread and cup of coffee
you could see forty fathoms in; at noon.
two more slices of bread. two potatoes,
and sometimes piece Of corned beef or
ham; and for supper. what do you think?
"a bowl OF oatmeal Cruel and couple
of crackers. My meals were served to
me in the sewing room. l had no means
OF knowing whether the family lived in
this manner or not. Well, tho week
came TO an end at last, and waited for
my lady to behaving made up my
mind, after receiving my money, that !
would inform her that l should not come
again, and why. Ny stomach was SO
faint before night that | was all of trem.
bic. Seven O'Clock, eight o'clock, and no
one came near me, finally rang the
| bell and servant informed Inc that Mr..
aud Mri.---had gone to Staten Island,
TO remain over the Sabbath. Monday
morning was there nj the usual time.
Mrs about eight o'clock.
She sailed in:o the sewing room, where |
sat with my bonnet and shawl GA"
why, what is tho matter, that You arc
not mt work ?" she inquired.
You did not settle with me, rs YOU
agreed, Saturday evening. replied; and
| am waiting for my money
"Oh. pshaw she laughed, what 4 par
ticuar little body you are to be sure.
Why, child, what do you think-ihat |
mean to cheat you out OF your honest
wagcs?"
Il don't think anything about it, Mad
am, answered. beginning to grow yexed
with the cool impudence of her manner;
never speculate on such subjects. You
agreed to pay me Saturday evening for
my week work you did not fulfil your
contract, and now hope YOU will sec the
necessity Of attending to it at once"
"Well. WE'LL she replied, go on with
your worl, aud will make it all right
when Mr.--comcs home"
Nov what could do? If refused
TO comply the probabilities were that he
would never pay me cent; and il did
rs she desired | might get my money
although confess it looked exceedingly
dubious. So seated my self again at
my work, and went on with the old pro.
gramme, or, rather, bill of fare--stalc
bread, potatoes and oatmeal Six O'clock
arrived; Madam did not make her appear
ance. Madam, | was informed, after
ringing again for n servant, had been
out for more than IN hour, and would not
be back until late-somcbody in upper
tendon having reception.
There is nothing for you to do she
continued, but to 60 home,' and il was n
bitter pill TO swallow, can tell you; for
| needed the money badly, on account of
having a sister down sick with the inilam-
matory rheumatism, and while | was out
to work was compelled to hire some one
To take care of her. When | went home
that night had not fifty cents in the
world. We were out of coal, out of
candles, out of everything, and my poor
little sister groaning with pain. hadn't
single friend ofwhom could borrow 4
| Il A ell la1 Al
only remnant Of past luxury, and which
had kept through all reversos-I hid
under my shawl, so that my sister needn't
be the wiser for it, and marched to tho
nearest pawnbroker's shop. l received
FIVE dollars on it, and yellow ticket,
which made my blood turn cold in my
veins to look at. The next day, about
noon, presented myself at the office OF
Mr.---, the husband OF the woman
who had failed to pay me. | had con-
siderable difficulty in getting an audience
"Wcll, young woman said he, in an
distracted sort Of manner, what can do
for you?"
81 told him, as concisely as possible
the history OF my grievances.
"Humph' he grunted. and then gave
me quizzical, half gralifcd look, which
scarcely understood.
"Humph well yes; you have done
very proper thing" and he commenced
to count out the amount
"Mark my words, young woman; you
will always find that your best friends
are among the men. Women never can
| be business -likc.-it isn't i'm .em,