The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-06-24
TME DISGUISED IIEIREss.

This need scarcely be wondered at, for
the questions upon which she was
pondering affected her deeply.
She was IN heiress, having come in
to possession, ut her majority, of fifty
thousand dollars. She was prepos-
sessing in her appearance, and this,
as was natural, added to the report Of
her wealth, which, rs usual, was con-
siderably exaggerated, brought her
suitors in plenty. Among them she
made choice of William Winsor, and
in few weeks they were to be mar
ried.
William was engaged in the whole
sale clothing trade. and had the repu-
tation OF sharp, active man Of busi-
ness. He was of good appearance
and SO far as could be judged was a
match even for the heiress. Nothing
to his prejudice had come to the err
of Miss VerIion, until the day before
A poor woman had come to the door
in evident poverty, and asked for re-
lief. On Icing questioned, she said
she had been employed in making
shirts ut twelve cents apiece for whole
sale dealears-that after making doz-
en- and carrying them to the store, she
had been roughly told that they were
spoiled. and nothing would be paid
her for her work; but she might have
some more if she agreed 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 az it was, of which
she had been defrauded, was all i'm
portant to her, as it represented Lear
ly weeks work.
"Only dollar and forty-four cents
for weeks work. exclaimed Miss
Vernon in dismay.
That's all, said the poor woman
How, then. do you live p
''It can hardly be called living. II
is just barely keeping soul and body
together"
And who is ibis extortioner, that
first offers you starving wages, and
then defrauds you out Of thein?" asked
"William Winsor"
"Who?" demanded Miss Vernon
quickly.
William Winsoi."
Il can hardly believe this. I know
the gentleman.
lit is true, and il you investigate
the matter, you will find it to be the
truth"
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 Marga-
ret Vernon, resolntely, land il it
proves true, the engagement between
William Winsor and myself shall be
broken. l will not give myself to such
q man."
Nancy" said Miss Vernon, the
next morning to the chambcrmaid,
''have you an old dress and shabby
cloak and bonnet that you can lend
me?"
II have some that are SO poor that
l am not going to wear them again, "
said Nancy, surprised at such an in
quiry.
"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 is all" said Miss
Vernon. II am going to disguise my
sell, and see if l 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
servants thick green veil, somewhat
the worse for wear, and then set out
on her mission. No one in her dis
guise would have recognized the usa-
ally elegantly dressed heiress, Miss
Margaret 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 awhile clerk
spoke to her in a rough voice:
"Well, what do you want?"
"I want to get some work." she re-
piled in low voice.
1--WE can give you some shirts"
Anything
"Can you sew well?"
81 think so"
CAT any rate, we will try you."
A half dozen shirts were given to
Miss Vernon, and she was informed,
if satisfactorily 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. fs'a
"Here are some shirts for you to
make, said Miss Vernon.
"Why, they are the same as I have
been making" said the woman in sur
prise. - ' o-
."That is true, and they came from
the same place.
'Am ] to bring them back there?"
mo. You will bring them here. I
will pay you for the work when done,
double the price you have been receiv-
ing"
7.Thank you, Miss; you are very
kind"
"Sew them as neatly as possible. I
wish to see whether they will be re-
iected as poor work 49,