The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-12
kind and gentlemanly that I felt to trust

man there they stood and talked some,
and l could not hear what they said
At last he told me the arrangements
were all made. I could have my work
sent up to me, and I could do it in my
room. If 1 was lonesome, l could sit
with the other girls who boarded there,
and that he would come in and show me
about my work and see how l got along.
l was so pleased, everything seemed
made easy for me, aud my hopes were so
bright. L met at the table several richly
dressed girls, who we're pleasant to me.
o, how | longed to be able to dress like
them, and how poorly looked my shabby
country dress, and 1 thought as soon as
l had earned some money, would pur-
chase ;eweiry and ribbons, and make
myself look as fue as they did.
"In the evening Mr.. - came and
brought me bundle of work and offered
to advance part of my pay, as lie sup
posed l would wish to make so1e addi-
tious to my wardrobe. He drew from
ME my story. All my past was given
to him without reserve. Then he spoke
hopefully for the future said he knew
l should get along nicely, and promised
to be my friend always. He asked
Madam - to go shopping with me.
We went, aud soon spent all my mo-
ney without getting half wanted. She
said "Oh, I'll let you have some, you
can soon make enough to pay; you
ought to fix up and not look so country
fed, Mr.-will be ashamed of you
"She suggested what l needed, made
the selections and paid for them"
II had no idea of money or its value,
aud thought could soon pay her"
II didn't get on much with my work
for was anxious to make up my own
new things. When Mr--came, he
said l needn't mind for they we're not
hurried and could take my own time.
L enjoyed arraying myself in my new
garments, for I had never had anything
before except what was made over froo
some ones cast off clothes. Madam said
| was the haudsomest girl she had
boarding with her, aud told me / would
make sensation among the girls and
their company, if 1 would come down
stairs evenings. 1 expressed my surprise
at the conduct of some, but was told 1
was green aud didn't understand city
manners. Mr.. - took me out to ride
and made me beautiful presents. Can
you see how I soon came to worship
him? 1t seemed to me I only lived
when he was with me. He was older
than l, and so wise and good l thought.
Dcar lady, do you wonder | fell, when |
was so ignorant, and oh, I loved and
trusted him SO much. l u't.remeuber
as | even thought about the wickedness,
until l said something to girl one day
that provoked her and she called me
dreadful name. l denied the charge,
and then she asked the others what they
thought Aud one of them, who envied
me my beauty, went over with all the
time had beer stopping there strip
ping off the coloring and sentiment with
which had endowed the few brief
weeks into which had been crowded all
:he love and happiness I had known
since my mothers death, and leaving
just the hard bare facts, as they looked
at things. | told her [ would tell
Mr.-and he would take me some
where else. She advised me TO, and
said, sharply, You'll soon cut your eye
teeth, l reckon Oh how much |
suffered until he came, but twas moth
ing to the agony endured afterwards.
He told me if was going to be 80
foolish he should not comSncar me
a gain, and he was auc,y with me for
crying and moaning so. 1 thought !
would 20 home and die, for it seemed
to me my heart would break soon.
"I told Madam was going away !;
but she called me names and said |
owed her great deal OF money; and l
could not 90 away until it was paid"
ado you think girls like me come
down to this, without struggleI l tell
YOU (and she tried to raise herself up)
tb ere is no other way when theyonce heve
sinned l tried to get work but couldn't.
I could not leave Madam's for she kept
some one watching me all the time, had
she threatened to give me up to the
law. 1 was sick with all the worry and
begun to look poor and pale. The girls
tainted me with my troubles he never
came, neither would he see me if weut
down to his store; and that was the
bitterest of all, for l begun see he had
never loved me. When | had to be-
lieve that got desperate and reckless,
and l didn't care what l did. have
been so awful wicked. I don't think
you can guess even how bad I've been !;
but there has been no comfort 10 it. L
did it because there was no other way:
Ever 50 many times I've thought |
would poison myself, aud | would if l
had known he would have heard OF it
and mourned for ne. For l loved him
through it all; and I 'ove him now
You wonder, / know, but I do. aud |
have bis picture here upon my heart, l
want it buried there. I have no: seen
him for long time. Did tell you,
Madam drove me away from her house
after a while, and l had to come here !;
tits an awful place, but Clara has been
good to me aud let me stay, though she
knew she would never get any pay. l
heard one time that he is going to be
married to beautiful lady. IF she is
good she would be sorry for me, but she
IN e .hn lnuan