Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-11-02

The sunlight of Heayen's perfect day
|
Alice Cray,
----s.'-.~-ss.is4oR- --{
A Working Girls Story.
I can remember the time wher
work was a dull meaningless wort
to me; when fond, doting parents
surrounded me with every luxury
possible to conceive, for my father
was considered a wealthy man, and
the magnificent house and grounds
costly carriages and numerous ser
wants, certainly betoken the asser
lion "what a careless happy life
lei" till suddenly my parents were
both stricken down by a violent
epidemic, and 1 was left an orphan
at the age of seventeen. l shudder
even now, as memory recalls that
desolate period, and the bitter feel
ings that surged over me, when the
full consciousness of my be.eave-
ment forced itself upon me.
My fathers only brother was sum
moned from New York, and to his
care and love, my father had con-
signed me. Iacannot say l fancied
my uncle. He was stern, silent
man, very unlike my father, but
there was q look of sadness upon
his face that won my pity, and ]
tried to like him for my fathers
sake. ..-5-..
After the funeral, my uncle, by in
vestigation, found. that we had been
living far beyond our means, and
that in consequence we were serious
ly involved in debt. This was an
unexpected calamity too me, and ii
is no wonder my face blanched with
sudden fear, as l listened to my un.
Gle, for the knowledge of my wealth
made the thought of living in my
uncle's family bearable. One thing
| resolved upon; l would not be de-
pendent upon my uncle's bounty
either for my support, or the pay
meat of our debts. Every cent
determined to pay as soon as 1 could
.,onorably earn it. The house, and
everything of any value, was sold,
and after distributing the proceeds
among the creditors, we departed
for New York. -...
My uncle lived on Avenue,
in magnificent house, elegantly
furnished with everything art could
devise or wealth procure, and yet
there was a chilling, inhospiLable
look about everything that pe'-
tanned to it. a.n.
My aunt met US in the hall, as we
entered, and after salutiug my I'M
Gle, greeted me with few polite
words of welcon which quite put
to fight the pretty little speech l
lad prepared to make on the o occa-
sion, and brought the hot tears OF
disappointment to my eyes, but for
cling them proudly back, l turned to
meet my cousin Mabel. l had heard
my mother often speak of her beau
ty, but | was wholly unprepared for
the vision of loveliness before Inc,
and stood gazing like one spell
bound. No pen can describe the
deep violet eyes, the softly tinted
cheeks, or the long, golden hair, that
fell in countless curls over the white
shoulders. She was of medium
height, and could not have been
more than eighteen, and might have
passed for much younger. If any
tn ng, she met me less cordially
than her mother, merely remarking
that looked tired, and had better
be shown to my room.
My aunt rang the bell, and when
the servant appeared, was con-
Quoted to small. but pleasant apart
ment on the third floor. When l
was alone I gave vent to my feel
ings, ana wept long and bitterly, till
remembering / must soon appear at
d ''reT, tried to bathe away ali
traces of my tears, but it was of no
use; my eyes were red and swollen,
making my face, which was never
pretty, look absolutely ugly. The
mirror reflected a clear, but pale
co. p e ON, wcll-formed head,
covered with bands of black, glossy
hai", and large, deep grey eyes, an
ordinary looking girl, certain.
The dinner bell interrupted my
criticism, and hurriedly finishing
my toilet, I descended to the dining
room, where the family were already
assembled, with ayoung gentleman,
who was introduced to me as DIR.
Clifford. / liked him at once, there
was something so kind and genial
about him. He was a handsome
man, too-tall and well proportion
ed, with an abundance of brown,
wavy hair, which clustered about a
broad, white forehead. The eyes,
too, were brown and expansive,
while the month was singular COM
binatioh of gentleness and power.
He was free and easy in his man.
ners, addressing his remarks to one
and then another, till even my aunt's
proud face relaxed, and smile how
cred about the lips, as if in fear Ol
being detected. The evening passed
pleasantly, and after his departure
introduced the subject of self-sup-
port. At first my uncle opposed it,
but Mrs. Gray SO warmly favored it,
he promised to consider it, and give
me bis opinion in a few days. But
l was not idle. / looked among the
advertisements in the daily papers
every morning, but not finding any
thing that reached my case, l deter
mined to visit several publishing
houses and see if could not pro
cure some copying to do. So ac-
cordingly, one day, / started with
confident hopes of a situation be,
fore night, and in imagination l saw
the heavy debt paid with my earn
ings. The first place on my list
entered, with not a little trepidation
and made known my GRAND. Very
kindly was my request listened to
and just as kindly l was Informed
that they had no need of my ser