Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-02-16

VOL. xiv. NEW 81
No, said Rachel. We expected him but
he has not come
An We can't tell would he be in on the
evenin thrain?
No, Rachel answered again, Il really
don't know anything about it-l wish did.
We looked for him yesterday, and again
this morning, but some business has de-
tained him, suppose and it is hard to tell
when be will come.
The strangers face fell; be studied the
toe Of his rough boot for minute or two in
silence.
I'm sorry said Rachel
He looked up then, half laughing, though
not very eheerily.
An I'm that same, TOO, though it's me-
self couldn't be sayin' it would do me much
good he was here. Ye see, the paymas-
ter's not been round the long while, an I'm
bothered wild one sayin one thing an an
mother another about bis comm 50 thought
ia iist make bold to ask his honor himself
could he tell me. If he would come in day
or two list, sure I'd wait-thOugh it's hard
waitin'; but seein' all the onsartainty, I'm
thinkin I'd better 20 to Misther Cory, an
be done wild it,
why yes, presume he could tell You as
much about it as any one-as much as my
father could. probably, said Rachel, looking
| pleased at the thought.
The man laughed again-nOt 80 pleasant
ly.
Faith that's the last place Ia be goin'
/ for information thin It's to sell him my
time, | name
Your time, repeated Rachel, little be-
wllderei. Il don't understand. ! thought
| yon had sold your time already-that is,you
/ spent it in working for the railroad com
/ pany. and they paid you for it.
80 they does-or they promises to, which
/ ism always the same thing-axin' your par
ding, Miss added the man, suddenly remem-
/ hering that he was speaking To the Presi-
/ dents daughter. 'Ne see, it's a good while
| comm sometimes, an when the men can {
wait, an' git along without the money. they
/ sells their time-the time they've worked
the bosses count Of the days. that is-to Mr..
/ Cory. lie buys EN-.
Its Just letting them have the money in
advance, and then he gets it afterward from
| the Company, | suppose, Rachel remarked,
;eacchyeiy. Yes think understand.
That's il Mss-wid only the thrihc DIFF
| ference that he don't pay the men but fifty
! cents on the dollar, an he gifts the whole of
/ 1t intirely from the Company, explained the
stranger, with a quiet bitterness that startled
Rachel
She had been standing carelessly by the
| register. but she turned suddenly and fully
| aboat now.
You 90 not mean to tell me that when
the workmen need the money they have
/ earoed, Mr. Cory viii buy their time at only
halt what it is worth-half what has been
| promised them and then himself receive
from the Company the whole amount % she
/ questioned, slowly.
An that IS the truth oft Miss
Takes advantage Of their necessity. and
r0bs their poverty 10 increase his own
/ riches exclaimed Rachel, Indignantly.
| speaking net az all as the polite Railroad
! Presidents daughter, but altogether as a
warm. hearted. truc-hcartcd little woman.
Then he does a cruel. dishonest. c5utempti-
bic, wicked thing-that's all J.
The Stranger eye frightened a little at
! her vehement, utter condemnation, rs If he
/ found some comfort in 1t, albeit only the
poor comfort Of hearing another say what
be scarcely dared say himself
Sure there's many fine one thinks tina.
! only l'sn0 good their sayin' it. But when
they passes the fine big house he's buildin
| they shakes their fists, some Of EN- an more
| of EN- laughs as says owns one of them
fine winiy's; i paid for part Of that ilegant
verandy.
rs built on a fearful fJundation-one
that viii never stand when the floods beat
against it, Rachel answered more 10 herself
than to him.
4 dunno 'bou. that, ma am. he said, not
understanding. Its strong enough it's
looking, ah' Mr. Cory u take mighty good
care of all be gets intil bis fsts. s'plsc d
bether be coln' now an contribute him
another chimney, or sich Ike, be added,
with a sorry attempt at i1cularity.
Rachel watched her visitor with eyes thar
had wisttul carnesmess in them, as he
turned 10 %.
Il wonder, she said, rather uncertainty,
stopping him when his hand was on the
door, 4 wonder how it would do for me to
buy your time?'
An why shouldn't yc, thin, ma am, If
ye likes?'
The good natured Irish face Frightened
sharpened little too, in truth-at hope of
making better bargain with the lady than
would be possible with Mr.. Cory.
| 4 scarcely know whether | can or not,
Rachel proceeded, still somewhat hesitat-
in gIy, for she was as ignorant upon all busi-
ne. matters as the most dey0ut believer in
won. ms disabilities and liabilities could de-
sire. VIII you let me see the account
They went over il together, the great
roupb hard pointing awkwardly, now and
then. to solpe item that needed a word Of ex-
nlanation. while the slender white fingers
turned the paper.
sYe see yezll get the whole Of it from the
YES. rather think / shall, said the
Young lady smiling family at the thought Of
how unlikely 1t was that any one would offer
| her less than full value, even if she wished
| il now sad smile. too, for why should the
pape- have more power in her hand than IL
| this poor workman's, except that his neces
sitv We greater?
50 it, a nice little profit ye Il be maxim
too suggested the stranger, watching hel
with scarcely concealed eagerness for the
terms.
Profit = Rachel recoiled as if one haC
offered live coal for her grasping. i shal
never deal in such profits as that 1t may
be considered good way Of buying time
! but should call it miserably poor way o
Yelling eternity.
More to herself than to her listener she
bs j spoken, but the quick, uncducated BRAN
the warm Irish heart, partially comprehend
ed md the look that fitted over bis fac
told Is much.
.I,7ill take this dollar for dollar, sh
said. I. wing her hand on the paper, and thel
SLOWLY 0unting out the money. 'Forty-on
dollars nd a half, isn't 1t?
He took it almost silently. The volubl
thanks amt blessings, usually SO ready on
Celtic tongue. did not come, neither did an.
tears dim his eyes, but a certain look in then
as be uttered his wonderfully quiet-'l n
sure I'm bleaged to ye ma m'-satisfe
Rachel that he was neither insensible no
ungrateful. she spurned that thought, how
ever. with something Of selEscOrn, the mc
ment the door had closed behind him.
Grateful why should he be for receiyin
! only that which he had fairly earned
the merest act of Justice, and one that COZ
no nothing Are wrong and fraud then 5
common that we should oyerwhelm wit
gratitude fellow creature who Is merel
honest enough to not iniure as 2
There was fush on her cheek, an indll
nsnt fire in her eve, as she paced up an
down the room, feeling as if she must d
something to stop the evil that had come
her knowIedge-this poor little Rachel WI
bad not vet been brought so often face
face with oppression and wrong that she ha
i,.arned the worlds comfortable fashion
taxing others troubles lightly.
Woman wants to know something boI
/ t1e Judge announced Prudence, grimly-
r IN see her myself answered Il
D JUDGES daughter, promptly. She was ava
enine to a new interest IN these people