The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-08

she hadn't but one gown to her back when
she went away.
"Well, she got a good place, and she
worked straight along, and sent home
money = seven hundred dollars - and
cleared off the mortgage, and took deed
Of the place in her own name to make
sure against accidents. That was six years
ago og more, and to to-day you would
never know it was the same place. The
house is all fixed up, and there's new furn-
iture in it, and the deacon's as chirk as o
cricket, and proud of Lymp, you'd better
believe"
ale ought to be-" said Middleton
heartily.
"Didn't l tell you z" asked the other
triumphantly. "And that amt half. She
hires girl to wait on her mother, and
she's sent the younger children to school
she never had any chance for schoolin'
herself-and then You see that boy
back there with herlh
"Yes, ] noticed him."
"Well, that's her brother John; all the
boy the deacon ever had. He's seventeen,
and smart. Lymp's putin him through
college, going to make doctor of him,
she says"
"she is a noble girl"
"Well, she's got the grit. You can't
discourage her. She's bound to laugh
right through everything; and that kind
always have good luck. Not proud neither,
though she's got money in the bank, and
can afford to have things nice now. Some
difference" he continued, proudly, with a
backward gesture, "between that velvet
cloak and the day | took her to the Falls
with only one dress. All bought with
her own earnings too"
Middleton did not smile: he felt re-
buked. Even the velvet cloak and dress
hat In the stage. coach became respectable
to him in connection with that cheerful,
courageous, unselfish spirit. If the girl
had pleasure in these things, why should
she not enjoy themi The driver went on,
lowering his voice to a tone still more
confidential tone.
The coach stopped to let Off four log
drivers, and Middleton gladly awaited him
self of the seat they vacated, 1t being
more sheltered from the cold wind than
the high one he had been occupying. This
movement brought him face to face with
the owner Of the laugh, and he could not
help surveying her with glance of curl.
osity.
The road was in frightful condition.
Sometimes the wheels on one side sank to
the hubs in soft mud, while those on the
ether were tilted up on snow-dritt. The
olts and lurches were as painful as alarm
| ing and Middleton in his weak state
could hardly endure them. llo leaned
back and closed his eyes, but the deadly
pallor of his face betrayed his suffering.
In moment pleasant voice addressed
him. 1t was the factory-girl, who said,
"You do not seem well, Sir. Perhaps
1t Is disagrecable to you to ride backward.
You arc welcome to my scat, II you
like to change" ..l
"You are very kind" said Middleton,
surprised. "The seat is very well, be.
lievo: only l have been Ill, and the road
is rough"
"why, it is dreadful for q sick person,
Pray take this thick shawl of mine.
| | am sure you could make yourself more
comfortable with it,
"Tllank you very much; but | would
rather not deprive You OF It,"
az do not need it, Sir; my cloak Is
very warm; and you can make yourself a
pillow of IT, Please take II !" and she
leaned forward and arranged the shawl
herself in manner SO comfortable as TO
be Its own recommendation. He had not
energy to demonstrate further, but leaned
back and again closed his eyes, thinking
the while how very handsome hers were,
and what Il genteel touch she had.
lie lay thus for some time, paying little
heed to anything but after while his
attention was attracted by the talk of those
in front OF him. The pale woman with
tho baby was questioning Miss Tucker
concerning Lowell and its factories. She
had timid, nervous manner, and spoke
softly, as If frightened at tile sound Of
her own voice. She had evidently
been pretty once, but now her face had a
weary hopeless look, which touched Mid
dleton's sympathies. Miss Tucker All
swered her questions with ready good na-
ture, soon drawing from her the fact that
she was on her way to Lowell in the hope
of finding employment. -
"EIave you any friends in that city"
she presently asked.
'.No.n
~ But what will you do with your baby
| IL you work in the mills |"
"I thought perhaps could get some
one to look after him, If l had the luck to
find work.
!" Haven't you any friends where you
come from that would take him-your
own folksl"
aNo'-rather hesitatingly. "Ihayen't
any folks-at least they don't care for me
now"
They rumbled and iolted along, the road
growing more difficult with every mile,
till, indeed 1t was nearly impossible.
But discomfort and annoyance only
seemed to bring out Lymp Tucker In
greater strength. She laughed merrily
at each fresh mishap, rallied the old lady
out of her fears, and helped her to
straighten her smashed bonnet, which had
come to grief from the jolting stage; she
loked away her brothers Ill hqmor, and
produced from her sacliel an orange which
quietel the crying baby, and gave its
weary mother brief rest. Her unfailing
good.humor and cheerfulness had an Of.
feet upon all; even Harvev partly forgot
his weariness in the lively talk In which
she engaged him. She cliatted with per
feet frankness and some disregard of gram.
mar rules; but the quick wit and the
shrewd comlhon.sense she displayed made
amends for much.
Al last, in going down long hill, the
| lanInnArnrl,n ,rhirh tha old Indy had hann