The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-09-23
. - Selfrt Story.
l. A NJ E IL E T T Y.

am the foreman in large hosier's
establishment in New York. I am forty
years old, and | never was particularly
handsome to look at. I don't suppose
my manners are especially fascinating
either, for the girls mostly call me, am
given to understand, "Old' Cfusty," and
"Bear." Not that l mean to be cross,
but some people haven't the agreeable
ways of others.
have sat behind the tall desk in Tape
Il Buttonbelrs nineteen years. I've
seen good many CURIOUS phases of life
within that time; but the mustcnious
Of all happened to myself personally
and that is precisely what l am going to
tell you about & e'fcT g3t
Dennison has charge of the outdoor
department; and he came in,on' that wet
drizzly February evening,to stand by
the cheerful fire in my room. We had
not lighted the gas yet; the press and
hurry of the work was over for the day
and it was very quiet and pleasant in thu
red shine of the fire. / was sitting or
my tall stool, biting the feather end OF
quill pen, and Misunderstanding of
scarce know, what. -, x. .,.,..,o
"What has happened now" I said.
''Its Lame Hetly," replied Dennison
1.-TWO rolls of work missing, and Hetty
declares she brought 'em here
laid down the goose quill Lame
Hetty had been in my thoughts, some
how, in all that rainy twilight, just as
people and things will take possession Q
your brain at times, and you can't helE
yourself. A softreyed, ow-voiced girl
who walked with prutch, and Away:
wore delicate grays and dove colors.
knew her from the throng because of tn,
"tap tap" of her crutch, and used al
ways to speak to her when I saw he
standing in the long line of girls wht
waited, on Saturday, night, to deliye
their work and receive their pay.
"Ten dollars worth Of shirts" salt
Denrison; s'order shirts, too, and tha
makes it worse I'm sorry for the girl
she had a pretty face Of her own, and
always liked her; but Of course it's ne
cessary to stand by rules. Loses her de
post, and no more work" i -" rsi
"But suppose she pays for the missin!
work ?" s' 2i''li'. esEna fa
at isn't. likely she'll do that" salt
Dennison. s'This sort Of girl seldon
has ten dollars saved up." H3dife :
81 don't believe it's her fault, Denni
son" insisted l. II
"She's responsible, isn't she p }Hi
eyes, but" a'.i't3 III sai =
Just then Mr.. Buttonbell came in will
a great order in his hand from Ne1
Orleans house looked at It. s'at'
"We shah have tight pull of it, sir
to execute this,' said l dubiously. sgS
"But it mast be executed" said he
put on all your hands. Turn . on fu|
head of steam. 1t won't do to let Pee
& Pattison 60 to any other place" 20
| And he hustled away @ r. 5.sE-
"Very unfortunate" said Dennison :
Lame Hetty was one of our best hands
Hetty Dorrance came the next morn
ing as usual, to receive work; and sh
had ten dollar bank note in her hand.
"Some kind friend has sent me this t
pay for the lost rolls of work, sir" sal
said she to me. Il t7ia s..t 2fel bai
you're in luck, Hetty," said I, frowr
ing over a long list of figures, and tr,
ing not to blush under the earnest gaz
of her soft brown eyes.
4 "And I'm much-oh, so much oblis
ed to him, whoever he is," she added j
a low tone. "But can't use it unless
unless you think 1 am innocent 5i7
"Of course l do" said /, looking u
at the quiver of her voice 81 don't u
lieve you would take pin, Hetty.d I'v
known you for four years, and / believ
you are good girl. It's, an awkwar
mistake somewhere but there's not ms
ny mistakes, my girl, but what Heave
clears mp in its own good time. No
take your place in line; there's no tin
to be lost this morning" 9!]i .ii''7
So the matter was settled; but som,
how a cloud rested on Lame Hetty.-
!, Those who had been fast friends bcfol
avoided her now; the coarser.minde
whispered and giggled when the "taE
tap" OF. her crutch sounded on I'll
floor. a'ia ta5 ef7a sd
"Qh, Mr.. Harvey" said poor Hett
one dav, when Judy Warren, the proud
est and prettiest Of our work girls, ha
declined to respond to her modest bow
cts very, very hard to bear" 5sa
"Wait, Hetty; only watt" SAID
cheerily 2 iutiEFs 20 bva-l
"But it is breaking my heart said sh
.They all think am a thief" a r..
81. don't, Hetty."'' "''lsisq1 : 3
yt.I know that, sir. ! should drow
nyseR,if at least one person in the worl
didn't thiuk Iwas innocent" lb bl.!
The winter wore itself away The b.
sy season was succeeded by one Of con
i. parGtive dullness; and among the hand
struck of the list was Hetty Dorrance.
"Once thief always thief,'' said ol
Jones, the cutter. 'I'd just as soon thu
girl shouldn't work for u.s." q,.i c.t.
II would stake my honor that she
no thief, Mr., Jones." said I, hotly.
"Well," retorted the old man cautious
ly, ''i.'s necessaryotO curtail the list a Ii
tie, and it may as we'll be Hetty as an
one."'a ,fa so.s..,..,
But Hetty Dorrance, never came
learn her doom Day after day went BY
and tie familiar tap of her Icrutch, sour
ded no more on the floor, l grew III
easy,iu.s{ rss.- 3... 6..-.,a.
f"Perhaps she is ll-alone-in want
l thought ss .qe
Aud the more / pondered on the ma
ter the more uneasy I felt, .ga rfrr
perhaps she is dead afr i..
FTAnd with that last eyerwhelmin
thought came the full revelation of N
own heart. ,a Uam s.a aJ.
l had grown to love Hetty Dorranc'
Well. why not3 could afford wi
as we'll as most men. Hetty was only
; work girl, and lame also; but She had
, face like one OF. heavens angels, and
heart as white as a lily OF that / fe
) certain. loved her-why should l nc
marry her? @ ss sH.-. ...I..
So sat down and wrote hel littl
note, saying simply that loved her r,an
asking her if she could consent to bt
come nv wife-and concluded by say
; ing that would call on the morrow t