The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-10-31
mi i S elan ou s..
LAME HETTY.

Enlistment in New York. l am forty years
old, and never was particularly handsome
to look at. l don't suppose my manners
are especially fascinating either, for the
girls mostly call me, as l am given to I'M
derstand, "Old Crusty" and Bear" Not
that | mean to be cross, but some people
haven't the agreeable ways of others.
| have sat behind the tall desk in Tape
81 Buttonbell's nineteen years. have seen
many curious phases ofliie within that time,
but the most curious of all happened to my
self personally that is precisely what
| am going to tell you about.
81 Wouldn't have had it happen for five
dollars" said Dennison.
Dennison had charge of the out-of-d doors
department. and he came i'll on that wet
driZZly February evening, to stand by the
fire in my room. We had not lighted the
gas yet the press and hurry OF work were
over for the day, and it was very quiet and
pleasant in the red shine of the fire. | was
sitting on my tall stool, biting the feather
end OF a quill pcn and MISUNDERSTANDING
of scarce know what.
"What has happened, now 2" said /.
ats Lame Hetty," replied Dennison.-
1.-TWO rolls Of work missing, and Hetty de-
clares she brought 'em here"
laid down the goose quill. Lame Het-
ty had been in my thoughts, somehow, all
that lainy twilight, just rs people and
things will take possession of your brain
at times, and you can't help yourself A
soft eyed, low-voiced girl, who walked with
crutch, and always wore delicate grays
and dove colors. l knew her from the
throng because of the "tap, tap Of her
crutch and used always to speak to her
when l saw her standing in the long line of
girls who waited, on Saturday night, to
deliver their work and receive their pay.
"That's bad,' said |.
"Ten dollars worth Of shirts" said Den
nison "order shirts, too, and that 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 necessary to stand
by rules. Loses her deposit, and no more
work"
"But suppose she pays for the missing
work r.
1T isn't likely she'll do that" said Den
nision. This sort of girl seldom has ten
dollars saved up"
IL don't believe it's her fault, Dennison,"
insisted l.
"She is responsible, isn't she ~
Yes, but"
Just then Mr.. Buttonbell comes in with
great order in his hand from a New Or
leans house. looked at it.
I'VE shall have tight put of it, sir, to
execute this" said l, obviously.
But it must be executed" said lie. Put
on all your hands. Turn on full head of
steam. 1t won't do to let Peck and Patti
son 90 to any other place"
And he hustled away.
Very unfortunate" said Dennison.-
Lame Hctty was one of our best hands"
Hctty Dorrancc came the next morning,
as usual, to receive work, and she had u
ten dollar bank note in her hand
Some kind friend has sent me this to
pay for the lost rolls of work, sir" said she
20 me.
""You're in luck, Hetty," said l, trowning
over long column of figures, and trying
not to blush under the earnest look of her
soft brown eyes.
And I'm much, oh, so much obliged to
him, whoever he isl she added, in low
tone. but can't use it unless-unless
you think l am innocent"
"Of course do" said l., looking up at
the culver of her voice. IL don't believe
YOU would take pin, Hetty. I've known
you for four years, and l believe you are u
good girl It's an awkward mistake some
where; but there's not many mistakes, my
girl, but what Heaven clears up in its own
good time. Now take your place in line
there's no time to be lost this morning"
SO the matter was settled somehow a
cloud rested on Lame Hetty. Those who
had been fast friends before avoided her
now; the coarse-minded whispered and
giggled when the tap of her crutch sound
ed ON the floor.
"Oh, Mr.. Harvey" said poor Hetty one
day, when Jenny Warren, the proudest and
prettiest of our work girls, had declined to
respond to her modest bow, "it's very, very
hard to bear"
wait, Hetty, only watt" said l, cheeri.
ly.
But it is breaking my heart" said she
They all think am thief"
Il don't, betty"
II know that, sir. / should drown my
self if at least one person in the world didn't
believe that was innocent"
The winter wore itself away. The busy
season was succeeded by one OF comparativt
dullness; and among the hands struck of
the list was Hetty Dorrance.
"Oncc thief, always thief" said old
Jones, the cutter. I'D just as soon thai
girl shouldn't work for us''
II would stake my honor that she is nc
thief, Mr.. JONES' said l, hotly.
"Well," retorted the old man, cautiously
"its necessary to curtail the list little
and it may as well be Hetty as any one."
But Hetty Dorrance never came to learr