The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-02-21
Concluded from first page.]

replied the daughter.
James Wrightm knew not how
to thank the lady for her unexpect-
ed kindness; but she relieved his
embarrassment, and put him entire
at ease.
"Excuse me, lady; but as you
have been here some time, will not
your family be worried unless they
know where you are? ! am at
your service to 90 and tell them il
you wish"
81 DECLARE" exclaimed Miss Ed
SON.; 81 never thought--what time
can it be? Why, nearly 8 O'Clock !"
she said, looking at her watch.
"And this was the night of the
party, too! Well, cannot help
it now;;" she added, after little
reflection, "would you be so kind as
to 60 to my house and tell father
where | am! Here is the address" "
and she wrote it for him.
Mr.. Edison arrived with all speed,
and in a state Of excitement and
surprise not to be expressedin in words;
but he was a sensible man, and at
heart was not displeased with what
his daughter had done. As he took
her home, artery everything had
been done for the comfort of the
Wrighton family, he asked her to
explain to him how she had fallen
into the unusual course. She ex-
planned all to him, and the fond
father drew his daughter closer to
him as he commended her, and
promised her pecuniary aid when-
ever she might wish it but, he econ-
tinued
"What will all your fine circle
Of acquaintances say tothis? You
must have been sadly missed to-
night"
Il don't care what they say,
father. ! am not ashamed of what
/ have done. | have learned a
good lesson in an unexpected way,
and while | shall occupy my usual
place in society, | shall also do all
| can to help those about me who
are in want and distress"
The next morning Miss Edison
went into Bagley & Co.'s store and
asked to see the senior partner. Mr..
Bagley came forward with his very
best smile. Miss Edison said:
"Mr. Bagley, you are in my debt
to the extent of five dollars"
"Ah ! how is that? | will pay
you, cheerfally."
yesterday ! paid very small
portion Of one Of your debts, viz:
five dollars on account, to Amy
Wrighton.'
"But | don't owe her that-not
two dollars. Has she been in some
way gaining your sympathy, and
upon you? Just like
those brutes p exclaimed he, augri-
ly.
"No," replied Miss Edison, quiet
ly; "she has neither been working
upon my sympathy, nor imposing
upon me. She is a worthy and in
dustrious person, and as such / pro-
pose to befiend her and protect
her from such men as you. You
may say i am interfering with what
is none of my affair, and meddlmg
with a mutually formed agreement;
but | am doing nothing of the kind,
for anyone has a right to interfere
when a poor, defenceless girl is i'm
posed upon; and has right to in
vestigate an agreement which is
made by unjust means. You are
one of the men who have held up
your head in society, and set your
self up as an example for others;
and you are, at the same time, one
of the very meanest Of men. You
offer a poor girl twelve cents, to
make what you sell for from three
to five dollars. You offer, but you
do not pay even that small amount
when it is due, but keep the child
waiting when she needs the money
for daily bread. Such men as you
are the ones who do more than any
others living to drive young girls
toward destruction, by forcing them,
thro' absolute want, to take the
e. a.. - ALL .1n4L 80 ,,aanr A.