Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-09-27
LAME HETTY.

fe-ANN-----S
a, don't suppose my manners are especially
,.scpatng either, for the girls mostly call me,
.sInm given to understand, "old orusty" and
nBear." Not that mean to be cross, but some
people haven't the agreeable ways of others.
have sat behind the tall desk In Tape Il
Ruttonbell's nineteen years. have seen many
curious phases of life within that time, but the
most curious Of all happened to myself person
ally-and that is precisely what am going to
tell you about.
~ wouldn't have had ii happen for five del
lars" said Dennison.
Dennison had charge OF the out-of-doors de-
nsrtmept and he came In on that wet, drizzy
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 quill pen, and think
ing-thinking of scarce know what;
',What has happened, now ~ said l.
nIts Lame Hetty," replied Dennison. "Two
rolls of work missing, and Hetty declares she
brought 'em here"
lsid down the goose quill. Lame Hetty had
been in my thoughts, somehow, all that rainy
twilight, just as people and things will take pos
session Of your brain at times, and You can't
help Yourself. soft-eyed, low-voiced girl, who
walked with crutoh, and always wore delicate
grays and dove colors. 1 knew her from the
throng because of the ''tap, tap" Of her crutch,
and nsed always to speak to her when saw her
standing in the long line OF giils who waited. on
Saturday night,to deliver their work and receive
their pay.
"Ten dollars worth OF shirts, said Dennson
norder shirts, too, and that makes it worse I'm
sorry for the girl; she had a pretty face Of her
own, aud always liked her but OF course it's
necessary to stand by rules. Loses her deposit,
aud no more work"
at isn't likely she'll do that" said Dennison.
"1his sort of girl seldom has ten dollars saved
ri II don't believe it's her fault, Dsnnison, in
sisted l,
'fShe is responsible, isn't she2"
''Yes, but"
Just then Mr. Buttonbell come in. with great
order in his hand from New Orleans house. l
locked at 1t.
I'VE shall have a tight pull of it, sir to exc
cute this,,' said l, obviously.
''But II must be executed" said he. "Put on
all your hands. Tuln on a full head Of steam.
It won't do to let Peck and Pattison go to any
other place"
And he hustled away.
Very unfortunate" said Dennison. Lame
Hetty was one Of our best hands "
Hetty Dorrance came the next morning, as
usual to receive work, and she had 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 to me.
You're in luck, Hetty," said 1, frCwning 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 is" she added, in low tone. But
can't use it unless unless you think am in
nocent."
culver OF her voice. 81 don't believe you would
take a pin, Hetty. I've known you for four
years. and believe you are good girl. It's an
awkward mistake somewhere but there's not
many mistakes, my girl, but what Heaven clears
up in it's own good time, Now take your place
in line there's no time to be lost this morning"
SO the matter was settled but somehow
cloud rested on Lame Hetty. Those who had
been fast friends before avoided her now the
coArse-mnded whispered and giggled when the
tap of her crutch sounded 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, Its very, very hard to bear"
wait, Hetty only wait, said l, cheerily.
"But it is breaking my heart, said she. They
all think am thief"
II don't, Hetty."
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 comparative dullness
and among the hands struck off the list was Het-
Once a thief. always thief" said old Jones,
the cutter. I'D just as soon that girl shouldn't
work for US"
Il would stake my honor that she is no thief,
Mr. JONES'" said l, hotly.
We'll" retorted the old man, cautiously, ''it's
necessary to curtail the list little, and it may
As well be Hetty as any one."
But Hetty DorTance never came to learn hel
doom. Day after day went by, and the fanilial
tap of her crutch sounded no more on the noor
grew uneasy.
Perhaps she is ill-alone-in want !"
thought
Aud the more pondered on the matter, the
more uneasy felt.
Perhaps she is dead !"
And with that last overwhelming thought CANT
the full revelation of my own heart. Ihad grown
to love HettY Dorrance.
Well why not / could afford wife as vel
AZ most men. Hetty was only work girl, ant
lame also; but she had face like an anger, anC
heart as white as lilly. Ofthat felt certain
loved her why should not marry her
So sat down and wrote her a little note say
ing simply that loved her, aud asking her il
she would consent to become my wifei and
concluded by saying that l would call on the
morrow to receive her answer.
Just as had sent my letter or there came q
knock at the door.
"Mr. Harvey, are you alonea Can speak tt
you for one mlnute!"
rs that you, Helena Arden2 Why, Though
you were married and gone to California,
cried.
II am married to speudthrift and villain !!
said she, with little, hoArse laugh; land an
going to California tomorrow but wanted t.
say wsrd to you first. wanted to pay you fo
something"
..For what 2"
.Chat roll OF work which people accused Hett,
Dorrance, the lame girl, for taking"
Helena Did you take it 2"
''Yes," she cried, recklossy. 81 took it
wanted money sorey then; the landlad
wouldn't lot me have my trunks to be marie
until paid her what owed her. l was stant
ing by lame Hetty that evening, saw her la
the piles of work on the desk. saw the
slip and fall off the heap. / was just goin
away, and it was easy thing for me to stool
as il for my own pooket-handkerchief. and pic
them up. pawned them, thinking cou
easily redeem them but never did. Here
money to pay for them. hope Hetty was nj
blamed"
"She was, though" said 1, slowly,
II can't help il, :" said Helena hlghtily;
done my best. Will you see that she is righ
ed?"
.'As far as / can"
And Helena went away, muttering to herse
something about all her accounts being clos
at last paid but little attention to it at Il
time, but remembered it afterwards.
l went the next evening to Hettys simp
lodgings over a bakers shop.
''Allss DorrAnce!" said the bakers wife, col
ing out OF a back room, with baby in her arm
Why didn't you know She moved away"
Moved And my letter ?"
and