Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-09-13

hat.
Really, Nell, it looks like putting a
humming bird to work, to think of in
PRODUCING those little lilly fingers to
printers ink, and Harry stood looking
at her, half laughingly, half lovingly,
for he did think his lovely sister too
nice for everyday work.
"Never mind my lily fngersy" said
Nell, impatiently; "they'll wash, sir,
and they're all the handler for being
little"
"That's So" said Harry, emphatical-
ly. 81 don't believe they'll bungle on
the type as mine do. But, Nell, I
ought to have told you to put on old
duds; it's very dirty work"
4 haven't any old duds, and be-
cause it's dirty work for you, is no
sign will soil myself. Besides I won't
make myself q fright for any old news
paper, so you stop criticising my dress,
and begin your lesson, or we'll never
get the paper out"
That motive silenced Harrys misgiv-
ings, and he proceeded at once to teach
her the mysteries OF type-setting.
By way of explanation, will say
that Harry Brown was spending the
Winter in Minnesota, for his health,
and Nellie came with him because he
was her only living relative, and her
greatest desire was to restore his
health.
Besides, she was tired of city gaities,
and wanted change.
A change she got, too, for b,
like other small Western villages, fur
nishod very little cultivated society.
Wearied of doing nothing, Harry
had bought out the one paper i'll the
town, and was really interested i'll pub
fishing it. He had learned to set type
and print the paper from curiosity and
lack of employment, and now, when
his factotum Smith, deserted him, be-
cause Nell would not receive his adj
dresses, pride as well as interest in his
work, urged him on to continue its pub
hcation.
Nellie had found relief from her en-
mi in writing for the paper and was
now as much interested as her brother
i'll getting it all out right.
She did look odd in that office
dressed in fashionable street suit,
suitable for promenading Broadway,
from the jaunty hat, with its white os-
trich feathers shading her golden hair
to her delicate French boot.
But she applied herself seriously to
her work. She was quick, and handy,
and before night, Harry was obliged
to confess that she would soon go ahead
of him in type-setting. '
1t is unnecessary to give history of
every days proceedings, when every
day was like its predecessor. Every
morning, Nell came to the office, and
every day, from breakfast, at seven,
till dark, she persevered in her work.
She soon learned to" set type" to "dis-
tribute" to " empty her stick" and to
correct proof" She would sit perched
on the tall stool before the case till her
back ached, then she would stand on a
low stool till her feet ached, and so by
changing the place of the ache she man
aged to get through the day, and every
day for two months. After tea, she
went to her room, and wrote articles
for the paper, looked over exchanges,
and made selections, till late at night.
The papers came out regularly, and
more spicy and interesting. Exchanges
began to quote from the Express.
Hard work though it was, there was
fascination about it, and Nell began to
taste the pleasures of a busy life, and
AAASA NAO 1CWdAuo VI DIG uuu
never been SO happy i'll her life.
Toward Spring, one of the editors of
a St. Paul daily paper, travelling
through the country on business, was
obliged to stay all night in b; and
calling to mind the improved appear
ance of the Express, thought he would
call on the editor.
The door was pointed out to him by
q boy, and he went in.
1t was an unusual scene for print
ing office that met his eye as he entered
the room.
Harry was--as' usuai-0h his knees,
persuading the fire to burn, while Nell
sat on stool, both feet on the hearth
reading aloud contribution she had