Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-08-14
SADIE DEsMOND'S ERROR.

| n LII - AIttlOAs
Mrs. Sydney and her son sat over a late
breakfast one morning in early spring,
talking over contemplated trip to Europe
the lady was to take for her health. She
was a small. delicate-looking woman, with
hands and feet Of most aristocratic proper
tions, and she worshiped "blue blood"
and good family connections, and boosted
of inheriting the Walford nose from long
line of ancestors. She was very dignifed
in manner, and prided herself upon her
simplicity Of dress upon all but very great
occasions.
"There is nothing more vulgar" she
would say, ethan the present fashion of
over dressing. A lady reserves her lace,
velvet and diamonds for full dress, a par
renu rarades them on the street. They
know better in Europe"
Her son, who sat opposite to her, was
unlike her in every respect. She was
blonde, he was dark She was petite, he
stood six feet, with the shoulders of Her
cules. She was loW-voiced, his tones were
ClCttl ttuU llIlSIIlS. DIG Wdo dIlSUOCldUlC,
and he was republican to his hearts core;
believing, above all, in the dignity of labor,
and proving his belief by refusing to live
idly upon his mothers wealth and by MAX
ing his own way in the world as a manu-
facturer. His mother pleaded for a pro-
fession. if he would be independent, but he
said :
II had rather be good master to twos
CT three hundred men and women working
for me, than to be a poor lawyer, incom-
petent doctor OF dull preacher"
"Worthington, Mrs. Sydney had said,
as they fingered over the table on the
morning when they are introduced to Me
reader, II must have companion.
81 thought you were going with the
Grahams''
II am. Imean a companion Of my oWn.'
"Oh a maid ~
"No mere maid will not do. 1t
would be absurd for me to start, in my
feeble health, without some one who could
be constantly with .me.'
''H'm! yes. l have seen advertisements
for what you want"
GA lady who will be pleasant society,
and yet who will expect to perform some
of the duties of a maid, in return for her
salary. I don't suppose it will be easy to
find such person here ?"
''Perhaps not but in B-you might
find one.'
"By advertising 20
s'No, in the factory 1t is rather long
drive for you, but we could be over there
by noon, and the road is good ~
''That odious factory - sighed Mrs.
Sydney.
''Don't quarrel with the factory said
her son, good-humoredly. cit gives me
my bread and butter. Some of these days
[ may sell out, and retire upon my income,
but not yet. 1t is too soon, and am too
young"
"You know you will have my money,
Worthington, said his mother, plain
lively.
"Many long years from now, trust,'
was the grave reply.
''But while l live it is enough for both.
uClC llCNCl Wdo ~ w dllOlO Ill UlduG. dIlu
the Sydneys were all professional men,
"Well, well, mother. all the odium there
is III it must be thoroughly incorporated in
my system by this time. But we are wan
| dering away from the subject under dis
cussion. [ think [ can help you to find a
companion"
! Greatly, dear, am afraid factory girl
will not suit me-
''Perhaps not; but there are two new
corners there who have been in better posi-
lions, and are driven there now by stress
of circumstances
"Who are they"
| Gone, Miss Sarah Desmond, is the
daughter of a music-teacher in B, who
died a year ago. The young lady has tried
in vain to get pupils enough to support
her. B is not the place for her. The
! people who can afford music lessons for
their children either send them to board
ing-school OF to the seminary. So, for
lack of pupils, Miss Desmond earns her liv-
ing in the factory"
"You said there were two. Has she a
sister ?"
mo, Miss Ford is a friend, I believe
They board together. Miss Ford has been
a teacher in the seminary for some time,
and was a pupil teacher there while she re-
ceived her education. She had to give up
on account of her health, and yet has nc
money to live on"
''You seem very familiar with the histo-
ny of these girls, Worthington."
'That is one of my duties, mother.
have three hundred girls in the factory
and I owe it to each one of them to inquire
+. closely into the antecedents Of every new
y conner"
Eyes, yes; you are quite right, no doubt
though I should think such matters coul(
be left to overseers. But should like tt
see these girls"