Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-03-06
Lame Hetty.


at don't suppose my manners are espec'''-
" fascinating either, for the girls mostly eau
me. as am given TO understand, O!d Crnsty
and Bear" Not that ! mean to be cross,
but some people haven't the agreeable ways
Of Others.
Ihave sat behind the tall desk in Tape &
Bu,ionbell's nineteen years. Lave seen
many curious ihases of life within that hme'
but the most curious Of all happened to my
self personally-and that is precisely what
am going to tell you about.
81 wouldn't have had il happen for live
dollars" said Denui-on.
Dennison had charge Of the out-oi-doors
department and he came iu on that wet dr'z-
zly February evening. TO stand by the hre 10
nv room. We had not lighted the gas yet;
the press aud hurry Of work were over for the
day, and it was very quiet and pleasant in the
red shine of the fse. was sitting on NY
tall stool. biting the feather end OF quill pen,
and MISUNDERSTANDING of | scarce know
what
What has happened, now p said /.
It's Lame Heity," replied Denn'son.-
" Two rolls of work missing, aud Hetty de-
clares she brought 'em here
laid down the goose quill Lame be''y
had been in my thoughts. somehow. all tla'
rainy twilight, just as people and things will
take possession of your brain at times. aud
you can't help yourself A soft eyed. low
yoired girl. who walked with crutch, and
always wore delicate crays and dove colors
7 knew her from the throng hecanse OF the
tap. tap" of her crutch and used always TO
speak to her when saw her standing in The
| long line of girls who waited on Saturday
niah,. TO deliver their work aud receive their
pay.
THAT'S bad" sail ].
| "Ten dollars worth of shirts, said Denni-
| san order shirts. too, and that makes 1t
worse. I'm snrry for the girl she had pret-
tv face Of her own, aud always liked her +;
bnt If course its necessary to stand by rules
loses her deposit, and no more work"
Bot suppose she pays for .he missing
work ?"
.'It isn't likely she'll do that" said Denni-
SON "Tbis sort Of Girl seldom has ten dol
lars saved mp"
Il don't believe It's her fanlt, Denuison,
i,sistel T.
She is responsible, isn't she p
Yes. hut"
Just then Mr.. Buttonhell comes in with .
great order in his hand from New Orleans
house. looked AZ it.
We shall have tIaht put Of it, sir, 10
execute this" said I. duhionslv
"Bnt il must he executed" said he al Pot
IN All hands. Turn on full head Of steam
+, won't do To- let Peck and Pa,tison 60 to any
other place"
And he busilei away.
Very unfortunate" said Dennison.-
"Lamo Hettv was one Of our best hands
Hcity Dorrance came the next morning, as
usual. 10 receive work, and she had ten dol
lar hank note in her hand.
"Some kind friend has sent me this 10 paw
for the lost rolls of work, sir, said she TO
nc.
"You're in luck, Hrttv," said I, frowning
over long column Of figures, and trying not
10 blush under the earnest look Of her sof,
brown eyes.
"A And I'm much. oh. 50 much Obliged 20
| him. whoever he is" she said in a low tone
&" But can't use it unless--unless you think ]
am innocent"
"Of course DO" said looking mp at the
aniver of her voice. i don't believe you
would take a pin. Hefty. I've known YOU f'r
four years, and believe You are a good girl
It's an awkward mistake somewhere; but
there's not many mistakes, my girl. hut hat
Heaven clears mp in its own good time. Now
take your place in line there's no time to be
lpst this morning"
So the matter was settled; somehow
cloud rested on Lame Hetty. Those who had
been fas, friends before avoided her now the
coarse-niudel whispered aud giggle1 when
the tap # her crutch sounded on the 1oor.
oh. Mr. Harvey" said poor IIrty one
day, when Jenny Warren. the proudest and
pretties Of our work girls, bad declined to re-
spond to her modest bow, its very, very
hard 20 hear"
"Wait, Hctty, only wait, said cheerily
But it Is breaking my heart" said she.
They all think am a thief"
al dnut, Hetty."
81 know that. ,ir should drown myself
if at least one person 10 the world didn't be-
live that was innocent"
The winter wore it-eif away The busy
seAspn was succeeded by one of con parilive
dullness; aud among ,he hands struck OF the
list va. Hetty Drnnoe.
" Ouce thief, always a thief said old
Jones. the cutter. ia just as son that girl
shouldn't work for us."
81 would stake nay honor that she is DO
thief Il JONES'" said boily.
"Weu." retorted the old man, cautiously,
IT, necessary to euriail tn. list little, and IL
nav =, well be Hytty 81 any one"
Bu, Hptty DDrrauce never came to learn her