The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-09-16
The FOreman'S Story.

look at. don't suppose my manners
are especially fascinating either, for
the girls mostly call ne, as | am given
to understand, Old Crusty" and
=" Bear" Not that | mean t. be cross,
but some people haven't the agreeable
ways Of others.
/ have sat behind the tall desk in
Tape IL ButtOnbell's nineteen years.
I've seen good many curious phases of
life within that time, but the most Gu
rious of all happened 20 myself person
ally, and that is precisely what | am
going to tell YOU about.
" | wouldn't have had it happen for
five pounds" said Dennison.
Dennson had charge Of the out. door
department, and he came in, on that
wet, dri22ly February evening to staEd
by the CRATE fire in my room.
What has happened now ?" said L.
" Its Lame netty," said Dennison.
1.-TWO rolls of work missing, and Iletty,
declares she brought 'em here"
laid down my goOse-Quill. Lame
lletty had been in my thoughts some
how, all that rainy twilight, just as peo
pie and things will take possession of
your brain at times, and you can't help
yourself. A soft-eyed, low>voced girl
who walked with crutch, and always
wore delicate grays and dove colOrs.
knew her from the tErong because 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 night, to deliver
their work and receive their pay.
That's bad" said |.
Two pounds worth of shirts, :"
said DenniSun-" order shirts, too, and
that makes it worse. Pm sorry for the
girl she has pretty face of her own,
and always liked her but of course
it's necessary to stand by rules. Lose
her deposit, and no more work"
hut suppose she pays fol the miss
ing work -
- " 1t isn't likely she'll do that" said
Dennson. This sort of girl seldom
has two pounds ahead"
" don't believe it's her fault Den
nison," | insisted.
" She is responsible, isn't she ?''
Yes but -
just then Mr.. Buttonhell came in
with a great order in his hand.
" We shall have q tight pull for il.
sir, to iill this" sald |, obviously.
Bot 1t must be filed" said he
v Patton all your hands. Turn on a
fuli head of steam. 1t won't do to let
Peck " Pattson 90 to any other place. -
And he bustled away.
Very unfortunate, "said Dennison.
Lame lletty was one of our best
hands"
1rtty Dorrance came the next morn
Ing, as usual, 10 receive work, and she
had two pounds in her hand.
Some kind friend has sent me this
to pay for the lost rolls of work, sir, +"
she said to me.
You're in luck, IIpttv," said l.,
trowning over long column of figures,
AMI tying not to blush under the earn
est look Of her soft brown eyes.
Ana I'm much, oh, so much obliged
to him, whoever he is," she added, in
a low tone. &" But | cant use it unless
unless you thing am innocent"
OF course do" said |, looking up
at the quiver of her voice " | don't
believe ycu would take a pin, Hetty.
I've known you for four years, and
believe you are good girl. It's an
awkwark mistake somewhere but
there's not many mistakes, my girl,
but what God clears up in HIS own
good time. Now, take your place in
line there's no time to be lost this
morning"
Oh, Mr. Harvey" said poor Hetty
one day, when Jenny Warren, the
proudest and prettiest of our girls, had
declined to respond to her modest bow,
it's very hard to bear"
Wait, Hetty only watt" said l,
cheeriIy.
But it's breaking my heart" said
she. "They all think am a thief"
don't, Hetty."
" | know that. sir. | should drown
myself il at least one person in the
world didn't believe that | was inno-
cent"
THe winter wore itself away. The
busy season was succeeded by one of
comparative dullness, and among the
hands struck of the list was IIetty Dor.
rance.
But Hetty Dorrance never came to
learn her doom.
" Perhaps she is sick-alOne-in
want" thought. And the more I
pOndered on the matter the more uneasy
l felt.
" Perhaps she is dead 7"
And with that last, overwhelming
thought came the full revelation of my
own heart.
had grown to love Hetty Dorrance.
Well, why not ? could afford a
wife as well AS most men. Hetty was
only sewing glrl, and lame at that ;
but she had face like one of Gods
angels, and heart as a lily. OF that
| felt certain. loved her why should
l not marry her A?
So | sat down and wrote her a little
note, saying simply that | loved her,
and asked her if she could consent to
become my wife ; and | concluded by
saying that l would call on the NOR
row to receive her answer.
just as | sent my letter off there came
a knock at the door.
"Mr. Harvey are you alone ? Can
| speak TO you for one moment ?"
SIS that you, Helen Arden ? Why,
| thought you were married and gone
In California - cried |