Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-03-24
ONLY A DOLLAR.


"She sews very nicely" said Mrs. Whar.
ton, really, very nicely, indeed. And it
you have any work you wish to be done well
and very cheaply, would advise you to em.
ploy her."
Mrs. Wharton was sitting before the FIRE
in her crimson silk morning wrapper with
her glossy hair as smooth as satin, and her
pretty hands loaded with rich rings, lying in
her lap. She felt that she was doing a char
itab.e deed in employing this poor soldiers
widow, and still greater one in recommend.
ing her to her friends.
1t is easy to be good Christian under
such circumstances
"Well, l shall certainly send for her,"
said Mrs. Marvin; "what did you tell me
her name and address were2"
"Oh, she is called Mrs. Leggett, and she
lives in one of those horrid musty tenement
houses, No., - street, the back room
in the third story"
Mrs. Marvin entered the details in her
little pearl-bound tablet, and took her leave,
internally convinced that Mrs. Wharton was
"good Samaritan" OF the very highest class
Meanwhile the latter was gazing dreamily
into the fire, wondering what toilette would
be most appropriate for the morrow evenings
sosiree.
"There's my pea-green satin" unused Mrs.
Wharton, checking off the various garments
on the tip of her white fingers "but I've
worn it already. And there is my Marie
Louise blue silk, if the skirt was only gorsd
little more. The lemon colored buckle is
not becoming to me. I'm sorry bought it.
And the white grenadine not worn at Mr..
Armyts. My wine colored silk with the
ruby set would look very well, if the odious
Fanny Palmer hasn't got Que just like it.
And purple velvet don't light up very well
at night. Oh, dear really think must
get something new. A rose-colored tissue
perhaps, or a white Indian muslin. My
wardrobe is getting dreadfully behind, Dear
me, who's that2 How you started me, Mrs.
Leggett 2"
II beg your pardon, ma'am, am sure"
said the sullen, meek-looking little seamstress,
rustling gently forward in her garment Of
shabby, well-worn black "but l knocked
several times and you did not answer"
Then you should knock louder next time"
said the irritable fine LADY, "however, now
you are here, you may as will sit down.
Good gracious how wet you are-positively
dripping"
ayes, ma'am, it rains very hard and l
have no umbrella"
"No umbrella dear me, how shocking.
Well, did you bring home those things !"
eyes, ma'am, here they are"
And the seamstresS produced neat pack
ct from beneath her shawl.
81 hope to goodness they are not wet. No,
they seem tolerably dry. What is the bill7"
"Six dollars, ma'am."
"Six dollars isn't that high 2" inquired
Mrs. Wharton, discontentedly.
81 worked eleven days faithfully on them,
maam"
"Well, l suppose l must pay what you
ask, " said Mrs. Wharton opening her purse
and slowly examined its compartments.
"Dear me, have only five dollar bill
suppose you could not change twenty 2"
Mrs. Leggett smiled bitterly.
"No, ma'am, | could not"
"Well, then, we will call it five dollars,
won't we? A dollar isn't much either way,
and the five is all I've got"
"a dollar is a good deal to me, Mrs.
Wharton"
The lady's smooth brow contracted. IL
have given you good deal Of work Mrs
Leggett"
II know it ms'am, and I'm very much
obliged for your kindness"
"And | should be very sorry to have 50
triaing thing as dollar part US now"
"Mrs Leggett was silent she did not
know what to say.
"Call it five dollars !" said Mrs. Wharton,
tossing the bill into the lap Of the soldiers
widow. "a dollar don't signify, and then l
recommended my friend, Mrs. Marvin, to
employ you this morning"
"Thank you, A'am, said the poor woman,
family, as she took the money, feeling in
wardly that she had been defrSuded, yet
perfectly aware that she had no means Of
redress.
"Maam, if you please" said Mary, "he-e
is the newspaper boy, he says master told
him you would pay the bill this week"
GLOW much is it, Mary?"
"a dollar, ma'am."
"llow provoking, l havn't dollar in the
house" said the lady cOlOring up, and for