The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-08-12
The Foremans Glory.


factory. am forty years old, and j
never was particularly handsome to look
at. | don't suppose my manners arr
especially fascinating either, for the girls
mostly call me, as | am given to under
stand, 'Old Crusty' and Bear. Not that
| mean to be cross, but some people
haven't the agreeable ways of others.
have sat behind the tall desk in Tape
AZ Buttonbells nineteen years. We seen
a good many curious phases Of life within
that time, but the most curious OF all hap
pened to myself personally, and that is
precisely what | am going to tell You
about.
Il wouldn't have had it happen for five
pounds, said Dennison.
Dennison had charge of the outdoor de-
partment. and he came in, on that wet,
drizzly February evening to stand by the
crate fire i'll my room.
What has happened now ( said 1.
Its Lame Hetty, said DennIson Two
rolls Of work missing, and Hetty, declares
she brought EN- here
laid down my goose-quih. Lame
Hetty had been in my thoughts, somehow,
all that rainy twilight, Just as people and
things will take possession Of your BRAIN at
times, and you can't help yourself. A soft
eyed. Iow-vuiced girl, who walked with
crutch, and always wore delicate grays and
dove colours. knew her from the thT0ag
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 Den
nison-'order shirts too, and that makes
it worse. I'm sorry for the girl she had
a 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.
But suppose she pays for the missing
work =
1T isn't likely she'll do that, said Den
nison. This sort Of girl seldom has two
pounds ahead.
Il don't believe it's her fault, Dennison,
insisted |.
SHE is responsible, isn't she {
Yes, but
Just then Mr.. Ruttonbell came in with
great order in his hand.
We shall have a tight pull for it, sir, to
FIJI this, said obviously.
But it must be filled, said he. Put on
all your hands. Turn on a full head of
steam. It wont do to let Peck x Pattson
go to any other place.
And he hustled away.
eVerv unfortunate said Dennison.
Lame Hetty was one Cf our oest hands
Hetty Dorrance came the next morning,
as usual, to 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, said she
to me.
You're in luck, Hetty, said /, frowniDg
over a long column of figures, and trying
not to blush under the earnest look of her
soft brown eyes.
And I'm much, oh, 50 much Obliged to
him, whoever he is, she added, IN low
tone. Bat | can't use it unless unless
you think | am innocent.
'Of course do, said looking up at the
culver Of her voice. Il don't believe you
would take pin Hetty. I've known you
for four years, and believe you are good
girl. It's an awkward mistake somewhere;
but there's not many mistakes, my girl, but
what God clears up in his own good time.
NOW, TAKE yOuL PAdSO ~ iho OASAS . ~
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 wait, said cheer
= lit is breaking my heart, said she.
They all think l am thief.
Il don't, Hetty.'
Il know that sir. | should drown my
self if at least ons person in the world
didn't believe that | was innocent
The winter wore itself away. The busy
season was succeeded by one Of compare
tive dullness, and among the hands struck
of the list was HettY Dorrance.
But Hetty Dorrance never came to learn
her doom.
Perhaps she is sick-alone-in want,
thought. And the more | pondered ON
the matter the more uneasy felt.
Perhaps she is dead !
And with that last, overwhelming
thought came the full revelation Of my
own heart.
| had grown to love Hetty Dorrance.
Well, why notl could afford wife as
well as most men. Hetty was only sew
ing girl, and lame at that, but she had q
face like one of Gods angels, and heart a.
lily. OF that felt certain. loved her
why should not marry her
So / sat down and wrote her little note,
saying simply that loved her, and asked
her if hecould consent to become my wife
and concluded by saying would call on
the morrow to receive her answer.
Just as sent my letter OF there cane
knock at the door.