Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-08-24
HER OWN LIVING.

1AIL ctllIl OIISIlI, w I'LL DIuC, NloUlu
eyes, lips like a WOod-berry, and COM
DlexiOn ali carmine and white like a
danask rose in sunshine. Erminia
Hall'S was face that an artist would
have fallen down and W0rshipped
But it is ever as philosophers tell us
there is compensation in all things
The pOck-marked girl who sat across
the aisle from her in church was a
millionaire's daughter, and this young
thing with the angel-face was on the
outlook for an eligible position as
goyernesS.
For Erminia Hall was pennileSs, and
it was necessary for her to earn her
livelihood in some way or other, and
the trade of a goYerneSs was at least
genteel.
Keep a day school," suggested old
Nj. Prince, who had been wont to dine
every Sunday with Judge Hall during
that eminent bankrUpt's lifetime, and
to consume a quantity Of lobster salad,
champagne and boned turkey, which
was appalling upon those festive occa-
5ionS. 'tNObody would come to me-"
said poor Erminia, with tears in her
eyes. She had supposed, inexperienced
child that she was, that Mr.. Prince
would have been ready with twenty
or fifty dollar bill in this her ne
CeSsity.
Needlework, " suggested Mr.. Clay,
who had mysteriously made money out
of the very speculation that beggared
the dead man.
q never learned to sew" faltered
Erminia. 81 could not earn cent
that way"
Humph!' grunted Mr.. Clay, ''the
education Of women in the present day
is outrageously defective. 1t should
all be reformed"
do you suppose" meeHy hazard
ed Erminia, ''that / could obtain any
copying from your office? Nine. Lee
ferne used to say I wrote an elegant
hand. Here is specimen"
up strokes thin, down strokes
black, long tails to the 'g's' and US
italian school, Ell? Pshaw! Your
writing may do for a perfumed note,
or young lady's album, but no law
yer would look twice at it. But I
dare say you'll scratch along some
how
How" murmured Erminia, reso-
lUtely REFRESHING the tears that We're
rising to her eyes.
"How? Why, there are ways
enough. Nobody needs to starye in
this country. dare say if you keep
on the lookout, something will turn
up"
And that was all the satisfaction that
Erminia Hall got
She went next to her rich cousin,
Mrs. Bellair8 Bolton.
Il am sorry you came this morning,
Erminia,' said that lady, coldly. Il
am busy with my accounts.
II won't detain you an instant, :"
said Erminia, with a sinking heart.
"I-I-need something to do very
much"
Mrs. Bellairs Bolton shut her lips
together, as if her mouth was new
patent portmonaie, and penciled down
her figures without looking up.
And / thought" went on Erminia,
her heart failing her more and more,
Il could perhaps teach your little
children. I would work for very lit
tie, and
''Quite out of the question:, said
Mrs. Bellairs Bolton. 'Ihave Just en-
gagged a Swiss bonnie, who will give
them the regular accent"
And Erminia turned away, feeling
almost desperate. Lunch was now in
progress-she could perceive the fra
GRANGE of the chocolate, and see the din
ing-room girl setting French rolls and
spiced salmon on the table, yet Mrs.
Bellairs Bolton never asked her to stay
and break bread With them.
"Oh, how strange and cruel the
world isr' thought Erminia, with d
choking sensation in her throat. g
had so many friends when poor papa
was alive, now l have not one except
Maj. Miles, but l VIII not go to him.
He was always criticising and carping
even IN the days of our prosperity
now he would be simply intoler-
able
And so poor Erminia Hall crept III