The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-06-09
The DISGUISED Heiress.


Among them she made choice of
William Winsor, and in a few weeks
they were to be married.
William was engaged in the whole
sale clothing business, and had the rep
utation of a sharp, active man of busi-
ness. Nothing had come to the ears of
Miss Vernon until the day before. A
poor woman had come to the door in
evident poverty, and asked for relief
On being questioned, she said she had
been employed in making shirts at
twelve cents piece for wholesale deal
ers; that, after making dozen and car
rying them to the store, she had been
roughly told that they had been spoiled,
and that nothing would be paid for her
work, but that she might have some
more if she would agree to do them
better. She added that this was one of
the small ways in which the firm made
money out of poor women, by pretend
ing that the work was unsatisfactory
done, when really no fault could reason
ably be found with it.
"Only dollar and forty cents for
whole weeks work ?'' Miss Vernon
asked, in dismay.
''Ihats all, - said the poor woman.
''Hhen how do you live?'
sit can hardly be called living. It's
just keeping body and soul together"
said the poor woman.
"And who is the extortioner that
offers you starvation wages, and then
defrauds you even of them ?" asked
Miss Vernon, Indignantly.
civilian Winsor."
"Who?" demanded Miss Vernon,
quickly.
civilian Winsor."
81 can hardly believe this. l know
the gentleman"
at is true, and if you win investigate
the matter you will find it to be So"
81 will investigate the matter. Here
are five dollars for your present needs.
Come here tomorrow at this time, and
/ may have some work for you to do"
The poor woman departed, invoking
blessings upon the heiress.
81 will look into this" said Margaret
Vernon, resOlutely, <and, if it proves
true, the engagement between William
WinsOr and myself shall be broken"
Nancy" said Miss Vernon the next
morning to her chambermaid, "have
you an old dress and cloak and bonnet
that you can lend me"
AZ have got some that are so poor that
I am not going to wear them again."
said Nancy, surprised at such an in
quiry.
"Will you lend them to me ?"
"Of course, Miss; but what would the
likes of you want of such old clothes ?"
ga little fun, that is ALL" said Miss
Vernon. 81 am going to disguise my
self, and see if l can't deceive some
body"
With this explanation Nancy was
content, and produced the clothes.
NfGG Narrnra nj fhar, nj -,
tion, borrowed of another of the SER
wants a thick veil somewhat the worse
for wear, and then set out on her
mission. No one could have recOg-
nized the usually elegantly-dressed
heiress, Miss Margaret Vernon.
Miss Vernon slipped out of the base
ment door aud took her way to a large
store on which was inscribed the name
William WinsOr, in large gilt letters
She entered, and after a while a clerk
spoke to her in a rough voice, saying:
"Well, what do you want?"
81 want some work." she said, in
low voice.
1--WE can give you some shirts"
Anything"
"Can you sew we'll ?"
az think sou
''At any rate, we will try you"
A halt-dozen shirts were given tC
Miss Vernon, and she was Informed
that, if satisfactorily done, she would
be paid twelve cents a piece. These
she carried home, slipping in at the
back door.
Two hours later the poor woman
called.
Here are some shirts to make" sait
Miss Vernon.
"Why, they are the same kind as
have been making" said the poo
woman, in surprise.
''Phat is true, and they came from
the same place."
"Am to take them there ?n
mo, you are to bring them here.
will pay for the work when done doubl,
the price you have been receiving"
"Thank you, Miss, you are very
kind"
''Sew them as neatly as possible.
wish to see if they will be rejected
as poor work"
''Yes, Miss Vernon, will take pain
with them"
Three days later the poor woman re
turned with the work completed. Mis-
Vernon paid for them, and requested
her to call the next day.
Nancy" said the heiress. after he
Protege had departed, "I wish to bor
row your old clothes again."
Certainly, miss, if it is not ashamed
you are to appear in such rags"
mo one will know me, Nancy"
''Sure, Miss, you can take then
whenever you like"
~ don't think 1 shall need them
again, Nancy, but thank you all the
same"
Not long afterward Miss Vernon, il
her shabby disguise, entered the estab
lishment of William Wiusor, with the
bundle of shirts under her arm. Sht
went to the counter and laid then
down.
What have you got there ?D de.
manded pert young clerk.
Some work, sir" said Miss Vernon
humbly.
We'll, why don't you open the bun
die? ?" said the young man, picking his
teeth with his knife.