Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-08-03

i
I have not one except Major Miles, but
l will not go to him. He was always
criticising and carping even in the days
Of our prosperity; now he would be sim,
ply intolerable." "
Poor Ermina crept into cheap res
taurant to appease the gnawing pangs OF
hunger. For she had lodged and board
ed herself, in order to screw the greatest
possible amount of livelihood out Of the
least possible amount of ready cash, and
she had eaten but very little the whole
day.
An oyster stew and cup OF tea. II
seemed like boundless extravaganza tC
the poor girl, but she was very faint and
hungry and felt the sore necessity OF
food. She was early yet; there were
few customers at the neat little white
draped tables, and the proprietor was
leaning against the counter, talking to
a woman who appeared to be a rela
tive.
"They'ye struck, every one of them,
said he "The ungrateful fellows, after
| had paid 'em regular walters wages al
the autumn, when no one else did. AND
now, if l shut up shop, won't have one
of 'em back again. I'll employ women
hanged if | don't"
I don't see why you shouldn't" sale
his interlocutor. They'll come for less
and work harder Women always dc
that"
So I've heard" said the restaurant
man. I'll advertise tomorrow for LOT
of girls to wait here"
Ermina rose timidly and went towarc
the red-faced, but good-natured looking
man.
"Sir," said she, "you spoke of EN-
ploying girls as walters. | would come
and work faithfully. Will you employ
me?"
The restaurant keeper looked bewil
dered
"Why, you are lady, MISS stutter
ed he.
II know that" said Ermina, as if she
were making some damaging admission
but ladies must live, and am very
poor"
So the next day she came in frilled
white apron and French print dress, anC
began her new duties in the Eagle Eat
ing Saloon.
"At least" she told herself, II an
earning my own livelihood. And wher
I am busy I don't have much time te
think
Mr.. Bellaire Bolton came in one day
for glass of ale and plate of oys
ters.
Bless my SOUL" gasped he, as Er
nina Hall, quick and neat, looking as il
she had been born and bred to the trade
served him, This is never you, Er
mina?"
why not?" said Ermina, laughing
in spite of herself
My wife's cousin in cheap restaur
anti" he exclaimed. Good heavens!
what is the world coming to?
"It's not so disagreeable business az
you might think it, )" said Ermina, an(
| must live"
Disgraceful; perfectly disgraceful!
said Mr.. Bellaire Bolton, as he bolteC
out, leaving his oysters and his ale un
tasted.
Mr.. Prince came in for sardinc ant
a cup of coffee-champagne and truffles
were altogether out of the question
when he had to settle the bills out Of
his own pocket-and he started an(
grew very red when he saw Ermina.-
But he looked straight into his cup o.
coffee and pretended not to know her
And Mr. Clay stared at her as it sh'
was some rare curiosity on exhibition
when he gave his order one day for ;
bowl of mock turtle soup.
SO it's you is it? said he.
|
Il think you might have gone into
some more creditable business, sale
he
ANY business is creditable which hon
estly supports a girl, retorted Ermina
and if you can suggest any improve
ment, l am quite ready to listen tt
you
Our timid little lassie had grown indie
pendent, you see.
Mr.. Clay muttered something abou
distorted ideas" and burned his tongu,
with his hot soup, while the young banl
clerk, who came to lunch every day, ant
sat opposite, laughed in his sleeve.
"That's the prettiest girl I ever saw,
thought Rudolph PenGeld. g If coult
only afford to marry, and she were will
ing-two rather essential ifs by tn,
way-I would make her my wife. | dt
not think that [ am positively disagree
able to her, for gentle and modest as sh.
is can see the color rise to her cheel
when | come in, and believe she woul(
be jewel of great price to shine on thu
breast of the lucky man who shall viii
her"
Three weeks after young Penfeld grew
more positive on the subject
Il must have her." said he. LITTLE
as the half of my salary is, it must b.
more than she earns here. And it m!
uncle looks favorably on the matter O.
my marriage, he'll be pretty sure to d.
something handsome for us. Twill brin|
him here to see her. That will mel
him."
And the next day Rudolph Penfel(
ordered cold roast lamb for two-him
self and a portly old gentleman will
grizzled hair and beard and keen blu
eye like clear January sky.
"Hello!" said the old gentleman, " i
is Halls daughter! "
cts Major Miles" thought Ermina
"Come here, my dear" said the Major
"You re girl of pluck. I like you. s.
does my nephew here. A girl who ism
afraid to work is the girl for money. ev
cry time"
And when, few months later, Ru
dolph Penfeld and Ermina Hall wer'
married, the Major took them home t.
his brown stone house on Madison ave
nue..
Rudolph must keep on working jus
the same," said the Major. can't af
ford to support him in idleness. But
want Ermina in the house with me
She's pretty, and l like to look at her
She's smart, and l like to talk to her.
The Bellaire Beltons left their card
when they heard that the young coupl
had been adopted by the wealthy Majo
Miles, but she never returned the call
II have worked out the problem o
my own destiny without any help from
them," she said
And so she had