Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-04-26
Where do you live?' she aeked.
Nowhere They put me out!'
'Who?'

house, for the people there to come
and take me, and l ran away. They
beat the girls in the almshouse, and
I'm afraid.
Gould you show me where Mr.
Potts lives?'
Yes, ma'am.'
Come, then / and she led the child
to the carriage, put her comfortably
upon the soft seat, and told the coach
man to go where she directed.
Mrs. Potts, coarse, vulgar woman,
came out to the grand carriage
cringing and humble. In answer tc
Mrs. Jermayne's inquiries she said
the mother of the child, Mrs. Joyce,
was tramp she had employed in
kitchen work, for her board, for two
years. That she was always weak
ly body, and that the child was nc
good to them, and the parish had bet
ter care for her.
There is no one, then, who has any
right to claim the child? {? asked Mrs.
Jermayne.
I never heard of one. Her mother
said she was a widow, and sha was
just pauper, on the tramp, no
more.
MY dear, said the old lady, very
gently, will you 80 with me, and be
my little maid ?
Yes, ma am
So she was driven in the grand
carriage out of the village over a
broad road to the town of l.,
where Mrs. Jermavne had a splendid
ho ne, and lived alone, save for her
many servants. l
An elderly woman, with a kind
motherly face, Mrs. Jermayne's own
maid, took Mary into her special care,
and a life Of entire happiness opened
for the little waif. She was taught
to read and write, to sew neatly, and
trained in the duties of lady maid
1t was a delight for her to wait
upon Mrs. Jermavne, who was not
very strong, and her feet and hands
were active in any service which
brought her near the gentle old lady
whom she loved with worshiping de
, votlon.
So she grew to be a useful, happy
maidenhood, sheltered from all harm
we'll cared for, well paid, and often
engaged IN recreations suited to heI
years and position. She was Ell ghteen
whe one morning Mrs. Jermayne
WAS reused to her consciousness that
the child had become woman. Be-
cause Mary, shy and blushing, pretty
as daisy, stood before her with
downcast eyes, saying
If yol please, ma am, Tom Boles
wants me to marry him.
And who is Tom Boles, Mary p
asked the old lady, som ewhat start.
led.
The man who wants to marry me
please?'
Yes, understand that, was the
smiling reply but who is he?'
He is James cousin
The chambermaid, Jane?
Yes, ma am he came to see Jane
--and-and-he liked me, ma am
and he came very often, and he's
making very good living at the
foundry, and---and-'
Here Mary became mere picture
of blushing confusion.
and you? asked Mrs. Jermayne
recollecting various instances Of alb
straction in her maid, do you want te
marry Tom p
Yes, if you please, ma am
We'll, my child, l will inquire
about him at the foundry, and if he is
an honest, sober man, who will be
kind to you, we will talk about g
wedding But, Mary, said the old
lady earnestly, if he is not, will yor
still trust to my care for you?'
Yes, ma am ! But know that he
is that and more
And Mary was right. The fore
man Of the foundry gave the young
mechanic a character of which any
man might have been proud, and hi:
own manly, frank manner won fol
lim Mrs. Jermayne's personal liking