The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1877-02-03

any woman.
But when the silver tankard presented to
Mr.. Rodman, and Ellen's name was not upon the
list of contributors to the gift Walter experienced
a sharp pang of disappointment. He knew that
his fathers Recommendation had gained Ellen her
first place in the factory, that she had found firm
friend in him, and owed her rapid advancement to
his interest and influence. And yet she had
fused her mite to the gift that testified the good
feeling of her fellow workers in the factory!
Father and had long been confidential
friends; and on the evening following the presen-
tation the latter opened his heart and told all his
doubts and fears. Mr.. Rodman listened quietly.
"Yet you love Elen," he said.
'I love her." replied Walter, 'but / could never
be happy with miserly wife,"
'Poor Ellen, how little she deserves that re-
proach" said Mr.. Rodman. ~ shall violate
confidence reposed in me- Walter, when tell you
how you misjudge her, but think can trust you"
elias she told you her secretT
"No; heard the story from the clergyman of
Lenwood, her native village, who wrote to me be-
fore she came here. He is an old friend of mine,
and knew he could confde in me. l will tell you
what he wrote to me. Six years ago Ellen's mother
died, leaving in her sckly brother then
eleven years old. Her own father had left Ellen
pretty cottage, and had small income from the
fruit and poultry on the place, while she made a
sufficient living by teaching music and playing the
organ in the church. When her mother died,
leaving Stephen Grady, her step-brother, an
phan and penniless (for her epfather before his
death squandered all her mothers little fortune,)
Ellen promised to care for the boy. Remember,
she was but sixteen herself, though early care had
matured her far beyond her actual years.
"The boy grew up like his father, reckless Of ex-
penditure loose in principle, yet tender to his
sister mother and of those loving scape graces
who always win some good woman's devotion.-
He won Ellens. She thought herself bound by
her promise to her mother to make every sacrifice
for Stephen, and she faithfully tried to lead him
away from the companions and evil influences
that were running his life. Three years ago a
friend of Mrs. Grady's took Stephen into his count
g-house. Here he was to learn the book-keep-
ing, and for time he worked steadily Then the
bad company that had ruined his boyhood again
exerted an evil influence, and he learned to gam
BILE. Remember, Walter, he was but fourteen, and
Ellen but five years older.
"0ne of his accomplishments was the power of
initiating handwriting, and by the persuasion of
some older heads he forged check Of two thous-
and dollars on the firm he was with. The check
passed the bank undetected, for the cashier was in
the habit of paying over large sums to Grady
But when it was returned to the firm, the forgery
was discovered and traced to Stephen. Then the
| truth came out that he had gambled away the en-
tire amount, and the two men who had urged the
crime and pocketed the money had fed, leaving
the lad to bear the consequences. He was arrest
ed, and repentance came when he the full con-
sequence of his acts.
at was then that Ellen proved herself the noble
woman believe her to be. She suffering al
ready for her brothers crime having lost her place
as organist, and most of her music pupils having
left her. Despite all this she went to the firm and
pleaded for the lad. Her eloquence gained him
something They agreed not to prosecute, but to
allow the boy to leave the town, and 60 to an un-
Gle who willing to give him another trial in q
Western city, if-mark that if, Walter-if Ellen
would pay the two thousand dollars and interest
within two years.
"She undertook the task. Stephen was released
and sent to his fathers BROTHER where he is doing
well, and Ellen left her home and came here, hoping
for higher wages than she could earn in her own
town. I, knowing all, advanced her interest in
every way. Month after month. DENYING herself
everything but the barcst necessaries of life, she
has sent her earnings wipe off her brothers debt
With the rent of the house and what she saves
here she has paid it all, the last nstallment being
acknowledged in q letter handed to her yester-
day. You can understand why she could not take
few dollars to subscribe for present to me
when tell you the two years expired on the very
day when the last hundred dollars was received.
Now, Walter, you know Ellens secret. Judge for
yourself if she is miser"
"She is as noble and self sacrificing as my heart
always told me she was, in spite of appearances"
said Walter, warmly. Tomorrow I will see if
she can ever return my love-"
"Een went home this afternoon, her task finished.
Out of the sum paid her for the last week of her
toll here she begged my acceptance of the copy of
Longfellow upon the table beside you, asking me
to believe she grateful for all my kindness to
her. Let her rest little from her long strain of
sclf-sacrifce and toll Walter; and then, if you can
win her love, will gladly give her daughters
place in my heart"
Winter had come and gone, and spring sunshine
was making all nature glad when one CHEEKY
morning, the train through Lenwood left q single
passenger at the village station He was q tall,
handsome man, dressed well, without foppishness,
| and he inquired of man at the station for the
residence of Miss Churchill.
"The first white cottage as you turn the second
street from here" was the reply.
1t soon found, and at the gate the traveller
halted. The windows, shaded by wide veranda,
were open and he could see the tasteful parlor.-
Near the window stood handsome woman, trail
| ing vine over network of string. Her face was
partly averted but the stranger could see that all
| the pallOr and sadness of the past were gone.
| Upon the graceful figure was dress of feecy
musn tastefully made, and trimmed with soft
lace rufles at throat and wrist and few well
chosen ornaments. Suddenly some inner sense
seemed to tell Ellen she was matched. She turned
and saw Walter ROdman, looking earnestly, wist-
fully at her. A quick flush swept across her cheek
and her eyes lighted gladly as she came forward to
meet him.
'May 1 come in?' he asked, opening the little
gate. 10
'T am very glad to welcome you," she answered,
| and then extended her hands rs he sprang lightly
up the steps.
1t is not fair to repeat lovers talk. Suffice it
that before Walter left the little cottage to take the
| return train, he had won the dearest wish of his
heart; and when summer roses boomed, Ellen be-
came the bride of the junior partner of Meredith
& Co., the new firm of the factory where she had
worked so faithfully.
How TO FIND Our WHOM ANY GIVEN PERSON
WILL MARY.-It doesn't require any astrologer, or
medium, or gypsy with dirty pack of cards. 1t
is very simple, lies in nutshell, and can be ex-
pressed in a very few words. The plan is this:--
| If a girl expresses a fondncss for majestic men
with large whiskers, make up your mind she win
marry very small man with none. If she de-
cares that "nind" is all she looks for, expect to
see her stand before the altar with very pretty
fellow who has just sense enough to tie craVat
bow. If, on the contrary, she declares she must
have a handsome husband, look out for the plain
est person in the circle of her acquaintance, and
declare ''that is the man," for it will be- Men are
almost as bad. The gentleman who desires wife
with mind and mission marries a Hsping baby,
who screams at u sight of a mouse, and hides her
face when she hears a sudden knock at the door.
And the gentleman who dreaded anything like
strong -mindedncss exuts in the fact that his wife
is everything he detested If girl says of one,
"Marry him I'd rather die! look upon the affair
as settled and expect cards to the wedding of these
, two people. If man remarks of lady, "Not my
style at al" await patiently the appearance OF his
name in the matrimonial column in connection
with that ladys. And, if any two people declare
themselves 'frends, and nothing more" you may
know what will come next.