The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1877-03-15

HnOwledged Ellen Tor Its queen, gTleved
over the evident mystery in her life While
in her conversation she advanced noble and
generous views, her whole style Of living
was penurious to an extent rarely soon in
women Of her age, when living upon much
smaller salary than she commanded It was
not merely economy, but saving pushed to
extremity.
There was Il struggle constantly in the
mind of the young clork--;t struggle be-
tween his love and his fear of repentance,
if he urged his suit. 1t was revolving to
him to think of his wife conducting his
household upon parsimonious principles, re-
fusing to bestow Of his abundance in charity,
dressing meanly, and perhaps influencing
him to the same miserly habits. And yet,
one hour with Ellen drove away all such
thoughts.
The law, soft voice, always tingod by
her habitual sadness, conveyed such mir
ror of pure, tender heart, cultivated
mind, noble soul that Walter forgot the
coarse, mean dress, the many stories rife
in the factory Of Een's stinginess and knew
he loved her as nc had never before loved
any woman.
But when the silver tankard was pre-
sented to Mr.. Bodman, and Ellen's name
was not upon the list OF contributors TO the
Gift, Walter experienced sharp pang Of
disappointment. lie knew that his fathers
recommendation had gained Ellen her first
place in the factory, chat she had found
firm friend in him, and owed her rapid adj
vaucement to his interestand influence. Aud
yet she had refused her mite to the gifts
that testified the good feeling Of her fel-
low-workers in the factory
Father and son had long been confdcn-
tial friends and on the evening following
the presentation the latter opened his heart
and told all his doubts and fears Mr.. Rod
man listened quietly.
yet you love Ellen, he said.
Il love hen" replied Walter, but could
never be happy with miserly wife.
Poor Ellen, how little she deserves that
reproach = said Mr. Rodman II shall
violate a confidence reposed in me, when
tell you how you miSjudge her, but think
| can trust YOU
"No; ! heard the story from the clergy
man Of Lcuwoad. her native village, who
wrote to me before she came here lie is
an old friend Of mine. and knew he could
confde il me. | viii tell you what he
wrote to nae. Six years ago Ellcn's mother
died, leaving in her care sickly step
brother, then eleven years old. Her own
father had left Ellen pretty cottage, and
had a small income from the fruit aud poul-
try on the place, where she made sulll-
cieut living by teaching music and playing
the organ in the church. When her mother
died, leaving Stephen Grady, her step
brother, an orphan and pcunilcss (lor her
step-fathor before his death squandered all
her mothers little tortune), Ellen promised
to care for the boy. Remember, she was
but sixteen herself though carly care had
matured her far beyond her actual years.
The boy grew up like his father, reck-
less Of expenditure, loose in principle, yet
tender to his sister mother, and one ofthose
loving scapegraces who always win some
good woman's devotion. He won Ellen's.
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 in
fuences that were running his life. Three
wears ago Il friend Of Mrs Gradys took
Stephen into his counting house. Here
he was to learn the bookkeeping, and for
time he worked steadily. Then the bad
company that had ruined his boyhood again
exerted an evil influence and he learned
20 gamble Remember, Walter, he was
brt fourteen, and Ellen but five years older.
Gone Of his accomplishments was the
power of initiating handwriting and by the
persuasion Of some older heads he forged u
check Of two thousand dollars on the firm
lie was with. The cheek 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 for
gerry was discovered and traced to Stephen.
Then the truth came out that he had gam
blcd away the entire amount, and the men
who had urged the crime and pockotcd the
money had fed, leaving the lad to bear the
consequences. he was arrested, and re-
pentancc came when he saw the full con
seqence OF his acts.
"It was then that Ellen proved herself
the noble woman ] believe her to be She
was suffering already for her brothers
crime, having lost her place as organi5t, 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 pro-
secute, but to allow the boy to leave the
town, and 90 TO an uncle who was willing
to give him another trial in a Western city
if-Inark that IT, Walter-it 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 we'll 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 barest ncces-
saries of life, she has sent her earning 70