Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-06-30
HER OWN LIVING.


it is ever rs philosophers tell us-there is
u compensation in all things. The pock
marked girl that sat across the aisle from
her in the church was a milionaire'S
daughter, and this young thing, with the
angel face, was on the outlook Tor An eli
gible situation as governess.
For Erminia Hall was penuiless, and
it was necessary !or her to earn her own
livelihood in some way or other, and the
trade OF governess was at least gen
teel"
Keep a day school" suggested old
Mr.. Prince, who had been wont to dine
every Sunday with Judge Hall, during
that eminent hankrupt's life, and to con
sumo quantity of lobster salad, cham
pagne and boned turkey which was >imp
ly appalling upon these festive occasions.
Nobody would come to me-" said
poor Erminia, with tears in her eyes ~
She had supposed inexperienced child
that she was that Mr.. Prince would have
been ready with twenty or fifty dollar
bill, in this her necessity.
Needlework.. - suggested Mr.. Clay,
who had mysteriously made money out
of the very speculation that beggsred the
dead man.
q never learned to sew" iAltered Err
minia, could not earn cent in that
way"
"Humph !" grunted Mr.. Clay. "The
education of a woman in the present day
is out ra sc Gus " detective 1t should
all be reformed. "
do you suppose" mcekly Eslarded
Ermina, "that could obtain any copy
from your office ? Modemoi-e'le Loicru
used to say | wrote an elegant hand
Hero is specimen"
"Up strokes, Thin; down-hlack ;
long tails to the g's-the Italian school.
P haw! Your writing may do for a per-
tuned note Of young lady'- album, bat
no lawyer would look twice at it. But l
dare say that you win scratch along some
how"
How ?" murmured Erminia, reso-
lute}y rrpre.>ug the tear. that were ris-
ing to her eyes.
How ?" Why, there are way
enough. Nobody need to starve in thi.
country. l dare say it you keep on the
lookout something will turn up
And that was all the satisfaction Err
mina Hall got.
She went next to her rich cousin. Mrs
Bellairs Belton.
" am sorry you came this morning
Erminin,' said that lady, coolly, an
busy with my accounts"
81 won't detaG you an Instant" sail
Erminia with sinking heart, "l-I dc
need something to do very much"
Mrs. Bolairs Belton shut her lips to
gether, rs if her mouth were new pat
ent portmonnaie, and penciled down he
figure, withou, looking up.
And thought" went on Ermipia
her heart failing her more and moro,
, could, perhaps, teach your little children
| would work for very little, and"
: Q1te out Of the question" ," said Mrs
Belairs Belton "I've just engaged
Swiss bonue, who will give them the reg
ulsr accent"
And Ermnia turned away fceling al
most desperate. Lunch was in progress
She could perceive the fragrance OF th,
+ chocolate and see the dining room girl
setting French rolls and -piced salmon
'ou the table Yet Mrs. Bclnirs Beltol
never asked her to stay ana break breaC
with them,
80, how strange and cruel the worC
is" thought Ermiuia, with chokin.
sensation in her throat &" had so mary
friends when poor papa wa alive-now
have not one except Major Niles, but
will not 60 to him. lie was always crit
icising and carping even in the days o
our prosperity; now he would be simply
intolerabIe."
And 50 poor Erminia Hall crept into 8
cheap restaurant to appease the gnawin.
pangs Of hunger. For she had lodgin.
and boarded herself, in order to screw th,
greatest possible amount Of ready cash
T and she had eaten but little all day.
An oyster stew and cup Of tea
seemed like boundless extravagAnce t.
the girl, but she was faint and hungry
and felt the sore necessity Of food. Sh,
was early yet-there were few customer
at the neat white-draped tables-and tb'
proprietor was leaning against the count
er, talking to woman who seemed to b,
some relative.
They've struck, every one Of 'ern,
said be, " the ungratetu lelo@s, after
had paid them regular walters wages al
the autumn when no one else did anC
now if shut up shop won't nave on
Of 'em back again. III employ women
hanged if don't"
4" don't see why you shouldn't any
way" said his nterlocutor they'll com,
for less and work harder. Women al
ways do"
SO I've heard" said the restauran
man, " and TN advertise to- morrow 70
lot OF girls to wait here"
, Erminia rose aud went timidly towar,
the rcd faced good-humored looking
man.
"Sir," said she, you spoke Of en-
ploying girls rs walters. need work.
? will come and work faithfully. "Wi
you employ me ?"
f The restaurant keeper looked bewilder
= ed. You afe lady, Miss !" stutteroc
be.