Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-07-11
Ellen ChurchiiIs Secret.


In the ante-room of Meredith 4 Sons
great cotton factory, in Philadelphia, a group
of girls were standing engaged in animated
discussion. They were all young, some
pretty, all dressed neatly, though many wore
ill-chosen and unbecoming finery. One of
those who had mock gold chain and brace
lets, and profusion of jet trimmings OH a
cheap silk dress, spoke emphatically: " 1t is
the stingiest proceeding ever heard of p
"What are you all so excited about 2"
asked pretty little blonde, coming in from
the loom-room.
"Ellen Churchill"
Dear mel What has she been doing
now 7 You are always discussing some
dreadful deed of poor Ellen's. ike her
myself"
{" Yes, we all know that" said the first
speaker; "you will defend anything Ellen
does"
" But what has she done2"
=" Refused to sign the subscription for the
tankard to be presented to Mr.. Rodman."
" And Mr.. Rodmau has been such good
friend to her." said third voice.
The little blonde, Susie Whiting by name,
looked rather staggered at the new accusa-
tion against her friend. Mr.. Rodman mana
ger for Meredith Son for nearly fifty years,
was about to retire on account of the infirm-
tiles of age, and the persons engaged in the
great factory were collecting money TO buy
a tankard to present to him. He was a
kindly old man. and always ready TO lend a
helping hand to the small army of work.
people under his control so that the pre-
sentation was really gift of love
Ellen Churchill had come to the great
factory two years previous to the date of the
indignation meeting in the ante-room, and
had risen to the position of forewoman in
one OF the lOom-rooms. She was a hand
some girl, about twenty when she applied
for work, and by every action and word be-
trayed the fact that she had stepped from a
life of refinement to the drudgery of fac
tory hand. Her low, even tone BETRAYED the
lady in its well-chosen words; and her slim,
white hands bore no trace of toll on her
smooth skin. She was courteous to all who
came into intercourse with her. but init
mate with none. She had nursed Susie
Whiting through long period of contagious
fever, winning the devotion of that little
maiden, and the manager soon put her into
the position of forewoman. Here her edu-
cation enabled her to keep the books re-
quired in the room, thus doubling her salary.
And here was the great ground of com
paint by her companions. 1t was well known
that the salary of Ellen Churchill was suf.
icient to warrant good style of living and
dressing, In the great boarding house. where
seventy of the girls had rooms, she could
well afford to pay for the best, to contribute
to the amusement of the house, and dress
we'll Instead of all this, she lived in the
attic poorly furnished, with tiny stove,
where she cooked the cheapest of food. Her
dress was of the coarsest description, made
by her own hands, and no ornament broke
its severe simplicity. She never spent money
in any pleasure-seeking, nor joined in any of
the quiet merriment in the house. But the
crowning enormity was the refusal to con-
tribute to the silver tankard
The excited group in the ante-room dis
persed for the day, walking home in the twi-
light of September evening, and still they
talked of the young forewoman.
"The question is said Mary Leigh, who
mad been foremost in the ante-room discus
sion, "what does she do with her money ?
She never puts any in the factory savings
banks she certainly spends nothing on her
dress. Where is it all, then 2"
Perhaps she supports her parents 7"
" Both dead. have heard her say So"
Well, dare say Mr.. Rodman won't think
her such paragon rs he has done when he
misses her name from the subscription list. '
"And Walter Rodman will probably re-
sent the insult to his father"
There was an exultation in the tone of the
last remark but ill-concealed. Walter Rod
man, the only child of the old manager, was
in the counting-house of the factory, with
every prospect of soon becoming a partner
A man past thirty, he had risen in the employ
Of Meredith & Son from lad of fourteen
and had saved money from handsome sal.
ary, with the avowed intention of purchasing
a place in the firm, upon the anticipated re-
tirement of old Mr. Meredith, who was known
to favor the intention. Among all the clerks
and workmen in the great factory there was
no one so handsome as Walter Rodman, none
so great favorite with ALL But he had
gone through thirty years of life, fancy free
until Ellen Churchill came to the factory
There was something in the noble, refined
iace of the young girl that attracted Walter
Rodman from the first. That there was
some heavy trouble broodng in the sadness
of her great dark eyes, he never doubted
but if ever purity and goodness were pic
tured in human countenance, they were in
Ellens, From his father he learned much
Of the new conner, of the quick adaptability
she showed for work evidently new to her
Of the almost masculine brain that fitted hel
30 soon 10 take control OF the loom-room
where over a hundred girls were at work.
OF her antecedents he knew only that she
brought letter from the clergyman of hei
parish, from small town of New Yorb
| state. That she was a woman of cultur,
| aud refinement, they could see for themselves
- nIt D..l. l. g.. a..
true, as his heart more and more acknowl
edged Ellen for its queen, grieved over th'
evident mystery in her life. While in hel
conversation she advanced noble and gener
GUS views, her whole style of living wa
penurious to an extent rarely seen in womeI
of her age, when living upon much smalle
salary than she commanded. 1t was no
merely economy, but saving pushed to ex
tremity.
There was struggle constantly in tn
mind of the young clerk-a struggle between
his love and his fear of repentance, if h
urged his suit. 1t was revolving to him Il
think of his wife conducting his household
ON parsimonious principles, refusing to be
stow of his abundance in charity, dressing
meanly, and perhaps influencing him to tn
same miserable habits. And yet, one hou
with Ellen drove all such thoughts away.
The low, soft voice was always tinged witt
her habitual sadness, conveyed such a mil
ror of a pure, tender heart cultivate,
mind noble soul, that Walter forgot tn
coarse, mean dress, the many stories rife il
the factory OF Ellens stinginess, and kne,
he loved her as he had never before love-
any woman.
But when the silver tankard was presente
10 Mr. Rodman, and Ellen's name was no
on the list of contributors TO the gift, Wa
ter experienced sharp pang of disappoint
ment lie knew that his fathers recon
inendation had gained Ellen her first plac
in the factory, that she had found 6rI
friend in him, and owed her rapid advanc,
ment TO his interest andinfuence. And ye
she had refused her mite to the gift that te,
titled the good feeling of her fellow-worker
in the factory.
Father and son had long been confdentis
friends; and on the evening following tn
presentation, the latter opened his heart an
told all his doubts and fears.
Mr., Rodman listened attentively.