Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-10-31
Her Own Living.


sunshine, Ermina Halls was a fac
that an artist would have fallen dow
and worshipped. But it is ever a
philosophers tell US, there is
compensation in all things. Tn,
peck marked girl who sat acros
the isle from her in church was ,
millionaire daughter, and thi,
young thing with the angel fac,
was on the lookout for an eligibl,
position as goverDess.
For Ermina Hall was penniless
and it was necessary for her tc
earn her livelihood in some way or
other, and the trade of governess
was at least genteel.
keep day school !" suggested
old Mr.. Prince, who had been very
wont to dine every Sunday with
Judge Hall during that eminent
dankrupt's lifetime, and to con-
sumo quantity of lobster salad,
campagne and boned turkey which
was simply appalling upon those
festive occasions.
Nobody would come to me-"
said poor Ermina, with tears in her
eyes. She had supposed, mex
perienced child that she was, that
Mr.. Prince would have been ready
with a $40 or $50 bill in this her
necessity.
"Needlework," suggested Mr..
Clay, who had mysteriously made
money out of the very speculation
that had beggared the dead man.
81 never did learn to sew" falter-
ed Ermina. 81 could not earn
cent that way"
"Humph." grunted Mr.. Clay,
"The education of woman in the
present day is out-ra-geous-ly
defective. 1t should be reformed"
"Do you suppose" meekly
asked hazarded Ermina, "That l
could obtain any copying from your
office Mademoiselle Lefern used
to say l wrote an elegant hand.
Here is a specimen"
up strokes thin, down strokes
black, long tails to the g's and VS..
Italian school, Ell! Pshaw! Your
writing may do for a perfumed
note, or young lady's album, but
no lawyer would look twice at it.
But l dare say you will scratch
along somehow"
"How murmured Ermina,
resolutely depressing the tears that
were rising to her eyes.
How p Why, there are ways
enough. Nobody needs to starve
in this country. l dare say if you
keep on the lookout something will
turn up"
And that was all the satisfaction
Ermina Hall got.
She went next day to her rich
cousin, Mrs. Bellaire Bolton.
~ am sorry you came this morn
ing, Ermina," said the lady coldly.
II am busy with my accounts"
81 won't detain you an instant"
said Ermina with sinking heart.
M-I-need something to do very
much"
Mrs. Bellair Bolton shut her lips
to eether as If her mouth were a
patent portmonnaie, and penciled
down her figures without looking
up.
"And I thought" went on
Ermina, her heart failing more and
more, 81 could perhaps teach your
little children, ! would work for
very little, and"
"Quite out of the question" said
Mrs. Bellaire Bolton. 81 have Just
engaged Swiss bonnie, who will
give them the regular accent.
And Ermina turned away, feel
ing almost desperate. Lunch was
now In progress: she could perceive
the fragrance Of the chocolate, and
see the dinning-room girl setting
French rolls and spiced salmon on
the table, yet Mrs. Bellaire Bolton
never invited her to stay and break
bread with them.
"Oh, how strange and cruel the
world is" thought Ermina, with
choking sensation ct her throat.
al had so many friends when poor
papa was alive; now / have not
one except Major Miles, but / will
not go to him. He was always
criticising and carping even In the
days of our prosperity; now he
would be simply intolerable."
And so poor Ermina Hall crept
- . oboan rostanront fo appaaea