American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-03-09

"My respect and admiration, uncle.
1 can not yet realize that man so no
BILE and so good can really desire my
companionship and help in his life.
But, since he does, am glad and proud
to have won his confidence
Hem-yes! Enthusiastic, but heart
whole!" was Mr.. Wilkinson's mental
comment. "Suppose you and go for
a walk ?'' he added, aloud
GA walk?'' Mile said, in tone of
surprise.
Yes. have a friend or two should
ike to have you see. When we come
back will tell you why dislike Cyril
Ormsby, it," he added, mentally, ''you
have not already found out"
1t was not exactly such walk as one
would have mapped out for a gentle
mans invitation to young, beautiful
girl; but Mile followed its course,
leaning upon her guardians arm, won
dering little, but never hesitating,
past the respectable portion of the city,
to quarter known as the q Factory
Row." a place wnere Mr.. Wilkinson
had never before allowed his ward to
/ go. For there were apt to be fevers and
contagious diseases lurking there. 1t
| lay low, and was unhealthy, and the
houses were of the meanest description.
For noble philanthropist, partly
! owning these factories and this quar-
ter, Mr.. Ormsby seems neglectful, :"
said Mr.. Wilkinson, dryly. g L have
an interest in the factories, as you are
aware, but do not own one of these
wretched houses. They are all Cyril
Ormsby's."
g Butt" Mile said, eagerly, "these
people will not let him benefit them.
They use his charity for drink; they
abuse any privilege he gives them, till
he is discouraged in his efforts to do
them any good.''
"Oh! step in here!"
1t was poor place, scantily furnish
ed, and cherries. Upon a cot-bed a
woman lay, in the last stages of con-
sumption. She looked up eagerly to Mr..
Wilkinson.
81 hope you are better,'' he said,
kindly.
''No; 1 shall never be better. If I
may only die in peace; it is all ask. -
''Mr. Ormsby will not disturb you
now!"
''Jennie has gone to him. Yesterday
he sent word that if the rent was not
ready to-day at u, out we must go. I've
paid it regularly for five years, but he
don't think of that. All Jennie's made
the last month she has had to pay for
fire and wood. She's but fifteen, and
her pay is small.''
"What do you owe Cyril Ormsby ?''
&C Thirty shillings!"
"And if he is not paid to-day, he will
put you out into the street to dep
''He says the work-h house is the place
for paupers.'
AT this moment a slim, pale girl of 10
came in, crying bitterly.
''Mr. Wilkinson was out, she began
and then seeing her visitor, she cried
eagerly, F." Oh, Mr.. Wilkinson, you will
not let mother be put out in the street.
I'll pay you every penny, sir, if only you
will wait till she is better, and l can get
| NIX FILL -.;4-A--A-------l-4
"Have you seen Mr.. Ormsby to-day,
Jennie?'' the old gentleman asked
Yes, sir. He said he had no time
to hear any whining. The agent will
be here at u, and if the money is not
paid he will put us out.''
May ~" whispered Mile.
"Just as you please, my dear. Per-
haps this dying woman or her child will
drink up your charity
g Hush, hush!"
So tenderly, SO delicately Mile gave
her charity, that there was only deepest
gratitude awakened without the CALLING
sense of obligation. She left more than
sufficient for some weeks, and promised
to send delicacies for the invalid.
No word of herself passed her lips un-
til they were once more in the narrow
street.
ooh, Uncle Marc,'' she said, "can
it be true that he is SO hard, so false to
me?"
&C Wait,'' was the brief reply.
They went into the wide courtyard
in whose space stood the four great fac
tories, the joint property of Marcus
Wilkinson and Cyril Ormsby, long be-
fore divided by the entirely opposite
management of these two into two dis
tinct departments-one entirely under
the control of the elder, the other of the
younger man. -4--
Wilkinson's absurd soft-hearted-
ness" as Cyril mentally characterized
it, had made this division absolutely
necessary.
But it was not into his own kindly
governed, well ordered departments that
Marcus Wilkinson led his ward. He
turned into a small room, where pale
man was busily writing, and at the
same time overlooking long room,
where about 20 girls were at work be-
fore busily whirling machinery ssGood
morning, Watkins" the old gentle
man said. 81 was in hopes that you
were taking holiday"
''Thank you, sir!" was the reply, in
a detected tone. 81 can't well quit
work, sir. There's the wife and six
little ones, you see.''
"Have you told Mr.. Ormsby the doc
tor says your life depends upon a few
weeks of rest and pure air?''
g Yes, sir. He's not keeping me; but
he says if go he must fill my place