Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-08-30
MISS MINTs FRIEND.

MISS MINIS FRIEND.
"Frank, do you know anything about
the queer little person who sits opposite
to us at the dinner tablet Miss Mint
they call her. Is she u teacher, or
whatpn
Frank Hastings-a young man who
for six months had enjoyed call the
comforts and conveniences of u private
home" at Mrs. Starkweather's Select
clearinghouse, No. 16 - street,
lighted fresh cigar before he answered,
rather languidly:
"No; she's something ten times worse
"a sort of reporter. She goes round
to churches and lecture-rooms, trying
TO pick up the few stray crumbs the
other repol ters leave behind 'em.
There's only one paper employs her
regularly, and that at a starvation
price. She wears one dress all the year
round, sports bonnet handed down to
her by her great-grandmother, and
rooms in the attic, for which precious
privilege and her dinner she pays Mrs.
Starkweather three dollars q week
Bahl' concluded Frank, in tone of
disgust, as he threw one leg over an
other, and sat gazing into the fire.
Poor soul! She's to be pitied, I'm
sure,n said Caleb barley, who being a
Woodworking reporter himselfy and a
tender-hearted man besides, felt some
sympathy for the little creature they
were discussing.
Nonsensel'' said Frank, sharply.
"Wby don't she try her hand at some
thing Notwithstanding, or teaching,
or some other work fit for womanP'
"Perhaps she hasn't the chance or
the talent to do either" Darleyreplied.
Then let her stay at home and help
about the house. Come to think of it,,
though, / believe she has no home.
She's an orphing.' S'pose it's rather
tough for the poor thing" said Frank,
with slight tinge of compunction in
drop Miss Mint as seedy subject.
Have another cigarP'
"Thank you, no; must be off, I've
got to report IS sermon tonight. :"
Poor fellow! Glad Tn not in your
line of business" said Frank, who was
clerk in a large wholesale store.
Wonder if little Mint's going?" You
might escort her home, barley. 1t
would be quite a new sensation for her,
and just think how all the fellows on
the street would envy your
"Oh, leave poor little Miss Mint
aloner' said Darley, as he walked to-
ward the door. Remember she's
swimming against stiff stream like
the most of us, and finds it hard work
to keep her head above water. Don't
throw stones at her.
"'Pon my word you're developing a
poetical vein. This is really getting
dangerous. Well, good-by for the pres
ent, old chap; look in again after
church, will youP"
"No; | must go to the Office" said
Caleb, as he went out.
In her little room, two stories higher
up, Miss Mint was putting on her bon
net, quite unconscious of how she was
being discussed below.
She was very small and slight, this
poor little heroine of ours, with face
that might have been pretty before pri.
walton and anxiety stole its bloom and
plumpness away. Her glossy brown
hair was brushed in smooth waves over
her forehead; she had large tender gray
eyes, and mouth that, for all its reso-
luton and character, had q pathetic
droop at the corners that seemed to
have become habitual. She was nearly
twenty-three, but looked at least two
years older.
Her little room was as bare and COM
fortress place as could be imagined.
No furnace heat could penetrate up
there, and Miss Mint's hands were so
numb with cold she could scarcely pin
her shawl. The floor of the room un-
painted, and bare save tor a strip of
rag-carpet by the bed; the ugly little
wash-stand in one corner, with its clum-
sy bowl and pitcher; the stiff-looking
wooden chair that made your back ache
TO look at it; and the bed itself, with its
tawdry, faded counterpane-it was a
dreary picture for poor little Ellen
Mints beauty-loving eyes TO rest on.
She had done her best TO brighten it;
two or three pictures she had brought
with her hung on the walls, the little
table by the window was covered with
books, and a delicate glass vase she
was too poor TO fill with the flowers she
loved stood on the bureau. There were
couple of hanging shelves on the wall,
OF which only the upper one, with her
workbasket on it, was visible; a green
and white calico curtain hid the rest.
This was her cupboard.
But we return TO Miss Mint herself,
who is downstairs and out of the door
by this time. She is a quick walker,
and in a few moments finds herself at
the entrance to the church, already be-
sieged by an anxious crowd, who are
kept in check by the ushers and a couple
of policemen. Miss Mint does not at
tempt to press in here; she slips round
by side door, and an usher, who
knows her by this time, plants chair
for her at no great distance from the
pulpit. She sinks mechanically into it,
and sits in a sort of stupor for q while
the change from her dark, chilly room
TO this warmth and dazzle of light
makes her head swim and her heart
tremble. But her nerves are naturally
strong and steady, and she soon rouses
herself, determined not to give away tc
a weakness she has never felt before
and which for a moment filled her with
dismay.
The grand voice of the organ echoes
through the church, and Ellen, who
loves music, is soon absorbed in listen
ing, and feels for a time uplifted above
the cares and sorrows OF this world
The music and the prayers are the rich
est part Of the service to her; in report
ing the sermon she has 10 follow ever,
word so closely that il takes away from
the enjoyment of listening.
Caleb barley, seated among the othe
reporters, catches a glimpse of her, an,