Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-05-09
srAUNToN, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY. MAY 9, 1879.

+ MIA . MA - AO'o'
had mysteriously made money out of the
very speculation that had beggared the
dead man.
81 never did learn to sew" faltered En-
nina. 81 could not earn cent in that
way" -
s'Hump," grunted Mr.. Clay, "The edu-
cation of women in the present day is out
rageously defective. 1t should be reform
ed.'
"Do you suppose meekly hazard
ed Ermina, ''That l could obi in any cop
ying from Your Office? Mademoiselle Le-
fern used to say wrote an elegant hand.
Here is specimen
ssUp strokes thin, down strokes black,
long tails to the g's and US. Italian school,
Ell? Pshawl Your writing may do for a
perfumed note, or young lady's album,
! but no laWy er would look twice at it. But
I dare say you will scratch along some
how"
ssHow2n mermured1 Ernina, resolutely
depressing the tears which were rising to
her eyes.
elbow - Why. there are ways enough.
Nobody need to starve in this country.
dare say if you keep on the lookout some
thing will turn up
And that was all the satisfaction Ermi-
ia Hall got.
She went the next day to her rich cous-
in, Mrs. Bellaire Bolton.
II am sorry you came this morning, En-
| NINA" said the lady coldly. Il am busy
/ with my accounts
Il won't detain you an instant" said
Ermina with a sinking heart. '.'I-I-need
something to do very much"
Mrs. Bellair Bolton shut her lips togeth-
as if her mouth were patent portmonaie,
and pencilled down her figures without
looking up. "s
t'And thought" went on Ermina, her
your little children, 1 would work for very
little, and M
s'Quite out of the question:" said Mrs.
Bellair Bolton. 81 have just engaged
Swiss bonnie, who will give them the regu-
! lar accent" tzN
! And Ermina turned away, feeling almost
desperate. Lunch was now in progress;
she could perceive the fragrance Of the
chocolate, and see the dining-glrl setting
French rolls and spiced salmon on the ia
BILE, yet Mrs. Bellair Bolton never invited
her to stay and break bread with them.
| ''Oh how strange and cruel the world
| is" thought Ermina, with a choking SEN
sation at her throat. II had so many
friends when poor papa was alive; now |
have not one except Maj. Miles, but will
not 90 to him. He always was CRITICS ng
aud carping even in the days of prosperity;
now he would be simply intolerable."
And oor Ermina Hal crept into q
cheap restaurant to appease the gnawing
pangs oil hunger. For she Lad lodged and
boarded herself in order to secure the
greatest possible amount of ready cash
and she had eaten very little The whole
day. An oyster stew and cup of tea. 1t
seemed like boundless extravaganza to the
poor girl, but she was very faint and hun
cry, and felt the sore necessity of food
She was early yet; there were few custo-
mors at the neat little white draped tables
and the Proprietor was leaning against
the counter talking to a woman who SEEM
ed to be relative. y.
They've struck, every one of EN-" he
said. ''The ungrateful fellows, after h; d
paid 'em regular walters wages all the
autumn when no one else did. And now,
if shut up shop, I won't have one of'em
back again. III employ women, hanged
| if don't''
Il don't see why you shouldn't" said
his interlocutor. ''They will come for less
and work harder. Women always do.''
$50 I've heard,'' said the restaurant
man. al-
s'And I'll advertise tomorrow for a lot
of girls to wait here"
Ermina rose timidly and went toward
the red-taced. good natured looking man
''Sir,' said she, ''you spoke Of employ
ing girls as walters. will come and work
faithfully. Will you employ me?"
The restaurant keeper looked Devil
dered.
you are lady, Miss,'' muttered he.
II know that" said Ermina, as it she
was making some damag ing admission.
''but ladies must live, and l am very
poor"
So the next day she came in frilled
white apron and French print dress and
began her new duties in the Eagle Eating
Saloon.
AT least" she told herself, 81 am earn
ing my own livelihood and when l am bu-
sy won't have much time to think"
Mr.. Bellaire Bolton came in one day for
glass of ale and plate of OYSTERS,
''Bless my soul,'' gasped he as Ermina
Hall. quick and neat, looking as though
she had been born and bred to the trade,
-Iserved him, this is never your"
''Why not p said Ermina, laughing in
spite of herself.
my wifs's cousin.in cheap restau-
rantI' he exclaimed. GOOD heaven
what is the world coming tor
ut is not so disagreeable business as you
might think it," said Ermina, land l
must live"
'Disgraceful perfectly disgraceful ~
said Mr.. Bellairo Bolton as he bolted out
leaving his oysters untasted.
Mr.. Prince came in for a sardine and a
cup of coffee-champagne and truff1es were
altogether out of question when he had to
settle the bill out OF his own pocket-and
he started and grew very red when he saw
Ermlna. But be looked straight into his
cup of coffee and pretended not to know
her. And Mr.. Clay stared at her if she