Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-09-09
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large. strong constitutional parents who
gave her life. Small she was, and not
overstrong or well developed when she
reached her fifteenth year: and as the me-
cessity for working life was plainly APP
parent, she was duly given into the charge
OF the village dressmaker for tuition in
that branch Of usefulness. Quiet. uDas-
suming and gentle had the child grown
upi plain. too, with manners the most re-
firing, and yet with quiet dignity and
sweet patience Of mind.
'.Well, dressmaking was far more gen.
teel than washing" avowed Maggie, who
was yet determined to do the best she
could for the child.
'.And so leetle Victory has gone to work
like other folks" said Jane Hale; land
sure she's none too good for :" for
neighbor Hale. be it known. had never
forgiven the birth Of the child or the re
instatement Of Maggie az favored and
head washerwoman, when her necessities
again brought her to the notice Of soiled
patrons who desired cleansing.
Time passed on; Maggie sunk to rest,
and at the age Of thirty, Victory Brown
found herself alone in the world, and
conscious that public patronage bad drift
ed away from her to cross the street
where city dressmaker had established
herself, with added advantages in the way
Of youth, a fresher face, newer fashions,
and certain dash and style of manner
which little Victory did not possess, and
could never hope to acquire.
1t was late one Saturday evening that
she sat by the freside musing over her
lonely lot.
Not much given to musing, as a rule,
was Victory. But during the last week
not n customer had lifted the latch Of her
door, nor Il stitch of sewing for others
had been brought to her hands.
and the question arose, what could she
do?
The little house was hers. Before her
father died, he had saved enough to buy
it. and proud. indeed. had he been when
he came h)me one day with the deed in
his hand. made out to Victory Brown.
But thought must not dwell on the past
she had the future to look out for; all
alone in the world-and she thought with
regret Of the brief dream of love she
had entertained when only eighteen-of
the handsome city fellow who wooed her
quietly in the grassy lanes, and then left
without one word Of farewell
But the future she could not bring
herself 10 any plan which seemed feasible,
by which she might earn a comfortable.
living and lay aside something for old
age.
"Why did they call me Victory?n unused
the lonely. homely little woman. as she
sat watching the glowing wood fire. why
dld they C II me Victory? am just poor.
desloate oldwoman, and she brushed away
tear. not alone for the dead parents. but
for the dead love as well. lin quite sure
that Prudence would have suited me better
-or-or-any name but that and Il sigh
came up from the heart that was hid under
meath the dull brown dress.
''Rap-tap," came at the lower door
who can that be ;" she CALCULATED, with
a glance Of surprise at the clock. whose
hands were just on the stroke of len; mo
customer at this hour, am sure
The knock was repeated and she fastened
10 open the door.
A man with slouched hat drawn low
over his brow stood there beside large
basket.
''Does Miss Victory Brown live here?''
he asked. in n strange tone.
- am Miss Brown was the quiet
rejoinder.
Here is some work that was told tn
bring and leave for you. Can you attend to
it?"
"What is it. and how soon is it wanted p
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