South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-08-06
w a N II +. ID .


lived on the outskirts of a small
village.
Her father was farmer, but not a
prosperous one. Nature. with her
trosts and droughts, was always get
ting the upperhand of him, aud the
crops which he raised were sure to be
those which brought the lowest price
in the market. The cankerworm
stripped his apple tree, and a late
frost blighted the corn and oats. He
had the misfortune to buy q COW
which introduced the cattle disease
into his farmyard, and Dreamer, Spot
" and Whiteface-the three cows
that always filled their pals the full
est and made the most golden butter
-sickened and died.
This was the question which Mar
tie puzzled over from day to day.
coming at last to the conclusion that
she must try her luck in the bic
world which she had seen so little OF
outside Of her own small village
She would go to London, and, if pos
sible, lind there a situation as COVER
ness i'll which she could at least pro-
vide for her own support.
Her mother let tall few quiet
teors over the plan, and smiling patti
emily through them said, ASK your
father Mr.. Woodbridge said NO
at first; but having lain awake all
night over his difficulties, he called
Martic to him; kissed hegsolemnly,gavo
heavy sigh, and with it his consent:
so 1t came TO pass that on a cool,
crisp October morning, when the
woods were ut their brightest antum.
nal flush, and the frost had stiffencd
the grass into little silvery blades and
spears, and made the few pale flowers
that fingered by the roadside hang
their heads, Martie put OH her bravest
smile, made hopeful, comforting little
speeches, kissed them all good-by at
home-thc dear old home, so full OF
joys and troubles-and started for
London to put into that great, hurry
ing, driving, jostlins market the mod
est wares she had to offer.
Martie was eager and full Of hope
but, alas how much cagerncss and
hopefuiness 90 down to death each
day il the frantic rush and scramble
for the good things going. Mart;c in
the great city, looking for work to DO.
seemed like q quiet little wren trying
to plcN up worm or q crumb who're
hawks and vulturcs were snatching
and clAwin9 for plumber.
Martle was met the moment she
stepped from the train by an old
TREND Of the family, who had kindly
promised to receive her at the house.
and to do what she could to assist her.
The next day, early in the morning
q modest, unpretending little advcr.
tiscment was sent TO one Of the daily
newspapers. What a stupendous az
fair il seemed TO Martic, and how her
Unsophisticated little heart beat at the
thought OF it. Nothing could come
of 1t that day, however; and while
she goes out with Allen to do a little
shopping, and stare at few of the
city lions, let lis take n look at the
quarters she has fallen into.
Mrs. Allen kept q small private
lodging house, very select and very
gcnteel. It's inmates were the learn
ed Professor Bigwig and family, from
whose presence certain literary arc
MA WAS supposed to pcrVadc the at
mosphcre the brilliant Colonel Bo-
reas, Understanding to his own ac-
count-ofnumbcrIess battles; arising
young lawyer, with his pretty, blush
ing girl wife. all fresh and lovely I'm
hcr now bridal toilet rich widow
and her still richer daughter, who it
was said, was soon TO become the
helpmate ofthc clerical member of the
household, the Rev. Paul Apollos /:
and las', though not least. the repre-
sentative Of the fine arts. Mr. Ray
mond, an artist, whose pictures had
won golden praises from critics and
connolsseurs, and gold1nprases from
purchasers
Mr. Raymond was Martie's left
hand ueighbor at the table. With
the first glance at his dark face, iron
gray hair and mustachc, and decp.set
cray eyes, she felt rather inclined to
be afraid Of him. When he smiled
she liked him better, and thought the
gray eyes looked kind, and rs she
felt very shy and lonesome among all
these strange faces, she was glad to
have him talk q little to her. and take
care that she was provided with all
she wanted
On the second morning after her
arrival in the city Martic's advertise
mcnt appeared. Mrs. Allen sent n
paper uPto her room before she was
ont of bed so that almost "a soon %
her eyes were open she began to hope.
and 90 bc afraid, and To wonder if.
ont ofso many people who SIN, sup
posed would come to see her any one
of them would thinl, we'll enough of
her 20 want her services.
Martio was very pa,nstal<iug with
her toilet that morning. She wanted
to look her best. She spent twice the