The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-09-23

Band and guSSet and
Till over the buttons I fall asleep,
And them on in my dream. ."-HOoD
These were the words that rang in the head of
Florence Campbell, she wearily bent over a
little apron for one of her sisters, the same night
that she was sent away without her wages by Mrs
Murch
"HOw do people think l can live without pay
for my work ~ sighed she. ~ sewed last week at
Judge Laws, and his wife says 1 must 20 to his
office for my money! thing feel unwilling to
do, for 1 dislike the way the man smiled at me
whenever he found me alone while at his house
Then Mrs. Murch was cross tonight, and found so
much fault with my work. saying she could not
afford TO pay such high prices Oh, dear!
wonder if do not earn my wages The money
get seems little enough when there are so many
things to be bought with it. am glad laid in
good stock of flour and potatoes when I got my
last payment. If had not done so, we must have
gone hungry, for no one wants to trust a poor
sewing-girl- 1 am sure, though do not wish to
go in debt, 1 am glad cannot get credit am
afraid / should be tempted to try it sometimes
when rich people owe me, and we are so hungry
for something besides bread and potatoes"
Talking thus to herself in the dim light of her
dark-walled room, Florence worked on till nearly
midnight, and then went hopelessly to her long
needed rest. She arose as early as usual and pre-
pared her breakfast Of hot griddle cakes and
n3asJed potatoes, and walked Jennie and Julia her
younger twin sisters, with a CHEEKY shout Of
Hot cakesi Who wakes?
Who'll eat while I balles -
There, little girls, don't say | did not make
poetry as well as breakfast for YOU The cakes
are the substantials and the poetry is the sauce
Come, now, for l must be off soon to hunt for some
work or some pay-one or the other"
The fresh girl-faces were sweet with morning
smiles they lifted them for the usual kiss to the
wise sister, who always rewarded them thus for
making their toilets nicely; and the scanty break
fast eaten with the sauce Of good.appetite and
2 little salt and sugar.
After the table was cleared and the room neatly
arranged, Florence put on her hat and went out
for the day. As the hour was quite early, she
presumed she would not find Mrs Murch ready to
receive anyone, and feared the Judge would not be
IN his office, but concluded to go to the latter
place first.
She ascended the dingy staircase and knocked
tmidly at the door, and was hidden to "come i'm
with loud voice that startled her. She opened
the door with kind of desperation, saying to
herself:
''why should fear? My errand is an honest
one"
The Judge turned toward her with very bland
smile, expressed his pleasure at seeing her, and
asked, with apparent anxiety, what he could do
for so charming young lady.
He placed chair near the table, where even at
this early hour bottle Of wine and a glass were
Standing each bearing evidence to their having
been used for the morning SMILE
Florence refused to be seated at first but on
being repeatedly urged, she reluctantly sank
down, at the same time hurriedly telling her
eTrand.
"Money you want?" said the Judge "You
worked for my wife, did you Yes 1 believe /
observed your pretty face and fresh collars. Last
week, was it not? Well really, must see my
wife about it, and ask her what the bill is, before
can pay it,"
81 worked just week, at a dollar and quarter
sday, sir. I presume you can remember 1 was
there just week, and wish you would take my
word for it. I need the money much," said
Florence, with a tremor in her voice, but with
uplifted head and clear, fearless eyes.
'Need the money, do you ?" said the Judge
"What for? To buy more natty collars for your
pretty white throat ?"
"Judge Law, / not on the witness stand"
said Florence; "nether do / come here to hear
compliments. | want what is justly my due, and,
if it viii help the matter any, can tell you