Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-09-03

their garments were we'll worn, and they
worked very hard. They often came
home later than did from business, and
sometimes when / was returning from
the rare dissipation of visit TO the
theater, could see the light still burn
ing in the sitting room above mine. My
garrulous landlady informed me that the
ladies did a sight of writing when they
we're at home whence inferred that
they occupied themselves either with
copying o. some such employment in
their leisure time. Thus passed some
months. Then came n change. Only
the younger lady went out daily. After
observing this inquired of the landlady
If Mrs. Morton were indisposed. Yes,
the poor lady was 'queerish,' and miss
had persuaded her to keep at home for
q day or two. Meeting Miss Morton on
the stairs next day, ventured to in
quire after her mother, and was an
swercd gently and courteously, but not
IN manner that encouraged further
advances. My fellow-lodgers were de-
cidedly reserved.
"However, having broken the ice, l
regularly inquired after the sick lady
every time met the younger one, and
was surprised to find how the sweet
face, momentarily lifted TO mine in re-
ply, dwelt in my memory all day.
Mrs. Morton did not get better; anx-
ious lines were showing themselves in
the daughters face, and my landlady
told me that she thought Miss Morton
was working too hard. was really be-
coming interested in my neighbors, en-
gagged in fighting the battle of life, so
hard to lonely women. | could sec it
was the old sad story-illness bringing
increased expenses, and means failing
to meet them, the poor girl working
double to supply the mothers failing
| powers. Strangers as they were TO me,
pitied and sympathized with them.
"One evening my musings were in
terrupted by a tap at my door, and on
opening it, to my extreme surprise,
found Miss Morton on the threshold
In brief, agitated words she apologized
for her intrusion, but her mother was
taken so suddenly worse, the landlady
and servant were out, she was afraid to
leave the invalid would l pardon the
liberty, and will 60 for the Doctor
at once,' | cried, selling my hat and
hurrying off before the poor girl could
stammer out her apologies and thanks,
and being fortunate enough to find that
gentleman at home, we soon returned
together. OF course did not accom-
pany him UP stairs, but, after some in
terval, he came to my room.
"'Are these ladies relatives or friends
of yoursP' he inquired.
&" explained that they were not.
81 fear the case is hopeless one,'
he said graveIy.
go If they have friends they should bN
communicated with at once. The young
lady does not realize the danger, but ]
believe Mrs. Morton is sinking rapidly.
1t is a case of low fever, not Infectious,
but very bad type; | should say great
ly induced by overwork of some hind,
and probably augmented by insufficient
nourishment.'
81 limited that the ladies were not too
well off Probably, very probably
said the Doctor Che was kind-hearted
man, but cases of genteel poverty were
so common in his experience that his
interest in them had somewhat dulled)
| will look in again tomorrow; but,
repeat, if the ladies have any friends,
they ought to be communicated with
[ found means of conveying this opinion
as gently rs possible to Miss Morton
afterward, and at the same time request
ing her to employ my services in any
way they could be of use, She thanked
me with the same gentle reserve of
manner. l was very good, but there
was nothing she required.
"But the weeks went by, and / grad
ually acquired a slight intimacy with
her. Mrs. Morton fingered on steadily
declining. dared not offer any assist
ance that looked like pecuniary aid;
but | used to bring daily gifts of
fruit and flowers to the dying woman Q
am afraid said they were presents to
me from the Clapham hot-houses),
and | went on errands; and once-the
night before poor Mrs. Morton died.
finished some copying that Minnie had
promised to send to the publishers that
day, and could not quit her mothers
pillow to complete.
"Poor, gentle Minnie! those days of
trouble brought us much together. l
soon learnt all her little story. Obliged
to leave the pretty country vicarage af-
ter her fathers death-coming to Lon
don, hoping to be able to earn living
with her mother-working hard, living
scantily-it is the old, old tale of hun
dreds of poor women, well born, well
educated, left alone in the world, with
out assistance, to fight their way as best
they can. The Mortons had no friends
in England. Mr.. Morton's brother had
emigrated years ago and settled in Aus
tralia. Minnie had not heard of him
for long time, and did not know his
address. Mrs. Morton had been an or
phan. A cousin of her fathers was the
only person Minnie could apply to for
either advice or assistance; but he was
q hard, cold man with large family,
very unlikely to do much. Neverthe-
less, when poor Mrs. Morton died, Min
ME did write to him, asking, not for pc
cuniary help, but for employment; per-
haps he could obtain her situation as
governess or companion. His reply
came the day of the funeral. had made
the simple arrangements, and now Min
ME and the kind-hearted landlady (who
had accompanied her on her sad jour
ney) had returned, l went upstairs to
see if | could be of any further service.
found Minnie weeping bitterly, and
she at last showed ME her Cousins let
ter.
"The writer was willing to advance
the, sum for a steerage passage to sgd
ney, and trust to 'your gratitude and
sense of honesty to repay me out of your
first earnings Once arrived in the
colony, Minnie would doubtless be able
to discover traces of her uncle, or obtain
some employment. Anyhow, she
would be cheaply off her Cousins hands.
A steerage passage and to arrive
friendless in an unknown country-and
the man had young daughters of his
own! looked at the fair, delicate girl.
Minnie had born up bravely for long
time, but sense of her utter desolation
seemed to fall on her now.
"Oh, what shall l doP' she cried
piteously.
"I took her cold little hand. do not
take a steerage passage to Australia.
Stay in England and-marry me-
"Of course it was foolish business.
| always acknowledge that, though