The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1881-06-21
HIS OWN DAUGHTER.

Dear mother, Ills The Dest thirg
after all, that could have happened;
II Is 50 much better than anything |
dared TO hope Tor, because, II had
not fallen aud sprained my ankle |
would not have lost my place In the
store, and II II hadn't been for losing
my place there, | would never have
gone all over the city hunting another
situation, and II | had not been TO so
many placos, aud-if starvation had
not stared us In the face, would
ncverhayc done SO desperate thing,
aud we would still DO trying to keep
soul and body together on thcpoor-,
paid misunderstanding labor--a poor
sales -womRn's wages.
Tell me all about 1t, dear. Aud
Mrs. Smith dropped her thin, tired
hands OH the work, over which she
had bent wearilyail day.
First let me pat this endless sow
ing away, mother. These poor, dear
hands may rest o little now, for am
going to gcttcn dollars week, and
will only beaway from yon four or
five hours each day. | shall have
time for ever so much sewing besides,
aud you can just rest and grow
strong once more. L received my
first weeks wages in advance. See
here--nand shc cut The cord that
bound a large bundle. aud. out on the
table rolled several smaller parcels.
| brought the money home in shape
we could appreciate best; at least =
all there was left alter paying, the
baker. Now, mother dear, | am
going to be exiravagant, aud make an
extra good cup Of tea. iasii
But, Nellie. child. you haven't told
me- ~
1 know mother, broke In the blilne
voice, but you see haven't forgotten
that II is nearly noon, and we have
had no breakfast yet. There now
giving the fire vigorous poke that
set the tea to sleeping. You see
mother, | was just discouraged; |
had been TO every store, millinery
and dress making establishment |
knew OF aud received the same
answer; No more help needed, to
all my inquiries. and, as | said, | was
desperate. Just as turned tho corr
ner of Becker street, / saw a man
being helped out of his carriage
such a splendid carriage mother. lie
was not very old man, but Looked
as though ihc was almost gone with
consumption. went straiy hit up to
hiuL hardly realizing what II was
doing, and asked him ii he knew
where | could get employment oI
some kind. AT first he looked angry
as though he thought my iinpudenct
unbearable, and when he saw my
face he stood still and looked at me
as though ho had seen ghost
Alter moment he saidg s,
Yes, will engage you to come tc
my house every day at ten O'Clock
and read or write for me, as | desire
Till three. will pay YOU ten dollars
a weokior your services. s,e y
| Then he handed me his card, oil
which / read, Hon. @. Hewitt, No
42 Leonard stroet, and l reinembel
that one ofth girls had once pointed
out his beautiful residence 10 me.
| II the situation and terms are salts
factory, you will please accept ont
weeks wages In advance, and COM
tomorrow at ten.
| And be laid ont the money, which
| | was only anxious to take. NJ ...i
| We're you not little hasty, daugh
ter2 asked the mother anxiously
You know nothing Of this man.
| | know this, mother, wc wer
starving, and that money was ou
only salvation; besides 1t all oc
Cured so quickly thatI hardly real
l'ized what had happened. Some hoy
1t seemed as though some overulinI
providence was guiding me'in spit
of myself.
God grant itmay be so, said he
mother. i
And now while Nellie and nc
mother are enjoying their 1dinner le
us cast hasty glance into Mr.
Smiths past life. Her parents ha,
ing died when she was young, he
childhood aud girlhood were passe
IN the dreary monotony Of her aunt
home; "a homo which was grudgint
, ly offered her; where food, clothin
aud education were dealt out to,he
but where mover a word or look
love was bestowel'upon her,
What wonder that, when Claud
Smith, one Of her aunts snmmI
boarders, became interested in Il
girls pretty face, aud shy, swe
0 ways, and told her the old old stor
Z her yeairing heart responded with
passionate lover fIcraunt, being on
too glad to havet the girls suppo
fall Oh other shoulders, consented
the union, and Que eyeningthere NJ
N|I lI 10 .