The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-21
THF WRONG VERDICT.

I DO | look like anybody who is likel
to want tapes and shoe laces. No, SISSY
don't" And then, as Flora Rawson wa
moving slowly away, with q mute, uncom
planning expression of despair in her face
he added, kindly, But, all the same 70,
had better come in and warm yourself; 70,
look half frozen to death. = 3:
'sThank-you, sir" said Flora, and sh
came gratefully to the fire, setting her bas
ket of cheap wares on the floor, and warme
herself, shyly glancing around the while a
the cosy little private room with its cheer
full red carpet on the floor, the curtains a
the window and the leather cushioned easy.
chairs. The fire blazed and cracked IL
the grate-Flora, secretly wondering how
any one could have the heart to waste Goa
SO recklessly-a clock with a plate glass
front licked leisurely on the wall, and Mr..
Penfeld, making entries in his big ledger,
and day-book, whistled softly under bis
breath as he did so.
What is your name, child?" he asked al
last without turning his head.
Flora Rawson, sir" was the meek
reply. 5ss
How old are your"
Going on fourteen, sir, believe"
And how does it happen that you are
selling gimcracks like these around the
country, instead of being put at some hon
est trade, said Mr.. Penfeld, with his pen
! in his mouth, while he got up to search for
some blotting paper.
Flora hung down her lead. There's
only me, said she. Father and mother
are dead, and my step mother says I've got
to earn my own living!"
Where do you liver" said Mr.. Pen6eld,
brusquely.
I'm Holmes lane the title cottage lust
this side of the china factory.
ssHumph! said Mr.. Penfeld. tsThat
locality has bad name!" 3t
ssYes, sir" Flora made haste to explain,
there was bad set lived there last year.
But my step-mothcr, sir, she tries to be
decent and honest and she goes out wash
| ing and cleaning, by the day, to support my
| little half brothers and sisters, and"
| But here she became conscious that Mr..
Penfield was intently surveying her and
| cOlOred scarlet, all of q sudden. IL
would you like to learn the gold leaf
| business?" said he. And work here in the
factory, with these girls who are coming
up now for their wages?"
Flora glanced tinidly at the line of bright
faced, neatly dressed young women who
| were collecting outside MIR. Penfeld's slid
ing window, which afforded easy commu-
nication with the ware room without.
Gould I, sir?" she said, drawing her
breath quickly, with sort Of sob. y
I don't know why not, said Mr.. PEN
field. aIts pity that q smart likely girl
like you should be tramping around the
country, selling buttons and pins, when
there are respectable trades to be learned
I'm busy tonight. Come here at nine
o'clock to- morrow morning, and I'll see If
we can make room for you. No-you
needn't go until you are thoroughly warm;
he added, with sudden sentiment of com
passion, as he noted her blue fingers aud
slight, shivering frame! And then he ap-
piled himself with energy to the task Of
paying off the hands-a ceremony which
took place every Monday afternoon at FIVE
precisely.
Flora Rawson stood by the fire little
longer, but she felt the eyes Of the smartly
dressed operatives upon her and became
painfully aware of the deficiencies of her
faded dress, shabby worsted shawl and
frayed straw bonnet with MANY NANCY vel
vet bows-so presently she crept away
withoat disturbing kind Mr.. Pen6eld
He finished his task presently all except
paying old Mrs. Reilly, who scrubbed the
floors, polished the windows and carried
| out the ashes.
"Hallow said he glancing uneasily
around. This is very strange. Tn sure
for you, Mrs. Reilly-just here by the
| glass paper-welght, but don't see it howl"
He lifted up papers, pen-rack, ink stand
even shook the daily paper that lay there
to see if, perchance the missing bill had
| hid itself away in its folds but all to no
avail. He searched through his pockets
and all the time old Mrs. Reilly, who was
very deaf, stood smiling and courtseying in
| front of the sliding window.
A sudden light flashed across his mind
The turned quickly and cast searching
glance around the Office.
II thought So, said he. The girl is gone.
And SO is the money. What q fool was to
listen for moment to her plausible story.
Well, its rather an expensive little lesson,
but it serves me right"
He paid Mrs. Reilly ont Of his own mon
ey drawer, shut up the Office and went
home, rather disenchanted with his ideal
view of respectable poverty.
lane" thought he. The girl don't live
there-and never did.
But the next morning as he sat over his
4 books, just as the clock was striking nine,
4 in its slow, deliberate fashion, there came 3
! knock at the panels of the door, and Flora
Rawson presented herself, with her raven
curls brushed tidily back under net, he1
face shining with recent soap and water, and
some attempts made at mending up the
more hopeless Of the rents IN her dress.
Mr.. Penfeld's face grew hard as he be-
held her.
II am surprised at your audacity in com.
ing here. girl?" said he, sternly.
'Sir?"
Poor Flora looked at him in amazement
not unmingled with terror Z
Leave this Office said he. 'tAnd never
dare to show your face here again 2
] She shrank away like chidden dog
while Mr.. Penfeld went grimly on with hi
/ writing.
/ st suppose Tn fool for not giving he,
1 up to the police, thought he But she
is very young and somehow hadn't the
heart to do It. !"
He went home that night -and his wife
a CHEEKY, apple-cheeked little woman
looked up with smile as he entered the
sitting room where she was at work.