The Osceola times., 1881-08-20
TIE WRONG VERDICT.

laces?" said Mr.. Penfeld in his big
csmfortaole voice, that always seemed to
have the Suspicion OF laugh down in its
sonorous depths. "Do look like any
body who is likely TO want tapes and
shoe.laces. No, sissy. l don't" And
then, as Flora Rawson was moving
slowly away. with a mute, ,uncomplaining
expression OF despair in her face, he
added, kindly, "But, all the same, you
bad better come in and warm yourself;
you look half frozen 10 DEATH"
"Thank-you, sir" SAID Flora, and she
came gratefully to the fire, setting her
basket OF cheap wares on the floor, and
warmed herself. shyly gancing around
the while at the cosy little private room
with its cheerful red carpet on the floor,
the curtains at the window and the
leather>cushioned easy.chairs. The fire
blaIed and cracked in the grate-Flora
secretly wondered how anyone could
have the heart TO waste coal so reckless
Iva clock with plate glass front ticked
leisurely on the wall, and Mr.. Penfeld, 4,
making entries in his big ledger and
day.book, whistled softly under his
breath as he did SO.
"What is your name, child?" he asked
at last, without turning his head.
"Flora Rawson, sir" was the meek
reply.
"Going on fourteen, sir, l believe"
"And how does il happen that you are
selling gimcracks like these around the
country, instead OF being put at some
honest trade" said Mr. Penfeld, with his
pen in his mouth, while he got up to
search for some blotting paper.
Flora hung down her head. "There's
only me-" said she. Father and mother
are dead, and my step-mother says I've
got 10 earn my own livingW
where do you live% said Mr.. Pen
6eld, brusquely.
In Holmes lane-the little cottage
Just this side of the china factory"
"Humph p said Mr.. Penfeld. "That
locality has O. bad namep
"Yes, sir" Flora made haste TO ex-
plain, "there was bad set lived there
last year. But my step-mother sir, she
tries TO be decent and honest-and she
goes out washing and cleaning, by the
day, to support my little half-brothers
and sisters, and"
But here she became conscious that
Mr.. Pen6eld was intently surveying her
and colored scarlet, all Of sudden.
would you like to learn the gold-leaf
business?" said lie. "And work here in
the factory, with these girls who are
coming up now for their wages?"
l. 4 at . 10
Of briaht-faced, neatly dressed young
women who were collecting outside Mr..
Penfeld's sliding window, which Afford
ell easy communication with the ware
room without.
"Could l, sir?" she said, drawing her
breath quickly, with sort OF sob.
"I don't know why not" said Mr..
Penheld. Its pity that smart. likely
Girl like you should be tramping around
the country, selling buttons and pins,
when there are respectable trades to be
learned. Pm busy tonight. Come here
at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, and
III see If we can make loom for you.
No-you needn't 20 until you are thor
oughly warm" be added, with sudden
sentiment of compassion, as he noted
her blue fingers and slight, shivering
frame! And then he applied himself
with energy to the task of paying of
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 de-
6ciencies of her faded dress, shabby
worsted shawl and frayed straw bonnet
with its NANCY velvet bsws-so presents
ly she crept away. without disturbing
kind Mr.. Penfield.
He finished his task presentiy-all
except paying old Mrs. Reilly, who
scrubbed the floors, polished the win-
dows and carried out the ashes.
"Hallo p said he, plancing uneasily
around. This is very strange Pm sure
/ land out q five-dollar bill here for you,
Mrs. Reilly-just here by the glass
paper-weight, but don't see 1t now p'
He lifled up papers, pen-rack, ink
stand--even shook the daily paper that
lay there. to see if, perchance, the miss
ing 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
he turned quickly and cast searching
glance around the Office.
~ thought So" said be. "The girl is
gone, And 30 is the money. What a
fool was to listen for moment to
her plausible story. Well, its rather an
expensive little lesson, but it serves me
right p
He paid Mrs. Reilly out of his own
money. drawer, shut up the Office and
went home, rather disenchanted with
his ideal view of respectable poverty.
"There's no use in going To Holiness
Land" thought he. The girl don't live
ther&-and never did"
But the next morning as he sat oyer
his books, Just as the clock was striking
nine, in its slow deliberate fashion, there
came a knock at the panels of the door,
and Flora Dawson presented herself
with her raven curls brushed tidily back
under net, her face shining with recen,
soap and water, and some attempts made
at mending up the more hopeless oi
the rents in her dress.
GMr. Penfeld's face grew hard as he
bebeld her.
81 am surnriead at vour audacify in