The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-08-18
THE OLD APPLE.WOMAN.

where they are?"
Mr.. Rivens was the proprietor of the
large corset factory where Flossie Field
worked. Flossie was one of Mr.. Rivens'
best girls, and consequently he did not
look with any favorable eye upon her
matrimonial prospects.
yes" confessed Flossie, with the
rosiest of bushes. "Next month, Mr..
Rivens, if you please-and so I should
be obliged if you could suit yourself
within the week."
"Pshaww said Mr.. Rivens. "Who is
hef
"He's conductor on the railroad, sir.
And he's earning very nice little In
come. And we are to live on the second
floor of a very respectable house In Jer-
sey City, and"
81 dare say; dare say" said Mr..
Rivens, grufhy. "But it will end in the
poor-house, my word for it! Take my
advice, Flossie Field, and stay where
you are well off p
Flossie went back into the work-room
somewhat dispirited. The girls, who
had heard something of the discussion,
were whispering and tittering among
themselves.
"a man whose mother keeps an apple
stand!" said Minnie Ramsay
Brought up on charity!' added Kate
Leavitt.
Flossie turned quickly around.
"What are you all talking OFF," said
she.
"Of your said Miss Hedges, with a
giggle.
"An apple-standr cried Flossie, breath
lessly. "But you are altogether wrong.
He has no mother!'
eyes, he has," said Minnie Ramsay;
land she sells peanuts and apples down
on the wharf, by the ferry boats, and he's
too proud to own it. Mrs. Gallaher,
that's her name, Mark Gallahers mother.
Ask him yourself. A fine, elegant
mother-in-law to have!'
And general laugh went around the
long rows of sewing machines.
Flossie went home bewildered and Bit
terly resentful Never before had she
noticed the vendors who thronged the
piers where the ferry boat landed But
upon this particular evening she looked
earnestly at the rosy checked old woman
in the coarse plaid dress and worsted
hood, who was holding out her wares.
She rose, as Flossie advanced.
SIS it Mrs. Gallaher?' said the girl,
hesitatingly.
The rosy old cheeks deepened; the clear
blue eyes sparkled.
"Then you know me?" said she. "Bless
your sweet face! you know who am?
Dear heart, I've watched you go by this
many time, but I never dared speak.
He wouldn't have liked it,"
Are you Marks mother?" asked Flos-
sic. "Why has he never told me of
your"
The old apple-woman hesitated.
It's natural, my dear" said she. "He's
made his way in the world, and I've
stood still. I'm working woman, and
I'm not ashamed of it; but Mark is diff
ferent. He wants to be gentleman and
I won't stand in his way; but if you
wouldn't mind letting me kiss that bon
ME hand of yours-it's all one, you
know, as if you was goin' to be my own
daughter"
mot my hand" said Flossie. sob!
not my hand"
And she put up her fresh red mouth
to kiss the old apple-woman.
"God bless you for that, my own lady
rosev' said the old woman, with swim
ming eyes. "And I'll not trouble you
again. You'll make him happy, know,
and that's all that l have any right to
expect"
Flossie was looking very grave that
night when her lover came, as usual to
see her.
Mark" said she, "you never told me
of your mother"
"My mother"
"Yes-your mother. I saw her to-day
on the pier"
Mark had collected himself by this
time. The face grew cold and hard, his
lips were compressed.
II see no reason" he said, for obtrud-
ing all ones private affairs on the world.
She is my mother, grant, but she will
will not trouble you. l have settled all
that. She supports herself. She has al
ways done so.
mark" Flossie Indignantly cried out,
"what do you take me for? Why have
you thus deceived me? Do You suppose
should not love your mother?"
II shall ask no such concession OF
you," he said. my mother will in no
way interfere with us. She will go hel
way; We ours
Flossie pulled the gold engagement
ring from her finger, and gave it to him
saying: Its enough. A man who car
thus discard his mother would hesitat<
no less to fling aside his wife,"