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

herself, shyly glancing around the while at
the cosy little private room with it's cheer
full red carpet on the floor, the curtains at
the window and the leather cushioned easy
chairs. The fire blazed and cracked in
the grate-Flora, seer. tly wondering how
any one could have the heart to waste coal
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 his
breath as he did so. &
What is your name, child?" he asked at
last, without turning his head.
reply:
How old are YOU'D" sAa
"Going on fourteen, sir, believe"
Sand 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 plotting 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 iving!" H
where do you liver said Mr.. Pen6eld,
brusquely. @ y4 M
.'In Holmes lane the little cottage Just
this side of the china factory.
"Humph!" said Mr.. Penield. "That
locality has bad name!'}A &f3 e.
''Yes, 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 land 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..
Gold ia%o 10, CIV ~ hor o,nd
colored scarlet, all Of a sudden.
would you like to learn the gold leaf
business?"7 said he. And work here in the
factory, with these girls who are coming
up now for their wages?"
Flora glanced timidly the line Of bright
faced, neatly dressed young women who
were collecting outside Mr. 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 a sort Of Sob"
Il don't know why not, said Mr.. PEN
field. cts 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 Ill see if
we can make room for you. No-you
he added, with sudden sentiment OF COM
passion, as he noted her blue fingers and
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 Eve
| precisely.
Flora Rawson stood by the fire ittl Q
longer, but she felt the eyes of the smartl y
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
without disturbing kind Mr.. Penfeld.
He finished his task presently all except
paying old Mrs. Reilly, who scrubbed the
floors, polished the windows and carried
out the ashes.
"Hallol" said he glancing uneasily
around: This is very strange, I'm sure
I laid out a five-dollar bill here
glass paper-weight, but I don't see it nowr
He lifted up papers, pen Track, ink stanl
even shook the daily paper that lay there
to see if, perchance, the missing bill hai
, hid itself away in its folds but all to NJ
avail. He searched through his pockets
and all the time old Mrs. Reilly, who wa
very deaf, stood smiling and courtseying il
Il :. - 80 = -
1ront OF me s!iuing wln1oW.
a suaael ngns nasnsu ac.oss us s~a Mia'
) no tuineu 9uicAiy anu ca'' : scar clln
r giance arouIu me omce. -,
unougl. 30, salu w W. ~ kaa i = son )
! And SO IS the money; nat E 1901 was
r nsten TOT momenc % ne! pla ,:M, SOY
Q wen, us latner an expensive n''le iessoi
but II serves me Iignt. ssls
he PAID Mrs. Reilly out OF ms own mon
ey- drawer, smut up the once ana wei
nome, rather dlse n Win ms loes
view OF respecaDle poser!y.