Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-06-21

that place in the carpet, but | don't
feel shall. Nurse has gone away, and
sister can't come, because her husband
is down with malaria, and I'm awfully
unsettled"
"You must be-" said Pamela, dam
ding the baby. "Why, what little
beauty il Is, Mrs. Pease. suppose
you've got washerwoman this weekp"
mo, haven't It's my worst
trouble" said Mrs. Pcase. 81 had
Kitty bring the things, and they are all
mended and sorted out; but black Bar
bara is engaged up on the hill, and l
don't know what I'll do"
"Hire me-" said Pamela.
N.Y. laughed Mrs. Pcase. why,
Miss Crump.F
81 mean it," said Pamela. II wash
better than black Barbara, and want
to earn some money. You can pay me
what you pay her. Mrs. Pease."
"a dollar day." said Mrs. Pease;
''but gracious, Miss Pamela, you can't
mean FTP"
81 mean it from my heart" said
Pamela. ''Pa thinks more of his
money than he does Of me. I'm going
to earn clothes for myself L need
them, I'm sure"
"Men are so peculiar sometimes"
sighed Mrs. Pease. ''lf you really
mean it, it will be great comfort TO
me-"
Pamela instantly took off her bonnet
and sack, tucked up her, skirt, and
took Kitty out into the kitchen with
her.
Before night ''ths washing white as
snow, was piled in great clothes bas-
ket. Mrs. Pease had had good bowl
of soup, and all was tidy in the little
sitting-room, where Pamela sat mend
ing the bit of carpet.
~ knew it would bother you until it
was DONE" she said, "and now I'll go
home and get pas tea"
"Oh, Miss Pamela, I'm so much
obliged" said Mrs. Pease, land L be-
lievo you've only done il to oblige me-"
"No." said Pamela. II did il to
earn money. May ! come next Mon
dayP"
"Why, gracious me! if you OiH,"
said Mrs. Pease.
Been to see Mrs. Pcasep asked
curious Mrs. Chalker, pceping out OF
her kitchen door as Pamela passed.
i've been washing for her" said
Pamela.
why, how Christian kind of you, to
be sure" said Mrs. Chalker.
Nothing of the Sort" said Pamela.
Il took my dollar for it, Havc you
your wash-woman, Mrs. ChalkerP'
mo, / haven't, and | amt able to
wash" said Mrs. Challler.
Pamela instantly offered her services.
"rm going TO go out washing" she
said. "rm going to do it just as other
wash-womcn do for money l shan't
explain why. But here l am, asplcndid
laundress, ready to be hired six days in
the week, from seven TO six il any one
wants me-"
So it began. Before long Pamela had
many employers, and the village was
rife with supposition rs to the why and
wherefore; but never was girl prouder
of herself than was Pamela when she
laid down upon the counter of n dry
goods store the money Cor the silk and
fur of her coveted cloak; hard-earned
money, but all her very own, not cent
of it coaxed out of any unwilling man
alive.
She wore the cloak and a pretty plush
bonnet and new kid gloves to church on
|
Squire stared ut her solemnly, but he
knew she had had no money.
Il reckon" he thought, "she's cut
up her poor mas old black silk. |
won't ask any questions" and he held
his peace.
Pamela, rs she looked at him, Won
derod what he would say if he knew ALL
That week she had had some cards
neutrality-suspicious. cards.
The printer brought them home next
morning. They read thus:
"MIss PAMELA CRUMP-Laundress. House
| cleaning done in the best manner. CRUMP
HOUSE, -.
The cards were circulated through
the village by boy hired for the pur-
pose, and on her return at night from
her days work, Pam ella found postal
card awaiting her:
"MIss CRUMP, Laundross-Pleasc call at MIR.
''''''' N'' G. boutwell,"
Now, Mr.. Boutwell, was the new min
ister, widower with two children. He
knew nothing of the Crumps or of the
village as yet. He had preached there
once, and been "callcd" in conse-
quencc, on the demise of the excellent
Mr.. Dolorous, who had departed this
life at ripe old age. Pamela laughed
little as she determined to call and see
what was desired At seven o'clock she
rang the bell of the pastors very small
house and was answered by the gentle
man himself He was in evident dis
tress of mind, and his dressing gown
needed mending sadly.
He looked at Miss Crump for mo-
ment and then requested her to walk
into his study. 1t was dusty place
with good deal of manuscript lying
about; and the shrieks of weeping
children were heard in the distance.
"May / ask what can do for you,
MADAME" inquired the gentleman, mo-
tioning to seat.
"You wrote to me-" said Pamela.
" Miss Crump, laundress.''
."Oh, dear me, yes" replied Mr..
Boutwell,, with widc-open eyes-"I
wrote to you. Thanks for your prompt
ness. The fact of the matter is, my
housekeeper--an aged colored person
| thought her most estimable--is lying
terribly intoxicated on the kitchen floor,
and has been for two days, and things
| are-are-"
And Mr.. Boutwell,, running short of
words, spread his hands abroad in q
pantomimc descriptive Of chaos.
Il understand" said Pamela calmly.
"Where is your kitchens"
Two hours afterward the master was
calmly writing in his study, and the
children, washed and dressed, were
listening to the stories Pamela told
them as she rubbed away at the wash
board
The housekeeper had been dumped
upon bed in small bedroom on the
lower floor to sleep off her intoxication,
and potatoes were boiling and couple
of chickens roasting for the family din
ner.
Meanwhile, Mr. Crump, having some
important documents TO inspect, had
| comm homn uncomfortable and enterip a.