The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1882-12-14
PICKENs, s. c, THURSDAY, DECEMBER A. 1882 VOL XII

so handsome as Walter Rodhian, none
SO quietly refined in manner, none SO
great favorite with all But he had
gone through thirty years of life fancy
free. until Ellen Churchill came to tho
factory.
There was something In the noble,
refined face of the young girl that at.
tracted Walter Rodman from the first.
Ihat there was some heavy trouble
brooding in the sadness of her great
dark eyes he never doubted; but if ever
purity and goodness were pictured in
human cou1tenance, they were in Ell
lens. From his father he learned much
bility she showed for work evidently
new to her, of the almost masculine
brain that fitted her so soon to take con.
troll OF the loom-room where over q hun
dred girls were at work.
VI her antecedents he knew only that
she brought letter FROM Che Clergyman
OF her parish, in small town in New
York State. That she was a woman of
culture and refinement they could see
for themselves.
But Walter Rodman, by nature frank
and true, as his heart more and more
acknowledged Ellen for its queen,
grieved over the evident mystery in her
lie. While in her conversation she ad-
Vanced noble and generous views, hor
"nole style OF living was petitrious to an
extent rarely seen in women of her age,
when living upon n much smaller salary
than she commanded. 1t was not mere.
! ~ economy, but saving pushed to ex-
| tremity.
There was struggle constantly ia
the mind Of tho young clerk--a strup
gle between his love and his fear of ro-
pentance if he urged his suit. 1t was
revolving to him to think of his wife
conducting his household upon parsimo-
nious principles, refusing to bestow of
his abundance in charity, dressing mean
ly, and perhaps influencing him in the
same miserable habits. And yet, one
hour with Ellen drove away all such
thoughts.
The low, soft voice, always tingcd BY
her habitual sadness, conveyed such q
mirror of pure, tender heart, cult
vatcd mind, noble soul, that Walter
forgot the course. mean dress, the many
stories rife in the factory of Ellen's
stinginess, and knew he loved her as he
had never before loved any woman.
But when the silver tankard was pre-.
sented to Mr.. Rodman, and Ellen's
name was not upon the list of contribu-
tors TO the gift, Waiter experienced q
sharp .pang of disappointment. He
knew that his fathers recommendation
had gained Ellen her first place in the
| factory, that she had found affirm friend
in him, and owed her rapid advance
ment to his interest and influence. And
yet she had refused her mite to the gift
that testified the good feeling of her
fellow-workers in the factory!
Father and son had long been con-
fidential friends, and on the evening fol-
lowing the presentation the latter
| opened his heart and told all his doubts
| and fears. Mr.. Rodman listened quiet
| ly.
"Yet you love Ellen" he said.
II love her." feplied Walter, "but
could never be happy with a inserly
Poor Ellen, how little she deserves
that reproachn' said Mr.. Rodmap. II
shall violate a confidence reposed in me,
Walter, when tell you how you mis-
Judge her, but think can trust YOU"
HAS she told you her secretp''
| "No. l heard the story from the
| clergyman of Lenwood, her native vii
lage, who wrote to me before she came
here. Hc is an old friend of mine. and
knew he could confide in me. l will
tell you what he wrote to me. Six
years ago Ellcns mother died, leaving
in her carSa q sickly stcp-brother, then
eleven years old. Her own father had
left Ellen pretty cottage. and she had
a small income from the fruit and
poultry on the place, while she made q
sufficient living teaching music and
playing the organ in the church.
When her mother died, leaving Stephen
Grady, her step-brother, an orphan and
death squandered all her mothers little
fortune), Ellen promised to care for the
boy. Remember. she was but sixteen
herself, though early care had matured
her far beyond her actual years.
"Thc boy grew up like his father,
reckless of expenditure, loose in princi-
pie, yet tender to his sister-mother, and
one OF those loving scapegraces who al
ways win some good woman's devotion.
He won Ellen's. She thought herself
bound by her promise to her mother ia
make every sacrifice for Stephen, and
she faithfully tried to lead him away
from the companions and evil influence
that were running his life. Thru, years
ago friend of Mrs. Grady tookStephen
into his cOuntng-house. Here he was
to learn. the bookkeeping. and for q
time he worked steadily. Then the bad
company which had ruined his boyhood
again exerted an evil influence, and he
had learned to gamble. Remember
Walter, he was but fourteen, and Ellen
but five years Older.
Zone of his accomplishment was the
power of initiating handwriting, and by
the persuasion of some older heads he
forged check for two thousand dollars
on the firm he was with. The check
passed the bank undetected for the
Cashier was in the habit Of paying over
large sums to Grady. But when it was
returned TO the firm the forgery was
discovered and traced to Stephen
when the truth came out that he had
gambled away the entire amount. and
the two men who had urged the crime
and pocketed tho money had fed, leav.
ing the lad to bear the consequences.
He was arrested, and repentance came
when he saw the full consequence of his
| acts.
lit was then thut Ellen proved her.
l hn L~I: L