The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-08-12

worse suddenly, they say. and Mrandy
wants me to come over tonight. He's dread
full fdgety aud wants to see me about some
thing particular. she says. Mirandy is NJ
hand to do for sick folks, you know, though
she's not to blame, never having been
brought to it," and the short auburn curls
slightly shivered on each side OF the round
smiling face, nodded "good wilf' and "goot
night as she disappeared in the cavernou'
depths of the rubber cloak and stepped out
into the rain.
"Caleb Stone very sick! If he should die
we NAV have to hurry up the payment:
to the lawyers or somebody" said Flo, rath
er App extensively, getting her dish PAL
ready.
Il shan't worry over that" answered Net
lie, bithey, as she Tied Oh a large apron pre-
paratory TO dish wiping. She had recovered
her elasticity since the advent of the pars
nips, etc.
IF there's an out-and-out angel on the
face of this selfish earth it's Miss Mellavine
What difference good meal makes il
ones moral barometer. | was cross before
supper, Flo, dear" said she penitently Civ
ing her sister quick dab of a kiss on the
left ear, ''if any one has right to be cross
it's you, shut up here all day-with no exer
else except to do errands in the evenings
when Pm at home You're twice as good
and patient as your unsatisf3d sister Net
tie.''
Enough of Miss Mellavine's benefaction
remained to give flavor to the breakfast,
and Nettie went to her work with light
heart in the dark of the wintry morning.
Her duty in the factory was packing and la
beling stockings. About the middle of the
wrong in pile of stockings that had just
hoa,, hrouUht IN hor for nOyinO
Flows this. Richard?" said she to the
messenger, "there must be mistake. Mr.
Barker has given you the wrong kind.
These stockings are part cotton, and my Ia
bells say "superfine WOOL"
The boy gave knowing wink. Il guess
it's all right. Barker knowed what he was
about. NUNS the word, Miss Nettie, if you
and i want to keep our places"
With sparkling eyes and scarlet cheeks
Nettie carried the box of stockings into an
inner room where sat Mr.. Barker, the over
seer of her department, heavy, fabby man,
with pale eyes, pale hair, and hanging I'M
der lip, and with him one or two clerks.
"These are not the right stockings for my
labels, Mr.. Barker. They are half cotton"
Mr. Barker fumbled the stockings with
his thick fingers, looked at the labels and
then at her with berry smile.
"My dear young lady you surprise me.
The stockings are all right. Your legitimate
business is simply to put on the labels which
we provide"
Higher mounted the color in Nettie's
cheeks. Her voice trembled, but her cour-
age did not falter.
"Then l must decline to do it, Mr.. Bar
ker."
''Ho, no, indeedp' said the beery Barker,
with sudden energy. Here, Simson," to
one of the draper clerks just passing through
the room. BE kind enough to step to Mr..
Virgins desk and ask him to settle accounts
with this exceedingly conscientious young
woman, and provide her with ticket of
leave" and Barker turned abruptly on his
heel.
Nettie's nerve and indignation carried her
through the next few moments, and soon
she had closed the factory door behind her.
81 know I've done right, and shall find
something to do. hope Flo won't be ve'y
much overcomeI'
Her sister looked up surprised at her ear
ly return. On hearing her story she gave
a half hysterical laugh.
''You match my experience, Nettie. That
drummer from the Worcester firm was
here. Do you notice anything stranger"
Nettie looked around, and beheld show
case and rope-lines nearly emptied.
'We hadn't the money ready you know"
said her sister, $50 the goods had to go. He
was 'vewy sahwy'-'disagweeable dewty'--
and all that sort of thing, of course. Such
'genteel kid gloves he wore, and such gen
teer case he brought to pack the things in !
| sat in stony silence, working away, and
never lifted finger to help. Mean of me,
wasn't itr'
Nettie slowly sank into the little splint
rocker and stared helplessly.
''Now," said Flo, proceeding briskly with
her brushes, ''the question is what to do
next. | shall get Two quarts of New Or
leans molasses, and start candy trade to-
morrow"
81 suppose I might take a fiat basket, and
peddle the sticks after you make them,'
SAID Nettie alf bitterly. 81 might possibly
lady or gentleman who is fond of taffy, and
would like to adopt likely BARN about my
age"
81 hope we won't be tempted to eat too
much of it ourselves" said the provident
Flo.
''Where's the tin pail" said Nettie, jump
ing up with alacrity, ''Oh, here it is. I'll go
to Dickerman's for the molasses right off.
You will need every spare minute fer your
brushes now-till you teach me how to
make them too. After all, don see why
it won't be just as respectable to sell candy
as anything else, if we deal in pure goods,
and give honest measure. Pm sure authors
sell their books and artists their paintings
It's only question of degree"
''And even monarchs and great statesmen
receive compensations, laughed Flo.
The molasses was soon bubbling merrily
in the porcelain-lined kettle, and until the
time of constant stirring should arrive Net
flo cot down nv her cistpr tn take a lesson
in brush making"
''We can take few dollars of your pay,
Nettie, and lay in small stock of candy to-
morrow. The school children will soon find
it out. / can take some comfort in having
you at home, for a time, at least. Why
can't we indulge in good supper, to night,
as long as you have your pay? Pm getting
reckless. Let's have oysters"
"Agreedp' said Nettie, delighted to see
Flo SO ready flor once) for comparative
luxury, "scrimp-tion' has its limitsP'
sob, oh?' cried her sister, in mock hor-
ror. ''Labors of Max Muller! How can you
Nettie? There!-the candy nearly boiled
over Run and stir it-quickp'
In the midst of the stirring and the fun,
enter Miss Mellavine in state of unwonted
excitement.
''Such surprise, my dears! What do you
think? But, first of all, l suppose you have
heard that Caleb Stone is dead?"
She dropped into the nearest chair, and
famed herself with her brown check apron,
though it was wintry March outside.
''Wby, mop exclaimed the girls in breath,
while Nettie held her spoon suspended in the
air, with ropes of taffy gracefully pendulous
therefrom.
81 must begin at the very beginning" said
Miss Mellavine, ''or shall be sure to forget
something l ought to remember. He died at
4 o'clock this morning, but Mirandy couldn't
bear TO have a mess of half strange women
around, she said, so she begged me to stay
on-though Pm free to confess ached to
come and tell you as quick as decently
could. can't get over the turn it gave me.
To think that all this time-(but l shall be
sure to let it out before / get around to it
after all, if Pm not carefully When went
up last night he was asleep, and Mirandy
was sitting by the fire, and the little fellow
had gone to bed. Pm so glad you've come,
Mellavine,' says she, for Caleb is that set
on seeing you that 1 was afraid he might try
to dress himself to go to your house if you
didn't come. He's been out of his head
more or less all day, but the doctor gave him
another small dose of morphine, and he's
resting easier now' She hadn't more than
got the words out of her mouth when he
turned his head on the pillow and opened
his eyes.
" is that you, MellaviDe.'
" Yes, SIR said 1, going up to the bed.
Mirandy,' said he, you go out and sit by
the kitchen fire till | want you again. and to
L til Il.