Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-12-13
Pamela's Escapade.


was about the meapest man in money mat
ters ever known. He had driven his bows |
from home by his niggardiness; and now |
that his wife was dead his daughter Pamela |
was all that he had left. She was a hand |
some, strong, well-made girl, with a good |
mind, although he had given her the very |
poorest education and no accomplishments |
whatever. She worked in his house with |
out help, or thanks, or reward of any kind |
her only consolation being that she was Miss |
Crump.
"Much good that does me-" she used to |
say, as she toiled away to save her rich |
father few dollars more.
Girls who had no grandfather to boast
about had accomplishments and good
clothes, and comforts and pleasures Of all
sorts which she never knew, and which her
father could well afford. Al last, on her
nineteenth birthday, after she had longed in
silence for many days, Pamela grew bold.
Long furlined cloaks we're just coming into
fashion, and how she wanted one, only a
girl can know.
1t was while her father sat counting over
great roll of bills, which he had just re-
ceived as the rent of certain property, that
she went up softly behind him, and said
| meekly:
"Pa, can l have one of those large black
silk coaks, such as Betsey Burroughs wears
one with fur lining? III make it myself.
1t will wear for years. Oh, Pa, do so want
it and she paused, with hands uncon
scously clasped together
Mr.. Crump looked at her horror-strcken.
"A silk cloak, with fur lining he re-
peated, slowly. "No, you can't, Pamela it's
too expensive. Get your poor mas gray
blanket-shawl and wear that out. I'm sure
she'd be willing"
"Poor mas shawl had moths in it two
years before she died." sighed Pamela.
She couldn't wear it, and you never knew,
pa, you don't know how badly off am.
I've outgrown my sacque, and look like
fool in it. have boys shoes and hat
oh, dear, such hat cannot really go
out anywhere"
"Women should be keepers at home"
said Mr.. Crump
"Certainly ought to go to church," said
Pamela.
"Not to show fine Clothes" said Mr..
Crump.
"But ought to dress like lady," sighed
the poor girl. al should think you'd admit
that, pa"
"Ladies are not always most dressed"
said Mr.. Crump. "Far from it. You are
Miss Crump. Remember the Crumps are
the Oldest family in Pottsville.'
"Oh, know all that, pa" interrupted
Pamela; but it does no good if must go
about looking like beggsr."
Mr.. Crump brought his cane down on
the floor, thundered out, " Hold your tongue,
Pamela" |" buttoned his pocket book into his
bosom and trotted away to deposit the
money, while Pamela, scarlet from brow to
chin, remained where he had left her.
"Oh, what shall | 2" she exclaimed
at last. is this a woman's fate to beg
all the days of her life | have no edu-
cation. | cannot teach. can do nothing
but housework. I'm the best washer in
the village, but There" cried Parmela,
bringing he foot down on the floor sud.
denly. "There A girl who can wash
and iron as can, doesn't need to beg for her
Clothes"
Brushing her tears away, she ran into
the entry, took from peg her shabby hat
and sacque, put them on, locked up the
house, and hurried down the village street
as fast as her young strong limbs could
carry her, until she stopped at little white
house at the low window of which she
tapped. A little girl opened the door and
Pamela followed her into sitting room
where thin woman sat- amidst cushions,
in big Boston rocking-chair, with brand
new baby across her knee, two older ones
on the floor near her, and two little bows
building block house on the table, while
the little girl who had opened the door made
the sixth of the youthful group
"Why, Miss Pamela" said the mother,
Z" how pleased | am to see you Excuse my
getting up. / amt strong yet. | was
thinking when you came in whether or nc
| should be able to darn that place in the
carpet, but don't feel shall Nurse has
gone away, and sister cau't come because
her husband il down with the malaria, and
Pm awfully unsettled"
"You must be-" said Pamela, dandlinp
, the baby. "Why, what a little beauty il
is, Mrs. Pease. suppose you've got wash
erwoman this week 2i.
"No, haven't. It's my worse trouble,
said Mrs. Pease. at had Kitty bring il
, the things, and they are all mended ant
sorted out; but black Barbara is engaged
on the hill, and don't know what III do
Hire me-" said Pamela.
"Myp laughed Mrs. Pease. "Why
!. Miss Crumpp
Q al mean it," said Pamela. al wash bet
a ter than black Barbara, and want to earl
!, some money. You can pay me what yol
1 pay her, Mrs. Pease."
9 IA dollar day," said Mrs. Pease bu
8 gracious, Miss Pamela, you can't mean it.
U al mean it from my heart" said Pamela
!, "Pa thinks more of his money than he doe
of me. Pm going to earn clothes for my
self. | need Them, Pm sure"
"Men are so peculiar sometimes" siphe
q Mrs. Pease. "if you really mean it, it will
: be a great comfort to me-"
Pamela instantly took off her bonnet an,
+ sacque, tucked up her skirt, and took Kit
S out into the kitchen with her.
g Before night "the Washing" white a
q snow, was piled in great clothes basket
: Mrs. Pease had had great bowl of sout
3 and all was tidy in the little room, wher
a Pamela sat mending the bit of carpet.
$ al knew it would bother you until it wa
"a done" she said, and now III 20 home an
: get pas tea"
70 "Oh, Miss Pamela, am 80 much Obliged.
L. said Mrs. Pease. "And believe you'y
W only done it to oblige me-"