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

bonnet and new kid gloves to church on
Christmas day. She looked well. The
squire stared at her solemnly, but he knew
she had had no money.
al reckon" he thought, she's cut up
her poor mas old black silk. won't ask
any questions" and he held his peace.
Pamela, as she looked at him, wondered
what he would say II he knew all. That
week she had some cards printed-profes-
sional cards.
The printer brought them home the next
morning. They read thus:
miss PAMELA CRUar--Laundress House
cleaning done IN the best manner. CRUnr
HOUSE, -"
The cards were circulated through the
village by boy hired for the purpose, and
on her return at night from her days work,
Pamela found postal card awaiting her.
I" Miss CRuMP, Laundress Please call at Mr
Bothwelps early tomorrow. g. boutwell,"
Now Mr.. Boutwell, was the new minister,
widower with two children. He knew
nothing Of the Crumps or of the village as
yet. He had preached there once and been
"called " in consequence, on the demise of
the excellent Mr.. Dolorus, 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 gentleman
himself. He was in evident distress of mind
and his dressing-gown needed mending sadly
He looked at Miss Crump for moment
and then requested her TO walk into his study.
1t was dusty place, with good deal of man
uscript lying about and the shrieks of
weeping children were heard in the dis
tance.
"May | ask what l can do for you,
madam ?" inquired the gentleman, motion
ing to seat.
"You wrote to me-" said Pamela. " Miss
Crump, laundress"
"Oh, dear me, yes" replied Mr.. Both
well, with wide open eyes-"I wrote to you.
Thanks for your promptness. The fact of
the matter is, my housekeeper-an aged col
ored person-I 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 panto-
mime descriptive of chaos.
az understand said Pamela, calmly.
"Where is your kitchen ?"
Two hours afterwards the master was
calmly writing in his study, and the chill
dren, washed and dressed, were listening to
the stories Pamela told them as she rubbed
away at the washboard.
The housekeeper had been dumped upon
a bed in a small bedroom on the lower
floor to sleep off her intoxication, and
potatoes were boiling and couple of
chickens roasting for the family dinner.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Crump, having some i'm
portant documents to inspect had come
home unexpectedly, and, entering the house,
had found it empty, aud in the sitting-room
came upon sight which petrified him with
horror.
A little portable desk, which his daughter
had appropriated for her own, was lying
open on the table and in it the cards we
have described, and her account book.
He read the cards first
Miss PAMELA CRUMP, Laundress House
cleaning done in the best manner.
Then he ran his eye over the account
book.
Washed-M Monday, for Mrs. Pease; Tues
day, for Mrs. Chalker; Wednesday, fo
Mrs. Mott iron, Thursday afternoon
house cleaning for Mrs. Downs on Sstur
day.
All this in furious rage, and almos
foaming at the mouth, until he came to tht
following items
Dec. 5th-Bought the silk and fur fo
cloak.
Dec. 10th-Made cloak. 1t fits we'll.
, Dec. 25th-Wore cloak to church, ant
thanked heaven hadn't had to beg it from
father.
Then Mr.. Crump closed the book, and
with queer disposition to cry, sat dowr
beside his solitary hearth and looked at the
fire for several hours, without stirring.
Ia ,aI tt,. a
in, she saw her father and knew that he
knew all.
"Pamela, come here" he said. "How
long has this been going on 2"
"Since October, pa" the girl answered.
"Then you've been disgracing me ant
. yourself for three months said the ole
man. "You, Crump aud all to spite you
poor old father for being careful of hi,
money"
Pamela was not afraid of her father now
She came over and sat beside him.
"Pa," she said, lit was not for spite i
was for need. | suffered so much mortifca
tion, not only from being shabby, but hav
ing to beg. If there is anything in goot
blood, as you think there is, perhaps tina
. made it hard to beg from even you. | wa
/ happier earning what | needed. Would
. you like to be beggar, pa ;"
3 You've done very wrong, Pamela" sal
her father. Then he paused, and added
, You shall tell me what allowance you nee
, for your clothes, and / will let you have
/ monthly. Now give me those cards.
He burnt them in the fire when she ha
5 handed them to him, and hurried away
get his tea, and no more was said. Tn
9 Crump' were not great takers.
But Pamela is not sorry for what she di
to this day. As for Mr.. Boutwell,, he r,
y joices for otherwise, perhaps, he might, b.
5 ing a shy man, never have met Panel
0 Crump, who is to marry him before lonl
o Other people may blame her for her /" escI
s pade," or call her odd" or spiteful; he III
} derstands her, and admires her all the NOR,
Though, Pamela" he often says, I"
should have offered myself all the same ha
2 you actually been laundress. MARY Ky
t Dallas.