Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-04-07

lttl Il SIlulls NuTSc lltiS HOlle uWuNs uuti
sister can't como, because her husband
is down with malaria, and I'm awfully
unsettled"
"You must be- said Pamela, dan
ding the baby. "Why, what little
beauty it is, Mrs. Pease, suppose
you've got washerwoman this weekp"
mo, l haven't. It's my worst
trouble" said Mrs. Pcasc. "I had
Kitty bring the things, and they are all
mcnded and sorted out; but black Bar
bara is engaged up on the hill, and |
don know what I'll do"
"Hirc me-" said Pamela.
MY" laughed Mrs. Pease. "Why,
Miss Crump."
al mean it," said Pamela. al wash
better than black Barbara, and | want
to earn some money. You can pay me
what you pay her, Mrs. Pcase."
"a dollar day." said Mrs. Pease;
"but gracious, Miss Pamela, you can't
mean it?n
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. need
them, I'm sure.'
MEN are so peculiar sometimes" "
sighed Mrs. Pease. "If you really
mean it, ii 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 rs
snow, was piled in great clothes bas-
kct. 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.
81 knew it would bother you until it
was DONE" she said, "and now I'll so
home and get pas tea"
"Oh, Miss Pamela, I'm so much
obliged said Mrs. Pease, "and be-
lieve you've only done it to oblige me. y"
"No." said Pamela. 81 did it to
earn money. May / come next Mon
day?n
"Why, gracious me! if you 'ciu,"
said Mrs. Pcase.
"Been to see Mrs. PeascPn asked
curious Mrs. Chalker, peepng out of
her kitchen door as Pamela passed.
1--WE been washing for her." said
Pamela.
"Why, how Christian kind of you, to
be sure" said Mrs. Chalker.
"Nothng of the Sort said Pamela.
81 took my dollar for it. Have you
your wash-woman, Mrs. Chalker?"
"No, haven't, and l amt able to
wash" said Mrs Chalker.
Pamela instantly offered her services.
" I'm going to go out washing she
said. I'm going to do it just as other
wash-women do for money. | shan't
explain why. But here l am, a splendid
laundrcss, ready to be hired six days in
the week, from seven TO six if 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 dry
goods store the money toT the silk and
fur of her coveted cloak; hard-earned
money, but all her very own, not Il cent
of it coaXed out, of any unwilling man
alive.
She wore the cloak and pretty plush
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.
Il reckon" he thought, d" 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, Won
dered what he would say if he knew all.
That week she had had some cards
printed-professional cards.
The printer brought them home next
morning. They read thus:
"MIss PAMELA CRuMP-Laundress House
cleaning done in the best manner. CRuMr
The cards were circulated through
the village by boy hired for the pur-
pose, and on her return Mt night from
her day work, Pam ella found postal
card awaiting her;
miss CRUMP, Laundress-Pleasc call at Mr.
Bothwcls early tomorrow.
G. BOUTWELL,"
Now, Mr.. Boutwell, was the new min
ister. a widower with two children. He
knew nothing of the Crumps or of the
village rs yet. He hSd preached there
once, and been called in conse-
'itltllCt. oil lIlt tltllllSt VI lllC cAtclltlt
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 a dusty place
with II good deal of manuscript lying
about; and the shrieks of weeping
children were heard in the distance.
MAY / ask what | can do for you,
madam" inquired the gentleman, mo-
tioning to seat.
You wrote to me- said Pamela
"Miss Crump, laundress.n
"Oh, dear me, yes" replied Mr..
Boutwell,, with wide-open eyes"
wrote to you. Thanks for your prompt
ness. The fact of the matter is, my
honsekeeper- 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--h
And Mr.. Boutwell,, running short OF
words, spread his hands abroad in =
pantomimc descriptive of chaos.
II understand" said Pamela calmly.
"Where is your kitchen?''
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 II 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.
NT,l;i NJ r, i; ~