St. Landry democrat., 1882-04-29

"Women should be keepers at home,'
said Mr.. Crump.
"Certainly 1 ought to 60 to church,
said Pamela.
"Not to show fine Clothes" said Mr..
Crump.
"But I ought to dress like a lady
sighed The poor girl. :" should think
YOU d admit that, pap
"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.
80, l know all that, pa interrupted
Pamela; g but it does no good if must
90 about looking like beggar.'
Mr.. Crump brought his cane down on
the floor, Numbered 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, renamed
where he had left her.
80, what shall l do?" she exclaimed
at last. els this q woman's fate to beg
all the days of her life9 I have no edu-
cation. Icannot teach. | can do moth
ing but household work. I'm the best
washer in the village, but There"
cried Pamela, bringing her foot down on
the floor suddenly. "There! I've got
it. 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
sack and hat, put them on, locked up
the house, and hurried down the village
street as fast as her strong young limbs
could carry her, until she stopped at q
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 rock
ing-chair, with a brand new baby across
her knee, two older ones on the floor
near her, and two little boys building a
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 moth
er, show pleased | am to see you! Ex-
cuse my getting up. amt strong yet.
I was thinking when you came In
whether or no / should be able to darn
that place in the carpet, but l dont
feel shall. Nurse has gone away, and
sister can't come, 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. I suppose
you've got washerwoman this week?'
| "No, 1 haven't. It's my worst
trouble" said Mrs. Pease. II had
Kitty bring the things, and they are all
mended and sorted out; but black Bar:
bara is engaged up on the hill, and
dom know what I'll do" r.E
Hire me-" said Pamela.
my" laughed Mrs. Pease. "Why
Miss Crump.''
Il mean it, said Pamela. Il wash
better than black Barbara, and I want
to earn some money. You can pay me
what you pay her, Mrs. Pease.'
"a dollar day." said Mrs. Pease
'.but gracious, Miss Pamela, you can
mean it?'
Il mean it from my heart" sale
Pamela. .'Pa thinks more of his
money than he does of me. I'm going
| to earn clothes for myself. neec
them, I'm sure.'
"Men are so peculiar sometimes, >
sighed Mrs. Pease. eff you really
mean it, it will be a great comfort t.
me.''
| Pamela instantly took off her bonnie
and sack, tucked up her skirt, ane
took Kitty out into the kitchen witt
her.
Before night "the washing" white a.
snow, was piled in a great clothes bas
; ket. Mrs. Pease had had a good bow
of soup, and all was tidy in the LITTLE
sitting-room, where Pamela sat mend
ing the bit of carpet.
II knew it would bother you until i
was done,' she said, I. and now III g.
home and get pas tea"
A "Oh, Miss Pamela, I'm SO mucl
obliged" said Mrs. Pease, land be
lieve you We only done it to oblige me.
"No." said Pamela. 81 did it t.
earn money. May I come next Mon
day?'' @
.'Why, gracious me! if you will,
said Mrs. Pease.
"Been to see Mrs. Pease?'' aske'
curious Mrs. Chalker, peeping out Q
her kitchen door as Pamela passed.
"rve been washing for her, sal
| Pamela. s@@
"Why, how Christian kind of you, t
be sure.'' said Mrs. Chalker.
"Nothing of the Sort said Pamela
AZ took my dollar for it. Have yo
your wash-woman, Mrs. Chalker?''
mo, I haven't, and I amt able t
wash,'' said Mrs. Chalker.
Pamela instantly offered her services
"Tm going to 60 out washing" sh
, said. "f'm going to do it just as othe
wash-women do for money. I shan
explain why. But here | am, splendi
laundress, ready to be hired six days i