Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-06-21
PAMELA CRUMP'S ESCAPADE.

The Crumps were, or considered
themselves, the very first people in Potts
vile, and Josiah Crump, the present
head of the family, was very proud of
his ancestors. He was about the mean
est man in money matters ever known.
He had driven his boys from home by
his niggardliness; and now that his wife
was dead his daughter Pamela was all
that he had left. She was handsome,
strong, well-made girl, with good
mind, although he had given her the very
poorest education. and no accomplish
ments whatever. She worked in his
house without help, or thanks, or reward
of any kind; her only consolation being
that she 'Cas Miss Crump.
4" Much good that does me-" she used
TO say, as she toilcd away TO save her
rich father few more dollars.
Girls who had no grandfathers to
boast about, had accomplishment and
good clothes, and comforts and pleas
ures of all sorts which she never knew,
and which her father could well afford.
AT last, on her nineteenth birth-d day,
after she had longed in silence for many
days, Pamela grew bold. Long, fur
ion, and how she wanted one, only u
girl can know.
1t was while her father sat counting
over great roll of bills, which he had
Just received as the rent Of certain prop
erty, that she went softly behind him,
and said, meekly:
Pa, can | have one of those large
black silk cloaks, such as Betsy Bur-
roughs wears--one with fur lining?
I'll make it myself 1t will wear for
years. o, pa, / do so want it,' and she
paused, with hands unconscously
claspcd together.
Mr.. Crump looked at her, horror
stricken.
"A Stik cloak, with fur liningr' he
repeated, slowly. mo, you can't, Pa
mela; 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 Pa
mela. "She couldn't wear it, and you
never knew, pa, you don't know how
badly off | am. I've outgrown my
sack, and look like n fool in it. /
have boys shoes and hat--oh, dear,
such n hat! cannot really go out any
where
women should be keepers at home"
said Mr.. Crump.
Certainly 1 ought to go to church,"
said Pamela.
mot to show fine Clothes" said Mr.
Crump.
But ought to dress like lady,"
sighed the poor girl. Il 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."
80, know all that, pa" interrupted
PAMELA; "but it docs no good if must
go 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, remained
where he had left her.
80, what shall / doP" she exclaimed
at last. lis this woman's fate to beg
all the days of her lifep have no cdu-
cation. cannot teach. 1 can do moth
my DuG 1OuSclOlu WOIk. Ill the DcSt
washer in the village, but Thcrcr'
cried Pamela, bringing her foot down on
the floor suddenly. "There! I've got
it, A girl who can wash and iron as l
can doesn't need to beg for her clothes. "
Brushing her tears away, she ran into
the entry, took from q 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 a
little white house, at the low window OF
which she tapped A little girl opened
the door, and Pamela followed her into
a sitting-room, where thin woman sat,
amidst cushions, in big Boston rock
ing-chair, with brand new baby across
her knee, two older ones on the floor
near her, and two little boys building Il
bfock-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. chow pleased ] am TO see you'll Ex-