Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-01-05

F"SA " AiOutinS WuifcS yOt
don't know that the house is advertised
for sale for tax arrears. How should
you? How should You be aware thai
the very clothes we wear are not paid
for, nor the Goals that cook our dinner
Papa smokes his cigars and talks about
the Mexican war; and mamma poses inths
great chair, and dreams of embroidery
work and tapestry stitch and Il
am expected to learn Arabic and San.
scrit, and nobody knows what else, and
ignore our wretched poverty. But
can't Who ,ould ?''
MIR. Orofton looked pityingly at the
girls sparkling eyes, and pale, excited
face.
81 am very sorry to hear this" said
he. s'Can nothing be done p
"Yes, said Miss Monteagle; brusquely.
"Something can be done-and
am doing it. in SO far as can. But
papa and mamma must not be allowed
to suspect if. lam learninga trade r.
"YouI'' he echoed. ssA tradel"
There's factory near by here" she
said, calmly. "The country girls earn
little pocket money there sewing on
shirts. I am to have machine as soon
as I have learned to manage it. go
every evening, while papa fancies I am
at the Greek and Latin, to farmer Pei
hams, whose wife teaches me the use cf
the machine. I am learning housework,
too. I made the mayonnaise for your
salad to-day, and baked the bread.
Our servant can do nothing of the sort
But it would kill mamma to think that
I stopped, as she would call it, to
menial labor"
you are quite right" said Mr..
Crofton.
"That is what I wanted to know
said Mary, hastily. Because. living
here al BY myself, in such strange,
unnatural atmosphere, sometimes get
confused, and scarcely know light from
wrong"
/" But they will have to know it,
when"
" When I really go into the factory" :"
said Mary. {" Yes, I know that. But
until then, would fain spare them the
pang. am to have a dollar day,
Mrs. Pelham says, if l operate the
machine skillfully. And dollar day
will buy mamma many little luxury,
and go far toward paying thegrocer and
the baker,"
" You are a noble girl" said Mr..
Crofton, warmly; and in his eye, at that
moment, Mary Monteagle was glorifed
with rare beauty, as she stood there, the
fresh wind blowing her jetty curls
about, the reflection of orange sunset
deepening the color on her cheek, and
the grave, far-away sparkle of her eyes
half-veiled beneath the long lashes.
"And ifI could be of any assistance to.
you in this task
"You can," said the girl, abruptly.
(" You can stay here and amuse papa, SO
that he shall not suspect what occupies
my time. You can divert his attention
from Sanscrit and Arabic, and all these
mysteries"
And, for the first time in his expert
ence of her. Mary Monteagle laughed
a mellow, bird like laugh.
"Iwill," said Mr.. Crofton, heartily.
And SO the compact was sealed be-
tween them.
Instead ofthe week he had promised
his father to spend with old Colonel
Monteagle, the soiourn was extended to
three. 'f's
At the end of that period, he gravely
addressed himself to the dark-eyed
daughter of the house.
i" How is the trade ?" said he.
81 am to have maehinenext week,
said Mary, with the conscious pride Of
one who has conquered fate 7" and then
only think Of it, Mr.. Crofton-"
shall earn dollar day r.
Mary, said Mr.. Crofton, seriously,
ST have been thinking Of another plan
for you. You tell me that this farmers
wife. has made first class housekeeper
Of you."
ST baked mince-pie yesterday r. said
Mary, exultantlY "and / have quilted
a quilt and made soft soap, within the
weeklD
sI don't like the idea of your going
into factory" said Mr.. Crofton. ''Sup-
pose now, by way Of variety, you were
to marry me9''
But you're not in love with me r.
said Mary, opening her bright black
eyes.
Butt am," said Mr.. Crof5on, with
great gravity. 81 have deliberately
made up mind that I can't be happy
without you. And although / don't pro.
fess to be a rich man, believe can
make you better allowance than six
dollars week, while at the same time
you viii not be compelled to work ten
hours day for it. That is the business.
~