Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-08-05
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY AUGUST 5, 1882.
HILDA,s TRIAL.

in our hair. Every competitor TO wear
turquoise locket round her neck, and
to have six-buttOned white kid gloves,
stitched with pale blue on the backs"
wont it be exquisite!' said Jane
TOrringtOn, clasping her plump hands.
The seven young girls who were that
day month to take part in the half-year-
ly examination at Minerva House were
sitting, schoolgirl fashion, under the
human pearls, happily unconscious of
all the pitfalls and trials of life that
lay before them-seven half opened
blossoms, basking in the sunshine of
schOol-life. whittier as yet no haunting
shadow had followed them.
But" said cautious Mabel Hill, will
it be expensive?"
"Not at ALL" said Carrie, loftily. "The
whole won't cost more than ten guineas
each, as there are seven of us. And"
Just then, Hilda Reynolds, who had
been absorbed in letter which the blue
ribbOned parlOr-maid had brought her,
looked up.
"Wait minute, Carrie" she said.
IL am afraid l cannot afford so ex-
pensiye dress"
"What nonsense, Hilda," called out
Miss Nelson. "YOu, the heiress. to talk
about not affOrding a paltry ten gum
cas-"
"But am an heiress no longer" said
Hilda, with curious culver in her
voice. "This letter is from my guard
ian. 1t seems something is wrong
about some investments that have been
made, and-and l am as poor as factO-
ry-girl. must go out as gOverness, |
suppose, or companion, or something of
that Sort"
She burst into tears, with her face
hidden in her hands.
For second or two the other six
girls sat looking at one another in dire
dismay.
Then Carrie Nelson sprang up and
threw her arms impetuOusly around
Hilda's dropping neck.
"YOu shall do nothing of the sort, dar-
lingp she cried. "YOu shall come and
live always with me. / never had sis
ter, and shall treasure you with the
fondest affection"
But Hilda shook her head.
mo, Carrie she said, 81 must 60
home at once"
And she went; and Mrs. ClarendOn's
class for examination numbered only
six that year.
Hilda's guardian was grim and I'M
communicative The loss of the invest
ment, he stOutly maintained, was no
body's fault. No one could have fore
seen the depreciation of stocks, no hui
man, provision could have guarded
against the calamity. 1t was the for
tune of war, neither more nor less.
Hilda went to her aunt, who had al
ways declared that she loved her darling
niece as if she were her own child.
amt q
least give me home"
81 am very sorry, my DEAR" said Mrs.
CarlyOn, "but your uncle has been I'M
fortunate in business, and we are COM
PEELED to retrench in every possible
way. An additional member to our
family, Just at this time, would be an alb
solute impossibility."
"But what shall do?" inquired poor
Hilda.
"Oh, get situation somewhere, my
DEAR" said Mrs. CarlyOn, smiling sweet
ly. "Any girl who has received so ex
pensiye an education as yours ought to
be Independent of the world"
shall 1 advertiser" said Hilda.
"My dear, really know nothing of the
way people do such things" said MIS-.
CarlyOn, beginning to grow impatient.
SO Hilda ADVERTISED; but apparently
no one wanted either a governess, or a
"well-qualified ladies' companion"
Her little stock of money began to
dwindle. Her earnings failed her. Not
one of her relatives cared to assume the
burden of her support. No one else took
the responsibility of advising her.
One day she timidly entered the plate
house and asked for the proprietor, to
,ubo,,, oh vpIoinad har xUiohnc
Perhaps" hesitated the poor, shrink
ing Hilda, you can help me to situa-
tiOn. If there should be vacancy
among your lady clerks"
"How-hap said Mr.. Cartwright, feel
ing his lank cheek thOughtfully. "Hcd
any experience in the busiDess?"
mo"
"Oh, then the idea is quite impracii-
cable" said Mr.. Cartwright. 1--WE don't
take apprentices here"
And be civillv bowed Miss Reynolds
out OF his little serctum.
Bilda applied at a neiGhbo1ng shop
for fine, silk embroidery. She worked e |
week at child's clOah, ID was paid
seven shillines!
"But this is very little," said Hilda,
piteOuslv regarding the silver pieces.
"Our usual rates." said the fOrewO-
man, frigidly. eff you are not satisfied
with them, you peed not come again.
We have plenty of halds."
Hilda crept home in vhe frozen, win
ter twilight, crying sO;tlv behind her
veil rs she went. Aud, hec ewes being
blurred with teers, she did not see an ill
Omened piece OF 0'ange-peel Oh the pa ye-
mept, but slipped fa0 fell, o;eakirg her
ankle apd losing Consciousness through
the Intensity OF the pain.