The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1882-12-14
JUDGE NOT.

In the ante-roofn of Meredith g. Sons
great cotton factory in Philadelphia q
group Of girls were standing engaged in
an animated discussion. They were all
young, somc pretty. all dressed neatly,
though many wore ill-chosen and un be-
coming finery. One of these, who had
a mock gold chain and bracelets and a
profusion OF jettrimmings upon a cheap
silk dress. spoke very emphatically: 1T
Off
"What are you all SO excited about?'
asked pretty little blonde coming in
from the loom-room.
"Ellen Churchillr'
"Dear me! What has she been do
ing nowr You are always discussing
some dreadful deed of Ellen's. I like
her myself"
Yes, we all know that" said the
FIR hrst speaker; you will defend any
thing Ellen does."
"But what has she done?''
REFUSED to sign the subscription list
for the tankard to- be presented Mr.. Rod
man."
"And Mr. Rodman has been SUCH a
good friend to hcr!' said third voice.
The little blonde, Susy Whiting, by
name, looked rather staggered at the
new accusation against her friend. Mr..
Rodman, manager for Meredith & Son
for nearly fifty years. was about to re-
tire on account of the iniirm;tios of age,
and the persons engaged in the great
factory were collecting money to buy q
silver tankard 10 present to him. He
was kindly old man and always ready
to lend helping hand to the small army
of work people under his control; SO
that the presentation was really gift
of love.
Ellen Churchill had come to the great
factory two years previous to the date
OF the indignation meeting in the ante
room, and had risen to the position of
forewoman in one Of the loom rooms.
She was handsome girl of about
twenty when she applied Tor work, and
fact that she had stepped from u lie Of
refinement to the hard drudgery of a
factory hand. Her low, even tone be-
trayed the lady in its well-chosen words.
and her slim, white hands bore no trace
of toll upon their smooth skin. She was
courteous to all who came into inter-
course with her, butintimate with none.
She had nursed Susy Whiting through q
long period OF contagious fever, win
ming the devotion of that little maiden,
and the manager soon put her into posi-
t1ons OF trust till she became forewoman
Here her education enabled her to keen
the books required in the room, thus
doubling her salary.
And here was the great ground of
complaint by her companions. 1t was
well-known that the salary of HeIen
Churchill was surncient to warrant n
good style of living and dressing. In
the great boarding where seventy
of the girls had rooms, she could Wen
afford to pay for the best, to contribute
to the amusements of the house and
dress we'll. Instead of all this she lived
in the attic, poorly furnished, with a
tiny stove, where she cooked the cheap.
est of food Her dress was of the
coarsest description, made by her own
hands, and no ornament broke it's se-
we're simplicity. She never spent money
in any pleasure-seeking, nor joined in
any of the quiet merriment Of the
house. But the crowning enormity was
the refusal to contribute to the silver
tankard.
The excited group in the ante-room
dispersed for the day, walking home in
the twilight of the September evening,
s"hu 0VIi1 UiOJ Cdlhou VI Cno ouuR lore
woman.
"The question is." said Mary Leigh
who had been foremost in the ante
room discussion "what docs she do
with her money! She never puts any
i'll the factory savings bank; she GER
tainly spends nothing on her dress.
Where is it all, thenp"
Perhaps she supports her parentsp''
Both dead! have heard her say
So"
"Well, dare say Mr.. Rodman won't
think her quite such a paragon as he
has done, when he misses her name
from the subscription list"
"And Walter Rodman will probably
resent the insult to his father"
There was an exulta:ion in the tone
of the last remark, but ill-corcealed.
Walter Rodman, the only child of the
old manager, was in the counting-house
of the factory. with every prospect Of
soon becoming partner. A man past
thirty, he had risen in the employ of
Meredith g. Son from a lad of fourteen,
and had saved money from handsome
salary, with the .avowed intention of
purchasing place in the firm upon the
anticipated retirement of Mr. Meredith,
who was known to favor the intention.
! Amongst all the sclerks and workmen
q the great factory there was no one