Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-04-07
PAMELA CRUMP'S ESCAPADE.

The Crumps We're, or con sidered
themselves, hevery 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 a 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 Was Miss Crump.
T." Much good that does me-" she used
to say, as she toiled away to save her
rich father few more dollars.
Girls who had no grandfathers to
boast about, had accomplishments 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 day,
after she had longed in silence for many
days, Pamela grew bold. Long, fur
lined cloaks were just coming into fash
ion, and how she wanted one, only Il
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:
Z" Pa, can Ihave one of those large
black silk cloaks, such as Betsy Bur-
roughs wears--one with II fur liningp
I'll make it myself. 1t will wear for
years. o, pa, | do so want it.' and she
paused, with hands unconscously
clasped together.
Mr. Crump looked at her, horror
stricken.
"a Stlk cloak, with a fur lining!n he
repeated, slowly. mo, you can't, Pa
mela; it's too expensive. Get your
poor mas gray banket-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 of / am. I've outgrown my
sack, and look like a fool in it. /
have boys shoes and hat--oh, dear,
such a hat! Icannot really 60 out any
whcre.n W
"Women should be keepers at home"
said Mr.. Crump.
Certainly ought to go to church" :"
said Pamela
Mot to show tine Clothes" said Mr..
Crump. tI4
g" But | ought to dress like q lady,"
sighed The poor girl. II 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 Pottsyille. -
80, know all that, pa" interrupted
Pamela; "but it does no good if / must
20 about looking like beggar."
Mr.. Crump brought his cane down on
the floor, thundered 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 do?" she exclaimed
at last. "Is this q woman's fate to beg
all the days of her lifep / have no edu-
cation. cannot teach. can do moth
ing but household work. I'm the best
washer in the village, but Therer'
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 a 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 hDr, until she stopped at g
little white house, at the low window OF
which she tapped. A little girl opened
the door, and Pamela followed her into
"a sittipg-room, where a thin woman sat
amidst cushions. in a big Boston rock.
ing-chair, with brand new baby across
her knee, two older ones onsthe floor
near her. and two little boys building 1
biock-house on the table, while the littl,
girl who had opened the door made the
sixth Of the youthful group.
why, Miss Pamela" said the moth
CT, chow pleased am to see you! Ex