The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-03-24

mean 1t.
II mean it from my heart, said
Pamela. Pa thinks more of his money
than he does of me. / am going to earn
clothes for myself. I need them I'm
sure"
Men are so peculiar sometimes, .
sighed Mrs. Pease. IF you really mean
it, it will be great comfort to me-
Pamela instantly took off her bonnet
and sacque. tucked up her skirt, and
took Kitty out into the kitchen with her.
Before night .sthe washing" white as
snow, was piled in great clothes bas-
ket. Mrs. Pease had had great bowl
of soup, and all was tidy in the little
room, where Pamela sat mending the bit
of carpet.
II knew it would bother you until it
was done, she said, 'fand now I'll go
home and get pas tea.
"Oh. Miss Pamela, am so much
obligedp' said Mrs. Pease. 'sAnd I be-
heve you've only done it to oblige me. !"
"No," said Pamela, ST did it to earn
money. May ] come next Monday"
why, gracious me! if you will, said
Mrs. Pease.
Been to see Mrs. Pease?' asked curl
GUS Mrs. Chalker, peeping out of her
kitchen door as Pamela passed.
s'I've been washing for her." said Pa
mela.
'sWhy, how Christian kind of you, to
be sure, said Mrs. Chalker.
Nothing of the kind" said Pamela.
''I took my dollar for it. Have you your
washerwoman, Mrs. Chalker?'
''No. haven'.., and I amt able to
ch oafI AT,S T1o1Eon
Pamela instantly offered her services.
II am going to do washing" she said.
I'm going to do it just as other washer
women do, for money. I shan't explain
why. But here / am splendid laun-
dress, ready to be hired six days in the
week. from seven to six, if any one wants
me-"
SO it began. Before long, Pamela had
many employers, and the village was rife
with suspicion as to the why and where
fore, but never was q girl prouder of
herself than was Pamela when she lay
down upon the counter of dry good
store the money for her coveted cloak;
hard-earned "5oney, but all her very
own; not a cent of it coaxed out of and
man alive.
She wore the cloak and a pretty plush
bonnet and new kid gloves to church on
Christmas day. She looked well. The
squire stared at her solemnly, but he
knew that she had had no money.
81 reckon" he thought, 'she has cut
up her poor mas old black silk. I won't
ask any questions and he held his
peace.
Pamela, as she looked at him, won.
dered what he would say if he knew all.
That week she had some cards printed
professional cards.
The printer brought them home the
next morning. They read thus:
s'MIss PAMELA CRUMP- Laundress.
House cleaning done in the best manner.
CRUMP HoUsE,--.Y
The cards were circulated through the
village by boy hired for the purpose,
and on her return at nigNG from her
days work, Pamela found a postal card
awaiting her.
''MIss CRUMP, Laundresa: Please call
at Mr.. Bothwell's early tomorrow.
G.. boutwell,.
Now Mr.. Boutwell, was the new minis
ter, widower with two children. He
knew nothing of the Crumps nor the vii
lage as yet. Had preached there once
and been called" in consequence of the
demise of the excellent Mr.. Dolorus, who
had departed this life at a ripe old age.
Pamela laughed little as she deter
mined to call and see what was desired.
At seven o'clock she rang the bell of the
pastors very small house and was ad-
mitted by the gentleman himself. He
was in evident distress of mind, and his
dressing gown needed mending sadly.
In 10OIo1 ~ g..
ment and then requested her to walk
INTO his study. It was dusty place
with good deal of manuscript lying
about; and the shrieks of weeping
child were heard in the distance.
May I ask what ] can do for you,
inquired the gentleman, mo-
iioning to seat.
.You wrote me" said Pamela. "Miss
Jrump, laundress.
"Oh, dear me, yes, replied Mr.. Both
we'll, with wide open eyes-s'I wrote to
Tou. Thanks for your promptness. The
'act of the matter is. my housekeeper-
IN aged colored person Il thought her
most estimable-is lying terribly intoxi-
,ated on the kitchen floor, and has been
'or two days. and things are-are-"
And Mr.. Boutwell,, running short of
words, spread his hands abroad in pam
,omine descriptive of chaos.
''I understand" said Pamela, calmly.
Where is your kitchen?"
Two hours afterward the master was
calmly writing in his study, and the
children, washed and dressed, were
listening to the stories Pamela told them
ss she rubbed away at the washboard.
The housekeeper had been dumped
lpon a bed in small bed room on the
over floor to sleep off her intoxication,
md potatoes were boiling and q
couple of chickens roasting for the family
Inner.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Crump, having some
document to inspect. had
come home unexpectedly, and, entering
he house, had found it empty, and in
he sitting room came upon sight which
oetrifed him with horror.
A little portable desk, which his
laughter had appropriated for her own,
vas lying open on the table and in it the
,ards we have described, and her account
book.
He read the card first:
MISS PAMELA CRUMP
1ouse-cleaning done in best manner.
Then he ran his eye over the account
,ook.
Washed-Monday, for Mrs. Pease;
tuesday, for Mrs. Chalker; Wednesday,
or Mrs. Mott; ironed, Thursday after |
loon; house cleaning for Mrs. Downs on
saturday.
ALI this in furious rage, and almost
Gaming at the mouth, until he came to