The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-02-14

Ellen Churchhili came to the great
factory.
There was something in the noble.
refined face of the young girl that
attracted Walter Rudman from the
+; first. That there was some heavy
trouble brooding in the sadness Of
her great dark eyes. he never doubt
ed but if every purity aud good
ners were pictured in human coun
tenance, they were in EIIeD's. From
his father he learned much of the
new conner. of the quick adaptabili-
ty she showed for work evidently
new to her, of the almost masculine
brain that fitted her SD soon to take
control of the loom room. where over
hundr, d girls were at work.
OF her anlecedeilis be knew only
that she brought letter from the
clergyman Of h,r parish, in small
town ia New York State. That she
was woman of culture and refine
ment they could see for themselves.
| But Walter Rodn,an by nature
frank and true, Ms his heart more
and more acknowledged Ellen for
its queen, grieved over the evident
mystery in her life. While in her
conversation she advanced noble
and generous views, her whole style
of living was penurious to an extent
rarely seen in q woman of her age,
when living upon q much smaller
salary than she commanded. 1t was
not merely economy, but saving
pushed to extremity.
There was struggle constantly in
the mind of the yoang. .clerk--a
struggle between his love and his
fear of repentance if he urged his
suit. 1t was more revolving for him
to think of his wife conducting his
household upon parismonious prin-
ciples, refusing to bestow of his
abundaDe i'll charity, dressing mean
ly, and perhaps influencing him in
the same miserable habits. Aud yet,
one hour with Ellen drove away all
such thoughts.
The low, soft voice, always tinged
by her habitual sadness, conveyed
such a mirror of a pure, tender
heart, cultivated mind, a noble
soul, that Walter forgot the coarse,
mean dress, the many stories rife III
the factory of EIlen's stinginess,
and knew he loved ner as he had
never before loved any woman.
But when the silver tankard was
presented to Mr. Rodrnan, and Ell
lens name was not UPON the list Of
contributors to the gift, Walter ex-
perienced a sharp pang Of disap-
poiutment. He knew that his faith.
ier's recommendation had gained
Ellen her first place in the factory,
that she had found a frm friend in
him, and owed her rapid advance
ment to his interest and influence.
Aud yet she had refused her mite to
the gift that testified the good feeling
of her fellow workers in the great
factory
Father and son had long been
confidential friends, and ON the even
ing following the presentation, the
latter opened his heart and told all
his doubts and fears. Mr.. Rodman
listened quietly.
Yet YOU love Ellen" he said.
81 love her," replied Walter. but
never could be happy with a mis-
erly wife"
Poor Ellen, how little she de-
serves that reproach rs id Mr.. Rod
man. IL shall violate confidence
reposed in me. Walter, when tell
YOU how you misjudged her, but l
think can trust you"
"Has she told you her secret?"
mo. / heard the story from the
clergyman of Lenwood, her native
village, who wrote to me before she
came here. He is an old friend of
mine, and knew he could confide in
me. ! will tell you what he wrote
to me. Six years apo Ellen's moth
er died, leaving in her care sickly
step brother, then eleven years old.
Her own father had left Ellen pref
ty cottage, and she had small in
come from the fruit and poultry
on the place. while she made sutfi-
cient living teaching music and play
ing the organ in the church. When
her mother died, leaving Stephen
Grady, her step brother, an orphan,
and penniless, for her step father,
before his death, squandered all her
mothers little fortune, Ellen prom
ised to care for the little boy. Re-
member, she was but sixteen her
self, though early care had matured
her far beyond her actual years.
"The boy grew up like his father,
reckless of expenditure. loose in
principle, yet tender to mis- sister
mother. and one, of those loving
scapegraces who always win some
good wonan's devotion. He won
Ellen's. She thought herself bound
by her promise to her mother to
make every sacrifice for Stephen,
aid she faithfully tried to lead him
away from the companions and evil
influences that were running his life.
Three years ago friend of Mrs.
Grady took Stephen into his count
ing house. Here he was to learn
book keeping. and for a time he
worked steadily. Then the bad
company which had ruined his boy
hood again exerted an evil influence,
and he had learned to gamble. Re-
member, Walter. he Was but four
teen, and Ellen but Ave years older.
"One of his accom- mplishments was
the power of initiating handwriting,
and by the persuasion Of some older
heads he forged check for two
thouesnd dollars on the firm he was
with. The check passed the bank
nndetected, for the cashier was in
the habit of paying over large sums
to Grady. But when it was returned
to the firm the forgery was discov-
cred aud traced to Stephen-when
the truth came out that he had gam
bid away the entire amount, and
the two men who had urged the
crime and pocketed the money had
fed, leaving the lad to bear the con-
seouepces. He WIS arrested. and