The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-04-05

near her, and two little boys building a
block house on the table while the little
girl who opened tho door made the sixth
of the youthful group.
"Why, Miss Pamela" said the mother,
chow pleased l am to see you! Excuse
my getting up, amt strong yet. was
thinking when you came in whether or
no L should be able to darn that place in
the carpet, but don't think 1 shall.
Nurse has gone away, and sister cant
come, because her husband is down
with the malaria, and I'm awfully I'M
settled"
"You must be, said Pamela handling
the baby. why, what a little beauty it
is, Mrs. Pease. ] suppose you've got q
washerwoman this week."
mo, l haven't It's my worst
trouble" said Mrs. Pease. Il had Kitty
bring in the things, and they are all
mended and sorted out; but black Bar
bara is engaged on the hill, and l don t
know what I'll do"
Hire me-" said Pamela.
"My - laughed Mrs. Pease. "Why,
Miss Crump"
IT mean it," said Pamela. II wash
better than black Barbara, and want to
earn some money. You can pay me what
you pay her, Mrs. Pease."
"a dollar day." said Mrs. Pease;
"but gracious, Miss Pamela, you cant
mean It,"
II mean it from my heart said
Pamela. spa thinks more of his money
than he does of me. / am going to earn
clothes for myself. 1 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 skirte and
took Kitty out into the kitchen with her.
Before night "the washing" white as
snow, was piled in great clothes bas-
ket. Mrs. Pease had had q 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 !,
was DONE" she said, "and now I'll 60
home and get pas tea"
ooh, Miss Pamela, I am so much
obligedw said Mrs. Pease. "And 1 be.
lieve you've only done it to oblige me-"
mo-" said Pamela, II 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 uaalker, peeping out of her
kitchen door rs Pamela passed.
"Ive been washing for her" said Pa
mela.
"Why, how Christian kind of you, to
be sure, said Mrs. Chalker.
Nothing of the kind" said Pamela.
II took my dollar for it. Have you your
washerw oman, Mrs. Chalker?'
"No, I haven't, and l amt able to
wash" said Mrs. Chalker.
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 1 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 girl prouder of
herself than was Pamela when she lay
down upon the counter of u dry good
store the money fox her coveted CLOAK;
hard learned "oney, but all her very
own; not cent of it coaxed out OF and
man alive.
She wore the clock and pretty plush
bonnet and new kid gloves to church on
Christmas day. She looked wei. The
squire stared at her solemnly, but he
knew that she had had no money.
II reckon" he thought, 'she has cut
ND her poor mas old black silk. l won't
ask any questions" and he held his
peace.
Pamela, as she looked at him, won
dered what he would say il he knew all.
That week she had some cards printed
professional cards.
The printer brought them home the
next morning. They read thus:
''MIss PAMELA CRUMP- Laundress.
House cleaning done in the best manner.
CRUMP HOUSE,"
The cards we're circulated through the
village by boy hired for the purpose,
and on her return at night from her
DAYS work, Pamela found u postal card
awaiting her.
MISS CRUMr. Laundrcss: Please cali
at Mr.. Bothwells 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 ut ripe old age.
Pamela laughed q little rs she deter
u