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

4H0 OrumpS were, or CONSIDERED them
selyesthe veryfirst peoplein Pottsville and
Josiah Crump, the present head of the
family. was very proud of his ancestors.
He was about the meanest 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 ell that he had left.
She was handsome, strong, well.made
girl, with good mind, although he had
given her the very poorest education and
no accom- plishments whatever. She
worked in his house without help. or
thanks, or reward of any kind; her only
consolation being that shs was Miss
Crumps.
Much good that does me-" she used
to say, as she toiled away to save her
rich father few dollars more.
Girls who had no grandfather to boas.
about had accomplishments and good
clothes and comforts and pleasures of all
sorts which she never knew, and which
her father could well afford. At last, on
her nineteenth birthday, after she had
longed in silence for many days, Pamela
grew bold. Long fur-lined cloaks were
just coming into fashion, and how she
wanted one only girl can know.
1t was while her father sat counting
over a great roll of bills, which he had
just received as rent of certain property.
that she went up softly behind him and
said meekly:
Pa, can have one of those large,
black, silk cloaks, such as Betty Bur-
roughs Wears-one with ur-lining? I'll
make it myself It will wear for years.
Oh, pa, do SO want itI' and she paused,
with hands unconsciously clasped to-
gether
Mr.. Crump looked at her horror
stricken.
A silk cloak with fur-lining?" he
repeated, slowly. "No. you can't, Pa
mela; it's too expensive. Get your poor
mas gray blanket sh awl and wear it out.
I'm sure she'd be willing"
"Poor mas shawl had moths in it two
years before she died." sighed Pamela.
"She couldn't wear it, and you never
knew, pa, you don't know how badly off
l am. I've outgrown my sacque and
look like fool in it. I have boys shoes
and hat-oh, dear, such hat! l can
not really go out anywhere"
Women should be keepers at home,"
said Mr.. Crump.
Certainly I ought to go to church,
said Pamela.
''Not to show fine clothes," said Mr..
Crump.
"But T ought to dresss like a lady"
sighed the poor girl. 81 should think
you would admit that, pa.
Ladies are not always most dressed,
said Mr.. Crump. Ear from it. You
are Miss Crump. Remember, the Crumps
are the Oldest family in Pottsville."
ooh. know all that, pa, interrupted
Pamela; ''but it does no good if I must
go about looking like beggar.''
Mr.. Crump brought his cane down on
the floor and thundered out: Hold
your tongue, Pamela" buttoned his
pocket book in his bosom and trotted
away to deposit the money, while Pane
Ia, scarlet from brow to chin, remained
where he had left her.
! ''Oh, what shall dor she exclaimed
at last. tIs this womans fate to beg
all her life? / have no education. I can
not teach. / can do nothing but house
work. I'm the best washer in the vii
lage, but Therei" cried Pamela, bring
ing her foot down on the floor suddenly.
"a girl who can wash and iron as / can
doesn't neel to beg for her clothesp'
Brushing her tears away, she ran into
the entry, took from peg her shabby
bat and sacque, put them on, locked up
the house, and hurried down the village
street as fast as her young strong limbs
could carry her, until she stopped at
little white house at the low window of
which she tapped. A little girl opened
the door and Pamela followed her into
the sitting room where thin woman sat.
amidst cushions, in q big. Boston rock
ing chair, with brand new baby across
her knee, two older ones on the floor
near her, and two little BOYS building q
block house on the table while the little
girl who opened the door made the sixth
OF the youthful group
Why, Miss Pamela" said the mother
show pleased am to see you! Excuse
my getting up, l amt strong yet. was
thinking when you came in whether or
no should be able to darn that place in
the carpet, but I 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 un-
settled" g
'You must be" said Pamela dandlinp
the baby. ''Why, what little beauty It
is. Mrs. Pease. suppose you've got 4
vasherwoman this week."
mo, haven't. It's my worst
trouble" said Mrs. Pease. 81 had Kitty
bring in the things, and they are oil
mended and sorted ont; but black Bar
bara is engaged on the hill, and ! don't
know what I'll do"
:. Hire me, " said Pamela.
NY r laughed Mrs. Pease. why.
Miss Crampi"
Il mean it 2 said Pamela. 81 Hash