The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-04-05
PAMEL.'S E>CAPADE.

The CrumpS were, or CONSIDERED tncm-
selvesthe 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 aiggardliness;
and now that his wife was dead, his
daughter Pamela was all that he had left.
She was a handsome, strong, we'll 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 sho toiled away to save her
rich father few dollars more.
Girls who had no grandfather to boHs.
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 brit ay, after she had
longed in silence for Ia .ny 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 q great roll of bills, which he had
Just received as rent of certain property,
that she went up softly behind him and
said meekly:
.'Ps, can 1 have one of those large.
black, silk cloaks, such as Betty Bur
roughs wears-one with fur lining? I'll
make it myself It will wear for years.
Oh, pa, do so want itw 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 cant. 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.
ssShe couldn't wear it, and you never
know, pa, you don't know how badly oil
ri am. I've outgrown my sacque and
look like fool in it. have boys shoes
and a hat-oh, dear, such hat! l can
not really go out anywhere"
"Women should be keepers at home,
said Mr.. Crump.
Certainly 1 ought to 60 to church,
said Pamela.
"Not to show fine Clothes" said Mr..
Crump. .,
"But ought to dresss like a LADY,"
siphcd the poor girl. Il 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 Cramps
are the oldest family in Pottsville."
ooh, know all that, pa" interrupted
Pamela; "but it does no good If / must
90 about looking like a beggar."
Mr. Crump brought his cane down on
the floor and Numbered 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 do" she exclaimed
Mt last. us this a womans fate to beg
all her life? have no education. can
not teach. l can do nothing but house
work. I'm the best washer in the vii
lape. but Therer" cried Pamela, bring
ing her foot down on the floor suddenly.
"a girl who can wash and iron as l can
doesn't neeI to beg for her clothes"
Brushing her tears away, she ran into
the entry. took from peg her shabby
hat and sacque, put them on, locked up
the house, and hurried down the village
street as fast ~ her young strong limbs
could carry her, until she stopped at .
little white house Of the low window OF
which she tapped. A little girl opened