Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-02-20
j UDGE NOT.


In the ante of Meredith & Sons
great cotton factory, in Philadelphia,
group of girls were standing engaged In
an animated discussion. They were all
young, some pretty, all dressed neatly,
though many wore ill-chosen and unbe-
coming finery. One of these, who had
mock gold chain and bracelets, and
profusion of Jet trimmings upon cheap
silk dress, spoke very emphatically-
6 1t Is the stingiest proceeding l ever
heard of p
sWhat are you all so excited about ?"
asked pretty little blonde coming in
from the Ioom-room.
''Ellen Churchill!''
Dear me! What has she been doing
now? You are always discussing some
dreadful deed of Ellen's. 1 like her my
self"
Eyes, we oil know that" said the first
speaker; "you will defend anything
Ellen does"
''But what has she done %
REFUSED to sign the subscription list
for the tankard to be presented to Mr..
Rodman."
'sAnd Mr.. Rodman has been such
good friend to her!' said third voice.
The little blonde, Susy Whiting by
name, looked rather staggered at the new
accusation against her friend. Mr.. Rod
man, manager for Meredith & Son for
nearly so years, was about to retire on
account of the infirmities of age, and the
persons engaged in the great factory were
collecting money to buy silver tankard
to present to him. He was kindly old
man, and always ready to lend helping
hand to the small army of work-people
under his control; so that the presenta-
ton was really gift of love.
Ellen Churchill had come to the great
factory two years previous to the date of
the indignation meeting In the ante
room, and had risen to the position of
fOrewoman in one of the loom rooms.
She was a handsome girl of about 20
when she applied for work, and by every
action and word betrayed the fact that
she had stepped from life of refinement
to the drudgerY of factory hand. Her
low, even tone betrayed the lady In its
well-chosen words; and her slim, white
hands bore no trace of toll upon their
smooth skin. She was courteous to all
who came into intercourse with her, but
intimate with none. She had nursed
Susy Whiting through long period of
contagious fever, winning the devotion
of that little maiden, and the manager
soon put her into positions of trust till
she became forewoman. Here her edu-
cation enabled her to keep the books re-
quired In the room, thus doubling her
salary.
And here was the great ground of COM
plant by her companions. It was we'll
known that the salary of Ellen Churchill
was sufficient to warrant good style of
living and dressing. In the great board
ing-house, where 20 of the girls had
rooms, she could well afford to pay for
the best, to contribute to the amusement
of the house, and to dress we'll. Instead
Of all this, she lived In the attic, poorly
furnished, with a tiny stove, where she
cooked the cheapest of food. Her dress
was of the coarsest description, made by
her own hands, and no ornament broke
its severe simplicity. She never spent
money in any pleasure-seeking, nor
JoIued In any OF the quiet merriment in
the house. But the browning enormity
was the refusal to contribute to the sill
yer tankard. The excited group in the
ante-room dispersed for the day, walk
evening, and still they talked of the
young forewoman.
"The question is, said Mary Leigh,
who had been foremost in the ante-room
discussion, "what does she do with her
money? She never puts any in the fac
tory savings bank; she certainly never
spends nothing on her dress. Where is
it all, then ?"
perhaps she supports her parents ?"
''Both dead! l have heard her say
SO"
'Well, 1 dare say Mr.. Rodman won't
think her such paragon as he has done,
when he misses her name from the sub
scriptiOn list.
"And Walter Rodman viii probably
resent the insult to his father"
There was an exultation in the tone of
the last remark, but ill-concealed. Wal
ter Rodman, the only child of the elder
manager, was IN the cOunting-room of
the factory, with every prospect of soon
becoming partner. A man past 80, he
had risen in the employ of Meredith &
Son from a lad of IA, and had saved
money from handsome salary, with the
avoWed purpose of purchasing place IN
the firm, upon the anticipated retire
ment OF old Mr.. Meredith, who was
known to favor the intention. Among
he clerks and workmen in the great fac
tory there was no one so handsome as
Walter Rodman, none so quietly refined
in manner, none so great favorite with
all. But he had gone through 80 years
of life, fancy free, until Ellen Churchill
came TO the factory.
There was something in the noble, re-
fined face of the young girl that attract
cd Walter Rodman from the first. That
there was some heavy trouble brooding
in the sadness of her dark eyes ne never
doubted; but if ever purity and good