Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-09
JUDGE NOT.

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 unbecoming
fRery. One of these, who had a mock
gold chain and bracelets, anil profusion
of Jet trimmings upon a cheap silk dress,
spoke very emphatcally-" 1t is the stingi-
est proceeding l ever heard of !"
"What are you all so excited about ?"
asked a pretty little blonde, coming in
from the loom room.
" Ellen Churchill ~
Dear me What has she been doing
now? You are always discussing some
dreadful deed of E,len's. l like her my
self"
Eyes, we all 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.
And Mr.. Rsdman has been such a
good friend to her % said third voice.
The little blonde, Susy Whiting by
name, looked rather staggered at the new
accusation against her fren7. Mr. Rod
man, manager for Meredith & Son for
nearly fifty years. was about to retire on
account OF the infrmities of age, and the
persons engaged IN the great factory were
collecting money to buy a silver tankard
to present to him. He was a kindly old
man, and always ready to lend a 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 aute-room,
and had risen to the position Of fore
woman in one of the loom rooms. She
was 4 handsome girl Of about 20 when she
applied for work, and by every action and
word betrayed the fact she had stepped
from a life of refinement to the drudgeTy
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 cour-
teous to all who came into intercourse with
her but Intimate with none. she had
uursed Susy Whiting through a long Pc
Rod OF contagious fever, winning the devo'
ton Of that little maiden, and the mana.
ger soon put her into positions Of trust till
she became forewonan Here her educa-
ton enabled her to keep the books required
in the room, thus doubling her salary.
And here was the great ground Of com
plant by her companions. 1t was we'll
known that the salary of Ellen Churchill
was sufficient to warrant a good style OF
living and dressing. In the great board
ing.house, where seventy of the girls had
rooms, she could well afford to pay for the
best, to contribute to the amusement Of
the house and dress well, Instead of all
this, she lived in the attic, poorly fur
nished, with tiny stove, where she
cooked the cheapest of food. Her dress
was OF the cosrsess description, made by
her own hands and no ornament broke its
severe simplicity. She never spent money
in any pleasure seeking, nor Joined in any
OF the quiet merriment in the house. But
the browning enormity was the refusal to
contribute to the silver tankard. The ex-
cited groupiu the ante-room dispersed for
the day, walking home n the twilight OF a
September 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? S1e never puts any in the factory
savings bank she certainly spends moth
ing on her dress Where is it all, then 2"
&c Perhaps she supports her parents -
Both dead have heard her say
so"
"WelI, I dare say Mr.. Roiman won't
think her such e paragon as he has done,
when ne misses her name from the sub
scr.ptjou ist.'
There was an exuIta.ion in the tone OF
the last remark but iu-ooncealed. Wal
ter Eodmau. tae only child OF the elder
manager, was IN the Counting-room of the
factory, with every prospect Of soon be.
coming partner, \ man past 30, he had
risen In the employ OF Meredith * Son
from lad o., IA, and had saved money
from a handsome salary, with the avo~ed
purpose ot purchasing place IN the firm,
upon the autiei 1ased retirement OF Old Mr..
Meredith, who was known to favor the in
tention. Among the clerks and workmen
in the great factory there was no one so
quietly refined in manner none so great a
fsvorise with all Bat he had gone through
thirty years OF life, fancy free, until + len
Churchill came to the factory.
There was something in the noble, re.
lined face Of the young girl that attracted
Walter Bodman from the first. That there
was some heavy trouble brooding in the
sadness OF her great dark eyes he never
doubted but if ever purity and goodness
were pictured in human countensnce, they
were in Rllen's. From his father he
learned much of the new conner, OF the
quick adaptability she showed for work
evidently new to her, Of the almost mascu-
line brain that fitted her so soon to take
control of the loom room, where over a
hundred girls were at work.
OF her anteeedents he knew only that
she brough a letter from the clergyman Of
her parish, in small town OF New York
State. That she was a woman of culture
and refinement they could easily see for
themselves.
But Walter Rodman, by nature frank
and true, as his heart more and more &C.
knowledged 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 woman of her age, when living
upon a much smaller salary than she COM