The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-07-04
THE TABLES TURNED.

lhG l<ADLAISo ACASNGDe
When was q young girl, my uncle,
who had q large factory, found, one
Saturday morning, that the confiden-
tial clerk, who always went to town to
draw the money with which to pay the
hands at five o'clock, had been taken
with . violent attack OF infiammatory
rheumatism, and was unable to attend
to the business. To 60 himself was to
break an engagement which was OF the
first importance, and he was lamenting
the fact in my presence.
'It's hundred pounds out of my
pocket to leave this afternoon" he
said, ''but there's no one else, and my
men and women all need their money.
Why aren't you a young man. Jessie"
Cant q young woman draw money
from a bankP" / asked.
"Yes, certainly she cam" said my
uncle.
Very WE'LL" said /, '.let me 60. I'll
take the gig and be back in no time"
''It's strange errand for young
woman" said my uncle; "but it's day
light, and no one will know what you
have got about you. You may GO, Jes-
sic, but shall be very anxious until i
see you again"
Before he had ceased speaking / had
hurried away to order the horse to be
put to the gig, and get on my cloak
and hat.
1t was clear bright winters day,
and Idrove to town without any un-
usual incident; went to the bank, drew
the money, put it into a leather bag,
which ibid under my cloak, and started
off again. There now seemed nothing
before me but to drive home as fast as
l could, but my story will prove that l
was mistaken.
Just as 1 took the reins in my hand
an old woman hailed me. l recog-
nized her as the mother of one of our
factory hands-an Italian, who had
never seemed very prepossessing to me.
II beg pardon, miss" she said, with
her peculiar accent, which l should
find it impossible to initiate; "but will
my son get his pay to-dayp They told
me the hands would not be paid, and /
am anxious"
Eyes, yes" answered. Don't be
afraid. They will be paid. Mr.. Pelli-
co is sick, but have come to get the
money myself. 1t is all right"
Thank Heavenr' said the old wo-
man; tive are SO very poor at home,
every penny is gone by Saturday night.
Ali" and she gave little groan.
"What is itp" asked.
1.-THE rheumatism in my ankle" said
she. And if miss would but let me
ride with her to my house. 1t is on the
road"
"Get ill.," l said, and turned the
horse SO that she could do so. 1t was
not five minutes drive to the old wo-
mans home, and my bag was safe on
my arm under my cloak.
She climbed in with me with an ex-
preston of the wish that / might al
ways be able to ride in my carriage,
and we reached her poor hut very
shortly.
BY this time her knee had become so
much worse that was obliged to get
down and lift her out, and assist her
into the house.
'.It was sitting on the cold steps, /
suppose" she said. 'It was foolish,
but l was so anxious. You don't know
what it is to be poor. All, if 1 had but
a cup of tea. Miss, will you reach me
my tea-caddyP My kettle boils, and /
can make some"
/ did as she asked me. There was
plenty of time, and felt sorry for the
old creature.
She made the tea, and seeming to
grow better, limped to shelf and
took down two cups and sugar-bowl
and milking.
The place was very clean, and the
tea was fragrant. She filled both the
cups and begged me to drink one.
'It is SO cold," she said.
1t was cold, but / was growing i'm
patient.
II cannot stay" said. This bus
mess OF mine is important, you know"
Yes" she said, "but how long
would it take to drink cup of teap'
But had walked to the door. There
/ received an unpleasant surprise. NY
gig was gone. A boy went whistling
along the road at that moment. /
called to him and asked him if he had
seen il. He answered no.
ran up the road and then down, but
saw nothing of the horse and vehicle.
At last returned to the cottage, in
tending to enquire where / could hire
q wagon.
The old woman replied that she was
now SO much better that she could
manage to get to her nearest neighbor,
who would do anything for her, and
make him send me home in his wagon.
Meanwhile, drink your tea, or /
shall think you toe. proud to eat in
poor mans house.
Then she left me.
i laughed and sat down at the table.
/ was not an excitable person, and not
at all nervous, and resolved to drink
the tea.
had just drawn the cup towards mo
when my eye rested on bit of paper
hastily screwed up and tossed towards
the fire, which had not however, more
than scorchcd 1t.
Ishall always believe that 1t was my
guardian angel that made me pick up