Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-01
JUDGE NOT.

In the ante-rOom of Meredith q
Sons great cotton factory in PhiIa-
delphia, a group of girls were stand
ing, engaged in an animated discus
sion. They were all young, some
pretty, all dressed neatly, though all
wore ill-chosen and unbecoming
finery. One of these VINO had a gold
chain and bracelets, ana a cheap silk
dress, spoke very emphatcally; 1t is
the stingiest proceedings | ever heard
Off
"W hat are you all so excited about2
asked a pretty little blonde, coming in
from the loom-room.
ELLEN Churchll?'
'Dear mel What has she been do
ing MOVIE You arc always discussing
some dreadful deed Of llIlen's. l like
her myself
Eyes, we all know that, said the
first speaker; you will defend any
thing Ellen does
But what has she donean
Refused to sign the subscription
list for the tankard TO be presented to
Mr.. Rodman.
'And Mr. Rodman has been such a
good friend To herr said a third voice.
The little blonde, Susie Whiting by
name, looked rather staggered at the
new accusation against her friend.
Mr.. Rodman, manager for Meredith
* Son for nearly fifty years, was
about to retire ON account of the in
tirmities Of age, and the persons en-
gagged in the great factory were COX
Letting money TO kuy 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 controls so that
the presentation was really gift OF
love
Ellen Churchill had come to the
great factory two years previous to
date of the Indignation meeting in
the ante-room aud had risen to the po-
si,iOn of fOrewOman in ,ne 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 a life of refinement to the drudg.
cry of q 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 a
long period of contagious fever, win
ning the devotion of that httlQ maiden,
and the manager soon put herinto 20
sitiOnS OF trust till she became fore
woman. Here her education enabled
her to keep the books required ia tn,
room, thus doubling her salary.
And here was the ground of COM
plant by her companions. 1t was
well known that the salary Of Ellen
Churchill was sufficient TO warrant Z
good style OF living and dressing. In
the great boarding house where sew
enty of the girls had rooms, sac coulC
well afford to pay for the best, to con
tribute to the amusement of the nous,
and dress well. Instead of all this
she lived IN the attic poorly furnish
ed, with a tiny stove, where she cook
ed the cheapest of food. Her dres
was of the coarse description, mad,
by her own hands, and no ornament
broke ITS severe simplicity. She neve
spent money in any pleasure seeking
nor joined in amy of the quiet merrl
meut in the house But the crownu.
enorrnity was the refusal TO contribute
to the silver tankard. The excite,
group in the ante-room dispersed 70
the day, walking home IN the twi
light Of a September evening. an,
still they talked Of the young fore
woman.
The question is, said Mary Leigh
who had been foremost in the ante
room discussion. what does she q,
with her money She never puts an,
in the savings bank she certainl,
spends nothing on her dress. Wher
is it all, then2'
Perhaps she supports her parents.
Both dead l have heard her sa,
SO.
"Well, l daresay Mr.. Rodmal