Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-01


from the subscription list.
cana Walter Rodman will prob
ably resent the insult to his father "
There was exultation in the tone of
the last remark, but ill-concealed
Walter Rodnan, the only child of the
elder manager was in the counting
room of the factory, with every pros
pect of soon becoming partner. A
man past thirty, he had risen in the
employ of Meredith & Son from a lad
of Ia, and had saved money from q
handsome salary, with the agowed
purpose of purchasing a place in the
firm. upon the anticipated retirement
of old Mr.. Meredith, who was known
to favor his Intention. Among the
clerks and workmen in the great fac.
tory th.re was none so handsome as
Walter ROdman, none SO quietly re
/ fined in manner, none so great ia
vorite with all. But lie had gone
through thirty years of life fancy free,
until Ellen Churchill came to the fac
/ tory.
There was something in the noble,
refined face Of the young girl that at
tracted Walter R0dman from the first.
| That there was some heavy trouble
| brooding in the sadness of the dark
eyes he never doubted but if ever
purity and goodness was pictured in
human countenance they were in
EHen's. From his father he learned
much of the new conner, of the quick
adaptability she showed for her work
evidently new 20 her Of the almost
masculine brain that fitted her so
soon to take control of the loom room.
where over a hundred girls were at
work.
OF her antccedents he knew only
that she brought a letter from the
clergyman Of her parish, in small
town of New York state. That she
was a woman of culture and refine
ment they could see for themselves
Bat Walter Rodman, by nature
frank and true, as his heart more and
more acknowledged Ellen for its
queen, grieved over the evident mys-
terry in her life. While in her con
versation she advanced noble and
generous views, her whole style of
living was penuriOus to an extent
rarely seen in a woman of her age
when living upon a much smaller
salary than she commanded. 1t was
not mere economy, but saving pushed
to extremity.
There was a struggle between his
love and his fear OF repentance, if he
urged his suit. 1t was revolving to
him to think of his wife conducting
This household upon parsimonious
principles, refusing to besto@ of his
abundancein charity, dressing mean
ly. and perhaps influencing him to
the same misery hab Is. And yet,
one hour with Ellen drove away such
thoughts.
The low, soft voice, always tinged
by her habitual sadness, covered such
mirror Of a pure, tender heart, a
cultivated mind, a noble soul, that
Walter forgot the coarse, mean
dress, the many stories rife ia the fac
tory of Ellen's stinglness, and heknew
he loved her as he had never before
loved any woman,
But when the silver tankard was
presented to Mr. Rodman, and Ellen's
name was not upon the list of con
tl1butors to the gift, Walter expert
enced sharp pang of disappoint-
menJ. He knew that his fathers re
commend had gained Ellen her place
IN the factory, and that she had found
a firm friend IN him, and owed her
rapid advancement to his interest and
influence.
And yet she had refused her mite
to the gift that testified the good
feeling of the fellow-workers in tue
factory.
Father and son had long been con
tidential friends; and ON the evening
following the presentation the latter
opened his heart and told all his
doubts and fears. Mr.. R0dman listen
ed quietly.
Yet you love Elem he said.
81 love her, replied Walter, "but
| could never be happy with u mlserly
wife,
Poor Ellen, how little she deserves
that reproach!' said Mr.. Rodman. Il
shall violate a confidence reposed in
me, Walter, when | tell you how you
misiudge her, but think l can trust
you"
HAS She told you her secretl"
No; heard the story from the cler-
gyman Of Lemwool, her native vii
lage, who wrote to me before she
came here. He is an old friend of
mine, and knew he could coutide IN
me. Six years ago E.lcn's mother
died, leaving IN her care a sickly step
brother, then about eleven years old
Her own father had left Ellen "a pretty
cottage, and she had a small income
from the fruit and poultry on the
place while she made suili ient liv-
ing by teaching music aud playing
the organ in the church. Wien her
mother died, leaving Stephen
| Grady, her step brother an
orphan and peunlless lfor her
steptather before ms death sauau-
dered all her mothers fortune Ellen
promised to care for the boy. Remem-
Der she was but sixteen, though early
care had uatured her far beyond her
actual years. TIE boy prev up like
his father, reckless of expenditure.
/ l,,co IN ,,t., r.tt,.l ,-.t t.,..l.... o.. Ia.