Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-05-29

dress so as 10 attract no particular dIOtn-
ton"
Tiny Clarence felt curiously unlike the
ariStocratic queen of fashion that she
was, as she rode down town in the eX
treme corner of a Sixth Avenne car, and
alighted al length at a cross street, whose
purlieus and swarming rows of tenement
houses on either side betOkened it the
residing place OF the poor.
Turning neither TO the right nor the
left, Tiny Clarence kept on her way until
at length she entered a dwelling some
where in the middle of the block, aud as
eending the long flight of carpetless
stairs, Nhich was common property to ali
the inhabitants.
Pausing at door on the fourth story,
she knocked softly.
Come in" was the reply; and opening
the door. Tiny Clarence entered.
1t Was q small room, comparatively
bare of furniture. yet very neat. A little
bed occupied one corner of the room,
and the smallest possible remnant of a
fire smouldered in tiny CRATE, while one
or two chairs and pine table constituted
all the rest of the outfittings.
Close to a window a young woman sat
sewing, while child played on the floor
at her feet. She rose as Tiny entered
is it you, Miss Clarence?" she said, her
whole face momentarily dyed with deep
tinge of color, as she courteSied a timid
welcome; this is but a poor place for you
to come to-"
81 have brought you some more sew
ing" said Tiny, ,carelessly, as she sat down
by the side of her sadly changed school
mate. by the way, Helen, do you still
sew for Sargent and Copley?"
"Yes. AN going there this afternoon
to return some work, and try TO get lit
tie more.
"Are you?"
Tiny stroye to speak uneonsciously, al
though tie deep crimson flushed he1
cheek and brow.
Would you object to me going with
you?"
why, no, certainly not"
Il have Il great curiosity to see the in
ner workings of one of those great man
ufacturing establishments"
Il shalt he .lld of your company.
DO they p! YOU well?" went on II
ny. affecting to be deeply interested In
removing speck of mad from the hem
of Bridgc - i cloth cloak. Mrs
starr ShooA uer mead sadly.
Starvation prices" Tiny, and Mr.. Sar
gent has Just cut down the wages one
quarter. He says times are hard and ht
cannot meet eXnnn1cS.
she was fU I-.4s up the bundle of neat
ly sewed shirts as she spoke, anu putting
on her own worn and shabby garments.
1t was pay day E. lie establishment OF
Sargent q LopIcs, and a long string Of
worn-looking women, some young ano
some old, but ali pale and pinched, likt
plants that had grown in the shade, while
waiting for the miserable remuneration
due.
MIR. Copley, a flt. oily looking man
with white nuch cloth and beamlns
spectacles, stood behind ponderous led
ger-a day book-and Mr.. Sargent-with
an expression of face very different from
what he had that morning worn in Tin,
| Clarence's bUudoir, leaned against th'
edge of the desk and took in the work
examining and commenting on it as ht
did SO.
For Mr.. Sargent chose himself to su
perintend this portion of the business
Nor was the tongue of siander behind
hand in proclaiming mat he contrived t.
make money out of this personal super
vision.
Clara CoytT he called out, sharply, a.
pale, freckled young girl neared him
How much due Clara Coyt? Two dol
lars and seventy cents. Take off one dol
lar work CREASED from sewing machine.
But sir" began the girl.
Dollar seventy her you are! Pas
on Clara Coyt! Now, then, Mary Meal
lister, behind two days. Fine Mary Nc
Allister fifty cents
So be went on, quick to detect or i'm
agine faults, vigorous to punish, merci
less to exact fines, until scarcely one o.
the waiting throng received the amount
due her.
When Helen Stars name was called
she advanced timidiy, with her brown
clad companion at her side.
Helen Starr" sharply enunciated Mr.
Sargent, scrutinizing her roll of work
-Four dollarsl Deduct 40 cents"
ION what account, sir?' faltered Mrs
Starr.
Work soiled in making up-pass on
"You are mistaken, Mr.. Sargent. in
deedp' pleaded Helen; 1.-The stains were il
the linen when it was given me. 1t il
not the least soiled by my hands"
81 can't stop to argue matters with III
Solent sewing women in my employ,
snarled Ernest Sargent. Take YOU
So 60, Mrs. Starr, without any more
words, of leave the establishment. W.
can get plenty of hands who won't tel
liesr'
Helen, stop an instant; Mr.. Sargent,
and turning back the long black vel
which had hitherto concealed her face
Tiny Clarence looked calmly into the ricf
bully'S face. Il am sure, that my friend
Mrs. Starr, speaks only the truth. Yo,
lose all claim to the name of gentleman
when you allow yourself to speak inSo
lent to aught bearing the stamp of re-
| fined womanhood."
Miss Clarence!" be stammered, over
come with confusion. There is SOM,
mistake here"
There is no mistake" she answered
calmly contemptuous. 81 have been nea
making one which might have lasted ;
lifetime, but my eyes are fortunately
opened. Pay Mrs Starr the money right
ly due her, and let us leave this den O
money-making iniquity."
Mr.. Sargent paid Mrs. Starr the money
with undisguised awkwardneSs, anC
strove to deJain her.
No, Mr.. Sargent" she answered
haughtil 81 will never allow you Il
speak to me again.
She kept her word. Ernest Sargent;
nature had been tried in the balance o.
her womanly discrimination and founC
wanting.
Tiny Clarence was heart-whole still.
Fence Philosophy.