The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-05-27
Seleff Starv.
THE ORDEAL.

valley, in short. At least 80 Ernest Sar
gent thought as he sat looking at heI
with his heart in his eyes.
"You will not give me the answer
then, which is to seal my fate "
"Not this morning, Mr.. Sargent"
"Why notls ! have surely right to
ask the question, at least ?"
Il am not altogether certain ihat
have made up my mird, Mr.. Sargent
Ernests eyes frightened
"You will give me the benefit Of the
doubt, thenp'
81 cant tell you just yet. I don't know
myself. Cannot you comprehend, Mr.
Sargent" with sudden sparkle OF I'm
patience in her soft eyes. "lhat this mat
ter of marriage to US women is some
thing more important than the selection
OF favorlte shade in silks, or the color
of a spring ribbon :"
IL stand rebuked," he said rising and
bowing somewhat tremendously. ITO
morrow morning, then, ! am to call and
get my answerf"
ayes, tomorrow morning, II you
like"
So Ernest Sargent bent his head over
Tiny ClarenGe's little rosebud of hand
and went ais way
"Well, my DEAR" said Mrs. Clarence,
as Tiny came slowly up stairs twisting
the green tassels that hung from her
waist, "what have you decided 7"
II have decided upon nothing as yet.
mamma"
"Don't you like Mr. Sargent1"
"Yes," answered Tiny after a moment
or two in consideration, ~ suppose
do"
"He is very rich, and your father says
in bnsiness whose profits are constant
ly increasing. You would be wealthy,
my child ?"
"ls wealth the first object In life, dear
mamma ?"
"No, but it is more or less important !;
and then Mr.. Sargent is very handsome
81 know it, mamma."
And then TinY Clarence went stil fur.
ther up stairs 20 the room where Bridget
was busting and sweeping in frenzy OF
energy.
bridget" she said. "will you lend me
your brown cloth cloak this afternoon,
and the black silk bonnet; l want to
wear them ?"
sis 1t fun you're maxim OF poor
girl, Miss Tiny1 Sure We wouldn't even
yourself to the likes % thin! And you,
wid all the fine clothes queen wud
wear"
"But am in earnest, Bridget. am
going to see poor woman who lives in
tenement house, and I would rather
dress so as to attract no particular stten.
tion."
Tiny Clarence felt ouriously nnlike the
little aristocratic queen af fashion that
she was as she rode down town in the
extreme corner OF Sixth avenue car
alighted at length at cross street, whose
purlieus and swarming rows of tenement
houses on either side betokened it the
residing place OF the poor.
Turning neither to :he righ. nor the
left Tiny Clarence kept on her way until
at length she entered dwelling some
where in the middle of the block, and
assembled the long flight of carpetless
stairs which was common property to
all the Inhabitants.
Pausine at door on the fourth sto-y
she knocked softly.
"Come in." was the reply; and open
ing the door Tiny Clarence entered.
1t was q small room, comparatively
bare Of furniture, but very neat. A little
bed occupied one corner Of the room
and the smallest possible remnant OF
fire smoldered in q tiny gra'e, while one
or two chairs and pine table constitu.
ted all the rest OF the on 'flttings.
Close to window young woman set
sewing, while crippled child pla, ed on
the floor at her feet. She rose as Tiny
entered.
"Is it you. Miss Clarence ?" she said,
ber whole face momentarily dyed with
deep tinge OF color as she courtes'ed a
timid welcome; "this is but poor place
for you to rome to-"
~ have brought you some more sew
ing" said Tiny carelessly, as she sat
down by the side of the sadly changed
schoolmate. "By the way, Helen, do
you still sew for Sargent & Copley2"
"Yes, ! am going there this afternoon
10 return some work, and try to get a
little more"
"Are your
Tiny strove to speak unc"nsciously
although the deep crimson flushed her
cheek and brow
would you object to me going with
youp"
"Why no, certainly not"
II have a great curiosity 10 see their
ner workings OF one of those great man.
ufacturing establishments"
/ shall be glad OF your company"
"Do they pay you well ?" went on
Tiny affecting to he deeply interested IN
removing spe ok OF mud from the hem
Of Bri dgel's brown cloth cloak. Mrs.
Starr shook her head sadly.
sSiarva'ion prices, Tiny, and Mr. Sar.
gent has just cut down the wages one
quarter He saws times are hard and be
cannot meet expenses !"
She was folding up The bundle OF neat.
ly sewed shirts as she spoke and putting
On her own worn and shabby garments.
1t was pay day at the establishment Of
Sargent & Copley, and long string OF
worn-looking women, some young aud
some old, but all pale and pinched, like
plants that had grown in the shade, while
waiting for the miserable remuneration
due.
Mr. Copley, a fat, oily looking man,
with a white neck cloth and heaming
spectacles, stood behind a ponderous
ledger-a day book-and Mr.. Sargent,
with an expression Of face very different
from what be had that morning worn in
Tiny Carence's boudoir, leaned against
the edge OF the desk and took in the
work, examining aod commenting on it
| as he did 80.