Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-02-20

Tor Work 0V1Q6UGly lew W hCAS W OAO "a
most masculine brain that fitted her so
soon to take control of the loom-room,
where over a hundred girls were at
work.
Of her antecedents he knew only that
she brought q letter from the clergyman
of her parish, in small town OF New
York state, That she was q woman of
culture and refinement they could see
for themselves.
But Walter Rodman, by nature frank
and true, as his heart more and more &C
knowledged Ellen for its queen, grieved
over the evident mystery in her life.
While in her conversation she advanced
noble and generous views, her whole
style of living was penurious to an ex-
tent rarely seen Ill woman OF her age,
when living upon much smaller salary
than she commanded. 1t was not mere
Iy economy, but saving pushed to an ex-
tremity.
There was struggle between his love
and his fear of repentance, If be urged
his suit. 1t was revolving to him to
think of his wife conducting his house
hold upon parsimonious principles, re-
fusing to bestow of his abundance in
charity, dressing meanly, and perhaps
influencing him to the same m1serly
habits. And yet, one hour with Ellen
drove away all such thoughts.
The low, soft voice, always tinged by
her habitual sadness, conveyed such a
mirror of pure, tender heart, cnlti-
waited mind, noble soul, that Walter
forgot the coarse, mean dress, the many
stories rife in the factory OF Ellen's stln-
giness. and knew he loved her as he had
never loved any woman.
But when the silver tankard was pre-
sented to Mr.. Rodman, and Ellen's name
was not upon the list of contributors to
the gift, Walter experienced a sharp
pang of disappointment, He knew that
his fathers recommendation had gained
Ellen her place in the factory, and that
she had gained firm friend in him, and
owed her rapid advancement to his in
terest and influence.
And yet she had refused her mite to
the gift that testified the good feeling of
the fellow workers in the factory
Father and son had long been conf
Dental friends; and on the evening fol-
lowing the presentation the latter opened
his heart and told all his doubts and
"Yet you love Ellen ?" he said.
"I love her." replied Walter, "but l
never could be happy with a misery
wife,"
"Poor Ellen, how little she deserves
that reproach % said Mr.. Rodman. 81
shall violate a confidence reposed in me,
Walter, when I tell you how you mis-
Judge her, but think can trust you. !"
=" Has she told you her secret 2"
"No; heard the story from the cler-
gym8n of Lenwood, her native village,
who wrote to me before she came here.
He is an old friend of mine, and knew
he could confde in me. Six years ago
Ellen's mother died, leaving in her care
a sickly STEP brother, then about IL
years old. Her own father had left FL
len pretty cottage and she had small
income from the fruit and poultry on the
place, while she made a sufficient living
by teaching music and playing the organ
In the church. When her mother died,
leaving Stephen Grady, her step-broth-
er, an orphan and penniless (for her
stepfather before his death squandered
all her mothers fortune) Ellen promised
to care for the boy. Remember, she
was but Is, though early care had ma
tured her far beyond her actual years.
"The boy grew up like his father,
reckless of expenditure, loose in princi-
pie, yet tender to his sister-mother, and
one of those loving scapegraces who al
ways win some good woman's devotion.
He won Ellen's. She thought herself
bound by her promise to her mother to
make every sacrifice for Stephen, and
she faithfully tried to lead him away
from the companions and evil influences
that were running his life. Three years
ago a friend of Mrs. Grady's took
Stephen into his contingencies. Here
he was to learn bookkeeping, and for a
time he worked steadily. Then the bad
company that had ruined his boyhood
again exerted an evil influence, and he
learned to gamble.
"One of the accomplishments was the
power to initiate any handwriting, and
by the persuasion of some elder heads
he forged check of $4,000 on the
firm he was with. The check passed the
bank undecided, for the bank was in the
habit of paying over large sums of money
to Grady. But when it was returned to
the firm the forgery was discovered and
traced to Stephen. Then the truth came
out that he had gambled away the entire
amount, aud the two men who had urged
the crime and pocketed the money had
fed, leaving the lad to bear the conse-
quences. He was arrested, and repent
ance came when he saw the full conse-
quence of his acts.
/" It was then that Ellen proved her
self the noble woman [ believe her to be.
She was suffering already for her broth
er's crime, having lost her place as or
ganist, and most pupils having left her.
Despite all this, she went to the firm
and pleaded for the lad. Her eloquence
gained him something. They agreed
not to prosecute, but to allow the boy to
leave the town and go to an uncle who
was willing to give him another trial in
a western city, if Ellen would pay the
$4,000 and interest within two years.
"She undertook the task. Stephen
was released and sent to his fathers
brother, where he is doing we'll, and FL
len left her home and came here, hoping
for higher wages than she could earn in
her own town. I, knowing all, advanc-