The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-07-29
BESSIE, TIE SALESWOMAN.

And Bessie Burton tossed her straw hat
upon the round table Uttered with sewing
materials, and threw herself into chintz.
covered rocker near. Aunt Hannah Ridgely
glanced up from behind her spectacles as
she arranged the big patch which she was
placing with scientific precision upon Uncle
Reubens brown coat
DO tell, calculated the old lady, won
deringly. Why, Bess, I elaborated you
was goin' to stay to your Uncle Johns,
and"
But I'm not, )" interrupted the girl inn
petuously, springing to her feet aud pacing
up and down the big, cherry old-fashioned
sitting-room, her lovely blue eyes blazing
with indignation, her face pale and stern
but with grieved droop to the little red
mouth.
No, Aunt Hannah I cannot-shall not
remain any longer under Mr.. John Burton's
roof than may be necessary. True, he ia
my dead fathers only brother, last of the
name, but he treats me like a servant or
slave. suppose it is because poor papa
lost all his money before he died, and left
me an heritage of poverty. He taunts me
with it every day but that is not the worst
that have to suffer at his hands. Aunt
Hannah, henry Uncle John-wants me to
marry-just think of it He wants-nay,
commands-me to marry old Hodgins, the
rich grocer !"
Wal, / neverl"
Aunt Hannah severed her thread with o
vicious snip, and removed her spectacles,
rubbing them vigorously with the big red
silk handkerchief which she drew from her
capacious pocket.
Wants you-to-marry- Hodgins pn
she repeated slowly. Wal, wal What
be you goin't to do about it, Bess ?"
The blue eyes flashed like steel.
This is a free country, Aunt Hannah !n
she cried de6antly, land John Burton has
no right to force me into disagreeable
marriage. detest old odgins--I-I-be-
lieve I hate him No, would sooner die
than consent yet, if dc not consent, I
cannot remain under my uncle's roof. He
would torment the life out of me besides.
to tell the truth, Aunt Hannah, want 10
work"
A pleased smile crossed the old lady's
plain face.
Thank goodness the hull airth hasn't
gone over to ginral laziness," she exclaimed
warmly. "I never thought to find anything
but airs and graces IN the young gals of the
present day. Bess Burton, I'm proud o ye
proud"
And Aunt Hannah's faded blue eyes lit
up with the fire of enthusiasm, and faint
flush tinged her wrinkled cheek for nm in.
slant.
When was young things were differ
emit" she went on oracularly. =" In them
days, Bessie, thar want no chance for wo-
men, none in the livin' world. l used to
think twas pity that female critters was
allowed TO live they'd orto be strangled at
birth, or drownded, or somethin', used to
say, Tor was quick tempered III them uBys.
Nothing in the hull world for woman
to depend on 'cept gettin married, and
that's poor dependence, Bess--a poor de-
pendence. In them days gal was brunR
up with just one idee ever before her-a
husband. Now, q husband is as sensible
an idee as woman need wish. provided he
is good and able to take keer O. her.
:" But law me, Bess, the worlds jest full
O. shif'less fellers, tied like millstones about
the neck o. smart, hard-workin' wives. And
thar was plenty o. gals as didn't git offers ut
all, and consistently had to stay single;
and people looked down upon 'em and cali
ed 'em old maids. No; thar want moth
in for woman to do TO arm her own liyin',
'cept school-teachin' and sewin'. To-day,
Boss, thar's mighty few O. the trades and
professions that turns their backs on to
women Jest because she Is woman. SO
you haven't got to marry, and approve o
your resolution to work. But whar, Bess ?
What kin you do, child ?"
Bessie paused in her nervous pacing TO
and fro.
"That's IT. 7" she cried, excitedly. "Aunt
Hannah, ON just fit for nothing. You
know mamma died when was baby, and
papa would never allow me to learn any
business by which might support myself;
and now he is gone, his fortune too has dis
appeared; what in the world will become
of me If do not find some means of sup
ports can no longer endure Uncle Johns
tyranny, and $3.50, Aunt Hannah, may
as well tell you, have obtained o situation
in MIR. Devron's dry-goods establishment.
He says will soon be able to work my way
up to nice salary II am industrious and
strive to please"
Aunt Hannah arose, and going to the girl,
put her arms about the slender figure.
90
she calculated, "and you're bound to sue.
coed in your efforts to arm an honest liyin'.
God bless you'll"
And then, after little pause
But what on airth will Mr. Montgomery
say2 He's as good as offered himself to
you"
Bessie flushed, and then grew pale but
her eyes held o steady light as she answered
bravely:
He will approve, if he is worthy my re.
gard. But there, Aunt Hannah, Ralph
Montgomery Is nothing more to me than
pleasant acquaintance, and really, I have
no right to speculate upon the matter"
Aunt Hannah looked grim.
"Wal, don't know nothin' about the
ways O. young people nowadays" she OBJ
served, "but in my time, when young
man called two or three times week to see
gal, and brought her flowers and books,
twas gineraliy set down as clear case o.
mstrymopy. Bessie, doubt If Ralph Mont.
gomery II approve" 1.ltsst s.a
81 can't help it," the girl returned reso.
lutely, as she tied on her hat but l must
go homo now, Aunt Hannah, and-well I
expect to enter upon my new life to-mor-
row. 81 ~ A-'&