Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-09-23
DIR. JUDSON'S DAUGHTER.

"PIease sir, mother told me to bring
home the work, and ask if it would be
convenient for you to pay here" said
sweet, clear voice at the elbow of Jonas
Peck, dealer in ready-made clothing,
who was getting rich through the half
paid labor of the women he employed.
The man scowled down into the inno-
cent face of the speaker, and then
CLEAN of intelligence lighted up his dull
eyes.
"Oh, no! so it's the wilder Judson's lit
tie gal, is it," he said as he unrolled the
bundle, carefully examining every piece
it contained. "Why didn't that pretty,
black-eyed sister of yours conner"
81 heard her tell mother that she didn't
like to come here" was the innocent re-
ply; $50 she sent me-"
"The man scowled again, and this time
his scowl was darker than before.
"She thinks, because she's DIR. Judson's
daughter, that she's better'n common
folks!" he muttered.
Then turning to the child he said:
''Tell your sister that l can't pay money
to little gal, like you; faint safe. But
if she'll come hero this evening I'll pay
her in full"
Didn't you get The money, Carries"
said Emma Judson, anxiously, as the
child entered.
"No, sister; Mr.. Peck wouldn't let
me have it. But he said if you'd come
over he'd pay it to you"
The pale check flushed deeply.
II will not go!" was the first thought
that rose in her mind
Then she glanced at the fireless hearth
and empty cupboard; her eyes resting
last upon the pale face of her invalid
mother, who sat reclining in an easy
chair by the window.
With compressed lips and cleaning
eyes, she rose from her seat.
Mrs. Judson turned upon her daught-
er troubled inquiring look.
care you going daughters"
eyes"
Don't feel worried about me, mother"
she added, as she saw her mothers anx-
ious look; "disagreeable as this man is,
he 1annot harm me-"
But he will be rude to you, fear
What can be his metivessin not sending
the money by Carried"
Perhaps he was afraid she
she might lose it. or wanted to show his
authority. 1t does not matter. We sore
ly need this money; it is rightfully my
due, and [ can't know why I should fear
to ask it,
Cant 1 have a bit of bread before
you gO?". cried Carrie, as her sister turn
ed toward the door; "J'm so hungry"
''There is no bread, DEAR replied
Emma, forcing a smile. F'When sister,
comes back she will bring you some, and
nice ginger cake"
In spite of Emma's confident tone and
bearing in her mothers presence, her
heart sank as she drew near the dingy
store kept by her employer. Her pure
heart instinctiyely shrank from the
leering looking, the coarse fattery, with
which he had pursued her, and whose
purport she understood too well.
She found the store full.
Mr.. Peck greeted her with a smile that
made his course, red face look more re-
pulsiye than ever.
''Sit down-sit down, Miss Emma; I'll
attend to We in a few minutes"
Weary and faint for want of food, the
poor girl sank down upon one of the
stools by the counter.
1t seemed likely to be some time be-
fore Mr.. Peck would be at leisure to at
tend to her, and leaning her head upon
her hand, she fell into train of painful
reflection.
She contrasted her present life of toll
and prlvatlon with the ease and plenty
that had been hers, before the death OF
her kind father threw her upon the cold
charities of this world.
Her thoughts then reverted to him, who
was so seldom out of her mind; to whom
she had given her heart and plighted her
troth, but from whom she had not heard
for many weary month.
She had written him Immediately after
her fathers death, telling him of the sad
change IN their circumstances; but no an
swer had come to it, or to any other of the
loving nlissives she had forwarded.
He must be dead; he would not, could
not be false to her!
He had gone west to seek his fortune
the fortune that was one day to be theirs
but only to find gravel
Absorbed in these reflections, Emma
had hardly noted the lapse of time until
Mr.. Peck addressed her, when she peceiv,
ed to her alarm, that she store was quite
deserted.
''Let me see my, dear what is the
amount of that little bill of yours?"
"One dollar seventy-fve," replied En-
ma, taking no notice of the rude famil-
iarty of this speech save by the heightened
color and sparkling eyes.
ooh, yes. How would you like to come
into my store? There is a nicely furnish
ed room overhead that you could have
To girl that suited me I would give an
easy time and good pay.
Emmma's cheeks burned at the covert
insult in these words,
81 shouldn't like it at all.''
"I couldn't leave my mother, Mr. Peck
she added in more conciliatory manner