Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-05-21

A woman appeared and entered
the building Scowls darkened some
of the faces as she went by. Tall
and fnely-formed, her poor dress
scarcely hid the noble carriage of her
head and shoulders. An absent, har-
assed look detracted from her beauty.
"Why don't you go to work p The
voice was pleasant, the words peremp-
tory. The speaker paused ere he,
too, entered. He was of good height,
with clear-cut face and bright, keen
eyes. A rare smile gave gentleness
to an otherwise stern countenance.
= His general appearance bespoke the
master.
Later a man entered the office.
Ross Gilbert looked up, ill-pleased
at the interruption. The intruder
seemed uneasy, and his voice was a
little husky.
''Me and the men want you to dis
charge that young woman, boss. It's
mans place; we amt wlllin' to
have women folks around
The proprietor's eyes flashed. "You
and the men may gol l won't be die
tated to. Tell them to attend to
their own business, Roberts, and I'll
attend to mine. Bullying will do no
good.,' And shutting his desk with
a snap, he returned to his writing.
Evidently not prepared with fur
ther argument, the man stood a mo-
ment, then turned away. No change
of countenance betrayed Mr.. Gil
bert's consciousness of black looks or
anything special through the day.
But at home keener eyes watched
him.
Gross, what's the matter?' his
wife asked. A fair woman with soft,
bright hair, rounded figure, delicate
ly-moulded features and dark blue
eyes, animated and expressive. Some
modern difficulty with the sight caus-
ed her to wear glasses, adding pen
etrating quality to her glance.
"How do you know anything is the
natter" His look softened as it
rested upon her.
"No subterfuges p she d,play-
fully. ''You always feel better to
confess"
"Well-mischief, and a woman at
the bottom of it. I've employed one
/ at the mill and the men don't approve
"a stranger who came because she
heard there was work. She is salts
factory, and | mean to keep her, that
is ALL"
''Isn't it something new to employ
women?"
''Yes."
81 hope there won't be trouble"
she said, signing.
"Shall give up and send her off,"
''Certainly not; only, dear, in an
issue be gentle
/ In the front room of small house
girl was clearing away the supper.
An older woman, traces of sorrow on
her face, sat near. turning OCCASION
ally to look at her daughter.
''You like the work and think you'll
manage it, Eunice?"
Eyes, if we're to have any luck"
The woman sighed and relapsed
into silence till a knock startled
them.
Eunice opened the door, shrinking
back as she faced a group of men.
"Good evenin'. We called to ask /
if you would join the Champions of
Freedom? It's society and we ex-
pect all what works with us to be-
long"
81 don't know anything about it.
don't want to join anything" said
the girl in trembling voice.
"You'd find it to your advantage"
"Id rather not" she answered.
"You won't, then; that's final p
"No," she said, "Tm obliged to
you, but don't want to join"
"Beware p cried voice in the
darkness as they turned away.
Tired and harrassed, Eunice burst
into tears. ooh, have we come away
from one trouble just to get into
something worse? I'd better have
done as they wished. At least /
should have found out something"
"You're done out. You'd better
get to bed,' the elder woman said,
but there was tenderness in the touch
which smoothed the girls dark hair.
Eunice returned to work heavy
hearted. Unfriendly glances had
followed her before, but she had been
unconscious now she had an uneasy
sense of being ostracised. 81 can't
stand it." she said, after day or
two. 81 must join their society. I'll
never get on unless / do"
''Act as you think best, the moth
er replied.
Meanwhile the simmering discon-
tent had been taking shape. Numer- {
Gus meetings were held and a course {
of action decided when the girl ap-
piled she was refused.
A stranger in the place, she and s
her mother had held aloof in a man l
ner to give offence. Mr.. Gilbert, too, t
was a newcomer; his manner of con- !
Quoting affairs differed from his pred
and though prompt in pay
ment he wes strict as 0 hours, etc., 9
and had not gained popularity.
Once more the ''boss's'' calcula- {