Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-02-28

:
living model, making an appearance in
desclibably grotesque. My eyes wer
drawn especially to one ornament whic
seemed to be intended to represent
; blood beet, boiled to bright red, til
root laying obliquely along the rim o
the structure, while the stem, branching
into many upright leaves, lowered abov
the head, counter balanced by CAIRO
or some other rank growth of milliner.
on the other side.
| surmised at a glance that the stop
notify" affair had be N bestowed 10y som,
wealthy lady Qor it was evidently
costly adjunct TO female attire) upon on,
who was not posted as to the caprices o
tickle "Dame Fashion" and believed
that what was good once was good al
ways, if in good order.
But before he'd reduced my thoughts
to spec IA suited to the OCCASION, the
woman dropped an old style low "cour-
tesy" her knees almost touching the
floor, and broke the silence with that
cheerily accenuated yoicet which marks
o native of the emerald isle, and in the
query, perhaps, sorr, you do not
know who am ? "
NO." said 1, ''there is no doubt about
that. /"
"Sure, am the widow of Mister
Michael Pbelan; but perhaps, sorr, you
have not heard of him befores"
''No, would hardly be able to iden-
tify him with certainty" l replied.
Sand it is pity" said she, "because
he was most worthy man-as good a
husband as ever lived, and good father
to these little girls, peace to his mem
ory." just there and then genuine
tear of affection glistened in the widows
eye, and she proceeded, land he started
to come to America with us on a vessel
bound to Quebec But we Lad a
stormy, long passage, during which he
sickened and died, and despite all could
say or do the Captain had his body
dropped overheard in the wide ocean,
and had to come along without him.
We landed in Quebec and thence came to
Montreal, where tried TO make living
by keeping boar lers, but did not succeed
as well rs | could wish, and when l
heard that great public work was COM
mencing here. and before it was done a
great deal of money would be paid ont
Tor boarding OF the men, | determined
to come here. and by inquiry have found
tie way, but on arrival find that the COM
pany employing the men boards them
Itself, and that, as you are the head man,
must come TO You or / will have come
in vain, aud won't know what to do for
myself and these little ones. What l
want is chance to keep one of your
boarding houses.
my good woman" replied, 81 con
troll only those where fifty rough men
are housed together and family is paid
to cook for them, of which the husband
is the main element to keep order. You,
surely, as an unprotected woman, and
the mother Of these nice girls, would not
wish TO 60 into such quarters as that"
'Oh," said she, ''if you will give me
n chance with my own conntrymen, they
will not harm nue., or mine, | am sure,
and you need not pay me wages till Won
see how we'll eau merit them, and
will meanwhile be earning the bread
which We will honestly eat of your
stores, and that is what L need to do
without delay"
"But," said I, "these children will |
require more or less Of your time and
attention, and for you to care for them 4
and attend TO providing food and clean
Derths for fifty men. is simply impossi-
bic. Even If you were willing to under /
lake it, would not consent to have !
you, ont of respect for your sex in gen
eral. aud for your welfare and that OF
these bright children in particular.
"0h," said the widow, "these children
AN and will work and help, instead of
hinder me, as you will see if you only
give us chauce.
But shook my head more and more
decidedly, and as the widow saw the
.idc turning against her with increasing
orce, bright thought lit up her face;
md she made motions to bring forth
slowed away in the bosom
If her dress. Enchanting: "If you
lad only known Mr.. Phelan, and what a
good character he had; and how high he
vas respected by the great men in his
,wn country, you would not deny the
Try of his widow for honest work
to feed herself and his chill
lrenl Did ye ever hear OF Lord John
Russell, now in the government in the
,uld counthry?"
My reply was: Certainly, he is one
Il England's foremost statesmen of this
lay, but did he know your husband I"
''Ye may be sure OF it." the widow ex-
laimed, ''as have n certificate from his
ordship recommending Mr.. Phelan on
.ccount of his good character, which l
,eep near me all the while that / may
lever lose it. Would You like TO see
tg'
"Oh, yes" replied, "the signature
4 such q noted man rs Lord Russell, is
veil worth examining as q matter of Gu
iosity."
In due time the widow drew forth her
.uarled treasure in the shape of pack
g. having many wraps from which,
then unfoldel, dropped a sheet of letter
aper with printed heading, which she
licked up and handed me as reverent-
= rs one would hand prayer-book to a
in church.
CHANGING my eye over it, fcanl it to
cal substantially as follows:
Estates of Lord J. Russell,
........ County, Ireland,