Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-05-29

claims me as her husband because she
knows me to be rich"
"Richm put in Uncle sanford. ''if
money is all that is needed, perhaps we
may yet rescue my misguided nephew
from these perplexing entanglements.
Young person, he continued, approach
ing Nellie, and shaking his finger in her
face, what do You want?"
Il don't want you, you old bear" said
Nellie, beginning TO cry nervously, mot
even if you're richer than Croesus.
johnson laughed.
Come, Nellie" said Bessie, some
what sharply, explain this matter
fully and you will do much to atone for
your conduct towards me-"
81 didn't know he belonged to YOU"
sobbed Nellie, .'or I'd never have tried to
catch him"
Here johnson laughed again, but
Lawrence blushed and looked foolish.
I'm sure had no i'll viii against
you" Nellie continued 'In fact, al
ways loved you ever since I've been
your maid. ] was sorry after I'd stolen
your things and would have taken
them all back 10 you only | was afraid.
I'm going TO tell the whole truth now,
and don't care what happens. | was
not bad girl to begin with, but when
my aunt died and had TO get my own
| living, / became a servant, for there
was nothing else to do | couldn't teach,
because didn't know any thing"
THAT is not always an impediment,
johnson interrupted; 81 have been a
teacher myself
II couldn't write novels, as some
women do" Nellie continued, because
I'd been brought up quiet and proper
and hadn't seen any of these horrid.
/ frantic things they write about. So
4 Just got place as a maid. II was with
a rich woman in high society, and I've
! been thrown in just such company for
years. It's an awful strain on young
girls character to associate with such
people They make you do an awful
lot OF lying for them. And then there's
the uniform-the servants dress. That's
the thing that does the real mischief.
It's all the time saying TO the girl that
wears it: You're only a slave What
difference does it make how you hebaye2
| You can't go to Heaven in such clothes,
anyhow got To thinking that /
wasn't as good as the other women be-
cause | couldn't dress as we'll; and so
when | saw the chance to steal your
dresses ] said to myself chat it would
make good girl of me"
Rev, Mr.. Knowles held up his hands
in horror.
young woman" said he, "the OBJ
liquity Of yonr moral vision is really
shocking. Did you think that stolen
clothes could make you good?"
Yes, sir, did, replied Nellie, firm
", and what's more, | was right; they
have. Since I've worn them haven't
had an envious or wicked thought in
my mind, except when this man dis
covered me and saw the prospect OF
big cuffs and cap again. tell you
that If Id had another week in Mrs.
| Harland's dresses not even that tempta-
ton would have been strong enough to
make me do wrong"
You have discovered great moral
principle" said Johnson. Il too, stole
a chance to begin better life and,
trust, il Mr.. Drane doesn't take this suit
away from me, that may yet reform
entirely before it wears out. feel bet
ter now Already | have discarded the
language OF Il tramp, and the mendacity
of politician A few days more and !
shall be as good "A man as Drane himself;
and Larry, old boy let me tell you that
II you don't get rid of that Bowery suit
before it falls to pieces altogether you'll
be a moral wreck. Every time a button
falls off the finger of Satan IS stuck
through the empty button-hole.
"And as TO this marriage" he contin-
ned, Il am proud to say that was the
bridegroom. confess with shame that
| married Nellie believing her to be
rich, but now-now-N Nellie, | have
nothing in the world that ! can call my
own Even my clothes, as you know,
do not belong 10 me. But il you can love
me, If you truly wish TO be my wife /
will do the best can to make a home
somewhere for you-for us-in which
whatever dress you wear will be the
robe OF a queen, and humble, but a
faithful subject always"
Dear Richard" said Nellie, laying
late coat. beneath which the heart Of
Mr.. johnson was beating very hard in
deed il one might Judge by the express
sion of his face.
But you forget. Richard, she said,
at length, we must both 20 to prison
first. We can not expect to be reformed
without paying the penalty"
"Well, am ready, said Johnson.
"My dear fellow" cried Lawrence,
''you need have no fears Of me. have
too much to thank you for. But for you
and your amiable wife / might have
gone through the wide world from one
end to the other, and yet have missed
the one woman FOR whom my heart was
waiting. Bessie (taking her hand in
hisj, shall we forgive them?"
Indeed. indeed, We viii, cried Bes-
sic, heartily. Nellie, owe you a debt
such as only woman can understand,
and-and-I can't tell you how much |
fy,era