Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-20

".
. ,na;J n was with rich woman IN high
sneietv and Pye been thrown In Just euch
conpany for years. It's an awful strain on
n vo,,np girls character TO associate with
sucb neonle. They make you do an awful
Iot 81 living for them. And then there's
tho uniforu,-the servants dress. That $
The thing that does the real mischief.
IFS ali the time saying to the girl that
wears IL: You're only q slave. what dr-
ference does il mako how you. behave
You can't 30 TO Heaven IN such clothes,
ANYHOW got to thinking that l WASH :
as good as the other women peceqse ~ :,
the chance to steal your. dresses 4 SAID 70
myself that it would make good girl OF
Rev. Mr.. Knowles held up his hands in
aYouue woman said he, "the obliqnity
Of your moral vision is really shocking;
Did you think that stolen clothes could
YES. sir. | did" replied Nellie. firmly,
"and what's more, was right; they nave.
Since I've worn them l haven't had an
enyious or wicked thought in my mind;
except when this man discovered me and
| saw the prospect of big cuffs end cap
again. tell you that if I'd had another
week in Mrs. Harland's dresses not even
that temptation would have been strong
enough to make me do wrong"
"You have discovered a great moral
principle.n said Johnson. too, stole q
chance TO begin a better life. and trust
if Mr.. Drane doesn't take tins SUIT away
from me that may yet reform entirely be
fore it wears out. L feel better now.
Already have discarded the language of n
tramp and the mendacity of a politician
A few DAYS more and shall be as good
man as Drane himself, and Larry, old boy,
let me tell YOU that If YOU don't get rid or
that Bowery suit before II falls 70 pieces
altogether You'll be n moral wreck. Every
time q button falls of the finger OF Satan
is stuck through the empty button-hoie."
And as 10 this marriage" ne con-
tnued, II am proud to say that was the
bridegroom. confess with shame that
married Nellie believing her to be rich.
but now-now-Nellie, have nothing IN
the world that can call my own. Even
my clothes, as YOU know, do not belong TO
me. But if you can love me. If you truly
wish to be my wife, will do the best can
to make home somewhere for you-for
us--ip which whatever dress you wear VIII
be the robe of queen, and humble,
but faithful subject always
Dear Richard" said Nellie, laying her
head upon the breast of Lawrence's late
coat, beneath which the heart OF MT:
johnson was beating very hard indeed, IL
one might judge by the expression OF MS
face.
But you forget, Richard" she said, at
length. we must both go. to prison first:
We cannot expect TO DO 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 hiss, shall we
forgive them"
Indeed, indeed, we will" cried Bessie,
heartily. Nellie, | owe you debt such
as only a woman can understand, and,
and-l can't tell you how much l thank
you: but if whole Saratoga trunk-fuu OF
dresses can serve as n symbol OF my graft
tude I-ah, you dear girl!
Bessie closed the sentence somewhat
Historically and fell on Nellie's neck. Law
renee, too, was overpOwered with Joy. 80,
Dick, old boy" said he. "cheer up. I'll
give you carte blanche with my tailor. and
Won shall wear as many suits day as so
ciety belle on a weeks visit to watering
place And that isn't all. I'll give YOU
"Only chance to work. Larry; IT'S all
/ ask" said johnson.
Work." cried Lawrence; mot II l
know it. A man who can't find anything
better to do in thus world than work is de-
fective in Imagination. I'll give you apen-
sion of two hundred dollars month for
as long as you need it--I-I-old man, my
feelings overcome mel"
And he fell on Johnson's neck Just as
Bessie had done on Mrs. Johnson's.
There was q crash over in the corner of
the room. and the voice of Jimmy the re-
porter was heard saying:
Il didn't quite catch that last remark.
What was the amount of that pension Z"
They looked up and saw the enterprising
young mans head sticking through the
face of the tall. old-fashioned clock. HIS
right hand, with notebook, presently
appeared, also. He had evidently been
improving his time.
i've got everything down straight up
to that point" he said. "Itn be the
greatest work of my life"
But, my young friend" said Rev. MIR.
Knowles in some trepidation, what have
you done with the works of my clock!"
They're down at the bottom" Jimmy
explained; Pm standing on 'em. See?"
He kicked the machinery and the clock
struck twenty-seven.
~ fear that you have seriously deranged
the delicate and costly mechanism" said
Mr.Knowles. Il must regard your con-
duct as reprehensible."
Forgive him, sir" pleaded Bessie.
land | will have the clock repaired as
good as new. | do not like TO think that
anybody should be reproved upon 80 happy
o day."
II have not looked upon it hitherto as
an occasion OF rejoicing, said Mr.. Knowles;
nevertheless will grant your request"
Il suppose I've got TO go now" said
Jimmy, climbing out of the clock. But,
Mr.. Drane. if you really have any soul
about you drop me a postal-card when
you've fixed the date of your wedding. 1t
won't be any trouble, at ALL and for