The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1891-02-12
SELECTED.
HOW MISS hlLDRETH HELPED
A LITTLE
BY Myra Goodwin plantz.

- LII L.
BY Myra Goodwin Plantz.
"Miss Case, be a little quicker"
The "tloor-walker" spoke SO sharply
that TIE girl hes addressed started, anG
the heavy box she was lifting fcll down
to the floor, scattering expensive JET
trimming 10 every direction.
The young girl gave a frightened glance
towards the young man who had charge
of her department. She knew that lacr
she would have to bear insulting words
for this incident, as well as lose part of
her days wages.
81 am sorry, Miss Hildreth, that you
should be detained by such slow, awk-
ward clerk. will wait on you myself
said the young man, in gallant tone as
he went behind the counter.
The young lady who was waiting was
one Mr.. Gordon had mot in society, and
her beauty and her fathers income had
great charms for him. He was the son
of the proprietor of this large establish
meut, and Miss Hildreth had not been In
different to his handsome face and easy
grace. Now she hardly noticed him,
while watching the pale faced girl who
was trying to arrange the disordered trim
ming.
THAT young lady looks too delicate for
her work." Miss Hildreth remarked, as
the girl moved out Of hearing.
perhaps. How sympathetic you young
ladies' are"
"Mamma | have no secrets from you,
so you know | have not discouraged Ell
nest Gordon in his attentions but l saw
a little scene to-day that changed my
opinion of him. He spoke to one of his
clerks. sweet, sad-faced girl, hardly
more than a child, as If she had been 6
dog. Ioverhead one Of the giIlS say to
another that he insulted TIL nj every time
he conl5a., and kept back as much of their
wages as pcssibleI This was Will he
WAS called away a moment"
"Clara, Clara" answered her mother i,
"beware of man who does not treat
working women welt"
well. mamma, it hasn't gone very far,
and If Mr. Gordon asks why do not care
for his society, shall tell him. But
| what | want now is to give that pc OF
girl a rest May l invite her to our
| county houe for two weeks?'
"Certanly, daughter" leplied Mrs.
| Hildreth; but the large stores dismiss
extra help through the dull season, SO
doubt about her getting vacation"
| II think l can manage that" said Clara,
with a laugh; and few days later. when
she made her request, after little coax
ing, dignifed Mr.. Gordon gave his con
sent to leave 1t to his son, who willing
| ly granted MISS Case vacation.
1--WE have never been introduced, but
you know am Clara nildreth, and l
lat he
friends Clara said this in her happy,
cordial way, as she took Miss Cases thin
hand.
"You are always so kind, it is pleas
to have you come in the store" answered
Miss Case. "Do you mean these lovely
flowers for me?"
eyes, indeed, and l came not only to
bring you some flowers, but invite you
to spend two weeks with US. Papa has
bought farm near the lake ana we
want as many of our friends as possible
10 share it with us this summer
"They would not let me off day last
week to go to a Sunday picnic,
where promised to take my little broth
er, SOL can't be spared so long; but
thank you with ali my heart" was the
poor girls answer.
"Oh, that IL all arranged. MIR. Cor
don, come, tell Miss Case she may visit
me-" for this young man could not keep
verv far from the bright Miss Hilireth.
Eyes of course You can go. Miss Case
has been with US and has been very faith
full for three years, so her wages shall 60
on, and when she returns we will try to
promote her to q more profitable posi-
tion."
The pleased grateful look the young
man received from Miss Hildreth repaid
his generous speech, and was worth sew
aral dollars week on Miss Cases future
salary.
First they drove to Auna's home,
few rooms in a tenement house; here an
invalid mother and a little brother were
supported by AEna's small wages. Mrs.
Case was delighted to have her daughter
go, and insisted that she was quite well
enough to get along with VIII e's help.
After making arrangements with neigh
DOR to watch her mother carefully, Anna
was ready.
al couldn't leave mother SO long she
said, as the carriage He'd away from
The noisy city, "but l am 50 worn out
get dizzy spells, and things fall out of
my hands. don't know what would be-
come of ma and Willie II lost my place
u
thank God every day for the protection
If my mother! Most of the girls board
In cheap boarding houses, where the,
have to eat things that are spoiled or hslf
cooked. But the worst Is that they have
TO spend their eyenngs on the streets or
In dipgy, sitting rooms, and every day
they have to bear all kind of insults.
Those of us who have good mothers pre-
tend we don't hear things We ought no,
to hear, but many answer back in the
same way, and finally throw themselves
away. 0 Miss HiIdreth, be thankful you
'on't have to earn your living out amore
menl"
Clara Hildreth determined ia her own
heart to help working giils out of their
| difficulties In every way she could. but
now she diverted her guests mind from
her trials by pointing out the beauties OF
the road which wound through pretty vii
lagos, past parks and pretty farm-houses.
aud often along the shore Of the lake,
Anna will never forget that glimpse OF
beauty, nor the days that followed. Ey'
cry morning the girls rode with ME-. Hill
dreth to the station, q mile distant. Then
follow ed riding, rambling through the
woods, gathering berrier, ferns and wild
towers, or boating. Sometimes they
| ,es,ei for hours 10 hammock, or on the
sofa IN the shady sitting room.
These luxurles, besides feasting on
fresh fruit, cream and other country d.in.
ties, soon made Anna look like another
girl. The sweet. sad face became round
and rosy. and quite as fair as pretty
Clara's. There we're two especial pleas
ures. One day the coachman drove 10
and took the girls the long ride again
Anna WAS fairly laien with good things
for her dear ones, while Clara made a
visit, her visitor was allowed to take the
mother and little brother on ride through
the park.
Clara soon called her girl friends to-
gether. and they held an informal 7 meet.
Ing. Not many Of them had Clara's mon.
ey and influence, but all could do some.
thing. Plans were laid, leltars written ia
friends In the country, and twenty gill,
were given happy vacations. Some
were entertained. Others paid . small
board. Several helped In hour ework
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