The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-03-11
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CHAPTER w.
REvERsEa


If it is true that whom God loveth He
chasteneth, Mrs. Evesham must have
been particularly favored by Provi
dence, for the ill tide of adversely swept
in upon her with resistless force, over
whelming her with such flood of re.
verses that even her brave spirit nearly
sank in the waters of despair.
That croaking brother-in-law of hers
had foretold her speedy downfall, and
his ominous prophesies seemed in fair
way of fulfllment. True, the world in
general had forgotten the mystery OF her
unhappy lodger's untimely death; but to
her little world-the few upon whom she
was dependent the event had brought
a sad reaction. One after another Of
her dodgers left her, and none came tc
fill their places. There was a gloom
over the house she found it impossible
to dispeL 1t was the old story money
borrowed at ruinous interest on hei
furniture, foreclosed mortgage, and
she found herself adrift and homeless,
with four children dependent on her fol
their daily bread. Not for one moment
did she pause to consider that one OF
these little ones had no claim on her eff
forts. Wanda Arlington was as dear to
her as one of her own loved ones, and
she would have scorned the thought OF
shifting from her shoulders the respon.
sibility of her care.
Nor was she one to sit down with
folded hands and bewail her misfortune.
For ten weary years she toiled as a
dressmaker. working by the day for
rich ladies, who, charmed by her gentle
manners and exquisite taste, paid her
higher wages than usually fall to the
lot of women SO unhappily circum-
stanced. Thus with heroic effort she
was enabled to clothe, feed and educate
her children till they in turn grew in
stature, and became breadwinners.
Then glimpse of sunshine glowed
through the darkened clouds.
1t was at the close of the terrible war
of the rebellion. Society was revolu-
tionized Thousands had sunk in pow
erty; hundreds had grown suddenly
rich. Prominent among the latter was
a young married woman named Alice
Potter, of Michigan. who chaneed to be
visiting New York, and, having engaged
Mrs. Evesham's services, had in her
own generous, impulsive way formed a
deep affection for the gentle seamstress.
ssMy dear creature" she said one day
to the widow, when they had succeeded
in designing a costume more than usu-
ally attractive, s'why don't you make a
strike for something better? Come to
Michigan and start a store. I'll help
YOU"
The suggestion took the widows
breath. Michiganl Even In the cos
Michigan seemed an Ultima Thule to a
New Yorker.
SIT would cost so much, Mrs. Potter"
she sighed. Sand the risk would be SO
great"
"As for the expense of getting
there" the impetuous young matron
declared, 81 will see to that. You see,
dear, my cousin Jack is auditor of a rail
road, and he shall get you all passes, or
I'll know the reason why"
''But have so little in hand to start
WITH" the widow pleaded.
sAll the better for you; you will have
the less to lose."
''But, if failed"
'.Failed! Fiddlededee! You shan't
fail. Come with me to Glastonbury.
What, never heard OF Glastonbury?
Well, the ignorance of You Knicker-
bockers is something shameful"
SIS it village in Michigan?
"a villagel Bless your innocence.
Glastonbury is big, thriving lumber
city on the banks of the loveliest river
you ever saw, We haven't many brown
stone fronts there, confess, but we're
new and rich, and our women know a
stylish dress when they see it, as /
hope some day you will learn to your
profit"
"But the store?"
"Oh, we'll FIX that. My husband isn't
half bad fellow when you know him,
and he'll pull you through. You can
get few things on credit if You are too
proud to borrow, It is all as easy as
preaching say, may speak tohim this
very afternoon?"
Ifyou will, but -
"But me no butts, my dear. I'm wild
to carry out my projects"