Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-04-28

"Nothing, your homo, exoept tids hara
young woman. She's Tor rcporting ms,
she is, and losing nae my situation. But
as | happen 10 have seyn nor cengregat-
ing by herself mostly every day FOR .6s
past fortnight around these Offices, |
thought I'd run her in 10 a dssreputshia
lot, and we'd see who's who"
"Oh. siri-Mr. Pr;me" cried, forgot.
ting my discretion in the excitement OF
the moment, don't let MIN take me of!
What he says isn't true. I'm lady
that is, poor girl who's perfectly non-
est, end is trying to earn her living"
"a rice lady you are trying to lssa
Woodworking folks their situationsl"
"You called mo by name" said Mr..
Prime $40 you know me? Come here,
Ike" The dog was shifting around my
feet.
"Yes, sir--ao--that Is, have seen you
come out Of your oftice."
Ho looked at me saarchingly and
turned to the policeman. What was
she doing when you arrested her|
Indeed, sir" l broke il, Il was mere
" sitting here resting myself, when this
this man spoke to me, / was doing
nothing wrong"
"You hear what size says officer.
| What is your charge against herp'
"promiscuou8 and unlawful oougre~
eating by herse!f, your honor. When
young woman as sWoars she's honest
goes peeking into other folks Windows
after dark, | always has my suspicion6--
Tvs You would, too if you had been ia tho
| business as long as / have. 1t wa'n't
more than week ago that | caught her
with her nose against plate glass win
dow of yours, and | told her then to
move on. But she didn't; and the next
thing we shall be hearing some fna
morning that there's been breaking and
entering done
Frightened as I was could not help
blushln9.
why We're you looking into my Of
fice?' said Mr.. Prime. 1T doesn't seem
a very serious Offense,' he added, turn
ing to the officer.
1T amt murder and it amt arson,
that's flat" observed that functionary,
"but we don't draw no such fine distinc-
lions in our profession. If we did the
judges would have nothing to do"
The colloquy gave me time to think
mp an answer. | was in tight place.
aud it would not do to mince matters.
Mr.. Prime turned back to me with an
air Of inquiry.
81 was wondering, sir, when l looked
into your window, if there was any usa
in my applying for work"
Arc you in WANT he asked.
81 am trying 70 find place. I am
without occupation at present. The
times are so hard it is almost impossible
for an honest girl to find anything to do.
| only want chance"
He looked at me with a closer inter-
est. OF course my voice and my feat
ures, after the first impression produced
by my needy dress, must have puzzled
au observer so intelligent as Mr.. Prime.
Il believe the girls story" he said 10
the policeman. II feel sure che is hon.
est"
The man shrugged his shoulders. GA
moment ago it was she was lady, and
waiting for somebody. But amt par
ticular, if you are ready TO go bail for
the young woman. OF course I'm only
doing my duty. and if you are satisfied,
Your honor, don't blame me if you ind
your watch missing before you get home.
always keep pair Of tW-isters alongside
of mine, and that's why | thought she
might be safer with me than with you"
With this oracular utterance the Off.
cial turned on his heel and departed to
my intense relief. | was fairly overcome
with dread and modification, and my
eyes fell under the interested look Of my
resCuer.
you seem distressed and tired, Door
girl. This street is no place for you at
such an hour. You say you are in search
OF work.
Yes, sir I answered family.
"Humph! Can you wrice;'
, oh, yes, sir"
Come to my Office, then, tomorrow
morning, and may be able to find some
thing for you to do. And now 60 home
as fast as you can. Stop, here is trlte
for your fare. Good night
He raised mis- hat in recognition of the
grateful glance from my eyes. My
: cheeks had felt like live Goals as | took
the coin he held out to me. But l chose
to continue the deception. 1t was harm
less; and to disclose the fact that | was
; other than | seemed would only make
matters worse. There was, too, even
: while he WAS still present an element
. of amusement to me IN the whole affair
which, when he WAS gone. and | knew
that | was out of danger speedily be
came predominant in my mind. Here
was All opportunity sent by Providence
to supervise my banking scheme without
risk of discovery, ii only | had the cour-
: age TO take advantage of it. The idef
pleased me the more | thought it over
: for had little doubt that Mr.. Prime in
tended to find employment for me III hi;
3 own Office.
| felt that it would amuse me i'm
mensely to become female clerk for ;
: few weeks and soc the practical working
OF business house, and above all other
J of this particular one. felt sure that
could prove myself tolerab bly, useful a.
v well thanks to M ' p NpnrlSQCe under VI .