Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-06-02
MisCellanenMs.
THE HEIRESS.

Here is the romance of a middle-aged
man-the romance of an old head and a
young heart. | am gray-hnired and
forty, and yet as | sit at 10y desk in the
gloomy little Office of Harman's mill, a
face comes between my eyes and the
columns of figures in the dusty dodgers
young face with clear, bright eyes
and fall into day-dream and forget
that | am old and poor and common
place.
She is the only child of Jcre Harman,
the millionaire mill owner, and as gen.
tic and good as she is beautiful.
| have watched her grow into woman
hood. have watched her character
deepening and widening and developing
toward the ideal Of my dreams.
And all these years have been learn
ing to love her.
Surely love is not wholly wasted,
though it is hopeless. am better
man that have loved Nellie Hartman.
No. build no air-castles. -
| am forty and she eighteen.
| am only her fathers book keeper
aud she is the heress of millions.
There was time when little Nellie
Hartman rode on my shoulder, hunted
my pockets for goodies, and escaped
her nurses charge several times day
to toddle down to the mill in search Of
cher Jack Spencer" Later she brought
her school tasks, the incorrigible Latin
verbs and the unconquerable examples
in fractions, to tho same old friend, who
was never too busy to be bothered by little
Nellie Hartman.
She is as unaffected and cordial in
her frlendlness as ever, and sometimes
when she lays her hand on my arm and
looks up into my face and asks why |
come so seldom TO tho Hall, and have
| grown tired of old friends, Of her
then | find it hard 10 answer lightly. to
smile calmly, and | go away with
heartaohe
The girl does not lack for friends.
Grim, stern old Jere iIafman's little
bright-faced child, motherloss since hor
babyhood, long ago found a tender spot
in the hearts Of the village folk. In
the cottages her face is as welcome as
sunshine. The children hang on her
gown, the women sing her praises, and
the toughest mill hand has always n
civil word for her, and liz Of the cap
as she passes.
She has her young friends, too, among
the country gentlefolk. Young Harry
Desmond is often at the Hall IL is
rumored that he is the fortunate sutton
of Jere Harman's heiress. lie is
esh-facod, good-heartcd lad. Love is
for youth, and they are young together.
Gray-haired Jack Spencer, what have
you to do with cloves young dream ?"
The strike
The mill is shut down and the strikers
gather in knots along the village street
and discuss the situation. The cut.
rates have caused the trouble. Jere
Hartman is hard man and hard mas
ter. He holds the fate Of these people
in his hands. A few cents less 10 them,
a few dollars more to him. This seemed
10 him TO settle the question. The times
we're dull--be would reduce wages The
Harman mill operatives went out in a
body.
The frat day of the strike Big John,
the weaver, who headed the strikers,
came to Jere farman with delegation
10 arbtrato the matter.
To them Hartman said: "Return TO
work at my terms or stay out and starve.
Monday hire new hands il you are not
back in your places. As long as own
this mill | shall be master here"
This was bis final answer, and no
words Of mine, no warnings Of tho muir
murs and threats that grow and deepen
among the men, will shake bis will.
There is talk Of firing the mill among
the mad-brained ones, but Big John
shakes his head
"That were chopping the nose of to
spite the face. men. II tho mill were
burnt how would that help US TO work
and wages3 Nay; il must be other
means"
FAYE, We must live; but il We do
not get our rights by fair means we will
have them by foul, +" cried another.
They meant mischief have warned
Jere Hartman. but he will not heed.
The strike is over.
The night is ended, aud sit alone
in tho Office in the gray dawn, sick aud
dizzy with the horrors Of the nights ex-
psrience. ! shut my eyes aud the pie
ture stands out before me-the da5t
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