The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-11-22

had been called mp 10 big tailoring
establishment on the Bridge. TO investi-
gate a peculiar case OF pilfering, when i
first met and spoke to Bonnie Bell, as
she was called. The case had no connec-
ton with her. or she with it--one or two
of the men had merely used AN innocent
boy as a cat's-paw. by sending him down
to the front shop for sewing twist trim
mings. and even pieces Of velvet and sink,
which went into their own pockets in
stead OF their work: but Bells fresh
face and rosy cheeks were such con-
trast to the sickly and wearied faces In
the work-room in which several sewing
machines were rafting away. and she
was so beautiful withal. that was
drawn towards her, just as one might be
drawn to admire beautiful flower un-
expectedly lighted upon In q desert. Yet
II was not the beauty alone which at
tracted one TO the face. There are many
as sweet faced as Bonnie Bell, whose APP
pearance at once calls forth the thought.
She Is beautiful; but she is quite able TO
look after herself" Bonnie Bell gave one
the idea or a clingfng simplicity and an
artless fondness which needed manly
and protecting hand 10 guard her through
evil and good report.
I was not surprised. then, to learn,
few days later. when i met her on the
street away from the hiring noise of the
sewing machines, that she was fresh from
the country. She spoke OF her home--in
little hamlet near Norman's Law In Fife
with briming eyes and heart yearn-
ing for its quiet joys. The hamlet. she
said, was a mere row OF cottages, Graded
in the hills. and miles from any railway;
and the tnhabitarts were mere farm
hands or weavsrs. but her fathers place
was like little paradise. The cottage
was only low-roofed but and ben" but
in front was a long slope Of garden
ground filled with flowers In rich masses
and Wild profusion that would have
sent professional gardener into hyster-
les. Roses crept up and covered the white
walls; beds of dark wallfiowers skirted
these, minglins its sweet scent with the
intoxicating perfume of sweet peas and
dark violets. At the foot Of the garden
lilac and laburnum tree Joined their
branches and mingled their bright blos-
SONS over a rustic seat. on which Bells
fatner often sat and read aloud TO his
children in the soft summer evenings.
with his children at his feet. and perhaps
a neighbor or two leaning over the low
fence to share the pleasure; and strang-
ers passing the spot at rare intervals TO
climb Norman's Law. and catching sight
golden thyme. and sweet balm, never
failed TO pause with exclamations OF
surprise and delight.
And the peacefulness and beauty of the
outside OF the cottage were but reflex
of what reigned within. IL their pleasures
were simple, they We're also unalloyed:
and Bonnie Bell, after long day at her
loom, would retire to a whitewashed den
above the kitchen and workroom-a mere
Granny OF a place, with one pane of glass
set into the tiles for window, thinking
IL a perfect palace of peace and COM
fort. and sleep with a calm blissfulness
which few dwellers in palaces know.
All this continued till Bell went to visit
a friend IN Edinburgh. and then she went
back TO find everything dwtndled in size,
and only insignihcance where all had
been grandeur and beauty. And then
money was so much more easily made in
town. She had to slave from early morn
till late at night at her loom to make five
or six shillings I'm week-to say nothing
of many days when there was no web I'm
the loom TO work at in the town she had
met girl who, by working a sewing ma
chine. could earn ten. ffteen, or even
twenty shillings week. The picture was
a perfect vista of wealth and happiness
too tempting TO be resisted-.and Bcll,who
was naturally neat-handed, nimble, and
clever, resolved 20 so to Edinburgh. Much
of the gilt which made the picture so
dazzling had been rubbed away since
then. She found that II she made more
money, II took more 10 support her: and
already the constant treadling Of the ma
chine was beginning 70 tell upon her back
in which she never before felt pain
which a nights rest would not cure: but
she liked Edinburgh. and was resolved
never 10 go back to the country.
she will lose ths roses on her cheeks
soon" was my mental comment as I
parted with her when our ways diverged.
II hope she will get a good husband. 1t
would be a pity for such an artless ma
ture to have the dream dispelled.".
Not long after this ] met one OF Bonnie
Bells shop companions. and learned with
some surprise that she was married.
Has she got good match" was my
quick inquiry. for J had begun to take
man and Moore III a lively singing and