title: Pilgrim Street: A Story of Manchester Life
author:  Hesba Stretton 
description: SARAH SMITH (18321911) was born in Wellington, England. She had the good fortune of being able to read books from her fathers bookshop, a printer of evangelical literature. Her mother was a strong evangelical, but died when Sarah was young. When she began writing, Hesba Stretton was her pen name, Stretton coming from the name of a neighboring village, and Hesba coming from the initials of her siblings. She wrote "Jessicas First Prayer" in 1867, which became one of her most beloved stories. It sold very well and was translated into many languages. Other best sellers were "Little Megs Children" and "Alone in London." She was familiar with the troubles of street children whom she visited and helped. She wrote over 60 books and stories.
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  The Manchester Marriage  
    
  
  
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  http://www.blackmask.com
  
  
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  # The Manchester Marriage
  
  
  ### Elizabeth Gaskell
  
  
  
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  Mr and Mrs Openshaw came from Manchester to settle in London. He had been,
  what is called in Lancashire, a
  
  
  Salesman for a large manufacturing firm, who were extending their business,
  and opening a warehouse in the city;
  
  
  where Mr Openshaw was now to superintend their affairs. He rather enjoyed the
  change; having a kind of curiosity
  
  
  about London, which he had never yet been able to gratify in his brief visits
  to the metropolis. At the same time, he
  
  
  had an odd, shrewd, contempt for the inhabitants; whom he always pictured to
  himself as fine, lazy people; caring
  
  
  nothing but for fashion and aristocracy, and lounging away their days in Bond
  Street, and such places; ruining good
  
  
  English, and re