The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-03-16

retired from the noise and hustle OF the CITY.
/, was an humble though pleasant abode.
The hand OF taste was visible IN all that ap.
pertained TO ii. The rooms we're plainly,
though neatly aud comfortably furnished,
and conteniment, # not happiness, relgned
there. Such was the situation of affairs on
The evening when our story commenced.
Ii was the anniversary of her daughters
birth, as well as of her husbands death. No
wonder the brow Of the mother was shaded.
The graves of buried hopes were re opened :
the fountains Of memory loose. Ii was the
resurrection OF departed joys. She thought
of the trials she had passed throush-of her
far off home, where IN childhood she was
care, and a sisters companionship-oi her
los; partner. All these came thronging on
her thoughts-the white aud the dark spots
the shadows and the sunbeams Of hie. No
wonder the tear drop stood IN her eye.
gam aud again she pressed her chlld TO her
bosom; for she was the only earthly trea.
sure that remained TO her-lhe sole link
that chained her affections TO the world
May thy path through hi. be less thor
nv than thy mothers, Ellen Neserthe.
less, not my will be done !" As she gave
uitcrance to ih,S humble reliance, her eye
frightened. aud the shadows lifted from her
spirits, and the wonied smile OF content again
It upon her counenance.
We sand that by their industry they were
enabled to add some OF the luxuues to the
necessaries Of life. This was true for
time when prosperity smiled on the country.
Bu, dark shadows began 10 creep over the
land. The tide of fortune was suddenly
checked aud began to reccde. Relreneh.
ment became the order OF the day. Super
du,les were discarded, sud the Closes, econ.
omy was studied MANY persons we're,
consequently thrown out ot employ, and dis
tresS began to pervade the poorer classes.
! Mrs. Lemand escaped not the general doom.
Day after day she iound less employment
for her needle. Many Of those who furnish
I'd her with work were obliged to inform
her that they had no more 10 off and
those who contInued to afford employment
were So uncertain IN their calls upon her,
tina, she barely earned enough 10 supply
the simplest necesslfIes Oi life. Mrs. l..
viewed the dark cloud settling over her late
sunny prospects with an anxious eye. hIn
ter was approaching The tunes became
more aud more pressing. The Indictment
season called tsr new outlays. How we're
those demands on her purse to be mri
Even BY the most plnchlng economy. she
barely received enough to live from day TO
day. She found 1t necessary, al last, TO dis.
pose Of household articles from time 10 time,
al great sacrifice TO procure the means Of
subsistence. Ii is a dreadful condition for
female, brought up IN Independence to b.
thus situated. Alas how many have been
thus p.aced-been thus doomed 30 witness
the gradual wasting away Of their little pro.
periy, TO satisfy he calls Of hunger -or,
what Is nearly as imperative, the urgent so.
hcltallons Of an icy hearted creditor To
this extremity vas Mrs. reduced Ar.
tcle after article disappeared, until she re.
tanned scarcely enough for her limited use.
And how did Ellen bear this reverse Like
the daughter OF such a mother More anx.
ious on her parent account than her own,
she did all that one could do, IN her sltua
ton 10 sustain her, and alleviate her sutiar r.
ings. A murmunng word never escaped her
lips. O.len, when their board vas reduced
80 low as to afford hardly sufficient to salts.
fy one persun--oflen would Eer plead IN.
disposition. that her mother might not d..
vide The slender stock, although the pangs
of hunger were gnawlng within her. Not.
wItbslandlng this self sacrifice, she was
doomed 10 see her beloved parent gradual
~ sink under tue troubles that surrounded
hnr.
As poverty came upon them, they were
Obliged TO leave The comfortable roof that
sheltered them, aud take up their abode IN
the second story Of miserable tenement,
in an obscure and unhealthy part of the city.
Cut off from their former employment, they
were obliged 10 have recourse to such work
as they could procure. They now depend.
ed on the slender pay received for washing
clothes for the borders Of neiehborlng
hotel. The burden OF this fell 90 Ellen,
Tor her mothers health and strength had
become 80 reduced, she was only able 10
render very slight assistance. Ellen ialter.
ed not. She prosecuted her work with an
ar Of cheerfuIness, and stroye, by every act
in her power, to keep up the sinking spirits
Of her mother. Yet she did not-couId
not shut her eyes to her parents gradual
failing; and often, when her mother slept,
would her frmness give way, and the bot
tears soak the midnight pillow.