Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-11-28

only response.
Next morning she was up early, though her
head ached badly, and she was faint and weak, from
having sat so steadily through the whole Of The pre-
ceding day. Her children we're all taken up, wash
ed and dressed her rooms cleaned, and a scanty
meal Of mush aud milk prepared for the little ones,
and a cup Of tea for herself. Her own stomach re-
fused the food Of which her children pastock with
keen a~ppetites. and she could only swallow a few
mouthluls OF dry stale bread.
Ii was nearly ten o'clock when she got fairly
down TO work, her head still aching and almost
binding her. Some how or other shs could MOI
get on ut al fast. and il was long past tho usual
dinner hour before she had finished the FIRST gar.
ment. The children were impatient for their din
ner, and she had to make great haste IN preparing
il. as well for their satisfaction, as to gain time.
Another, we are getting tired al mustl and milk, ?
said one of the little ones. You don't have all
the good things now you used to. No pies, nor
buildings, nor meat"
Never mind, dear, we,l have some nice corn
cakes for supper"
"You'l have supper soon. won't you mo,hcr7"
said another little one coaxlngly, her thoughts bus,
with the nice corn cakes.
And shan't we have molasses on them." said
another, pushing away her bowl of mush and milk
"No, dear, not tonight, but tomorrow We'll
have some
"Why not tonight, mother, ! want some to-
night"
Mother amt got any money to hny il with 10
night, but tomorrow she will have soaey said the
mother sooihingly.
40, wen have 'lasses tomorrow for our cakes"
cried a little girl who could just speak, ~clapping her
hands in great glee.
After Sinner, Mrs. - worked hard. and in
much bodily Pain and misery, to finish the other
shirt in which the last stitch was taken, e. nine o.
clock at night.
Soon after breakfast the next day, shr took the
four shirts home TO Mrs T., her thoughts most
" occupied with the comfortable food she was 10
BUY her children, with the half dollar she had earn
ed. For II was a sad truth she had laid out her
| last dollar for the meal with which she was making
mush for Der little ones.
After examining every seam, every hem, and eve
re- line of stitching, Mrs. T. expressed a%pproba-
ton Of tho work and banded the poor woman a
connie or fine shirts TO make for Mr.. T., and a
| calicoe dress Tor hersclf. She did not offer to pay
| her Cor the work she had done: after lingering a few
| moments, Mrs. -- veninred TO hint that she would
| like 10 have a part Of what she had earned.
40 dear | ne vsr pay seavstresses until their bills
amount to five dollars. Its so Troublesome tokrep
| account of small sums. When you have made FIVE
dollars | will pay you" /,
Mis-. retired. bot with an heart that seemed
| like lead in her bosom. when shall ! earn 1--we
dollars mot for a whole month al this rate.
were the words that formed themselves in her
thoughts.
1--WE shall have the molasses now, mother, shan
| we,n said two or three little voices, "a she entered
her home.
For a few moments she knew not what answer 10
make. Then gathering them all ahou, her, she ex-
planned TO Them, as well as she could make them
understand, that the lady for whom she Ind done
| the work did not pay her, and she was afraid II
would he a good while before she would: and that
until she YVES paid she could not get them any thing
better thon what they bad.
The little things all stole silently and without a
murmur away, and the mother egain sat down TO
her work. A tear would often gather in her eycas
| she looked up from the bright needle glIsIcping in
| her fingers, and noted the sadness and disappoint-
ment pictured in their young faces. From this
style Of gloomy feeling she was reused by a knock
at the door, and a pleasant looking lady somewhat
gaiIy dressed, came in with "A small bundle IN her
hand. /.
She Introduced herselfby saying that she had
Just seen some pretty shirts al Mrs. l--s. ana
that She was so well pleased with the work, that
size had inquired for the maker. And now having
found you,' said she. II want you to make and tit
this calicoc dress for me il You do such work"
81 shall be glad to do II for you, )" said she en-
couraged by the kind and feeling manner Of the la
dy.
" And what will you charged"
Mrs. - hesitated a moment and then said-
Z" Mrs T. gives me a quarter OF a dollar.
There was a brigh, spot for a moment on the
cheek OF the lady.
Then | will give you three" said she with
warmth.
Mrs. - burst into tears, aud she could not
help it,
"Are you In need Z" inquired the s'ranse lady
hesitatingly, but with an air Of feeling that could
moi be mistaken.
For a moment the widow paused. but lhe sight
Of her children Conquered the risirg emo'ion o. nef
pride.
" | have aoihing but n little corn meal 10 the
aousc, and have no money"
A tear glis,ened in the strangers eye-her breast
breathed with strong emotion. Then again all was
still.
81 viii pay you for this dress beforehand, them
end as ! want il done very nice, will pay yon a
dollar for making il. Can | have il day after to-
morrowT
Certainly ma'am. tomorrow evening, IL you
want it,"
The dollar was paid down, and the nigel OF mer-
cy departed. More Than one heart was made glad