The native American., 1839-06-29
from the Ladies coapsm.r.
THE CHARITY OF WAGES.
BY LYDIA II. sIGouRNEY.

age OF tie world, are both multiplied and various
perhaps few of Us sufficiently keep in mind the
Charifu Of Hugrs. J . assist the poor, through
their own industry, ennoblcs them. 1t Keeps
alive that love Of independence, which IS so price
less in a free country. TO grudge, or stint theI
wages Of female labor, is false economy. II IS
TO swell the ranks Of degradation and vice. In
our sex, il is objectionable cruelty; for the ave-
nues in which they can gain an honest subsst-
cnce, are neither SO numerous nor so iowery,
that we may close them al pleasure, and be inno-
cent We ough, tot to consider ourselves as do
inc the duty of Chrstians---lhough we subscribed
literally 10 foreign and popular charities while
we withhold the helping hard. or The word Of SYM
patty from the female latorcr within our own
gates.
know not that | nayrate an uncommon, or
peculiar circumstance, when | mention young
girl, b. ought up in comparative atlluence, who al
the sudden death of her Father, was left without
resources The mothers health failed, through
grief and misfortune, and she noby resolved 10
earn subsistence for both. She turned TO the
needle, with which she had been dexterous for
amusement or the decoration of her own appa-
REL. 4 little instruction enabled her 10 pursue
! from house to house, the occupation OF dress
maker.
At first, some of the delicate feelings of early
raise her eyes, at the table of strangers, and when
at night money was given her, size felt half
ashamed 10 take it. But want soon extinguished
Those lingerings Of timiditv and refinement. Be-
fore her pittance earned, il was mentally de-
voted 10 the purchase of some comfort for her
Ienfcebled mother. 1t soon became evident that
her common earnings were insufficient. She
took home extra work. and abridged her intervals
Of rest. Her candle went not ont by night, and
sometimes when her mother had retired she al
most cN;nguishcl the fire, continuing to work
with chilled hands and feet, lest the stock of fuel
should not suffice until her slender earnings would
allow her TO purchase more.
Her nervous system became overweight and
diseased. Those for whom she worked, were
often queruous, and hard to please. She felt an
insupcrable longing for kind word, and encour
aging look-lor some form of sympathy to sus-
tain the sensitive spirit. Those who hired her,
had not put these. in the contract. Work on her
part, and money on theirs, was all the stipulation
They did not perceive that her step grew feeble
as day by day she passed through the crowded
streets to her task, or night after night returned
10 nurse her inhrm mother. A sudden flush
Jeanne upon her cheek, and she sunk into the
grave before the parent for whom she had toiled
The wife Of sailor, during his periods of alb
sence, did all in her power to aid him in dimi-
flashing their expenses. He was not of that
class who spend their wages on their arrival in
(port, and forget their family But as that family
Increased. his earnings, without rigid economy
on her part, would have been insufficient for
their support
At length the bitter news came that her hus-
band was lost at sea. When the first shock OF
grief had subsidized, she summoned her resolution,
and determined to do that for her children, which
their father had so often expressed his wish to
have done, that they should be kept together, and
not be dependent on charity. She had great per-
sonal strength and good constitution She made
choice Of the hardest work, which is performed
by females, because it promised the most reward
Often after her hard task Of washing, did she for
get her WEAKNESS, while, in the dusky twilight
she FASTENED toward her lowly home, as the mo-
Their bird nerves her wing when she draws near
to her nest.
But she found her sickly babe a sufferer from
these absences, and sometimes accidents befel the
other little ones, from her having no person with
whom TO leave them. The sum which she earn
ed, would not always pay for the injury they had
sustained by the want of her shetering care II
occasionally happened, tina, if the lady for whom
she worked, was out, or engaged with company,
|shc returned without her payment, for ,chich
either 10 rmt or to go again, ,cere inconUe1lien-
ccs, which those acho d,ceN IN abedcs of plenty
caHot estimate.
Was there not some labor which, she could per-
form at home, and thus protecthc nurslines for
whose subsistence she toiletl! The spinning
wheel and loom first presented themselves to her
thought, for she had been ski!lul in their use in
the far off agricultural village where her youth
was spent. But domestic manufactures had be-
come questionable, and she could obtain no such
employment. Coarse needle work seemed her
only resource. At this she toiled necessarily,
scarcely allowing herself time to get, or partake
OF scanty meal But after all was done, the re-
muneration was inadequate 10 their necessities
She could scarcely supply a suiiiccncy of the
coarsest food. Her children shivored as the
winter drew on. Their garments, tl,ough con-
stan;ly mended were ihn, and tItcr poor little
feet bare and blue. She drew back from The
miserable fire, that they might be warmed, and
shnddered as she the means of sustaining
this comfort wasting away
Suil the injunction Of her departed husband Law
deep and warm in her feat. She asked no
charity. She RENTED no cxertion, and her whole
life was as one prayer to God.
| At this crisis, society, formed on the true
principle OF benevolence, to aid poverty through
It's own efforts, arose To save her lrou desruc-
('Ion lis express object was 10 improve the con-