Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-02-10

even, III do nv best. 1t is shameful what
some of these searlsresses do charge
1t is often well to reverse picture. Suppose
we look at the other side oftlIis.
Mrs. ------- had always been delicate.
When girl slo could never sew long at time
without getting pain in her side. She married
hard working industrious mechanic, whose trude |
was not very lucrative, yielding barely enough for
a support Her health after her marriage was but
little improved; when with several snail children
she was left widow, she yielded in her first keen
anguish of bereavement TO desj mir. But a moth
or cannot 'ong sit in idlcness when her babes are
about her. She could think Of 10 way Of getting
living for them but by her needle aud as she was
neut sewer, she hoped TO get work. aud earn
food aud scnnt clothing al least. But she could
get no work No person knew her who wanted
sowing done She applied to several, aud was
still without means of enrnitg dollar when her
last one was spent. just nj this sad moment the
tact Of her deslitnuon becoming more known, Mrs
L sent for her
AS she carried home her work the day after the
interview, she gni heart with the tIip't that
now there was way to escape at least starvation.
But little more her yearning heart could promise
her. Boys shirts at twelve and a half cents were
her first pieces Of work.-Two of these by hard
work she managed to get doEe in day. Had
they been made plain, she could have finished
them early aud had time 10 give many necessary
attentions TO her children. But the last words Of
Mrs. y. had robbed her of that chance You can
stitch the collars OF these. any how-you can af
ford it, suppose, and they iron much better when
that is done
The simple aud touching yes marina, but in
sod,ler tone han usual, was the only response.
Next morning she was up early, though her
head achcd badly, and she was faint and weak
from having sat too steady through the whole of
the preceding day. Her children we're all taken
and washed and dressed her room cleaned, and
a scanty meal of mush and milk prepared for the
little ones, and cup of tea Tor herself; her own
stomach refused The food of which her children
parook with keen appetites. and she could only
swallow few mouhiuIs of dry stale bread.
ii was nearly ten O'Clock when she got fairly
down II work, her head still aching and almost
binding her. Somehow Or other, she could not
get on at all fast, and it long past the usual
dinner hour before she had finished the first gar
ment The children were impatient Tor The din
ner, and she had TO make great haste in preparing
it, as well for their satisfaction ms to gain tine.
Mother, we are getting tired of mush aud milk
says one of the little ones You don't have all
the good things you use to. No pies nor pud-
dings, nor meat
Never mind DEAR we'll have some nice corn
cakes for supper
You'll have supper soon, won't you mother p
said another little one coaxngIv, her thoughts bu-
sy with The corn cakes.
'And shan't we have molases on them said a.
|
No dear, not to night, but tomorrow we'll have
some
why not tonight, want some tonight
Mother aint g any money to buy 1t with to-
night, but tomorrow she will have some, said the
mother soohngy.
20 we'll have a,ses to morrow for our cakes. >
cried little girl who could Just speak, clipping
her hands in great gee.
After dinner worked hard, and in
much bodily pain and misery, TO finish The other
shirt in which the last stitch taken ut nine o.
clock ut night.
Soon after breakfast the next day, she 'a,i, he
four shirts home to Mrs. T.. her thoughts r.,,,,,,
occupied with the comfortable food she u..s lu
buy her children, with the half dollar she ad ear
r ned For il was II sad truth that she had laid on
her last dollar for the meal with which she was
making m,ish for her little ones.
After examining every seam, every hem, and
every line Of stitching Mrs. r. expressed approbo
lion of the work and handed the poor woman 4
couple CT fine shirts 10 make Tor r. Il. anha cal
leo dress for herself As she did not offer to pa,
her for the work she had done, after lingering
few moments, Mrs. ventured to hint tina
she would like 10 have u part of what she lac
earned.
oh dear never pay my scnmiresses unit
their bills amount To five dollars 1t is 80 r,ub
esome to keep account al small sums. WheI
You have earned five dollars viii pay You.
Mrs. retired, hut with heart thai seem
cd like lead in her bosom. when shall ear,
five dollars ?-not for whole month at this rats
were the words that formed themselves in he
Il thoughts.
wv shall have the molasses now, mother, shan
we? said two or three glad little voices as she ell
: tered her home.
. For II few moments size knew not what answe
10 make Then gathering them around her sh
exp aimed to them as well as she could make then
understand, that HE lady for whom she had don
the work did not pay her, and she was afraid
is would he good while before she would an
e that until she was paid she could not get any thin
d better than wha5 they had.
= The little things stole silently and without
y murmur away, and the mother again sat down
/. her work. A tear would often gather in her ey
ct Us she looked up from The bright needle glisenin
,r in her fingers, and noticed the sadness and isal
ne continent pictured in their young ces. Fro
ut this state Of gloomy feelings she was reused by
lie knock NJ the door, aud pleasant looking lad
o somewhat gai'y dressed, cane in with small bun
H. die in her hand.
at She introduced herself by saying that she hi
ne Jns seen SOME pretty shirts ut Mr.. rs, aud III
she was so well pleased with the work thar 81
had cnqnired for the maker. And now havli
ed found YOU said she, Il want you TO fit and NAL
nv this calico dress for me, if you do such work
y. Il shall he glnd to do ii for you,' said she a
" couraged by the kind and feeling ulnnner Of Il
cr lady.
I'd and what will you chargo?'
rs Mrs. ---- hGsilucd moment aud then sal
Mrs. r. gives me quarter Of dollar
There was n bright spot for Il moment on Il
ed cheek Of the lady
'rhen will give you three sad she vi
warmth.
Mrs. ---- burst into tears, md she could II
helpt
as Are You in need /" inquired he strange lady he
italingly, hut with an air OF feeling that could Il
10 be mistaken
Ike For moment the wi ow paused, but the sig
Of her children conquered the rising emotion
,rk her pride,
q have nothing but little rorn meal in the hou
:? and have no money