Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-07-08

heard in the next chamber Shrieks and coarse
voices ring on the sickened ear. Yet in this
wretched house, as dreadful as it was, lived the
sister of Mrs. Etheril. She also, was stricken
down with consumption, even at the door OF
death, What has caused it, For years she has
been obliged to sew on slop work. First her
eyesight failed her, and then her health. Blind
and dying, she has yet around her, two daugh-
tiers, from the ages of seventeen to nineteen,
emaciated looking beings, STOPPING down low
over their task
Their father, while at work, had met with an
accident which deprived him of the use of both
hands, three years before, and he also has to
be supported by the joint industry Of the two
sisters
Suddenly, while they were silently, sadly busy
with their work, the door opened and Edna,
with distressed countenance, came in among
them
why, what is the matter with our Edna7-
they exclaimed together, as the poor girl threw
herself upon a seat.
Edna briefly related her conversation with the
tailor, and bursting into tears, passonately ex-
claimed,
4 don't see what's the use of living when
there's nothing but suffering for such as We
fear | shall get no more work. wish was
dead
Edna, replied one Of the csusins, who was
a sweet christian girl, Il am sorry to hear
such an expression from your lips. | want
you to 90 with me, and then see if you can muir
MUIR
Saying this, she laid aside her sewing, and
telling Edna to follow her, assembled yet another,
flight of the dismal creaEiGg stairs. They went
into garnet, but Edna recoiled as soon as she
entered the door, There was but one window,
and that was so daubed with filth, that very little
light was admitted. Upon bunch af rags in
corner, lay a man, tied down to the floor His
eyes cleaned with the fires of madness, yet they
were beared and red. His face all bloated, his
beard thick and grisly, his hair bushy and mat
ted, betokened him to be drUnkard. He was
in the worst stages of delirium tremens.
In another corner, three little children, entire
ly destitute of clothing crouched in the straw,
vanly endeavoring to find warmth The moth
er lay also on the floor while beside her, and
pressed closely in her arms, slept two newly
born twin babes.
A black tin tankard stood in the middle Of the
floor, containing the dregs of some coffee, with
which one of the neighbors had supplied the
suffering mother The floor was covered with
straw and dirt.
Edna approached the poor creature, who told
her she was destitute of friends and that since
her babes we're born, she had tasted no food,
but morscl of bread, which she said, the kind
lady by her side had given her.
A low moan, followed by startling and awful
shrek, which caused the blood to thrill in Ed
mas veins, issued from the corner where the
drunkard lay. The man was struggling appa-
rently with demons, catching at nothing with
his bony hands, and writing his body fearfuIy
But it was apparent that his strength was almost
gone, for his struggles grew weaker and weaker
and beaden sweat standing on his distorted face
the convuslve movements Of his features, told
that death stood over him, awaiting the last
pang when the wretched victim should be his.
With compassion Edna gazed again at the
dreadful scene, and knowing her presence would
avail nothing, she silently, yet with sofened
heart left the garnet, saying, that she should
strive to be more thankful for the mercies she
received, although to her short-sgbted vision
very few.
Taking leave other friends, whose lot was nc
more enviable than her own, she slowly retyaced
her way to the upper part of Ann street, and
began to enquire for work.
ITO be c0atimed)