The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-06-22

was dull. Ellen worked for only Two
merchant iailors, and with them she was
considered an extra hand. When busi-
ness fell off as the season approached to.
wards midsummer, she was the first TO
receive notice that no more work could
be given out for the present. With a
Idishearened feelingshe returned home on
receiving this intelligence. Mary saw
THAT something was wrong the moment
she entered, and tenderly inquired the
cause other trOuble.-On learning what
ii was, she endeavored to comfort and as.
sure her, but to little purpose.
AS soon as Ellen could regain sufficient
Icomposure Of mind, she went forth in
search ofwork at other shops. To one of
her peculiar, timid and shrinking disposi.
tion, this was severe trial. But there
was no passingit by. Three days elaps-
ed, during which every effort to get work
proved unsuccessful. Even the clothing
stores had nothing to give out to extra
hands.
Reduced to their last penny. Ellen was
almost in despair, when she called on Mr..
Lawson. The garment he gave her to
make seemed like help sent from heav.
Ell. Cheerfully did she work upon it
till late hour at night, and she was
ready to resume her labor with the rising
sun. But, as Mary had feared, the work
did not progress altogether to her satisfac-
ton. She had never made over one or
f,,,, n,h;fa Marsa;llaa yaota all c,,,al l. =
was not so we'll skilled in the art of neat
and accurate stitching as was requiredto
give the garment beautiful and work
manlike appearance. The stitches did
not impress themselves along the edges
with the accuracy that her eye told her
was required, and she was troubled to
find that, be as careful as she would, the
pure white fabric grew soiled beneath
her fingers. Mary, to whom she fre.
quently submitted the work, tried to en-.
courage her; but her eyes were not de.
ceived. e-. .s.s .-.
1t was after dark when Ellen finished
the garment, She was weary and faint,
for she had taken no food since morning,
and bending over. her work, with very
little iutermission, the whole day; and she
had no hope of reseiving anything more
to do, for Mr.. Lawson, she was sure
would not be pleased with the way the
vest was made. But, want of ofeverything,
aud particularly food for herself and sis
ter, made the sum of sevepty-fve cents,
to be received for the garment. little
treasure in her eyes: and she hurried off
with the vest the moment it was finished.
81 will bring home little tea, sister,"
she said as she was about leaving; am
sure cup oftea will do you some good,
and | feel as if it would revive and
strengthen me-"
Mary looked at Ellen with tender
pityiug expression, while her large bright
eyes shone CLASSY in the dim rays sent
forth by poor lamp, but she did not re,
ply. She had gnawing in her stomach.
that made her feel faint, and most ear
nest craving for nourishing and even slim.
ulating food,the consequence of long alb
stinence as well as the peculiarly of her
disease - But she did not breathe word
of this to Ellen, who would. she knew
expend for her every cent Of the money
she was about to receive. if she was aware
of the morbid appetite from which she
was suffering. .s..-i -...a
81 will be back added Ellen, as she
> retired from the room.
Mary sighed deeply when alone. She
raised her eyes upwards for few mo
ments; then closing them and clasping
her hands tightly together, she lay with
her white face turned towards the light
more the image of death than Of life.
Here it is past eight o'clock, and tha
: vest is not yet in" said Mr.. Lawson in {
= fretful tone. IL had my doubts about the
girl when | gave il to her. But she
! looked so poor, and seemed so earnes
h about work, that | was weak enough t.
entrust her with the garment. But
3 will take care another time, how let my
feelings get the better ofmy judgment.
y Before the individual had time To reply
: Ellen came in with the vest, and laid j
l. on the counter, at which the tailor wa
T standing. She said nothing neither die
the tailor make any remark; but the lat
7. ter unfolded the vest, in way that plain
d Ily showed him not to be in q very placit
: frame ofmind. .t. s,-.,..,., q
n "Goodness! he CALCULATED, after glanc
/. ing huriedly at the garment. as
y The girl shrunk back from the counte
3. and looked frightened. sg.
y "Well, this is pretty job for one t,
o bring in!" said the tailor, in an excite'
p tone of voice. "A pretty. job, indeed.
If looks as if it had been dragged through
= duck puddle. And such work"
r. He tossed the garment from him in an
9 CRY contempt, and walked away to thu
l. back part ofthe shop leaving Ellen, stand
e ing almost as still as statute.
l. "That vest was to have been home to
l. night he said, as he threw himselfinto
y. chair. "Ofcourse, the customer will b.
d disappointed and angry, and | shall los'
RS him. But don't care half as much 70
& that, as | do for not being able 10 keep m
J. word with him. 1t is too muchl" 8
d Ellen would have Instantly retired bu
in the thought of her sick sister forced he
N to remain. She felt like she could not 6
Or until she had received the price of ms
,. king the vest, for their money was. a
d gone and they had no food in the house
g She had fingered little while, when tn
at tailor, called Quito her, and said: Id
VI "You needn't efand there Mics fhinL