The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-02-13
WooDsFIELD OHIO, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8 1850
Vol. WI.


her supply from the tailors, who were her
usual employers, was not very regular,
and sometimes failed altogether for time.
Bessie was the eldest of large family;
the two next in age to herself, a boy and
Girl of fifteen and thirteen, were both well
placed, though neither could contribute to
the family income; but there were seven
still younger, entirely dependen on their
poor mothers exertions. Such being the
circumstances of the household, we need
not wonder that girl so atfectionate as
Bessie should have felt very doubtful ofthe
possibility of buying new bonnet; for,
unlike too many in her situation, she never
felt that her money was her own if it were
needed for her mothers use, and was on
" happy in the thought that she was ena-
bled to contribute to that mothers COM
fort; and in this respect her natural feel
ings we're aided by higher principles, i'm.
planted by Him who so severely censured
the unflial conduct of the Jews.
AS Bessie hurried along the streets to
her mothers house, which was on the 9TH
er side of the town, she cast many wist-
full glance towards the displays OF bonnets
and ribbons in the shop windows, and
even paused once or twice to bestow par
ticular admiration; nay, she went so far
as to decide what shape she would buy,
and how it should be trimmed, if she could
but get the money for it; and she had
strong hope of being able to do this, be-
cause she knew her mother had been
promised more work than she could ac-
complish for several weeks to come. AT
last Bessie reached her home. which was
one ill-lighted room, with dark closet ad-
Joining, in a tumble-down old house, stu
ated in one of the courts of densely pop
alated neighborhood, and tenanted by five
or six families besides the Abbotts. ltwas
home, however, and Bessie felt that it was
so, as, after running up the tottering stairs,
she opened the door Of her mothers room
which if not very comfortable, was at least
very clean. :.
"Oh, Bessie! Bessie!-here is Bessie!
cried a posse Of little ones, as she entered
"IIere is Bessie come, mother! Come tc
mother, Bessie; she's crying' and two
of the young things seized their darling
sister by her dress, and pulled her forward
as though at her coming her mothers tears
must dry ,hAna, ;,
!, "What is the matter, mother, deari
cried Bessie, frightened, as she approach
ed neat. careworn woman, who, witt
her hands convusively pressed together
and silent tears dropping from her eyes
looking absorbed in hopeless distress.
"Bessie, Bessie. what shall we dog sh'
exclaimed, as her daughter knelt, and threw
her arms round her: 'what will become
of us!!"
"Oh, mother, what is the matter? Wha
has happcned!" returned Bessie, her owl
tears beginning to flow in sympathy ant
alarm. "Oh. dear! thought to find yo'
all so comfortable tonight"
,.Ay, ard so we might have been" an
swered the motherin tone Of heart-brok
t ell despondency-"only for hlm-ior you
. father. Bessie How could he do it!'
, "Mother, mother, what has he done!
t exclaimed the terrified girl, all horrible Wis
/; ions of crime starting up before her.
"He has taken away my work, Bessie
t INV work that hoped TO get so much for
1 and he has pawned it for drink don
know where; and he beat me like do
/. when begged of him to tell me where
o was. And the master wanted it, and
It hadn't it for him; and oh he was angry
If and no wonder; only it's hard upon me
It Bessie. And he says the waistcoats ar
II worth two pounds, and he'll have them
S their worth, if he takes my bed from unde
e me. Thcn owe our landlord for for
Il nights rent; for didn't pay last weel
v thinking should be SO much better o
|. this. And havnt penny in the hous
" for the chi.dren's food; they've been mig
d furnished as it is, for the waistcoats wei
e almost the first work | did. And no
d where am to look for money or work
of don't know, or how am ever to pay tn
,r dreadful debt; my poor little ones will a
be starving about me. How shall bei
& it? And then to think who has brought a
3, this upon me. Oh, Bessie it almost breal
of my heart!"
n. "This is trouble indeed" sobbed poi
ID Bessie, as she leant against her mother
70 shoulder: 81 little thought of finding yc
q like this as | came along. But, moth
er dear, you mustn't be quite cast down; p
ID your trust in our Heavenly Father, wit
l. out whose knowledge not sparrow ta
,e eth to the ground. dtl9 .qo 70
d. SAY, Bessie dear; but it's hard to P
or such trust in Him, when nothing but tro
id Bile is to be seen. I'm sure l7try, but il
or very hard, my child.' aoi5 .M
ne aYes, it is hard, mothers yet who ell
We shall we trust inl And, mother, here a
k, my wages for to-day and tomorrow, al
IN who knows what Monday may bringl-
s. Aren't we bid In such times as these
lis take no thought for the morrow, for sui
ID cient unto the day is the evil thereof!'
er Mrs Abbott pressed her child more clos
ie ly without reply. and those Of the childrt
d; who were old enough to understand wh
ID passed, gathered reyerently round to list