Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-07-07


ployment. "The children are much in need
of shoes and some other little things, and I
owe dollar to the young girl who has been
sewing for me lately"
"Money is rather hard to be got, just now,
Lucy was the reply, 'still the children must
have shoes, and honest debts must be paid
Here is a five dollar bill. Will that answer
your purposel"
perfectly we'll am glad to have it to-
day, for / shall probably be at leisure to make
my little purchases Mary took cold yester-
day from damping her feet, and Ellen's shoes
are also far too thin for the season."
''By all means attend to it directly" re-
piled the husband "Health is not to be dis
regarded The seeds of many fatal disease
are often sown by slight cold"
Mr.. Williams departed, and his wife pro-
ceeded to attend to her domestic duties, which
owing to her husbands limited income, de-
volved In great measure upon herself
An hour passed in the busy round of the va
rious cares of housekeeping, when a ring at
tic u6ll duHOuHC6u dH carly NlSlIOT.
Miss Jones, the lady who entered, belonged
to that class of single maidens, who, being
unburdened with cares of their own, charita-
bly, devote themselves to looking into the af-
fairs of their neighbors. She was also a
prominent member of several benevolent so
cieties, and was seldom without some new
project for beneftting certain poor proteges
whom she took under her own peculiar pro-
lection
"You must really excuse my calling at this
early hour, my dear Mrs. Williams" she ex-
claimed, as the lady of the house advanced to
meet her with extended hand, ''but my er-
rand is an urgent ones
"No excuse is necessary, Miss Jones. You
are too old an acquaintance to stand on cere-
mony.''
"Thank you for saying so. And now
will state my business without delay, for see
you are busy this morning. have recently
met with most touching case of poverty,
poor widow with five children, very feeble
health, and quite unable to support such a
family without assistance from the humane
do not wish to beg for her, but have exerted
myself to make few little useful articles,
which may be sold for her benefit. Will you
allow me to show them to you and urge you
to become purchaser"
"Really, Miss JONES' replied Mrs. Will
liams, "I fear | must decline assisting you
this morning. Mr.. Williams has been obliged
to meet several heavy expenses of late, and is
somewhat troubled for ready money"
"Well, just look at the contents of my little
basket" continued the persevering visitor
"It will give me pleasure to show you my
handiwork, even if you do not purchase
The basket was accordingly opened, and
the usual stock of work-bags, pen-wipers, pin
cushions and infants aprons, exhibited for the
admiration of Mrs. Williams, who, being also
of an exceedingly charitable disposition, be-
gan to feel slight uneasy sensation in that
part Of her bosom where she had thrust the
five dollar bill which her husband had given
her that morning.
tsI should like to take one or two little
things, just for the sake of bestowing my
mite,'' she said hesitatingly. ''But unfortu-
nately, have no change-nothing but five
dollar bill"
'Let me see," replied Miss Jones, drawing
her purse from her pocket Perhaps ! can
relieve your difficulty. Yes, here is three
and one. Now, if you will take that pretty
cushion which you are just admiring, at fifty
cents, two pen-wipers for your little girls, at
twenty-five, and one of these useful work-bags
for the other quarter, it win make all right. I"
Easily done, to be sure, but Mrs. Williams
was rather startled at the idea of only four
dollars for the necessary purchases which she
had mentioned to her husband.
Hastily she ran it over in her mind. "One
dollar for the sempstress, two for shoes, and
one for flannel for the baby" Then she had
intended purchasing materials for warm hoods
for Mary and Ellen, but perhaps this might
be delayed; their cape bonnets would do a
little longer The weather was not yet Sc
we're, and it was really uncharitable to refuse
Miss Jones, who worked so disinterestedly
herself. So the five dollar bill was drawn
from its hiding-place, and the three and one
placed in its stead, while the pin-cushion,
bag and pen-wipers were duly transferred to
her workable.
"I wish everybody had your feeling, my
dear Mrs. Williams" remarked the charita-
bic lady, as she rose depart. 81 have made
but one call this morning, but that was an un-
successful one. You know Mrs. Evans
Should you not suppose she could spare dol
lar for benevolent purposess"
"Most certainly" was the reply. "Her
husbands income is considerably larger than
ours, and they have no more family to sup
port 1 have but slight acquaintance with
her, but have been told that she was kind
hearted, good woman.'
She may be SO, but l saw no signs Of it.
She declined assisting me in the most decided
manner, and would not even consent to NV
opening my basket. But must bid YOU GOOD
morning, as have many calls to make.'' RI
81 will dress myself Immediately, and 90 to
the shoemaker's, . said Mrs. Williams, as she
closed the door after her visitor. II may
again be interrupted"