The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-02-08

the paper u Maria, Il know we may count on
something handsome from you
Il am sorry to disappoint you,' she replied.
but mcst decline giving anything whatever
You surprise me, Miss Vernon; have been
told that you were very benevolent
"A reputation which is certainly desirable,
yet cannot consent to maintain il, by contrib
uting to tho funds of the Dorcas society
i suspect you do not understood tho princi-
Piles by which tho society is guided
Il think do. perfectly
'And pray what can be more laudable than
to make and distribute garments among those
pnor wretches who are sunk SO low in vice and
idlencss. that they neither have the means nor
the inclination TO clothe themselves
TO speak plainly said Maria. don't ap-
prove of the amer in which the labor of ma
king the garments for those poor outcasts is
obtained. Women who are willing to labor
and have too much self-respcct to beg, are re-
quired TO work for them at prices so low, as 70
make il utterly impossible for them to procure
an adequate supply Of even the coarsest food.
am told that tho members of tho society do
most all the work themselves, which according
10 my mind "i
yes, We do most of il ourselves said Mrs.
Wyman, eagerly interrupting her, we only
give those work. who beg and pray for it, be-
cause they cannot possibly get stitch any
where else.
But said Maria, 'if the poor and industri-
Gus were employed to do it, at a fair compensa-
ton, two benevolent objects would bo effected
at the same time; it, indeed an indiscriminatc
distribution of garments among tho idle and
vicious, is worthy the name of benevoence.
am afraid that it only fosters the evil It is de-
signed to remedy. In one instance, happen
10 know woman Of Incorporate habits pledged
a calico gown given her by your society, and
thus obtained tho means to procure liquor, by
which she and her children were rendered
more miserable than before. She needed
some kind hand to put her in the way to help
herself as we'll as furnish her with clothing
Mrs. Wymun made no reply to this She
evidently considered il in the light Of reproof;
and to ono who was almost daily receiving the
incense of adulaiion, on account OF her superb
or bcnevolence, any remark calculated 10 show
that her manner of exercising it was not the
most judicious, was by no means palatable.-
Consequently, her manner towards her was ex-
ceedingly cold and distant during the remain
der Of her call. Soon after her departure, Ma
ria likewise took leave.
Mrs. Wyman had been gone scarcely half an
hour, when there was another ring Of tho bell.
This time the visitor was a lady by the name
of Underwood
Her husband did not rank among the wealth
ier class of citizens: on the contrary, his wife,
to enable them to live within their means, was
obliged to conduct tho domestic department
according to the rules of strict economy. Mrs.
Wilertnn therefore, who did not consider her
rs cutie up to her level, received her less cor
daily than she did the other lady.
Il have taken the liberty 10 call on you, said
Mrs. Underwood, after somc little delay. Sin be-
half of poor widow. who on account of decli-
ming health. even with the assistance of her
daughter, finds it extremely hard to get along.
Really. madam, said Mrs. Willerton, i be-
lieve it will be out of my power to contribute
anything have already given fifty dollars to-
day for charitable purposes, which is, / think,
as much as it is my duty to give in one day.
y don't ask for money, said Mrs. Underwood.
The lady-for sho is u lady in every sense OF
the word, though in such INDECENT circumstan-
ces-would hardly be willing to accept any
thing without an equivalent on her part. What
| ask for her is work, at q price which will en-
able her to live She is a very nico sewer, as
is also her daughter, girl of fourteen. They
have lately been sewing at prices so low, that
they have been almost literally reduced to star
vation, NV heart bled at the sight of the girl
who called on me to beg some work. sad
tale of toll and want was written on her young
face. which, in spite of them oil, was beautiful.
gavo her what work had on hand, and paid
her i'm advance. To enable her to procure food,
for | really believe she was nearly furnishing.
She told me that she had been promised some
sewing by lady of the Dorcas society, and
nnmcd the remuneration she was to receive,
and must confess that was ostonshed that
ladies could in the name of charity ask poor
pale girl like her, 10 work at snch shameful low
prices. 1t seems like taking life by aches.'
Il e al. c.. M ~
so low. we do not feel il to be duty to give
more than is demanded said Mrs. Willerton.
Mrs. Underwood made no attempt to reason
with her on the subject. She thought what
she had already said. was sufficient to suggest
such reflections as might, in the end prove sal
u,ary. Till Mrs. Willerion, in allusion TO the
society. made use OF the pronoun Ue, she did
not regret having censured an Inconsistency SO
elaring and so culpable. After a few minutes
silence. she asked Mrs. Willer:on if she could
not furnish some plain sewing for the widow
and her daughter in question.
4 am unable at present. was her answer
Just now, am unable to prepare work, as
am extremely busy in making fancy articles
for the Fair. You, Of course, will contribute
something, as you and your family, in common
with others who attend Mr.. Carter's church,
will share the benefit ofthe proceeds
III is uOt my lHtentious OuT pcW 10 d'oduy y
furnished with decent carpet and comforta-
BILE cushions and the most Mr.. Underwood can
do, will be to pay tho average price of the now
ones. He will be sure to do that as soon as
tho sun can be ascertained. hope, said she
rising to 60, that when your hurry about the
Fair is over, you will be able to prepare some
work. rf
Perhaps / may replied Mrs. Wierton,
codly. @
Il am afraid thought Mrs. Underwood, as
she turned away from the door of the palace
like dwelling, that the eclat Of heading sub
scription paper with forty or fifty dollars, nfu-
ences Mrs. Willerton more than any real de-
sire to relve the destitute
When Mr.. Willerton came home to dinner
his spirits were evidently much depressed tho
he cndeavored to appear cheerful. The truth
was, tho suffering condition Of his sister caused
him great unensincss; for strange as it may
seem for ono who dwelt in palace, and Jared
h.. soIl 20 Il