The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-11-10

music teacher to be deprived of a few
dollars, that half prolong her sad ex-
istence None wiU be the aoiser. She
has no friends. She must submit though
half her meager salary is withdrawn.
She must have brcad-or die.
Is it a little thing that the poor,
wretched washerwoman goes faltering
home, after toilsome day, to her sup
PEERLESS children, because Mrs. Leslie
has not the change just then'' Day
after day passes; tits forgotten; she Is
quite sure she has paid all her dues"
Is it lille thing for that lone,
orphan, sewing girl to toll night after
night by the dim candle, on that rich
embroidery that will cover Mrs Lisle's
fair shoulders, and receive less than half
the value of her work? She must sub
mit-work or die. Let us see.
Milly leaves to seek "aid" from the
" miserly Mrs Vane," while Mrs. Lisle
reclines languidly on the gorgeous fam
teuil, and speculates on the rapid ad-
vancement she will make ia the esteem
of Mrs. Hamilton and minor personages,
when she is interrupted in her pleasant
reverie by the entrance Of servant,
saying, " Fanny, the scamstress, is in
waiting"
"Wants her money, suppose send
her in" said Mrs. Lilse, in a vexed
tone.
Alas, an unfavorable moment for duty
to triumph, when self-aggrandizement
stands so firmly in the foreground. Even
conscience's stings are powerless.
Fanny, pale, fragile girl, entered,
bearing her weeks labor.
Mrs. Lisle raised herself from her
recumbent posture, and with a look and
air of annoyance, as she took the pack
ages from the hand of the girl, said,
6 So you have finished the work :" and
began inspecting each article, with
scrutinizing eye, while the sweet eyes of
Fanny, dimmed by incessant toll, eagerly
watched her every motion, and the pale,
thin hand grasped more tightly the
elegant chair against which she was lean
ing. No wonder those eyes were faded.
If one short week had seen the COM
mencement and completion of the almost
innumerable stitches now passing under
the eager gaze of Mrs. Lisle.
"Pretty WE'LL" at last she slowly
articulated, carrying depreciation in her
very tone " for it will not do to praise
her or she will slight the work." thought
the economizing woman.
The pale lip of Fanny trembled, as
she simply answered, {" tried to suit
you, madam"
"What is your price :" said she, in
a tone o, so oppressive to the poor and
dependent.
/" Eight shillings for the fine ones I
was obliged to sit up two nights in order
to finish them," the timid girl ventured
to add.
Eight sAillings I will pay you six"
said the lady in decided voice "not
more"
A bright flush spread over Fanny's
pale cheek, and her eye moistened, as
falteringly replied, "I have always had
eight I; you said you did not mind the
price, and 1 believe you will give it
me-"
81 said," returned the lady, "never
mind the price, l will pay you well-all
the work deserves, and all | shall give (;
you can 60 )" and Mrs. Lisle waved her
delicate hand, and sunk back on the soft
cushions.
Fanny hesitated and looked implor-
ngly at her, and her lip moved as if to
'peak.
You can CO." said the lady, in a
quicker tone, and with a knitted brow
cannot pay you to-day, tits not con-
7enient."
Fanny turned with wavering steps,
While a silent prayer went up from her
bursting heart, 90 God have mercy
IN the orphan"
o! was it little thing, and was her
ieart at ease, who thus saved a few
'hiDings, God knows.
But to return to Milly. She meets
Mrs. Vane with cordial salutation, aud, L