The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-08-11

"Sh'f ~ "ssS SsssOiJ iSNtSSCo cIoiSy
where we win leave it for the present, and
beg the reader to accompany us to another
part of the great city, an obscure street, it
is true, but where many honest hearts may
be found.
In one of the poorest of the many poor
apartments which formed one of those build
ings often erected for the accommodation of
the poor, sat respectable looking, middle
aged woman busily plying her needle by the
dim light of at allow candle. There was an air
of neatness in her appearance, and in the ar
rangement of the scanty furniture of the
room, which showed sense ofpropriety, not
always found to accompany extreme poverty.
Two little children were quietly sleeping up
on a straw bed in one corner of the room,
on a small cot lay another somewhat older,
as slumbering, but with that uneasy, restless
sleep, which evinces mental disturbance or
bodily suffering.
The mother gazed tearfully over her eldest
born. In happier days, when kind hus-
band stood by her side to guard her from
life's ills, Ella had been her darling and her
pride; and even now, in want and sorrow,
her bright smile and words of love could
cheer the aching heart, and give new strength
to the weary frame. = g..
"Dear Ella" she murmured, the fever is
on her now; she will soon awake. Poor
child she needs better care than can give
her. srz
A distressing fit of coughing now awak-
ened the little sufferer. Il
Dear mama,' she whispered, rs soon as
she could regain her breath, do Law aside
your work for the night Your have done
enough and you are tired. Lie down by me
and rest s.. $40,
Notyet dearest. 1t is still early. You
know l must finish this work Tomorrow
%, how wish l could help you. Did
not begin to sew quite neatly before l was
ill2' ss..' s'....
you did, darling, and you will again be-
fore many weeks, l hope. But do not talk,
for it brings on that bad cough. Try to
sleep again. ..
4 will, mamma, but first give me water.
My mouth is so pafched.'
The mother held the cool water to her lips.
She drank a little and then with a Quiet
thank you,' lay back upon her pillow, but
there was still wistful look upon her conn
tenance, and her mother said tenderly:
is there anything else can do for you,
Ellai'
No, mama. / was thinking of that nice
lemonade father made for me once when
was sick with the measles. 1t was foolish in
me to think Of it, she continued, as she
heard an involuntary sigh from her mother !:
but the water does not taste good, now am
sick
Again she slept, and the wearied mother
resumed her needle. Tear after tear stole
down her cheek as she bent over her task.
Poor child = she murmured. 1T seems
hard that should deny her so trihing a lux
ury, but, alas there are so many absolute
necessities to be provided. Perhaps if /
work an hour or two longer, / might COM
plete another garment before tomorrow
evening, and then should receive a little
more than / expected. | must buy coal
if possible for it is hard to make poor Ella
comfortable with the blocks which the chill
dren pick up. Half a bushel will do, and
then there must be bread and candles.
promised the children bit of salt, but will
coax them to wait, and l will 90 without the
tea which hoped to have bought, and the
dear child shall have n lemon and little
loaf sugar, as she did when she had the
measles. Poor thing how well she remem-
bered the lemonade which her father made
for her. ~
Animated with the hope of procuring the
luxury for her suffering child, the weary fin
gers moved still faster, and 1t was not till
busy sounds told the near approach of morn
ing, the task was relinquished, and the
almost exhausted woman threw herself on the
bed to seek an hour or two of frepose. Eve
ry leisure moment during the following day
was devoted to her needle, and early in the
evening the work was completed. Fatigue
was forgotten, and with cheerful counter
ance she prepared to take the clothes to her
employer. In the fullness of her heart, she
could not help whispering to Ella as she kiss
ed her burning check, mother will try to
bring you lemon, dear ! and though the
uRselfish child Immediately assured her that
she could do very well without it, vet the
brightning ofthe eyes and the look of graft
tude only strengthened her resolution.
A quick walk brought the mother to the
shop Of her employer. Tie work was exa-
mned, approved and paid for. With light
heart she turned toward home, holding in
her hand the hardly earned sum to procure
40 many comforts. To the coal yard first
she went Here her purchase was soon
made, and an obliging lad to whom sheha
formerly done some fayors, offered TO carry