The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-05-26
The Distressed Ssamstfsss.

Some people have an idea that they pay
too much for 6verything, and it is positive
duty to employ those who viii work the
cheapest. TTE$E b.
Mrs. Ellsworth lived very sumptuously.
and her daughters dressed elegantly. We
won't cali them extrayagant, because people
who have plenty of money are not Obliged
to. give an account to their neighbors of their
expenditure. They were, however, discuss
ing the very subject themselves, upon the
damask lounges, when the servant man en-
tered and presented the seamstress' bill.
Such nice folded paper always attracts the
family's attention, and having looked at the
bottom and the amount, exclaimed-y
"Dear me, how hight 81.
They then proceeded to examine the con-
tents of the bundle which accompanied the
bill. 81
The work is done beautifully said Miss
Henrietta, show superbly the lace is set on
--how splendid this is hernstiched |. never
intend to do any work myself again--it is
SO much better than can make it look.
But you forgot said the mother, that it
costs q great deal to hire all our sewing for
large family if it be done ever SO cheap
yet she felt herself that it was pleasant to.
have garments made.
wonder said Sophia, tall graceful
girl of sixteen, to the little waiting seam
stress in the entry, what will you charge to
make papa ten skirtsl have engaged to
have them done by the 1st of May, and it is
long job, and so oyexatiousl wish could
transfer them to you to fpisb.' IN
The child was sent home to enquire of her,
mother what she would charge to make ten
shirts, with full bosoms, hemstitched each
side, and ruffied- tile neatest fabric, and
workmanship to correspond. :.
The little girl returned and artlessly-re-
piled
Mother says as how she shall charge a
dollar but if the young folks siad they would
not give that rather than lose the Job she
would say seventy-five cents piece
Amused with the simplicity which ought
to have excited sympathy rather than merrii-
cents was all that she expected to give. Mr..
Fuller gave only that--but she quite forgot
that MIR. Fs shirts were unbleached and very
common work put in them. After some
hesitation she brought them down, and do
ing up large bundle, dispatched it to the
seamstress, adding:
Now my poor head and eyes are reliev-
ed
But let us see to whom the bundle was
transferred The same seamstress once had
husband, who was prosperous merchant
but he specuIated unwisely. died suddenly
and left a widow and two small children to
grapple with the hard fate of poverty and
remembrance of better days. They occupied
only one room, and as her only employment
was sewing, twas difficult tomalSe both ends
meet with the most uniting industry.
Don't you think, mother said the little
Ellen who brought home the work, the young
lady thought she ought to get the shirts
made for fifty cents piece! But, mother,
she could not have known what slow pro-
cess it is, TO gather, hem, stitch, and ruffle
and do all the sewing, Just for a half weeks
rent or she never would have said so.'
The mother brushed a tear away.
No, child, she never sewed for a living
And mother, she told her sisters that she
was so glad to get rid Of the tiresome work.
as she said her father would never know but
that she did it all, and she would have fifty
cents clear on every shirt what did she
meanp
Mrs. A. had heard ofsuch deception before
she cared not to inform her daughter that
the young lady was probably to receive pne
dollar and quarter for each shirt. She
felt her business was only TO finish her whole
number as soon as possible. She immedi-
ately set about the task of cutting them by
sssisfn. ass51siS M len int piles and
ge.uhg the palmer parts ready for ElieS d
hah Ion Al.