Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-06-09
THE POOR WAsHERWOMAN.
BIZ MRS. CAROLINE A. souLE.

really neeu 10 20. eitheI; out pehe'e Al
send it down.
"Why will you put it in, Mary, if it
does not need to go?" asked her good old
aunt Hannah, in her quiet but expressive
way.
"Why you see, aunt, we have but a
small wash to-day; SO small that Susan
will get through by one O'Clock at the la
test, and shall have to pay her just the
same as though she worked till night,
! SD"
Stop a moment dear" said the old
lady, gently, stop moment and think.
I Suppos. you were in the situation that
poor Susan is, obliged, you tell me, To
toll over the wash tub six days out Of the
seven for the bare necesSar;es of life,
would not you be glad once in while to
get through before night, to have a few
hours of daylight 10 labor for yourself
and family. or better still. few hours
to rest? Mary, dear. iit is hard, hard way
for woman to earn het living; bcgrudge
not the poor creature her half dollar.
This is the fourth day in succession she
has risen by candle-light and plJded
through the cold here and there t. her
customers houses and toiled away exis-
tence. Let her go at noon if she gets
through; who knows but she may have
come from the sick couch Of some loved
one and that she counts the hours, yes
the minutes, till she can return. fearing
ever she may come one to late. Put it
back on the bed, and sit down here while
tell you what one poor washerwoman
endured because her employer did as you
would to make out the wash" And tie
old lady took of her glasses and wiped
away the tear drops that from some
cause had gatherd in her aged eyes, and
then with tremulous voice related the
promised story.
There was never a more blithcsome
bridal than that of Alkaline Reaigh's.
There was never a maiden who went to
to the marriage altar with higher hopes
more bliSsful anticipations. Wedding
| the man of her choice. he whose love
tones had ever thrilled her heart Ike a
I musc-gush from the land oflight he who
was dcarcr to her far than her own exist
cnce, young, talented noble fellow, one
of whom any woman might be proud, it
was no wonder that morn seemed gold
Ell waif from Eden. Few indeed have a
SUMMER life in prospect than had she.
And for ten years there fell no shadow
on her path. lIerhome was one of bean
/ ty and rare luXury-her husband the
same kind, gentle and loving man as in
the days of his courtship, winning laurelS
every year in his profession, adding new
comforts t. his home and new joys To his
firesidc-and besides these blessings
God had given another-a little crib stood
by her bedside, its tenant golden haired
baby boy the image of its noble father.
and dearer to to those welded lovers than
aught else earth could offer.
But must not dwell upon these hap
py days; my story has to do with other
ones. 1t was with them as oft it is with
others; just when the cup is sweetest, it
is dashed away, just when the beam is
brightest the clouds gather. \ series of
! misfDrtunes and revcrSeS occurred with
startling rapidity and swept from them
everything but love and their baby boy.
( Spared to one another an to that, they
bore a brave heart and in Il distinct city
began anew their fortune. Well and
stro lgly did they struggle, and at length
began once more to see the sunlight of
prosperity shine upon thtir home. But
little while it stayed, and then the shad-
ows fell. The husband sickened and lay
for many month upon weary couch,
lan9uishing not only with mental and
bodily pain, but oftentimes for food and
medicine. All that she could do, the
wife performed with a faithful hand. She
went from one thing to another till at
length she who had worn satin garb
: and pearls upon her bridal day, toiled at
the wash-tub for the scanteSt living.
: Long before light she would rise every
, morning and labor for the dear ones Of
her lowly home, and then with many a
r kiss upon the lips of her pale companion
f and sleeping boy. start out through the
cold deep snow, and Group her way to the
too often smoky, gloomy kitchen, and
toll there at rubbing, pounding, rinsng,
, starching-not unfrequently wading knee
! deep in the drifts, to hang out the clothes
+, that froze even ere she fastened them on
the line. And when night came. with
her half dollar she would again group
through the cold and snow to her Oft
+ times lightess and fireless home. for her
husband was too sick much of the time
t. tend even to the fire or strike a light.
And o. with shivering heart she would
: draw near them, fearing ever she would
: be to late. 1t is fact that for six weeks
at one time. she never saw the face of her
husband or her child, save by lamp light
} except only on the Sabbath. How glad
: she would have been to have once in a
while had a small wash gathered for her
Zone dark winter morning, as she was
busy preparing the frugal breakfast and
; getting everything ready ere she left, her
husband called her to the bedside.
ada" sal he, in almost whisper, Il
want you 'hould try and get home early
-night-be LONE before SHUTDOWN, do
Ada"
I'll try" answered she with choked
: uttePance:
DO try. Ada. have a strange desire
to see your face by enthusiastically Is
Friday have not seen it since Sunday
} i must look upon it once again"
l $40 you feel worse, Edward?" asked
she, anxiously, feeling his pulse as she
spoke.
NO, no, think not, but do want t.
SSe Ho"l idNc olSNb Inotc ~ nN"A'5HI'
cannot wait till Sunday"
Gladly would she tarry by his bedside
till the sunlight should have stolenthrouel
their little window-but it might not be
= She was penpyless, and in the dusk o
E morning must go forth to labor She
left him sweet kisses given and taken
:, and sweet words whispered in the sweet
u est love tones She reached the kitchen
5 of her employer, and with troubled fac,
: waited for the basket TO be brought. 4
beautiful smile PLAYED over her wan fac,