The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-03-16

said the latter. "She'd better 60 to bed"
So she awakened her and told her to 90 up
into tho garret, where bed had been made
for her on the floor. Thilher the child pro.
ceeded, and there wept herself again to
sleep. In her dream that nigh,, she was in
her own pleasant home, and she was ava.
kened by the sharp voice Of Mrs. Mundny
who told her to get up quickly and como
down, as it was broa daylight.
You must kindle the fro and get the
kettle on in jffy."
Such was tn order she received on pass.
ing the door Of Mrs. Munday's room.
: We will not describe, particularly, the
trials of this day for our poor littlo maid Of
all work. Mrs. Munday was hard mis.
tress. ho had taken Anna as help; tho
not with the purpose Of overworking or op
pressing her. But now she had some one
to tighten her burden and tako steps for
her. the temptation to consult her own
ease, was very great. Less wearied than in
days past, because relieved of scores of little
matters about the house, the aggregate oi
which had worn her down, she was lifted
somewhat above an appreciating sympathy
for the child. who in thus relieving her, was
herself overtasked. Instead Of merely hold.
ing the baby for Mrs. Munday, when 1t was
awake and would not be in its cradle. and
doing for her " odd turns,n as first contem.
plated, so Us to enable her the better to get
Though the work OF the family, the for.
mer ut once began to play the lady, and
require OF Anna not only the perform
ance Of great deal of household labor, but
to wait on her in many instances where the
service was almost superhuous.
When Mr.. Munday came home ut supper
time, he found his wife with book in her
hand. The table was set, the Ere burning
chcerfuly, and the hearth swep. up. The
baby asleep in its cradle, aud us Mrs. Nun.
day read, she now and then touched with
her foot the rocker. This he observed
through the window without being secn.-
He then glanced into the kitchen. The
icake tie had been taken from the fre-the
teapot was on the he,rtb, aanked on one
side by a plate Of toast, and on the other by
a dish containing some meal left from din
per which had been warmed over. These
would have quickened his keen appetite but
for another vision.
On her knees, in tho middle of the room
was Anna, slowly and evidently in a state
of exhaustion, scrubbing the floor. He'
face, which happened to be turned towards
him, looked wan and pale, and he saw ut Il
glance her red eyes, and the tears upon hel
cheeks. While he yet gazed upon her, she
paused in work. straighcned her little
form with wearied effort, and clasping
both hands across her forehead, lifted he,
wet eyes upwards. There was no motion
OF her wan lips, but Mr.. Mnnday knew tina
her heart, in IT'S young sorrow, was raised
! TO heaven. AT This moment, the kitchel
ldoUr was openeu, ana Mr. Munuay saw
his wife cnler.
"Eye service 7" said she, severely, Al
she saw the position of Anna. dom
like this. Not half over The floor yet why
what have you been doingW
The startled child bent quickly. 10 he;
weary task, md scrubbed with an energy
impaired by fear. Mr.. Munday turned
heart sick, from The window, and enleIe'
their little sitting room as his wife came II
from the kitchen. She met him with {
smile, but he was grave and silent.
"Don', you feel wel!" she inquired
with look OF concern.
"Nol very WE'LL" he answered evasivcly.
"Have you s-ll bad all day 7"
6 Yes. But ! am heart sick now.
Hear, sick Wha, has happe' ed Ahra
ham! ~ Mrs. Munday looked slightly
alarmed.
"One whom I thought full Of human
Kindness, has been oppressive, aud even
cruel" -,
+" Abraham Wha, do you mean"
Perhaps my eyes deceived me-" he
answered." perhaps il was dream. bn
I saw sight jus, now that made The tears
How."
And. as Mr.. Munjay spoke, he took his
wife BY The arm and led her out through
the back door.
"Look y, said he -"ihere is poor
mo,herless child, scarcely ayear older Than
our Agsy.'
Anna i,l dropped her brush again, and
her pale face aud fearful eyes were once
more uplihed. Was il only a delusion o.
fancy or did Mrs. NJ really SEQ The form
of MIS-. Barrow, stopping over her Suffering
child, Us il slriviug TO Clasp her in heI
shadowy arms.
For a few moments The whole mind oi
Mrs. Muuday was IN whirl Of excitement.
Then stepping from the side of her hus-
band. she glded through lie open door, and
was Ia the kitchen ere Anna had time Ia
change her position. frightened at being
found idle again, The poor child caught ca.
gerly at The brush, which lay upon The
floor. In doing so she missed her grasp,
and weak aud trembling hom exhaustion
fell forward, where she lay moionless.-
When Mis-. Munday endeavored TO raise her
up, she found her insensible.
poo;-,our child ~ said Mr.. Mnnday,
tenderly, his voice qui,eriIlg with emotion,
rs he lifted her in his arms. He bore her
up 10 the children's chamber, aud laid her
on their bed.
"No, here" said Mrs. Munday, Z" in her
own ROOM"
"She is one Of Gods children. and as
precious in His sigh, rs ours, s,'-almosi sob
bed The husband, yet with arebuking stern.
ness in his voice. She shall lie here ~
Mrs. Munday was mol naturally cruel
woman; but she loved her own selilshly
aud the degree in which This is do"e, is ,he
measure OF disregard towards others. She
forgot, IN her desire for service, that he'
liile servnn, was but q poor, molhefiess
child, thrust out from the parent nest, WIN
all The tender lungings oi child Tor love-
aud all lis weakness and want ofeSpefience;;
She failed 10 remember that in sight oi 'oo
all children are equally precious. o..
Blu, the scales fell from her eyes. one
was rebuked, humbled and repen'an!' :,
"Anna mus, 90 back 10 her aunt" sa'a
! Mr.. Munday, after the child had recovered @
from the brief fainling fiji, and calmness
was once more restored 10 The excited
household. :,