Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-04-18
THE SEWING GIRL.
A Beautiful sketch.


Mrs. Roy's school; and the mistress de-
clared, on inspecting the tirss shirt she
made for her father, 'that the Duke of
Buchleuoh himself might wear it," This
was high praise for little Annie. who was
only eleven years of age, and she never
forgot it. Her work was the cleaneSt and
neatest ever seen. Then she did it SO
quickly, her mother could not keep pace
with her daily demand for something to
sew
1 wish Annie would take to her book,
said Mrs. Linton to her husbard. But it
was quite clear that Annie would never
take to her book: she had little reading
and less spelling. and yet she could mark
with cotton) all the letters OF the alpha
bet, as if she was very miracle of learn
ing.
Something to sew!' early demanded
'Will any moving come TO this sewing?'
asked her father, with a very natural at
tempt at a pun.
Those vino do not sew shall not reap
said little Annie, cleverly taking up her
fathers meaning and her work bag at the
same time, as She whisked by him in lear
Of being too late for school.
Three weeks aftcr-'Annic's learning
to be scholar, said Mrs. Linton; no more
demands for sewing That afternoon
Annie came bounding into the house from
school, sat upon her fathers knee, OPen-
ed her work>bag which hung over her
arm, and putting piece Of screwed up
paper into lis hand, said: there's the
moving
Her father undid the paper. and found
four half crowns. 'Annie. questioned
tie father, where did this come from y
'From the sewing answered Annie.
laughing delightfully."- at his surprise. as
she escaped from his knee. and ran out OF
the room, to delay little longer the So
LUTON of the riddle.
wife, said John. 1t is impossible that
Annie ccrlld earn all this by she sort Of
child's play that girls call work: and whom
did she earn it from? I'm afraid there's
something wrong And to tell the truth,
Annie Linton was practising li:tle dis
guise; nor had she given her father Mi the
money she had earned. The sum origi-
rally was twelve shllings. This was all
designed for her father aIune-but prior
claim had come in the way. II was cold
winter weather, and the children Of the
school brought their forms in sort OF
square around Mrs. Roy's fire.
Annie, who was favorite with the mis-
tress. always occupied warm corner
close to her own big chair. On the day
in question. Mrs. Roy happened to be out
Of the room.
III change seats with you, Jessie Will
son. if you're cold,' said Annie, address
ing little girl very book worm. who,
clad in a threadbare printed cotton gown,
sat shivering over her lesson.
Jessie, thus invited, came little nearer.
You should put on wooden frock like
mine, and warm yourself we'll at your mo-
theirs fire before you come to school these
winter days said Annie. scrutinizing tue
poverty struck appearance of the girl.
Mother says, replied Jessie, that she'd
rather do without Il FIRE than nv school,
ing. and she cant pay for both.
Has Your mother no FIRE at home this
cold weather. asked Annie in amazement.
No. said Jessie. l wish dare bring
her with me here-it's warmer than at
home
And l know mother is i'll, though she
won't tell me
Sit there said Annie. placing Jessie il,
her warm corner, and don't go out Of
| school without me
That afternoon the two girls went hand
in hand to Jesse's door
Have you plenty to eat. if you have no
fire . asked Annie.
This is the first day that mother has
-:,l,.z
breakfast said Jessie, hanging down her
head. as if ashamed OF the confession.
Here said Annie, after a slight pause,
untwistins the paper in which were de-
posted her first earnings, L won't go in
with you, your mother might not like tc
take it from littls girl like me; but-and
she put two shillings into Jessie's hand
that is to buy you something to eat and
a fire, and ifyour mother can sew as vel
as can.' said Annie, with pardonable
vanity. i can tell her how to get plenty
of money to pay for both'
No wonder Annie's riches increased
the first investment was good one. New,
ertheless. the concealing OF it from her pa.
rents she knew to be wrong; she feared
they would disapprove of ii; and she add
ed to her little prayer at night, after tht
usual ending, God bless father and mo
ther, and forgive me for keeping secre
that helped Jessie Wilson, Could th,
Recording Angel carry up purer praye
to Heaven?
Of course Mr.. and Mrs. Linton very
soon discovered that Mr.. SeamwelI, of tn
> 'Ready-made Linen Warehouse was th
grand source ofiAnnie's wealth. He sait
there was no one who could do work lik
her. and sail ,has he would give tishtre
pence apiece for the iaess description G
. shirt making. This was NO. great pay
l ment Tor Anniu's exquisite suite. in g
lthirty years ago it would bave brought he