The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-07-02
AdeIine Raleigh,

either, but l believe that will send it down"
"Why will you put it in, Mary, fit does not
need to go?'' asked her good old aunt Hannah,
in her quiet and expressive way.
"Why, you see aunt, we have but small
wash day so small, ,thatSusan will get through
by one O'Clock at the latest, and | shall have to
pay her the same as though she worked till
night, So
t'Stop moment, dear,"- said the old lady,
gently, "stop moment and think. Suppose
you were in the situation poor Susan is, obliged,
you tell me, to toll over the wash tub six days
out of the seven, for the bare necessares oflife,
would not you be glad, once in while to get
through before night, to have a few hours of day
light to labor for yourself and family, or better
still, few hours to rest? Mary, dear, it is a
hard, hard way for woman to earn living;
begrudge not the poor creature the half dollar.
This is the fourth day in succession she has risen
by cande-light and plodded through the cold
here and there to her customers houses and
toiled away existence. Let her go atnoon if she
gets through; who knows but that she may have
come from the sick couch of some loved one,
and counts the hours, yes the minutes, till she
can return feasing ever she may have come one
too late. Put it back on the bed, and sit down
here whiled tell you what one poor washerwo-
man endured, because her employer did as you
would to make out the wash" And the old
woman took off her glasses and wiped away the
tear drops, that, from some cause, had gather
ed in her aged eyes, and then, with tremulous
voice related the promised story:
''There was never more blithesome bridal
than that of Adeline Raleigh's., There was new
er maiden who went to the marriage altar with
| higher hopes, more blissfull anticpations. We'd
ding the man of her choice, be whose love-tones
had ever thrilled her heart like music gush
from the land of light, he who was dearer to
her than her own existence, young, talented
noble fellow, one of whom any woman might be
proud, it was no wonder that morn seemed a
golden waf from Eden. Few, indeed, have a
SUMMER life in prospect than had she.
"And for ten years there fell no shadow on
her path. Her home was one ofbeauty and rare
uxury-her husband the same kind, gentle
loving man, as in the days of courtship; winning
laureIs every year in bis profession, adding new
comforts to his home and new joys to his fire
side-and besides these blessings, God had Civ
en- another-a little crib stood by her bed side,
its tenant, golden haired baby boy, the image
of its noble father, and dearer to those welded
lovers, than aught else earth could offer.
But must not dwell on those happy days,
my story has to do with other ones. 1t was
with them as oft it is with others-iust when
the cup is sweetest, it is dashed away just when
the beam is brightest the clouds gather. A Sc
ries of misfortunes and reverses occurred with
startling rapidity, and swept away from them
everything but]ove and their baby-boy. Spared
to one another and to that, they bore a brave
heart, and in a distant city began new for
tune. Well and strongly did they struggle, anc
atlength began once more to see the sunlight 0
prosperity shine upon their home. But a little
while it stayed, and then the shadows fell. The
husband sckened and lay for many a month
upon weary couch, languishing not only witt
mental and bodily pain, but oftentimes for fooc
and medicines All that she could do, the wife
performed with faithful hand. She went from
one thing to another, till at length, she who has
worn satin garb and pearls upon her bridal day
toiled at the wash tub for the scantiest living
Long before light she would rise every morning
and labor for the dear ones of her lowly home
and then, with many kiss upon the lips of he1
pale companion and sleeping boy, start ou
through the cold deep snow, and grope her way
to the too often smoky, gloomy Kitchen and toi
there at rubbing, pounding, rinsing, starching
not unfrequently wading knee deep in the drifts
to hang out their clothes that froze even ere
she had fastened them to the line. And wher
night came, with her half dollar, she would agair
grope through the snow to her oftimes lightless
and freless home for her husband was too SICK
much ofthe time, to tend even the fire or strike {
light. And oh, with what shivering heart she
would draw near them, fearin8aever she would
be too late. 1t is a fact, that for six weeks al
one time, she never saw the face Of her husband
or child save by lamplight, except only on the
Sabbath. How glad she would have been tc
have once in while small washing gathered
for her
lone dark winter morning, as she was busy
preparing the frugal breakfast and getting ev.
erything ready ere she left, her husband called
her to the bedside.
"Ada,' said he, in almost a whisper, Il wish
you would try and get home early tonight
be home before sundown do, Ada"
"1'll try,' answered she, with choked ut
terance.
''Do try. Ada have strange desire tc
see your face BY ght-today is Friday
| have not seen it since sunday-l must look
upon it once again"
l''Do you feel worse, Edward?' asked she
anxiously, feeling his pulse as she spoke.
mo, no, | think not; but do want to see
your face once more by sunlight. | cannot
wait till Sunday .,
Gladly would she tarry by his bedside till the
sunlight should have stolen through their little
window-but it might not be. She was penni-
less, and in the dusk of morning must go forth
to labor She left him, sweet kisses were Civ
en- and taken, sweet words whispered in the
sweetest love tones. She reached the kitchen
of her employer, and with troubled face wait
ed for the basket to be brought. A beautiful
smile played over her wan face as she assorted
its contents. She could get through easily by
two O'Clock, yes, and if she hurried, perhaps by
one. Love and anxiety lent new strength to
her weary arms, and five minutes after the clock
| struck one, she hangs the garment on the line,
and was just about emptyng her tubs, when
the mistress came in with couple of bed-qullts,
and saying;
GAS you have so small wash. to-dap. Ada,
L think you may do these yet, - and left the room
again. A wall Of agony, wrung from the deep
est fountain of her heart pushed to her ]iDs-