American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-08-23
TIL E SEWING GIRL.
A Beautiful Sketch.

---
Annie Linton was tho beat Sc wer III
Mrs. Roy's school, aud the mistress de.
clarod on inspecting the first sh irt she
made for her father: THAT the Duke
of Buchleurch himself might woar it,"
This was high praise for little Annie
who was only eleven years of age; and
she never forgot it. Her work was the
neatest ever seen. Then she did it so
quickly, her mother couldnot keep pace
with her daily demand for "someihing to
sew"
81 wish Annie would take to her
book" said Mrs. Linton to her husband
But it was quite clear that Annie would
never take to her book, she had little
leading and less spelling; aud yet she
could "mark" with cotton) all the let.
ters of the slphabet, as if she were the
very miracle of learning. ....
Something to osew, 'eagerly demal,d-
ed Annie. -.
"Will any moving come to this sew
ing I" asking her father with a very nat. 4.
urai attempt at pun.
"Thoso who do not sow shall not reap"
said little Annie, clevcrly taking up her
fathers meaning and her work bag at the
same time, as she whisked past him in
fear of being too late for school.
Three weeks after: "Annie learn.
ing to be Scholar" said Mrs. Linton;
no more demands for sowing" That
alter Annie came bounding into the
house from school, sat upon her fat hers
knees, opened her work bag. which hung
over her ann, and putting a screwed
up paper into his hand; "There's the
moving" H.
Her father undd the paper, and found
four half crowns. "Anuie," questioned
her father, "where did they come from"
From the sewing" answered Annie
laughing deligh,edly at his surprise, as
she escaped from bis knee, and ran out
OF the room, to delay little longer the
solution of the riddle.
Wife," said John Linton. its impos-
siblo that Annie could earn all this by
the sort of child's play girls call work;
and whom did she earn it from Pm
afraid there's something wrong" Aud
to tell the truth Annie was practising a
little Disguise; nor had she given her
father all the money she had carued. -
The sum originally was twelve shliugs
This was all designed for her father a
lone; but prior claim had come in tho
way. 1t was cold winter weather, and
The children of the school brought, their
forms in a sort of square, around MIS-.
Roy's fire. Aunie. who was favoiite
OF the mistress, always occupied warm
corner close to her own big chair. On
the day in question, Mrs. Roy happened
to be out Of the room.
"ll change seats with you, J essie Will
son, you're cold" said Annie adde's
| sing little girl, very book wor m who
clad in a thread-bare printed cotton
gown, sat shiyering over her lesson.
Jessie thus invited came little near
er.
You should put on wooleD frock
like mine aud warm yourself well at
your mothers fire before you come to
school these winter days" said Annie
scru,inizing the poverty struck appear.
anco of the girl.
"Mother says" replied Jesse, tha,
she'd rather do without u fro than my
schooling; and she can't pay for both"
"Has your mother no fire at home
this cold weather 7" asked Annio in a.
mazement.
"No,' said Jessie az wished dare
bring her with mo here--it's warmer
than at home. And know mother is
III, though she won't toll mo-"
"Sit, thore," said Annie, placing Jes.
sic In her warm corner, "and don't 90
out Of school without NO."
That afternoon the two girls wen,
hand in hand to Jessie's door.
Have you plenty to eat if you have
no firo2" asked Annie.
This is the first day mother has been
forced to send me to school without
breakfast" said Jessie, hanging down
her head as if ashamed Of the confee.
sion.
"Here," said Annie, after slight
pause, untwisting the paper in which
were deposited her first earnings; 81
wont go in with you, for your moth.
or might hot tako It from littlo gill
like me; but'--she pot two shillings in.
To Jessio's band---'ihat is to buy YOU
something to eat, and fire, and If your
mother can sew as well as | can" said
Annie with pardonable vanity, IL can
tell her how to get plenty Of money TO
poy for both"
No wonder ADnie's riches ncreased;
| tho first investment was good one
Nevertheless the concea)ng Of it from
her parents she knew 10 be wrongs and
sho added to her little prayer az night,
after the usual ending Of "God bless
fatber aud mother--and forgive me for
keeping secret that helped Jessie viii
son" Could the Recording Angel car.
ry up purer prayer TO Heayen2
OF course MIR. and Mrs. Linton, very
annn liacnunrnI lhnf AZ Cnn.......lI :. Il