Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-24
Gge Storp GtlItr,
CONTRAST AND CHANGES
NEW YORK LIFE.

traces of great beauty, but the crimson cheek
and brilliant eye showed but too plainly that
consumption had set its seal upon her, and
that her days on earth were numbered.
: Il wish it was later, she murmured, glanc-
ing towards the open window, through which
the rays os September sun were shining
sit is so hard to lie here alone, suffering so
much. hope Fanny will obtain leave TO re-
turn home early this EVENING" know she
means TO ask it,
The tears rose to the eyes of the poor girl,
as she thought of the devoted affection of her
only sister, girl of nineteen, who earned
living by sewing for one of the fashionable
mantua-makers of the day. The room, al
though scantiIy furnished, was neat, and the
invalid's bed clean, though coarse A small
stand stood by the bed, on which was pitcher
of water, phial, and wine glass, and on
The pillow lay an open Bible. The young
girl had earned support as tailoress but
aneglected a cold, taken by carrying some work
late one wet evening ,Shad prostrated her on a
bed of sickness, from which she was destined
never to rise. Untiring were the cares be-
slowed upon her by her sister. She watched
with her at night, and many were the humble.
earnest prayers of the occupants of this small
room o their heavenly Father, that he would
enable them TO bear patiently his chastening
hand
Rut we hasten IN n different srena
A gay carriage drove up to Mrs. Bennett's
fashionable establishment, and beautiful
young girl descended and entered the shop.
Mrs. Bennett, must have new dress for
this evening; 1 have just bought love of a
dress, and Intend wearing it 10 Mr.. Green's
ball.
Tonight, Miss Norton = said Mrs. Ben
nett. 1T is impossible for me to have your
dress ready in time. 1t is now past one, and
| could not promise you ball dress on so
short notice.
Oh, nonsense, Mrs. Bennett, said the Ia
dy, petulanily, Il must and ,riH have the dress /;
and If you will not make it, why must carry
my custom elsewhere
The mistress of the shop looked distressed.
tReally, madam, would do anything to oblige
but surely you have some other dress equal
ly suited to the occasion; | sent you home
three only ten days since
Il have worn them all, Interrupted the
beauty impatiently. Let your girls leave all
their other work, and turn TO upon my dress,
and will pay anything extra you may have
the conscience to charge-only do not disap-
point me-and send the dress home by an ex-
perienced hand, that l may have any altera-
tion made at the last moment, if required
So saying, Miss Norton entered her car
riage, and drove to the jewellers shop 10 Sc
lect new set of ornaments for the occasion.
Mrs. Bennett took the gauze left in her
hand, and selecting from her well-flled shelves
a satin corresponding in hue, and trimmings
to MATCH. went into back room. Some
twenty young girls were busfly plying their
needles, The room was close and warm, and
many of its occupants looked jaded and worn
with their labors. From six to seven, with
short interval of half an hour for dinner, were
the regular hours required for their attendance
at the shop; but when there was press of
work, they were often obliged TO remain and
work extra hours, and ten, eleven, and even
twelve O'Clock often arrived before they were
released from their .health-consuming toll
The table and chairs of the room were Uttered
with shreds of delicate gauzes, rick silks and
sltins. Can we wonder, when we hear the
often-told tale of the seduction and ruin of one
of this delicate class of girls, surrounded by
temptation, their hands employed upon mate
rial which would so we'll set off the beauty of
the worker, and the voice of the tempter ever
at hand to offer the lure And if remaining
true to themselves, stinted in their food, poor
ly paid, they work from Monday morning un-
til Saturday night, week in and week out, un-
til premature decline but too often closes
their career. Such is the not exaggerated
history of too many of these poor girls. Could
one of the beauties, whose gay costume has
cost so many hours of harassng toll, bear bul
one hour OF the suffering so inflicted, she would
hesitate ere she ordered new dress on SO
short notice. But to our tale
Here is a new dress, said Mrs. Bennett.
addressing her forewoman, 'and it must be
finished before nine o'clock tonight. Take
half-a-dozen of the girls, and see that it is
done in time.'
They will have to remain extra time, mad
am, in order to do so,' said the forewoman.
Well, let them stay, then | am not go
ing to lose one of my best customers 10 sui
their laziness. II any one grumbles, she said
on leaving the room, let me know; do no
want grumbers to work for me-they may
seek employment elsewhere
A young girl seated near the forewoman
cast deprecating glance towards her.
Il cannot help it, Fanny was the reply tt
the mute appeal; would like to have you &C
home early 70 poor Ellen, who, know, need
you so much but what can dol You ar,
one of our fastest workwomen, and to finisl
this dress, with all its trimmings, will requir,
all the exertion our best workers can bestow.
The tears rose in Fanny's eyes, and sen
sation of choking came in her throat. But i