The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-09-23
T h e Tim ely Witness
DT MRS. A. DENNISON.

| SlltCHIH8 went on.
1t was the room of poor woman who
sewed for living There was not much
/ light, for the shade made what little there
was fall upon the work in the pale hand.
that flew hither and thither. A beadstead
stood in one corner, and from beneath, a
crib was drawn, and three beautiful child
| faces smiled In serene slumbers.
Another form lay on the high bed that
Of poor spine-Droken boy of ten, whose
large eyes were wide open even at that
late hour;whose brow shone fearfully white
in the midst of the dim floating shadows.
As matter Of course, the furniture was
shabby and mean, and the pale sewer had
not much time to devote to her household
duties, while she toiled to give bread to
Ter little children.
1t was Saturday night, past the hour of
nine. She had been much hindered in
her work on account Of three or four hours
of sudden illness which had prostrated her
in the morning, and now she was hurrying
while her brain reeled, and back ached, to
get through with her task.
One Of these was the finishing of little
dress, upon which she was setting the last
stitch
Mrs. Graves had called in, and first felt
nervous and unpleasant to find that the
work was not done; but when she saw the
heavy eyes lifted, tear trembling on their
lashes, she had not the heart to say any
thing in blame, but sat quietly down, and,
as she noticed the STOPPING form and fire.
quent signing, she said in her kind, sym
pathising voice the words with which we
have begun our story.
"You have not been in ourneighborhood
long?' asked Mr.. Graves
"Only few months" was the answer.
a could not get enough to do where we
moved from, but have done a great deal
better since | came to this place"
"And have you always been a dress
maker!' said Mrs. Graves kindly.
"That is my trade, madam. When |
learned it, [ little thought I should work
at it like slave" She continued, her lip
trembling. MY father was doing very
good business then and |, because did not
like to 90 to him for all the money want
ed, applied myself to this kind of work. |
married soon after, SO | did not sew a
great while, but now"-her voice was bro
ken-'I am obliged to-
"How long has your husband oeen dead?"
From any other lips the question mi ght
have sounded hard and unfeeIing, but there
evidently ly was a great deal of sympathy in
the kind heart of Mrs. Graves, and her
voice expressed as much.
HNI,- brgLoD. Loo Io,, ! ] Il. ,
was the unsteady reply, and the eyes were
hastily touched with the finger tips.
Jenny, my youngest; was born on the
day he lay corpse in the house" she add
ed moment after. at is hard world
for the widow and fatheress," she added
very softly but sadly
Indeed it must be-" Mrs. Graves re-
sponded earnestly watching the seamstress
fold up the dress.
"And must you sew more tonight she
asked, seeing the widow snatch up dress
that did not appear quite done.
"Oh, yes; expect | have disappointed
Mrs. May very much. | promised this
dress should be done by dark, but | had
such an ill-turn !"
"Then give me needle and thimble,"
said Mrs. Graves
The dress maker looked at her in mute
astonishment.
stop, | have my own thimble; give me
your needles; | vii AXE this one she ad
ded, helping herself from needle case
Il am going to sew for YOU; | am much
more able to do the whole of it than you
are to set a stitch"
90, my dear madam" exclaimed the
seamstrcss-'no no. Your sweet, kind
words have done more towards aiding me
than your needle would. OIL thank Cod,
that there are some that can feel for u.s."
and she dashed away the tears still intent
upon her work.
"At this moment the frail little bell re-
ceived such a wrench that it struck violent
ly against the wall. The dress maker ner-
vously arose and hurried to the door.
'Have you that dress done" demanded
a coarse voice.
Almost she tried TO speak cheerfully
YOU come in?"
"Yes, | suppose shall have to, but let
me tell you i is the last piece of work that
YOU can ever do for me-"
Mrs. Graves was shocked. She had no
ticed the delicacy, the retiring manners of
the poor seamstress and the harsh voice
smote very painfully on her hear
81 tried very hard. Mrs May" said the
poor woman, catching up the dress before
the other was scarcely inside Of the room.
40, YES, that's always the excuse You've
done 50 two or three times, and I've put
up with it because you're poor and wish
to help-but | really can't submit to be
imposed upon"
The pale sewer only bit her lip, but
made no reply.
al suppose | shall have to stay here for
an hours exclaimed Mrs. May, pettishly.
still not seeing the face Of the other Gus
toner. who sat in the dark shadow
Q, no; think can get through in less
time than that-much less replied Mrs
Hall. 81 was taken quite i'll to-day" she
added gently, "or I should not have dis
appointed YOU"
at IS not the first time exclaimed Mrs.
MAY, unfeeIingly.
Are You not Going ;ol ct mo sew ask
Cd Mrs. Graves