Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-26
Jutsrtsting storp.
THE TIMELY WITNESS.
( You are very tired, Mrs. Hail."
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENSIsoN.

/ Uu aEc very LlFeu. Mrs. nall.
Very" was the low reply, and the
stitching went on.
1t was the room of poor woman who
tsewed for living. There was not much
Night for the shade made what little there
was to fall directly upon the work in the
pale hands that few hither and thither.
A bedstead stood in one corner, and
from beneath a crib was drawn, and
three beautiful child faces smiled in Sc
rene slumbers. Anathes form lay on the
bed, that of poor spine broken boy oil
ten, whose large eyes were wide open al
that late hour; whose brow shcne beauti
fully white in the midst of the dim float.
ing shadows. As q 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 her poor 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 severe illness. which had pros
trated her in the morning, and now she
was hurrying, while her brain reeled
and back ached to get through with her
tasks. One of these was the finishing OF
a 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, d
tear trembling on their lasties, she hae
not the heart tos say ans4hinzys IN hi4sss.
but sat quietly down. Then as she no
ticed the STOPPING form and frequent
signing, she said in her kind, sympathi
zing voice, the words with which we have
begun this story.
You have not been in our neighbor
hood long 2" queried Mrs Graves.
Only few months, was the answer.
" | could not get enough to do where we
moved from, but have done much better
since | came here"
And have you always been dress
maker ?" asked Mrs. Graves kindly.
That is my trade, madam. When ]
learned it, little thought should work
at it like slave" she continued, her lip
trembling. Ny father was doing {
good business then, and |, because did
not like to 60 TO him for all the money
wanted, applied myself to this kind OF
work. | married soon after, SO did no.
sew great while. but now !-her vote.
was broken am obliged to-"
How long has yapr basband been
dead T. From any other lips the ques
tion might hare sounded hard aud un.
feeling, but there evidently was great
deal Of sympathy in the kind heart O.
Mrs. Graves.
My husband has been dead three
years, madam" was the unsteady reply
and her eyes were hastily touched with
the finger tips.
Jenny, my youngest was born on the
day he lay corpse in the house." She
added q moment after. :" 1t is hard
world for the widow and fatherless," She
said, very softly and sadly.
Indeed it must be-" Mrs. Graves re
sponded, earnestly watching the. seam
stress folding up the little dress.
And you must sew more to night r.
she asked, seeing the widow snatch up 0
dress that did not appear to be quite
done.
: Oil yes, | expect hive disappoint
cd Mrs. May very much. promised
this drsss should be done by dark, but
had such an i'll turn
Give me needle and thimble," said
Mrs. Graves.
The dress maker looked at her in as
tonishment.
Stop; | have my own thimble; give
me your needles; will take this one, :
she added, helping herself to u needls.-
am much more able to do the whole
OF 1t than sou are to set stitch"
Oh! my dear madam II exclaimed the
seamstress-s no, no. Your sweet, kind
words have done more towards aiding me
than your needle would. thank God
there are some who can feel for u.s." and
she dashed away her tears, still intent
upon her work.
AT this moment the frail little bell re
eeiyed such wrench that it struck VIC
iently against the WALL The dress makeI
Inervously arose and hurried to the door
Is that dress done 2" asked hoarss
voice.
Almost" she tried to speak cheerfully
- Won't You come IN ~
Yes. | suppose / shall have to, bu
let me tell you it is the last piece Of worE
you can ever do Cor me"
Mrs. Graves was shocked. She hat
noticed the delicacy, the retiring manners
OF the poor seamstress, and the harsh
voice smote painfully on herear.
| tried very hard. MIS- May" sait
the poor woman, catching up the dress
before the other was scarcely inside th,
room.
Q yes, that's always the excuse
You've done so two or three times, an,
Eve put up with it because you're poor