The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-04-17
The Timely Witness,

| u
in one corner, and from beneath crib was drawn, and
three beautiful child faces smiled in serene slumbers
Another form lay the high bed-it was that of
poor, spinebrok boy Of ten, whose large eyes
wide open, even that hour; whose brow shone fear
fully white in the midst Of the dim floating shadows
mean and the pale had not much time to devote
to her household while she toied to give bread to
her little children
It was Saturday night, past the hour of nine. She
had been hndered in her work account OF three or
four hours of sudden illness which had prostrated her
in the morning and now she was hurryng while her
brain reeed and side ached to get through with her
sad tasks.
One of these was the finishing of a small Dress upon
which she was setting the aststch Mrs Graves had
called in and at first felt nervous and unpleasant to find
that the work was not done but when she saw the heavy
eyes lifted tear trembling their lashes she had not
the heart to say anything blame but sat quietly down
and she noticed the STOPPING form and frequent sigh
ing she said in her kind sylnpthsng voice. the words
which begin our story.
"You have not been in our neighborhood long?n
asked Mrs. Graves
'Only few months was file answer 'I could not
get enough to do where moved from, but have done
much better since came to this place"
And have you always been dress-maker?" asked
Mrs. Graves.
''That is my trade madam When learned it little
thought should toll at ii like slave she continued
her lip trembling. 'My ither was doing very good
business then, and because did wish to ask him
for money to entirely support myself applied myself
this kind Of work. soon after was married, so did
not great while, but tlow-" her voice trembHngy
faltercd-"I am obliged to sew
Glow long has your husband been dead?'
From any other lips this might have sounded harsh
and unfeeHg but evidently there was deep chord of
sympathy in the kind heart Of Mrs Graves and hee voice
breathedit its music.
"My husband has been dead three years. was the un-
steady reply, and the eyes hastily ouched with
the finger tips Jenny my youngest, was born the
day he lay corpse, she added momelt after, ut
is dreary world for the widow and faherless,' she
added very softly but sadly.
Indeed it must be" Mrs Graves responded earn
esty watching the seamsress fold up the dress "AnI
must you sew more Tonight" she asked, seeing the
widow commence new Oh another dress that did not
appear quite finished.
"Oh, yes | expect Mrs May is disappointed, for l
promised her this dress should be done by dark but
illness prevented"
Then give Inc needle and thm5c," said Mrs
Graves.
The dressnaker looked up in utter astonishment
"Stop, have my own thimble-give me your needless
will take this one" she added, helping herself from
ueedle-case q am going to sew for you; l am much
able to do the whole Of it than YOU are to set
stitch
"Oh, my dear madam" exclaimed The seaulstress;
"nO. your sweet kind words have done toward
aiding me than your needle could Bless you! there
away tears still intent upon her work
At this moment the tIail little bell received such
wrench that it struck violently against tie wall The
dressinukcr nervously and hurried to the door,
Have you that dress dono?" demanded coarse
voice,
almost" she tried to speak cheorfuly won't you
come in?"
Yes-I suppose necessity will compel me to- but let
tell you, is the last piece of work that you will
ever do for me.n
NJ bo1, ~ 111t
cacy the retiring of the poor seamstress and
the harsh voice smote very painfully on her ear.
q tried very hard, very hard, Mrs May" said the
poor woman, catching u the dress before the other was
scarcely inside tbs room.
sob, yes that's always the exouse. foH lave dong
three times and Tve put up with it because
you're poor and wish to help you but really cannot
submit to be imposed upon in this way"
The pale sewer only bit her lip but made no reply
II suppose | shall have to stay here for hour"
exclaimed Mrs. May, petshy still seeing the face
Of the other customer who sat III the dark shadow.
"Oh no think can get through in less time than
that-nuch less replied Mrs. Hall II was taken quite
i'll to-day" she added, gently, cor should not have
disappointed you"
1t s not for the first time" said Mrs May, unfeel-
ingly,
THANK you for thousand times, Mrs Graves, but it
will not be convenient for two replied the seamsress,
while Mrs. May exclaimed in tones Of deepest mortif-
cation:
''Why, Mrs doctor Graves, I did not know you were
here"
YES, have been urging Mrs Hall to let me assist
her" replied Mrs Graves with cold inclination Of the
head ut readily makes my heart ache to see her sit
ting here so late and tired wish | could help hea.
"Really-I-" exclaimed Mrs. May, terribly embar-
rassed for Mrs Graves socially as well nellectu-
ally her superior.
t.Iet me send you some ieIlies for your sick bay,
won't you continued the doctors wife preparing to 60
,s1.- 4 4 ,1-1,,
dollar into the hand OF Mrs Hall as she turned to 60
Here is more than my pay, Mrs. Graves"
''No mater-I shall have plenty for you to do; don't
stop to give me change Goodnightr
Mrs May sat silent and uneasy while the stitching
went on.
she asked, alW cruelty.
s'Why shoaa1?a asked Mrs Hall gently Ladies
are here quite often, you know, and Mrs Graves is a
true lady" The cheek Of Mrs May flushed.
"Your dress is finished said the seamsress, folding
tup.
Mrs MAY half angrily. II very punctual myself,
and it annoys me when others are not. What is the
bilE"
1T is two dollars and fifty cents" replied Mrs. Hall,
sExtrayagant pricc!h exclaimed Mrs. May. "You
did not charge Mrs. Graves half that"
Oilers was chids dress she replied.
ooh there is always tayoritism," responded Mrs.
Nav ''Here shall have to owe you dollar now; you
can send for it in a week"
She, too was gone and the weary woman bowed her
head upon her elasped hands, and wept bitterly A
soft voice Ike rich flute note, came from the bed,
Don't cry, mother
sWhy jimmy are you awake?n as.ad tho n'othnr
eyes heard that kind woman, and the ugly woman,
too. Don't cry, mother; come here and will kiss you.
love YOU mother
"Godbless YOU, sobbed the weary one as she touched
the white forehead Of the sick child with her burning
! lips.
'' Mrs Hall, the dressmakcr. She is just up from
fever and not one help her and her four chill
dren. have already collected over forty dollars
Is she member Of the church," queired the speaker
lounging gracefully
member at ALL" replied Mrs. Graves, and her voice
/ trembled as she spoke. 81 never asked her, for
seemed to feel she was one Of the Lords poor Atany
rate if she is not christian, will show her wha
christians can do"
1--WE have 50 much to do for church poor, said the
lady, in little qaeruloas voice
ii must have free offering, said Mrs Graves rising
/ ooh well, viii see-don't go YES, here is five
dollar gold piece in my port-monnae. OF course have
YOUR word for it that she is decent and good woman
IF she we're better off she would be called very
eo1 ,,1 I,lv IiLa woman y said Mrs Graves Sgnih