The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-05-24
Wistella
HOW CUSHION LACE WAS IN
VENTED.

II was the winter of the year 1904, and
mines of Saxony, being no longer consider
ed productive, were closed. Hundreds Of
men were thrown out Of employment, and
amongst them one Christopher Uttman.
He had wife and two infant children, and
his heart was filled with despair on their ac-
count. OF himself he never thought: he
knew that he was capable of stubborn and
ponderous endurance - the pits had been
closed more than once in his life-time-but
endurance was not the quality most rsquir-
cd now; the voice from his hearth stone was
trumpet peal to action, yet what could he
do? lie was powerless from inevitable ne
cessity-thc necessity OF ignorance. He had
been reared in the pit; he was unacquainted
with every kind Of manual labor except that
exercised in his fearful calling. With
heavy heart he returned to his lowly cottage.
the interior Of which the care and tasteful
ness of his wife had rendered comfortable,
nay, oven beautiful, and placing in her hand
his last weeks wages he exclaimed Bit
terly: Barbara, what shall wo do? am
not to return to the mines any more. They
will never be re-opencd."
Barbara had heard before her husband had
returned home that the pits were about to
be closed for an indefinite period. She was
therefore in some degree prepared for the
tidings, and replied cheorfully We shall
no doubt do very well. We shall seek Gods
guidance He will direct us. We are
young, and strong, and healthy, and need
not despair Of being able to provide for our
little ones, because the mines of Saxony are
shut up"
Fortunately for the miner, his wife was
not only good and gentle, but prompt and
clear-minded. She comprchended at once
all the perplexities Of their condition-all
that must bc endured at tho prescnt-all
that might naturally be dreaded in the fu-
ture. After while she stole away to the
inner closet of her little cottage, and having
sought wisdom rom on high, set about con-
sidcrins what it was best to do. 1t was no
dreamy and fantastic speculation which ex-
ercised her mind in that little retreat, but
calm and accurate was the scheme she then
shadowed fOrth--through it was never quite
. realized.
BARBARA had been. in the habit Of assisting
ia tie maintenance OF her little household by
embroidering muslin wells. AT first, she
worked only for the mine-owncrs' wives and
daughters but 80 imaginative and delicate
were her skill and taste in this art, that her
fame had reached more than one OF the Ger
man courts, and many noble dame had
availed herself of the graceful productions
of Barbara's needle, and added to her heavy
brOcaded dresses the elaboratcly embroider-
cd, yet light and beautiful muslin train and
rufles. The care of her infant twins, how
ever, together with many other domestic du-
ties, had hitherto afforded her but little time
for the exercise OF her art but now, though
these cares and duties were rather increased
than lcssened, she determined, without neg
lecting one of them, that by tho labor OF her
hands should her family be supplied with
bread. "My husband tOiled for U.S." she
exclaimed mentally, {" and now will work
hard for him.
The next day after the closing of the mine,
Barbara arose with the dawn, and having
put her house in order, and prepared the
morning meal, she commenced her work.
Steadily she wrought on hour after hour,
never moving from her seat near the win.
dow, except when obliged to do 50 for tho
fulilment Of some household duties. A lit
tie girl, the daughter of a neighbor, was
sent for to look after the children and
Christopher cOntrived to find useful employ
mont in the little garden which separated
his cottage from the road, and which here
tofore had been Barbara's care. In the
evening, he assisted in preparing the supper,
and thus the first day passed away hopefully
and happily. Three months thus rolled by,
and Barbara looked with justifable pride
on the production Of her artistic skill-a
veil, which far exceeded anything she had
before attempted, in its singular beauty OF
design and elaborateness of embroidery.
With happy smile, eloquent of joy and
hope, she left her home the next morning,
carrying the veil in curious basket covered
with richly embroidered cloth. We may
here remark, that certain arts of embroidery
Us known at that period, are now forgotten;
and though many specimens are still pre-
served amongst the precious relics OF con.
tinental churches, and not few Of them
have been subjected to the closest eIanina.
ton, even to buying portions picked out
stitch by stitch, yet is the mystery still un-
discovered.
Ii was bright summer morning never
did the flowers look more lovely, or the fruit
moro luxuriant. Barbara looked back more
than once at her pretty cottage, now cover
ell by prOfusion of rOses and creeping
plants and blessed those beloved ones who
still slept on, unconscious OF her absence.
Arriving at a certain castle, at some leagues
distance, about noon, she was at once ad.
mitted to the prcsense of its fair mistress
with whom Barbara was favorite. llav'
ing replied to kind enquiries about her hus'
band and children she looked consciously al
her little basket. Her heart beat almost
audibly. and her cheeks flushed a deeper
glow than even tho unusual walk woulC