Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-06-13
Hisrtllaneaus.
From life Illustrated.
THE TIMELY WITNESS.
By MRS. A. NJ. DENSIS0S

III was the TOpm VI u poor woman VIM
sewed for living. There was not muct
light, for the shade made what lttl,
there was fall upon the work in the pal,
hands that flew hither and thither.
bedstead stood in one corner, and from
beneath n crib was drawn, and thre,
beautiful childish faces smiled in seren,
slumber.
Another form lay on the high ed
was that Of poor spine broken boy o
ten, whose large eyes were open, ever
at that hour, whose brow shone fearful,
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 toilet
to give bread to her children
1t was Saturday night, past the houl
of nine. She had been hindercd on ac.
count of three or four hours of sudder
illness which had prostra,ed her in the
morning, and now she was hurrying,
while, her brain reelcd and side achcd
to get through with her sad tasks
One Of these was the finishing of a
small dress, upon which she was setting
the last stitch. Mrs. Graves had called
in, and at first felt nervous and unplea-
SAINT to find that the work was not donej
but when she saw the heavy eyes lifted
tear trembling on their lashes, she had
not the heart to say anything in blame,
but sat quietly down, as she noticed the
STOPPING form and frequent signing she
said in her kind, sympathiziug voice.
the words which begin our story.
You have not been in our neighbor-
borhood long :? asked Mrs. Graves.
Only few months was the an
swer; 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 kindly.
That's my trade madam. When |
learned it little thought | should toll
at it like slave she continued, her
| lips trembling My father was doing a
very good business then, and |, because
| did not wish to ask him for money to
entirely support myself, applied myself
to this kind of work. / soon after was
married, so | did not sew great while,
but now her voice trcmbled fatering-
ly-I am obliged to sew
How long has your husband been
deadY
From any other lips this might have
sounded harsh and unfeeling, but evi-
IDENTIFY there was deep chord of sym
pathy in the kind heart of Mrs. Graves.
and her voice breathed its music.
My husband ha~ been dead three
years, was the unsteady reply, and the
eyes were hastily touched with the finger
tips. Jenny, my youngest. was born
on the day be lay corpse, she added
moment after. 1t is droary world
for the widow and the fatherlcss, she ad-
ded very softly, but sadly.
Indeed it must be- Mrs. Graves re-
sponded earnestly, watching the seam
stress fold up the dress. And must you
sew more tonight 2 she asked seeing
the widow commence anew on another
dress that did not appear quite finished.
oh, yes; | expect Mrs. May is disap-
pointed, for | promised her this dress
should be done by dark, but illness pre-
vented.
Then give me needle and thimble,'
said Mrs. Graves.
The dressmaker looked up in utter as
tonishment.
Stop. | have my own thimble-givc
me your needles; will take this one,
she added, helping herself from a nee
die case. Il am going to sew for you, |
am much more able to do the whole of it
than you are to set stitch
oh, my dear madam p exclaimed the
seamstress; no no! your sweet, kind
words have done more toward aiding me
than your needle could. Bless you. there
are some hearts that can feel for u.s. and
she dashed away tears, still intent upon
her work.
At this moment the frail little bell re-
ceiyed such wrench that it struck vio-
lently against the wall. The dressma-
ker nervously arose and hurried to the
door.
Have you that dress dOne?' demand
ed a coarse voice.
Almost she tried to speak cheerful
ly. Won't you come in p
'Ies-I suppose necessity will compel
me to, but let me tell you it is the last
piece of work that you will ever do for
me-
Mrs. Graves was shocked. She had
noticed the delcacy and retiring man
Der of the poor seamstress and the harsh
voice smote very painfully on her ear.
i tried very hard, very hard, Mrs.
May said the poor woman. catching up
the dress before the other was scarcely
inside the room
oh, yes. that's always the excuse
You have done so two or three times,
and I've 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 bit her lip but made
no reply.
4 suppose shall have to stay here
for..an hourY exclaimed Mrs. May, pet
tishly, still not seeing the face of the o.
ther customer, who sat in the dark shad-
ow
oh, no. l think can get through in
less time than tbat-much less replied
Mrs. Hall. Il was taken quite ill to-
day. she added gently, or l should not
have disappointed you
1T is not the first time, SAID Mrs.
Ma,, ,nfaa1,nply