Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-03-29
THE POOR WA8HERWOMAN.

II declare, | have u mind to put this bed
quilt into the wash to-day. It does not re
ally need to 90, either but | think | will
send it down.
why will You put it in, Mary, if it does
not need to 60? asked her good old aunt,
in her quiet and expressive way.
why, you see, aunt, we have but small
wash to-day; so small that Susan will get
through by one o clock. at the least. and |
shalt have to pay her the same as though
she work ed till night; So
stop a moment, dear. said the Old
lady gently; stop moment, and. think
Suppose you were-in the situation poor Su-
san is-obliged, You tell me, to toll over the
wash tub six days out of seven for the bare
necessaricS of liie-would you not be glad
once in a while, TO get through before night
to have few hours OF daylight to labor for
yourself and family, or better still, few
hours Of rest? Mary, dear. it is hard way
for a woman to earn a living; begrudge not
the poor creature an easy day. This Is the
fourth time she has risen by candle light
and plodded through the cold here and there
to her customers houses and toiled away
existence Let her 90 at noon If she gets
through who knows but that she may have
come from the sick bed of some loved one,
and she counts the hours, yea, the minutes
till she can return, fearing that she may be
one too late? Put it back on the bed, and
sit down here while tell you what wash
erwoman endured, because her employers
did as you would TO make out the wash. y
And the old woman took off her glasses,
and wiped away the tears that from some
cause had gathered in her aged eyes, and
then, with a tremulous voice, related the
promised story:
There never was a more blithesome bri-
dal than that Of Ada Il. None ever had
higher hopes, or more blissful anticipations.
Wedding the man Of her choice, one Of
whom any woman might be proud, few, in
deed, had SUMMER life in prospect than
she.
And for ten years there fell no shadow
on her path. Her house was one Of beauty
and rare comfort; her husband the same
kind, gentle, loving man as in days OF court
ship winning iaurel- every year in his pro
fasslon, adding new comforts 10 his home,
and ueW joys TO his freside And besides
these Blessings, God had given another; a
little crib stood by the bedside; Its tenant "A
g0lden haired baby boy, the image Of its
noble father, aud dcarer than aught else
earth could Offer
But must not dwell on those happy
days; my story has to do with other ones.
1t was with them as it had been with
others just when the cup was sweetest 1t
was dashed away. \ series OF misforunes
and reyerses occurred with starting rapidity,
and swept away from them everything but
love and the babe. Spared to one another
and that, they bore Il brave heart and IN Il
distant city began a new fortune. Well and
strongly did they struggle, and at length a
gain began to see the sunlight OF prosperity
shine upon their home. But Il little while
it staid, aud then the shadow fell, the hus
band sickened and lay for many months up
on weary couch, languishing not only IN
mental and bodily pain, but often times for
food and medicines. All That she could do,
the wife performed with d faithful hand.
She went from one thing TO another, till at
length she who had worn a satin garment on
her bridal day, toiled at the wash-tub for
the scantiest living. In dreary winter,
long before light, she would rise morning at-
ter morning and labor for the dear ones Of
her 10 Wy home Often she had to set off
through the deep cold snow, and grope her
way to kitchens, which were sometimes
smoky and gloomy, and toll at rubbing, ring
ing, and starching and not untrequently
wading knee-deep in the drifts, to hang out
the clothes that froze ere she had fastened
them to the line. And when night came.
with her scanty earnings she would again
grOpe through the cOld snow TO her oIteh-
times lightless and tireless home; for her
husband was too sick, much of the time,
even to tend to the fire or strike u light.
Aud oh with what a shivering heart she
would draw near, fearing she would be too
late! 1t is fact, that for six weeks at one
time. she never saw the face of her husband
or child save by lamp light, except only on
the Sabbath How glad she would have
been to have had, once in a while, small
washing gathered for her!
Zone dark winter morning, as she was
preparing the frugal breakfast and getting
everything ready before she left, her hus-
band called her to the bedside
Ada. said he. almost in a whisper, Il
want you to try to get home early tonight;
be home before the light goes do Ada.
''I'll try answered she.
''Do try, Ada. | have strange desire