The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-12

Herei is," said Annie. {" Economy PLAN
pudding: One cup milk, one cur molasses,
one cup Of suet chopped fine, and cup Of
Iraisins or currants three cups and half Of
sifted -four, and teaspoonfuli Of cinnamon,
or nutmeg spice. Mix inte q stiff batter,
adding at the last half teaspoon Of salera-
tus Tie in a cloth, and hoil three hoars.
You must hurry Marian"
There was brief silence, except a. Ma
rian sang snatches Of songs while preparing
her pudding, and then loud rumbling in
the chimney startled her. al believe" she
cried that it's on Are" The fame was in-
stantaneous, and went out. Both girls
looked, but could see no fire remaining IN
the fue, and went back to their " ork. " The
chimney is full Of swallows Lests," said
Marian
"Well, you know, There are no birds in
last years nest, quoted Marian, " 30 there
are no lives lost" But neither of the girls
saw the tongue Of fame that had darted out
between the joists above their heads, and
lay silent but mischievous, dangerous pris-
oner. ~
! Their friends came. Young people who
worked too, and found dining out rare
Drowned, the pudding delicious, and the
hour spent in incoming delightful one In
the afternoon Marian worked with Annie,
and surprised herself by the amount Of
sewing she accomplished.
~ be ieve," she said, cooking and
housework agree with me-"
"Of course, they do" said Annie, and
if half of the fashionable ladies who are
dyspeptic and spleeny invalids would do
their own work, or assist in doing it, they
would be healthy sni beautiful women in
stead OF padded anatomies, aud doing house
work would not be considered a degrade
ton. Look at Lily Blossom, how pale and
thin she is. noticed she had no appetite
to- day. There she works in that close shop
all day, sometimes too cold, and often over
heated, and going into consumption just as
fast as she can. If she had routine Of du-
ties to pt Jrm, and had not to starve the
soul to clothe the body, she would live to be
a nobler woman, as she was intended to be.
But she must have white hands 20 handle
ribbons, and small waist 10 look genteel,
and trailing dress, for that is style, ari
a chigaor Of the latest touch, ar nat
causes her to rise half an hour earlier 20 ar
range it fashionably, and all on three dollars
week, for she pays five for board. But she
must dress to attract customers, and clothes
cost-oh dear, am afraid they cost many an
immortal soul"
"Don't get excited, Annie" said Marian,
to whom the great questions Of right and
wrong hal not come with such startling de-
velopinent. You cannot reform society"
"No; | can do my part though. If
cannot use pen or pulpit, can talk and
live down the fashionable follies Of the day
that are making barren so many lives. The
gaudy chaplet that sits so lightly on the
heads of the wealthy and aristocratic be-
comes a crown OF thorns when it rests on
the toil-worn brow Of the workingman. The
workingman. The money that is lavished
for tinsel and gewgaws by his rich employ-
er's wife, is wrung from the working hours
of such as he, and descends as acurse to his
child in pernicious example and false pride.
An employer goes home to dinner, and his
wife harnesses him for a new bonnet, when
her last is three Sundays old he gives it,
but feels that it won't do, and puts on the
the underporter, and so Dan, the regular
hand, gets two hours more Of work every
day on the same pay, and his wife is sick
and he has ever so many children. Oh, Ma
Iian, have seen it all, and l am sick of such
things"
They sewrd on in silence Annie was
master Of her situation, and lOnged to see
every one working on the same basis Of ade-
quate remuneration. Marian basted pretty
dress for Mrs. Sylvester's little girl, who had
only eighteen more just as pretty, and
would like to have it had made to put on
the same day it was bought, but found the
Misses Ray were not machines if they were
dressmakers. They had promised it to-
night, and they would have it ready. Annie
was always prompt, butsnever servle.
1t was neatly folded, when the girl came
for it with the pay. Then Annie covered
the sewing machine and set it away, and
they went about their evening recreation.
Charley Westmore came in a few moments
aud brought a pretty boquet for Marian,
which she refused, for somehow she thought
she detected under all his plausibility want
Of sincerity.
Annie wrote letters, words of comfort and
good solid sense, to friend who was fore
man in printing Office in Detroit, and who
was her accepted lover, and Marian read
Idyls Of the Kings" and between whiles
wondered if John Myner did care for her,
and if so, why be was SO silent and bashful
in her company, he who could talk well TO
any one.
They retired early, to quiet slumber, all
unconscious of the fearful enemy that
lurked near, smouldering, waiting, but never
going out.
1t was midnight when Annie awoke with
start The fire bells were ringing, the
room was light as day, and the street in
eommotion. She ran out on the landing
with shawl around her, and was caught
and carried down the stairs, struggling and
crying, Let me save my sisterl Oh, save
Marian !" for it was that house which held
them shat was burning within and without.
"Saye Marian 7" she shrieked, trying to
escape into the building; "Oh, Mr.. West
more, save her ! save her % IS he rushed up
with the excited crowd.
"Oh, DEAR" cried ne, "what shall do I?
Won't somebody save Marians ANY of you
fellows? III give you hundred dollars
apiece, il you'll save that young girl r.
Try IL yourself" said fireman who was
working at his post, ''you are as free to
burn as anybody, reckon
Suddenly swift opening was made in
the crowd. A man-young, vigorous, and
driving all before hinl-pIunged into the
burning building and up the stairs, that
seething in smoke and flame fell as his foot
left them and shot nm i;c,,;d ta.oo T.