The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-31
MANCHESTER, SATURDAY NIGHT.


Mr.. Edtor,-Do you remember. the first
time you ever saw any of your own writing in
print? When You read it, did You not expe-
rpnce the most delightful sensations Does
not the mind cherish its productions with an
affection like that which animals feel for their
offspring. At least the poets, which | often
read before our library was sold, say that such
is the case, and am ready to believe it,
To-day has been bright and Joyful 10 me. /
sent nv letter over 10 Won by little brother on
Yesterday, but he, like the thoughtless child
he is came away without ascertaining
whether Won would publish il. | was thus
left III suspense. host of fears that you
would reject my request with proud contempt
oppressed me: disappointment, felt, would
kill me. Now and then the hope that you
would pity me and crafty my wishes would
steal into my heart. The strife between my
hopes and fears was sharp and eXhausting
Last night was 10 me Il season OF utter sleep
lessncSs. | tossed anXiouSy on my thnly-
covered bed of straw, and the creeping hours
went by so tcdiOusly that l fancied that they
paused 10 mock my diStress. My mother, ever
Watchful for my comfort, noticed that l was
not sleeping, and feared | was sick. | knew
was not, but felt ashamed 10 confess my weak
ness.
1t was long before day that | rose from my
c1uch, (as nOYelists say,) and prepared and ate
my breakfast of herring and bread. As soon
rs it was light l started for the factory, bent
on seeing Il paper. In passing the depot, saw
n news boy, from whom, with my last money,
| bought copy of the DiSpnth. Nervously
did ] unfold II. and scan its columns in pursuit
OF nv letter. No language can express the
swelling rapture which tilled my soul when my
eye lit upon il there ii was, my own article,
my own writing, in the newspaper. | GER
taiuly felt gyoj and al that moment Z tender,
grateful love for him who d"igned 10 encourage
me by publishing my letter stole into my heart.
How often read my letter Ovrrl am almost
ashamed 10 say. Ii has been hard 10 do any
thing but gaze plrasedly at il all the time, and
VY4t
in the factory would notice il, should have
read il many more times. As il WAS, | looked
at each word, and recalled how felt when
wrote IL. | showed II 10 mother wheE came
home. and while She said lIttl", ] tancied there
was Il faint smile on her face, which indicated
her pleasure III the thing.
1t is astonishing To witness the excitement
! which the appearance OF my letter has already
produced. In the factory it was the theme OF
much talk Ii did not disappOint me 10 hear
! far more of harsh and cenSoriouS criticism
pronounced upon ii than praise. some rdi-
culed il rs piece OF nonSenSlcal sum: others
! impugncd the motives which prompted the
writer. One girl, much noted for The thick
ness Of her lips aud the redncss of her hair,
was rrcatl, ycrciscd on the subject. She
! expressed lie. self thus Don talk TO me.
know Wirt .3t gal j. after; She Is trying 10
git somebody 10 marry her laughed aloud
/ and heartily n her, for | suppose she referred
| 10 what said about the celebrated mission
| ary. AS for marrying, | have my opinions
about the matter, and VIII express them IN
due season. | may say one word here. Many
factory people think Heaven consists in get
ting ont of the factory by marrying. | knew
a few girls who We're doing well enough till
/ they married. Some Of them have now 10 sup
port their husbands, and furnish them their
whisky besides SO much for matrimonial
/ bliss, in certain cases.
mentioned the fact that my letter was very
rouudly abused in the factory. l refer To 1t
again 10 speak Of Il melancholy fact in factory
life. What consOlrd, and to partial extent
rrconClled me to coming into the factory u
work, was the thought that should find 80
much equality here. | expected that Il COM
mon friendship bound all in one band. In this
am thoroughly mistaken. There is no COM
mmity OF feeling here. Everybody takes
care OF number one, and aS far as possible,
leaves others TO do the same. Many seem to
look forward 10 no higher life, and are there
fore content. For this / do not blame them.
What CRATES me is the sullen contempt they
display for those who are struggling 10 attain
n better sphere. II girl makes known the
fact that she i going TO quit the factory. she
/ i, sUurly called "a lady" by those who have
no such hopes Themselves There are some
here who would sooner pull any one down
than 10 help her TO rise. l cannot say that
factory people are peculiar in this tor am
told that the same disposition prevails IN
higher life.
The manner in which we are treated hy the
upper classes Of society Is not 80 surprising.
our dress, manners and appearance are calcll-
lated TO operate against us. / can bear THIS
well enough, but ii does fill me with horror 10
sec 50 much envy, tattliug and qUarrclsomc-
ness among the hands here. Then, too, this
place is full of the mo1ns@ pride that ever
came along Mr. Editor, did you ever see n
bJSSf II you never did, | must describe one
my OWN 10 you Look out for his picture,
for il is coming. STRrGGLE.
P.S In nv next | shall enlightcn the
IL .,.lf tl,a IN IaZ "a