Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-09-11

little package. This contained short wood
en- needles, which ended in little hooks 0
iron wire, n ball Of linen thread, and pape
with q pattern drawn upon it. This pattcrl
the woman spiead out upon the, table, looset
an end of thread from the ball, and caugh
it upon one of the little hooks. Had Bar
bara paid attention, she must have beer
astonishcd ut the dextcrity with which tht
stranger at one time crossed her needles, a
another twisted the thread about tho hooks
and then again tied such wonderful and com
plcated knots. But she looked only at thu
face Of the woman, whose story excited hel
deepest sympathy. m ID, .....-
She was from Brabant. She had lived
happily with her family until the time whci
the Duke Of Alva was sent to the Neither
lands as Governor by King Philip of Spain
Hardly arrived in Flanders, he had set W
tribunal Of blood, by which all, whose
opinions excited suspicion, were tried. lIar.
rowing, indeed was the description whic!
the poor woman gave Of the evening on
which Alva's creatures came ut last to their
peaceful home how her husband made USE
less resistance and fell before her eyes; how
fire was set to the roof over their heads ;
but few minutes and nothing remained Of
their home but smoke and ashes. 'Thus,
said slc Sin short hour | had lost my
husband and my home, and was compelled
to go forth into the world as a houselcss
wandcrcr like Thousands of other families
who made their way, some to England, some
hithcr to Germany. My work and instru-
ments, " she continued, pointing to the need
les and thread, 81 found in my pocket when
| awokc next day from my stupor. Thanks
be to God so long as F. have these | shall
not need to beg. Then wandered from place
to place, and when we rested | worked !;
everywhere my lace was gladly taken for
money. But far from here my strength
gave out, | could move neither hand nor
foot, and when the last of my laces were
gone the door was shut in our faces, for
had nothing more to offer. Sick and
wearicd almost to death, we reached this
house, and had not you, Mistress, suocored
u.s. .sa. . ed.
Overcome by her emotions, the grateful
woman could say no more. When after Il
while she was able to command herself and
began eagerly to pour forth her thanks to
her beneiactrcss, Barbara, who was no friend
to such demonstrations, quickly interrupted
her by the question, so you have been
making lace? I had not noticed what you
were doing" The Blabant woman laid the
ball of thread and the needles with the
work upon the table, and said, "lt is not
such as you would wear, Mistress. You
have there on your kerchicf silken lace,
such as can only be made in Brussels, and
which is fitting for lady Of your rank.
But the wives of traiesmcn love ornament
also, and for them we make this linen lace
of ours"
True said Barbara, ''when ! bethink
lie of how it is at my home, in Nurcmburg.
| must own you are right. No woman Of
rank would condescend to wear linen lace.
But if, as you say, this can only be made
in Brussels, they must be poorly off in the
Nctherland provinces. How little you must
be able to make BY your linen laccs the
people who buy them cannot surely pay
much for them. " ...., ....t..-..
''That depends upon how you look at it,
Mistress. This work supported us in Mayrc,
from childhood we knew no want, but
were contented aud happy. Nor, believe
me, did we live from hand to mouth only.
Not my husband alone, every one in Wayre
used each year to put aside little money
for hard times. nlwhen oncchalfthc place
was burned, and another time again, the
lightning struck our tower, and it was burn
cd from top to bottom, we were not only
able to build it all up again with our savings,
but had something left besides, though all
of that, alas Alva's men have taken now.
The people in Brussels, to be sure, do not
know what to do with their money, but we
poor linen lace makers have never cnvied
them their riches. And then, what an ad-
vantage our work has ! To make the silken
lace, one needs long practice, and great
deal of skill, but child can learn to make
our linen work. Children of five years old
can make lace in Wayre. See, only what
can be easier than this? First l look at the
pattern, then loop the thread around one Of
the needles, then across one needle over an
other, thus, and the thread loops Of itself
about the hook, and-look, there is beau
tiful mesh made already But you arc weep
ing, Mistress! what grieves you!'
Her hands folded above her heaving
breast, her eyes raised toward Heaven,
Barbara stood, and, with tears Of thankful
ness and joy, cried, "Ycs, Heavenly Father,
as thou wilt! In thy mercy have trusted,
and thou has sent this poor woman that our
sadness may be turned into rejoicing, and
happiness may return into our house, nay,
into every home in this hamlet! Remain
with us, dear woman. Twill be to you and
your children, friend, sister, motherl See,
sorrow reigns in this place. The miners