The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-04-07
PAY AS you Go.
CHAPTER I.

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"It looks dark, indeed, mother, said
Millicent, as she drew the 6ne thread
wearily through the delicate cambric she
was stitching. aBut we will hope for
the best. think Mrs. Ames will pay
me something TO- night, which will help
US struggle 90 for another month. If We
can only keep together, dear mother, we
will be content. know it would break
your heart, and mine, too, if we were
forced to separately" and great tear
drop gathered in her eye as she turned
tenderly toward the feeble mother, who
sat by the broken hearth, wrapped in a
scanty shawl, which was the best their
poverty could afford. Milly wiped the
tear drop hastily away. 1t must not
mar the dainty infants robe she was hem
stitching. Tears are a luxury denied the
poor who must toll on with breaking
hearts for daily crust. adi
The robe was folded away at last, and
with an anxious heart she wended her
way toward the broad, brown stone door
steps, which in the last tour weeks had
become SO familiar to her. The sum
honestly due her would brighten their
cheerless homelike fairys lamp. Sure
lv the rich woman, with such resources
at her command would not refuse her the
small pittance. rShe could not" Milly
said, 'if she knew how greatly they yneed-
| ed it,. Yet it seemed hard to work &C
YEARLY for the money, and then beg fol
it too" Still she must intrude the mat
ter upon her attention, unwelcome as il
might be. The servant was sent to re.
ceive the work, and poor Millys heart
| sunk at the cherries prospect. ThaI
dreary s.home; and her poor suffering
mother rose before her, and made hel
spirit strong for the effort.
7aWYll you please ask Mrs. Ames i
she can pay what is due me this evening
JaLet2 Indeed, indeed, we need it sad
Hy."
Janet had kind heart, and the dis.
tress which rung out in that earnest tone
and which shadowed that sweet young
face, touched her. heart quickly. She wen
lat once on the errand s ~
/ Mrs..Am sat in statein her best par
lar entertaining gentleman. Jane
! whispered her errand; and the stately
madam put her head to one side, andre
marked with great dignity,
| .Tell that girl IcaE't be bothered will
ipaying smallfbills. | will pay her ever,
| three months after this. " s;
| How easily the words we're spcken,an
with what uneoncern she took up TIL
broken thread Of the discourse. But
OIL these words were like a death -knel
| on the ear of the poor girl to whom the,
were sent. Driven almost to despair, sh
walked hastily on through the gasli
streets, dreading, yet longing,to reach he
poor home, aud pour out all her sorrow an
disappointment in that faithful bosom
which had ever been her resting-plae
!, lin such times Of wretchedness.
T. God help thee, poor girl! Tempta
items crowd around thee on every side
/ Thy going out and thy coming in
J watched BY the eye Of friends, thougl
. they wear the garb of those whom th
world deiighteth to honor. A mother
} lprayers are strong wall Of defenc
). about her; and she comes back with tb
burden fef grief alone, and not of sil
s1upon her soul.
i WHO can tell the bitter heartaches, an
I the days Of misery which followed2 Tn
s landlord would trust them no longer fo
the rent; so they we're turned adrift, an
!, lthe few articles they possessed sold
/ lpay fof the arrears. There was no hel
|. for it, Tie poor, gentle mother mus
! 90 TO the aims. hoase to eat the bread z
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