The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-07-19

Six months prior to the scene just re-
lated, small house, situated in quarter
Of the city densely packe with the hard
working, industrious class, had been
rented BY family Of the name Of ChilsOn.
The ground floor of the dwelling was dis
posed Of TO q book binder, only resorving
for themselves two small rooms above,
and kitchen in the rear. They were
strangers in The neigbborhood; but from
tho fact that the father Of the family was
utterly helpless, from paralysis which had
destroyed both mind aud body, they cx-
cited a lively interest and colnmisera-
ton.
Mrs. Chilson was evidently M invalid
although she was never heard TO complain;
if she suffered, it was silently, and with
quiet cheerfulncss and resignation per-
formed her heavy duties. Amy was the
eldest, and had just entered her eighteenth
year. Caroline was fourteen, and the lit.
tlc Nina. child Of ten summers. Their
united labors served to maintain them
comfortably from day to day and to meet
the rent, &c., but it was done by con-
slant, unremitting toll, and by using every
penny with the most scrupulous economy,
80 that It was evident, shou d any un-
toward circumstance prevent the mutual
aid by which their little fund acculnula-
ted, It would be severely felt by all.
Their path in life had not always been
the humble one through which they now
struggled, battling with disease and pow
erty; for at no very late period, though
long enough to have accepted the mem
DRY Of sunny friends, they had lived in
afluence But reverses came TO them as
tothousands Of others, happily not always
with such disastrous effects; for the sud.
den loss Of his fortune so completely mas.
tered the energies Of MIR. Chilson, as to
bring him in the course Of n few months
to his present dcplorable state-helplcss-
hoplcss-a burthen to himself and family;
but far were they from owning the bur.
thon. 1t was lovely sight, the devotion
of mother and children to that poor, help
less old man.
Upon Amy the hopes of this little FAM
ily were placed. She was their suppofl
md comfort. Although born 10 atiiuenct
ANY ChilsC,n now followed the humble
occupation Of seamstress. Day attel
day. beneath The rays Of a scorcling SUI
or Though drei ,clling rains, did the young
Girl HE clleerfnl'y to her toil-subjccte,
through the day. to pcIhal S suporciIio.u
looks, The sncer, tue cutting reproach, Thu
Wins and eaprices of her lady patron
esscs. But q was u earn bread for th'
loved ones ut home, and SO poor ANY
submitted 10 all with IL cheerful, happy
spirit, roapiug the hary est Of contenIlnen
even for her o~r lowly lot, when placet
in comparison with tho hollow frivolous
scenes 10 which she was II daily witness
Mrs. Chilson folded books Tor the homes
bookbihder Occupying the lower story. |
was but little she could earn. 1t is true
but every little is much TO the poor. Gar
oline embroidered in gorsted, knit com
forts, mittens, and children's jackets,
while it was little Nina's province to helf
al, to alnuse father, clean up tho room
for mother, and assert The gay worsted.
for her sister. Busy as bee then wa:
Nina from morning till night. and hei
voice, like the song Of young bird,
brnuyht plainrna IN thn dwelling