Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-05-08
[Concluded.l

[Concluded.l
And SO, amid these | eople, sh was
learning the lesson of self-defence, and
besides all that, supporting all aged and
invalid mother, and making smooth
her pathway through her declining
years.
Was she happy? She who had reign.
ed belle in fashions circles, who had
been IL petted child in the house of opu-
lence; had once felt no wish ungratiiied
that wealth could bring. Could she be
happy in that noisy mill, working ut
the gathering looms from early dawn
till night, until every nerve and fibre of
her being ached for rest.
Yes, she was happy-far happier than
in other days; and had no cloud rested
on her heart, no bitter memory wet her
pillow with tears, she would have been
fully content, and that is better than
wealth. But there me the sad thought
that her father was gone, to return to
earth no more, and her heart would be
filled with sadness until she would
think of meeting him again in the
better land, and she would no more be
sad.
Then sometimes would come the
memory OF him whose image she could
not yet eHace from her woman's con-
slant heart, and with that memory came
saddened tears, whose bitterness no one
could share, hours to which no friend
could bring com tort, save the Friend
who said, 10! l am with you always,
even unto the end"
TO the mothers anxious eyes, tn. in
roads that the unusual, unremitting toll
made upon her daughter were fully APP
parent, and the .oneliness of her wild
OwhOod was made sad by the thought of
the dark future that lay before the
daughter for VIII I'M she once had cher
ishvd such bright anticipations.
Bat she, too, had learned TO rest her
burden upon the shoulders of One
mighty to save, and to the widows God
she often sent up payer for help.
The burning days of summer had
come, and in the hot rooms of the fac
tory, the mir was like a furnace. The
whirl of the machinery, the dust and
the heat seemed intol, rable. Often did
1t seem to Lizzie that she would never
be able to complete her days labor, but
still she toi!ed on.
One morning, however, she was AVA
rened by the early bell, and on attempt
ing to rise, found nerseif utterly incapa-
BILE of doing so, much to her surprise.
She spoke to her mother. saying:
"Mother. l fear L am too unwell to
work to-day, but it is nothing serious,
| hope"
But she was mistaken Ere noon she
was in high fever, and for weeks she
lay at the point of death. But youth
aud strong constitution finally tri.
umphed, ana she grew cOnvalescent
slowly.
But their money was all expended
and what should they do? 1t would bt
some time before Lizzie would be able
to enter upon her duties at the mill and
in the meantime both she and ermOth
er must live.
One day friend who had worked
with Lizzie in the mill called on them
and found the latter so respondent thai
she inquired the occasion of it.
After much hesitancy ON the art O.
the young girl, persuaded by the disin
, terested sympathy manifested by the
other, she finally contided to her the cir
cumstances OF their painful situation
5 Mary Hale was an orphan, and having
, no one but herself dependent on her fol
support, she determined to assist hel
) friend, and at once offered, with much
delicacy, to loan Lizzie and her mother
a a sufficient sum, from her little store in
the savings bank up at the village, t
a. meet their wants until such time al
: the former should be able to again en-
, ter upon her duties in the mill.
, The kind offer was thankfully accept
ed, and Mary took her leave, with thu
Consciousness of having performed ,
noble act, as indeed it was. 1t would bt
many weeks before her friend would bt
able to save enough from her earnings
= to repay the sum she had SO kindly adj
vanced, and perhaps never be able fully
to do so. But Mary felt, even should
such be the case that she would not re-
gret it. ~She had needed the divine in
, junction, "Cast thy bread upon the
! waters" and she doubted not the fulfil
ment of the promise, land it shall re-
turn to thee after many days"
And so the days glided on, and Oul
, heroins was again at her looms at the
2 mill sometimes sunshine in her heart
and sometimes clouds.
, The leaves had fallen and the winter
was fast approaching, when one Sab
. bath she accompanied Mary Hale t
Z church at the lower end of the village
The two girls had bee Jme firm friends
and the latter was now boarding at Mrs
LeOnard's.
The service was nearly through when
as the congregation rose during the sing
ing of the final hymn, Lizzie caught
glimpse OF face in a neighboring pew
which sent the life-blood surging bach
upon her heart, leaving her face as pal,
e as death. She clutched her companion
| convulsively and sank down into he
seat.