Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-02-18
Stlett Storp.
LIFTING UP.
BY HARRIET y. LCNr.

phrase, 20 word in season." II was ot
some startling. warning sentence. which
should strike her dumb with sorrow and
shame; some awful rebuke. that should
rouse her, and frighten her out OF all this
weakness and misery at once.
/ For truly il was poor. miserable life
that she was living now and the way out
OF it did not appear. Ten years before, a
man and woman had stoodup, and prom
ised fidelity and honor toward each other
with as high hopes as any two people,
with the world all before them, and their
home 10 make in it, could have. Five
wears of honest. hearty effort, home just
beginning to be theirs, four days OF Ill
ness and widow. with mortgsged
house and three babies. was left.
At first grief for her loss, remorse Tor
the light appreciation of what had been
hers, the desire 10 do for his children what
he had meant, sustained her; and she
worked hard and necessarily. First IN a
factory, where she had been weaver be-
/ fore her marriage. The trouble WAS about
/ leaving her children. She let her house
all tut three rooms got a girl TO come in
through the day. but il did not answer.
Annie was burned; Harry fell down the
cellar stairs and the baby got sick. Al
ter several trials Susan found middle
aged woman. who u as out of work and had
no permanent home. and who agreed TO
say through the winter, on condition that
she could take in sewing and knitting
when she could get them 10 do. 80 here
the case stood; Susan had sixty dollars
rent for her house; twenty-five dollars
she had 10 paw for interest; twelve more
for insurance and taxes leaving twenty
three dollars for repairs on the house,
which was sure 10 come. and for clothing
for herself and children. She earned five
dollars, sometimes, when the work went
well. six dollars week; that went for
food and fuel Five people were TO be
warmed and fed.
Mrs. Marshall, the old lady, soon came
20 love the little fatherless things. and
took good care Of them. She made the
most OF their mother little means cooked
comfortless meals. kept the house tidy.
taught Annie her letters; Susan washed
aud ironed evenings, and felt as though
Paradise-all that could be in this world
without Henry-was regalned and dared
no. think of what would be in the spring.
so winter passed; they had known the
real comfort of home. Spring came,
Mrs. Marshall was called 10 "a good place,
and the reign OF disorder began again.
Very young girls were the only house
Keepers that Susan could afford; each
made fresh havoc; and each change was
equal 10 a removal There IS a saying
that three removals are equalto one fire.
Poor Susan; her crockery was broken {;
they had barely dishes enough 10 put on
the table, odd things at that. The chill
dren's clothes were scorched; spoons were
thrown out in the dish-water; knives and
forks had their handles taken off by hot
water; towels disappeared, and left no
trace. Susan had not been an economist
or good manager, she felt that; but she
had that interest which ones own property
inspires, and had never thrown her things
away.
| The last attempt at housekeeper was
foolish girl, who was said to be teach
able and good-tempered. Alas tor the
teachableness, only while you stood over
her. to point out the very place and work,
could she do anything. And very soon
the whole matter eliminated by her let
ting the baby fall cut of high chair.
Il must give my notice, and take in
sewing" said Susan which she did. She
sewed for sale shops, and for such persons
I III laS AAAAAA 49, >uS huCN WIN SOuiu aAuiu u
/ TO put out work. For month or so all
went well; she had little money lett of
her wages, and some months rent she did
not owe. After that the pull began By
working all day, and some hours into the
night. she could earn three dollars week,
and get through with her housework. But
it is hard to support four people on three
dollars; it was, should say, for this was
before the war. Then there were weeks
when she had Improbable work, or when
there was work only part of the time. 50
that she only earned two dollars, perhaps
only one dollar anda half. Shethen took
extra work when she could get it, and sat
far into the night to get it done. 1t was
new. and. for her harder than mill work