The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-07-15
Misrellan&uns Selections.
WHAT A L1TTLEs soNe CAN DO.
4 TRUE INCIDENT.

| TRUE INCIDENT. .
A gay young visitor said to me
the other day: "M-,do you re-
member that little English girl who
was making dresses for me last
mery"
"Yes," I replied, "she usually
worked by the corner window Of
your sitting-room; delicate, fair
haired girl, wasn't she?--seemed to
be rapid sewer-what of her?'
"Why, 1 heard her story the other
day-a terrible story; and do you
know it seems so strange to think
that during all those days when she
used to sit and sew for me, l never
thought Of her as an Individual"
''What do you meant"
81 mean just what l say. She
never appeared to me in the light Of
an individual. She was just the
dressmaker; and whenever 1
thought of her it was only in con-
nection with fashions and mantua-
making. I remember noticing
sometimes that the sunshine fell
brightly upon her head as she sat
sewing, and that she had a shy,
trembling way with her. But it
never occurred to me that she had
interests apart from her work-per-
sonal affairs, you know, slch as you
and 1 have. It's awful to say it, but
Its really true. 1 don't believe it
ever crossed my mind that she ever
cared for anything but making dres-
ses. And oh such life as that poor
girl led-an agfuI life! She's dead
now, and Pm glad Of it, poor thing.
Good-by"
"Wait a moment, Lu," I cried;
what a strange child you arel You
surely won't go without~telling me
morep
"Yes, I must. It's time for my
music lesson. Good-by, dear; I'll
come again soon;" and off she ran,
lightly humming a tune as she
hastened down the stairway.
I have not seen her since; or I
would perhaps, be able to tell you
the poor sewing-girPs story. But l
can relate an incident that came
wildly to my mind even before the
sound of LUIS light, receding foot
steps had died away.
One lovely day in the spring of
1856, I made a startling discovery.
Just when the fields were putting
on their brightest green, and the
fruit trees were wreathing them
selves with blossoms, 1 suddenly be-
came aware that 1 needed raiment.
All my last years stock seemed
shabby amid the vernal freshness of
things. In short, as my friend, Hell
en- Fitz, tenderly limited, there was
nothing left me but either to look
fright or get some new dresses.
Then arose a new trouble; the
makers were in the height
of their busy season. Not one could
I find who would take in another
order. What was to do? The Flora
McFlimsy within me grew faint. If
l should make the dress myself, it
wouldn't have a particle of style.
So my best friends assured me, with
a mysterious shudder which made
me feel only too thankful that my
humble aspiration had been nipped
in the bud.
(And all this time Nature was
laughing with her blossoms, and
slipping so softly and easily into |
her new dress!
Well, the only plan open for me
was to employ a visiting mantua-
maker. After what seemed, at the |
time, an endless succession of yexa-
tions and disappointments, Isucceed-
ed in carrying on that rarG dUiS-a
dressmaker who not only could, but
would make a dress-a visiting
dressmaker, and perfect treasure"
as Helen declared-such a good
hand at conjuring''-could fit ad-
mirable-her only fault was that she
was slow. If 1 could stand that,
Mrs. Bond was the very person l
wanted; and, wonderful to relate
she had a few disengaged days. So
1 sent a messenger, and received a
word in return that she would be
with me early on Monday morning.
Was 1 satisfied then? Not quite.
A strange unrest came over mean
unrest that increased as the dis
tance between the date Of engage
ment and Monday diminished.
To make this feeling clear, must
confess that l am of a peculiar tenn
permanent. Employees of all kinds
hold myaterious power over me.
l shrink from my waiter girl, and
feel condemned in the presence of
my cook. Some times l am almost
tempted to say: "Exctse me Ann;
forgive me, Kitty. It's not entirely
my fault that some must work while
others play. know you are far
more clever at washing windows,
ironing and cooking than I should
be. 1 never in the world could
"wait' on the table, or answer the
door bell as patiently and cheerfully
as you. Pm afraid l wouldn't have 4
the fortitude to rise before daylight |
on snowy winter mornings, and at
tend early mass before commencing
a hard days work. l am not sure
that ! could deny myself as you do,
in order to send money across the
water to bring my cousins over. In
short, Ann and Kitty, if life seems
hard to you; if my kitchen is dreary
and my visitors too many, forgive
me-bear with me. You might,
either of you, have been a poor,
helpless lady yourself, you know"