The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-10-11
HAVEN'T THE CHANGE.

Very well tell her shall want her
tomorrow
L think she would like to have the
money for to-day's work" said the girl
took out my purse and found | had
nothing in it but gold.
| haven't the change this evening""
said l.
Tell her that I'll pay her for both
days tomorrow"
The girl left the room, and l thought
no more of Polly for an hour. Tea time
had come and passed, when one of my
domestics, who was rather communicative
in her habits, said to me.
1 don't think Polly liked you for not
paying her this evening"
She must be very unreasonable then"
said |, without reflection. "I sent her
word that | had no change How could
she expect that could pay"
Some people are queer you know"
remarked the girl who made the commu-
nication, more for the pleasure of telling
than anything else.
kept thinking over what the girl had
said until other suggestions came into
my mind
" | wish had sent and got change"
said | as the idea that Polly might be re-
ally in want of money, intruded itself.
1t would have been very little trouble"
This was the beginning of the new
train of reflection which did not make me
very happy. To avoid a little trouble, [
had sent the poor woman away after hard
days work, without her money. That
she stood in need of it was evident from
the fact that she had asked for it.
How very thoughtless in me-" said |
as dwelt longer on the subject.
What is the matter?" inquired my
husband, seeing Inc look serious.
Nothing to be much troubled about"
| replied.
Yet you are troubled"
am, and cannot help it. You will,
perhaps, smile at me, but small causes
sometimes produce much pain. Old Pol
ly has been at work all day, scrubbing
and cleaning. When night came, she
asked for her wages, and | hadn't any
change. L didn't reflect that poor
woman who has to go out to daily labor
must need her money as earned. I'm
very sorry"
My husband did not reply for some
time. My words seemed to have made
considerable impression on his mind.
"Do you know where Polly lives ?" he
inquired at length
"No, but | will ask the girl"
And Immediately ringing the bell, I
made inquiries as to where Polly lived
but no one in the house knew.
" 1t can't be helped now," said my hus-
band, in tone of regret. The poor al
ways have need of their money. Their
daily labor does no more than supply
their daily wants. can never forget a
circumstance that occurred when | was
a boy My mother was left widow
when | was but nine years old--and as she
was poor it was by the labor of her hands
that she obtained shelter and food for her.
self and three little ones. Once-I re-
member the occurrence as if it had taken
place yesterday-we were out Of money
and food, AT breakfast our last morsel
was eaten, and we went through the long
day without taste of bread. We all
| grew hungry by night, but our mother
encouraged us to be patient little longer
until she finished the garment she was
making when she would take that and some
other work; then, she said, we would have
a nice supper. At last the work was fin
ished and went with my mother to car
ry it home for she was weak and sickly
and even light burden fatigued her
The lady for whom she had made the
garment was in good circum stances, and
had no want unsupplied that money
could supply. When we came into hel
presence she took the work, and glancing
at it carelessly, said, sit will do very
we'll" My mother fingered perccivine
which, the lady said, rather, rudely
'you want your money, | suppose. How
much does it come to ?" Eight shil
lings," replied my mother. The lady
took out her purse, and said, haven
the change this evening. Call over a
any time and you shall have it." anc
without giving my mother time To uro,