The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-05-27
Mistellaueuas.
THE DREsS-MAKER'S STORY.

THE DRESS-MAKER'S STORY.
A competent and tasteful dress.maker
told me, not long ago, that she had an
idea that her experience in what werc
called the first families Of New York
would surprise me, and 1t did.
i have been out rs drcss-maker,' she
said, for fifteen years. The first five
years was imposed upon in every imag-
Unable manner; but since then / haSe
managed very well. i got oiat last that
/ knew how to fix the women who put
me of from day to day and week to week
about my money! went to their hus-
bands.
Sometimes II would mako fuss; but I
couldn't afford to work without compen-
sation, and was bound to get 1t some
how. l tell you, though, have piticd
some women terribly. Many of them,
AFTER contriving all ways to procurca nice
dress, cloak. or some article of wearing
apparel. after having pinched here and
there, and In some cases, compelled to
actually lie in regard TO household ex-
pcnses, to procure tho necessary trims
mings, the funds would be cOmpletely,ex-
hausted before had finished my work,
and the result was, no pay. After good
many losses and hcart-achcs / finally
adopted u plan, which has worked very
well.
Whenever went to new family l al
ways informed the lady of the house that
my price was so much per day; and, to
save trouble, insisted in every instance,
upon being paid each evening. / made
up my mind that woman who could not
make IL convenient to pay me for one
days work, would naturally find some
difficulty in settling for dozen.'
Goodness she continued, rs venturcd
to remark that / should think one might
tell by appearances, and the acknowledged
social position of the families who en-
ploycd her whether they could be relied
on or not; mot n bit of 1t. Brown stone
fronts, Wilton carpets, full length mir
rors, velvets and satins, are no criterion
of honesty, Let me tell you. Why, said
she, you know Mr.. -, don't you?
mentioning gentleman extensively
known in political and literary circles.
20, yes, wcll.' / replied. .a
Then you know what kind OF m estab-
lishmcnt he keeps. Mrs. - engaged
me--or rather, requested my services for
n month. l stated my terms before l
took my things of. She laughed in my
face
why said she. how ridiculous |! l
shouldn't suppose You would find any en-
ployment at all If you arc rs suspicious of
everybody rs this
After long talk agreed to work for
her by the week-that Is, to receive my
pay at the end of each week. My break
fast ut this establishment consisted of two
slices of stale bread and cup of coffee
YOU could see forty f,thoms in; ut noon,
two more slices of bread. two p tatoes,
and sometimes u piece of corned beef or
ham; and for supper, what do you thinkP
IA bowl Of oatmeal Cruel, and couple
of crackers. My meals were served to
me in the scwing-room. had no means
of knowing whether the family lived in
this manner or not.
Well the week came TO an end ut last,
and waited for my lady to settle-hay-
ing madc up my mind, after receiving
my money, that would inform her that
| should not come again, and why. My
stomach was SO faint before night that L
was all of u trcmble. Seven o'clock,
eight o'clock, and no one came near me.
l finally rang the bell. and q servant in
formed mo that Mr.. and Mrs. - had
gone to Staten Island, to remain over tho
Sabbath. Monday morning was there
at the usual time. Mrs. - arrived mt
about eight o'clock. She sailed into tho
sewing room, where / sat with my bon
net and shawl on
why, what is the matter, that you arc
not mt work?' she inquired. 80 d. ....
You did not settle with me, rs you
agreed. Saturday evening. replied; .and
am waiting for my money 'r r-'
oh. pshawr she laughed. what par
ticular body you arc to bc sure. Why,
child. what do you think-that I.mean to
cheat you out Of your honest wages p
Il don't think anything about it. Mad
am answered. beginning tc grow yex-
cd with the cool impudcnce of her man
ncr; 4 never speculate on such subjects.
You agreed TO pay me Saturday evening
for my weeks work; you did not fulfil
Your contract, and now hope you will
see the necessity Of attending to 1t nj
once
Well. wcll.' she replied. go on with
your work, and will make II all right
when Mr.. - comes hone.'
Now what could do? II refused to
comply. the probabilities were that she
would never pay mo n cent; and IL did
rs desired I might get my money-al-
though / confess 1t looked exceedingly
dubious. SO I seated myself again at my
work. and went on with the old pro
gramme. or rather, bill OF fare-stale
bread. potstoes and oat-meal. Six O'Clock
arrived; Madam did not make her APP
pcarance. Madam, was informed. after
ringing again for n servant, had been out
for more than an hour. and would not be