Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-02-16
THE DREssMAKER,s STORY.

4 "eo AhHNnNh hpOh III tNNIJ lndBiuADlt lnuu-
ner but since then l have managed very
well. got so at last that knew how to fix
the women who put me Of from day to day
and week 10 week about my money! went
to their husbands. Sometimes il would make
fuss but | couldn't afford to work without
compensation, and was bound to get it some.
how. tell you, though, have pitied some
women terribly. Many of them, after con.
irving all ways 10 procure nice dress, cloak,
or some article of wearing apparel, after hav.
I ing pinched here and there, and in some
cases, compelled TO actually lie in regard to
household expenses to procure the necessary
trimmings the funds would be completely ex-
hausted before | had finished my work, and
the result was no pay After a good many
losses aud heart-aehes finally adopted a plan
which has worked very we'll Whenever
went to a new family | always informed the
lady Of the house that my price was 30 much
per day; and, to save trouble, insisted, ia
every instance upon being paid each evening.
| made up my mind that woman who could
not make it convenient 10 pay me for one
days work would naturally find some diff
Guilty in settling for Dozen Goodness" she
continued, a. | venturcd to remark that
should suppose one could tell by appearances,
and the acknowledged social position Of the
families who employed her, whether they
could be relied on OF not not bit of it,
Brown stone fronts, Wilton carpets, full length
mirrors, velvets and satins, are no criterion
Of honesty let me tell you. Why" said She
Sc you know Mr.. -, don't your" mention.
ing gentleman extensively known 10 politi-
cal aud literary circles.
"Oh, yes we'll" replied.
Then you know what kind Of an estab-
lishment he keeps. Mrs. - engaged
me--or, rather requested my services for a
mouth. | stated my terms before took my
things of. She laughed in my face
a." Why said she, how ridiculous |
shouldn't suppose you would find any employ
Inent at all if Jou are as suspicious Of every
body as this
"After long talk ! agreed to work for
her by the week-that is, 10 receive my pay
at the end of each week My breakfast at
this establishment consisted of two slices of
stale bread and cup Of coffee you could see
forty fsthoms in 4; at noon, two more slices of
bread, two potatoes, and sometimes piece Of
corned beef or ham and for supper, what do
you think IA bowl Of oatmeal Cruel and
couple of crackers. My meals were served
to me in the sewing-room. had no means
Of knowing whether the family lived in this
manner or not. Well, the week came to au
end at last, and waited for my lady to settle
-hsving made up my mind after receiving
my money, that would inform her that |
should not come again, and why. My stomach
was 50 faint before night that | was all Of
tremble. Seven o'clock, eight o'clock, aud no
one came near me. | finally rang the bell
and servant informed me that Mr.. and Mrs
- had gone to Staten Island, to remain
ever the Sabbath. Monday morning | was
there at the usual time. Mrs. - ar
rived about eight o'clock She sailed into
the sewing.roOm, where sat with my bonnet
and shawl on
why, what is the matter, that you are
not at work she inquired.
a" You did not settle with me. as you
agreed, Saturday evening, replied and
am waiting for my money
"'Oh, pshaw " she laughed, what a
particular body you are to be sure. Why,
child, what do you think | mean to
cheat you out Of your honest wages 2
a. don't think anything about it, Madam,
| answered, beginning to grow vexed with
the cool impudeuce of her manner never
speculate on such subjects. You agreed to
pay me Saturday evening for my weeks
work you did not falil your contract, aud
now hope you will see the necessity of at
tending to it at once
"'Well, well, she replied, 60 on with
your work, and will make it all right when
Mr. comes home"
| Now what could do2 If | refuse to
comply the probabilities we're that she would
never pay me cent and if did as she de.
siied might get my money although Icon
fess it looked exceedingly dubious. So
seated myself again at my work, and went on
with the old programme, or, rather. bill Of
fare -stale-bread, potatoes and oat NEAL
Six o'clock arrived Madam did not make
her appearance. Madam, | was informed,
after ringing again for servant, had been
out for more than an hour, and would not be
back until late-somebody in upper tendon
having reception
"'There is nothing for you to do she con-
tinued, but to 60 home and it was bitter
pill to swallow, | can tell you for | needed
the money badly, on account of having sis
ter down sick with the inhammatory rheuma-
tism, and while was out to work was COM
PEELED to hire some one to take care Of her.
When went home that night had not fifty
cents in the world. We we're out of coal, out
of candles, out of everything, and my poor
little sister groaning with pain. hadn't a
single friend Of whom | could borrow a dol
lar. A silver lsdle-which was the only
remnant Of past luxury, and which had kept
through all reverses s--I hid under my shawl,
50 that my sister needn't be the wiser for it,
and marched TO the nearest pawnbroker's
shop. received five dollars on it, and
yellow ticket, which made my olood turn cold
in my veins to leok at. The next day about
noon, presented myself at the Office of Mr.
- the husband Of the woman who had
failed to pay me. had considerable diff
Guilty in getting an audience.
"Well, young woman, said he, in an alb
stracted sort Of manner, "what can do for
you 7
81 told him, as concisely as possible the
history Of my grievances"
'Humph be grunted, and then gave me
quiIzical half grati6ed look, which |
scarcely understood
"' humph well yes you have done
very proper thing and he commenced to
count out the amount.
"'Mark my words, young woman You
will always find that ycur best friends are
among the men. Women never can be bust.
ness-like--it isn't in EN-
" But they can be just | ventured to
remark. Women can at least refuse to
hire work done which they see no way 10 pay