Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-27
MisGellaueois.
ELSIE WHITE, THE LONDON SEAM.
STRESS.

Wake up, Elsie-wake up; it's four
clock, child. I've got your breakfast
ready, and by the time you've eaten it,
it'll be half past
80. aunty, must get up now? I'm so
weary my eyes are as heavy as lead"
The delicate face from under whose
coarse cap fell few bright locks, looked
languidly up. "Aunty, I can't wake
up"
"Lud, child, that's what you told me
says you, be sure and call me at four, for
Miss Striker said we must be at work when
the clock strikes six;' l only done as you
said"
"Miss Striker---O yes, remember now.
/ must get up. I'm wide awake now"
And a long deep sigh followed.
There, your breakfast is all ready,
though it amt so good as wish it were,
that's certain. Here's an egg I found
right under the window; l declare it
seems as if Providence put it there. It'll
strengthen you ever so much. toasted
the bread, it was so dry, and made a sort
ish gravy Seems to me, you don't eat
| nothin'."
II can't, aunty,''-and the delicate lips
trembled; "Id give anything if I could.
wish l did have an appetite-but there
III take this bit of toast in paper, per-
haps III be hungry by twelve''
She arose YEARLY from the wooden
chair, pressed hand to her side, slowly
put on a faded bonnet, and more than
| faded shawl, and walked out into cheer
less November fog Street after street,
corner after corner, the young girl hur-
ried along. But few of the shops were
open; the market men were Just starting
with their heavy loads--a dull uniformity
reigned around.
Passing now and then block of splen-
did houses, Elsie White looked up at their
imposing fronts with many sigh.
They do not toll unless they please,
she said. sorrowfully. :'How strange that
trimming with woe for others"
Poor child she little knew that earthly
Joys bear bowers that are never thorn
On she went, still On, till she came to
an imposing establishment where small
boys were taking down the shutters, ex-
posing to view patterns Of many hues and
shapes-here an enormous sleeve, there a
skirt, here body, there a basque, here a
flouncing, there embroidery.
Passing into an Insignificant side door.
that was made for the express purpose of
not attracting notice, the pale girl hurried
up stairs, fearing that she might be too
late. No-there stood Miss Striker, tall,
sharp-featured maiden, who ordered as
she was ordered, and drove as she was
driven. Her glittering scissors hung by
4 long. steel chain to her side, a red vel
vet needle-cushion shone conspicuously
near her belt clasp. Her hair was drawn
plainly back, and ornamented only by a
band OF narrow green velvet so near the
Lon nl,N,.f ha,. x~
Cling comparisons.
Come, girls, the work is ready. Mary
Lawson, you will take the red velvet with
Kitty and Morse. Morse, you are the
sleeves; Mary, you are the scanning; Kit.
ty, you are the body. Miss Elsie White,
the clock is near striking. There's q
white satin band-you are embroidery to-
day"
Elsie sat down to her task with dissat-
stied air Embroidery she excelled in,
and at the same time disliked, because it
caused extreme sensitiveness to her ewes,
but there was no alternative; her two dol
lars q week must be worked out some wav,
and perhaps after all, the pleasure OF
working in brilliant colors would compen-
safe for any triting arrangement OF the
vision. Loss of eyesight would be moth
ing in comparison to the loss of place.
1t was the London busy season, and the
girls were not spared. Many We're al
most sick from overwork, and some had
been obliged to give up and go home
Hollow eyes, white lips. and attenuated
forms were there in plenty, few only
seeming, in spite of the weary labor, to
be healthy and comparatively happy.
Some would sit in strangely unnatural po-
sitions, betokening loss of physical
| Ct nf al
part of the system-some bent into hollow
chests and consumptive figures over the
rich fabrics that were soon to adorn the
elite on the occasion of some splendid ball
or Sotree, and nearly all had that painful
intentness of vision that calls forth earn
est sympathy whenever it is seen.
The group around Elsie White were
rather more lively than the rest.
This satin is for Lady Ellen Morse"
said one, arranging the shining satin folds.
Shouldn't like to be the Lady Ellen
Morse, though? They say she is rich be-
yond calculation, and then the handsome
gentleman she has to wait upon her."
Il should rather be the young princess
who came with her." chined in another;
"Only think what a title it is Why, there
is no end to Whist one might do if one on
ly had her title and her wealth. Who
Noulu Nou ioluCA bt, I-l>lC w Hltc
"l-O-I don't know" said Elsie, Ian
guidly; "none of the fine people exactly,
although it must be very pleasant to be
admired and do just what one likes"
elsie White has such quiet fastest"
.sneered another.
''At least she doesn't pass certain
corner every day to look at a certain noble
gentleman who once did her the honor to
smile at her, probably in ridicule," ex-
claimed another, with . sharp voice.
Hold your tongue. Ellen Maine!" said
the girl whose ipprudence was indicated.
II rather thipk it would be agreeable to
YOU, even 10 be laughed at by a lord" she
added
..Sience, young woman!" exclaimed
Mss Striker, rattling her steel chain.
II know just what would suit Elsie
White" said one sweet faced girl; "a
nice little home in the country, where she
could go out of mornings and snuff the
scent of clover