Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-02-10

scanty and faded attire, and the gener-
al appearance OF penury which the
room presents.
"Louise," said Mrs. May, feebly,
"Im afraid You are working too hard
my child
The latter was working rapidly up
on a shirt, while several others un.
made were piled up in the chair beside
her.
IL would not complain ofthat moth
Ell" was the reply, ''if was only lit
tie better paid"
"Such miserable low prices said
the mother, signing.
"Allserable indeed, but they told me
last time that they might pay still less,
as they could get their work done quite
as we'll and more rapidly by ma
chine"
"1f we only had one y
Yes, but am afraid it is an if that
will never be realized"
"Giva me one of the shirts, Louise,
| think | can work little
The young girl shook her head, and
answered in u decided manner: "No
mother, you mustn't think of it. In
deed you are not able. Just get well
as soon as you can then will not ob-
ject.'
The mother sighed.
"It troubles me, Louise, to think
sickness makes me such q burden nupon
you.
"a burden, mother, don't think OF
it
eff you were alone now, you might
get along more easily"
"IfI were alone" said Louise, shud-
dering, Il shouldn't have any spirit or
energy to work at all. Why, mother,
its the thought of YOU that keeps me
up. Its such u relief to have some
body to talk to- | often think how
much better / am off than Nancy
Reed in the next room. She is all
alone, has not a relative in the world,
or none that she ever sees, and there
she sits in her room from morning till
nigh: sewing alone. 1t must be ter
rible.'
"Both are bad enough sighed Mrs,
May.
Finding her mother still despondeut
Louise thought she must do something
to cheer her up,
"Do you know" said she III cheer
full tone, "what made me speak of a
sewing-machine, mother?"
'Because your employers spoke Of
them ?"
"Not entirely. You must know
that l had dream last night, mother,
a bright, pleasant dream such as | do
not often have"
"What was it ," asked Mrs. May,
with some little curiosity.
Il dare say you will think it fanci-
full You know | sat up late working,
and my last thought as went to bed,
was, what a beautiful present sewing
machine would be, and how much it
would help us along. Soon after 60
ing to sleep it seemed to me as ifwhile
| sat working as | am now | heard a
knock at the door, and some one en-
tered bringing what | had so much de-
sired. He set it down without word
and left me overjoyed with my good
luck"
"It was indeed a pleasant dream,
said Mrs, May, family smiling, "but
such dreams are very slow in comm =
true. You know dreams are said 10
60 by contraries.
Before Louise had anopportunity to
answer, noise was heard in the en-
T. tr, and along the stairs as if some
one were coming up with burden.
, A moment afterwards Il knock was
heard at the door of the chamber.
"Who can it be ?" thought mother and
daughter both, for their visits from the
world outside were few and far be-
tween.
sLie down, mother, 50 that the
draught from the door may not reach
you," said Louise, rising to answer the
, summons.
She opened the door. A porter
stood before her-a stout man with
$ something wrapped up carefully-ap.
parently small table.
"Here is something | was to leave
t here" said he, "that is, if Mrs. May
= lives here"
/, Mrs May does live here" said