Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-09-04
The Washerwonan's
Plant.
so let our lips and lives express
The holy gospel we prefess.

liked her,-and liked her ironing, too,
for that matter. Many party dress
came out of her little cottage looking as
if fresh from the dressmaker. And
when a wedding was on the tapis, what
pile of embroideries. and tuckings, and
stitchings, and frillings, took the polish
ing touch from her hands. And she was
always so good-natured and obliging
that one lady called her a sunbeam" "
and there-upon we had a'merry war of
words s"A black suHbeamsl ',e-.But so
CHEEKY and bright !" "And then so old"
How much older than the sun ?" and
gave it up.
Mother isn't we'll enough to do your
washing" came to me one day. l put
my hat on at once, whether from pure
benevolence orwell, motives are mixed,
and soiled clothings is not lovely. l
found her quite sick and in trouble. too.
And spoke to her of God-a present
help and an eternal refuge She smiled.
| was panied at her levity, and nor
willing to 60 on with the subject, not
yet willing to give it up entirely, said
"Where do you 60 to church % Then
she laughed outright, and in her merriest
tone, said:
"I've done your washing nigh upon
fifteen years, and you always liked me.
and you've spoke to me thousand times,
and this is the first time you ever sain
church to me p
Then she laughed again. Twas silent
How silent we shall all be, that day of
days!
"I've washed for all the best folks in
town, one time and another. Good
folks, piOus folks but only one of 'em
ever said God to me 1t pears like
they think colored folks havn't any
souls"
"Why," l exclaimed, ''think what the
country has done for your race"
"That's so I've heard 'em talk down
to Town Hall but that's for colored
folks somewhere else. l tell you its
splendid to repent of other folks sins,
faint quite so nice when it comes
home. When l hear 'em tell of money
taken up for churches and Sundayschools
way off, think of my boys growing up
heather, and one of 'em getting bad, and
l an honest, hard-working woman"
"But, my good woman, every church
and SundaY-school here is open to you
and your boys"
That's the talk. I'll tell you how
it works. First, you see l was brought
up in a minister's family. You know
about Mr.. -?" "Yes, indeed.
"Well, in his family. And l went t.
Sunday-school with his girls, and wher
l joined the Church l stood right mex
to his oldest daughter, and drank out o
the same cup" and her voice grew very
soft and gentle, and there was far-of
, sound in it as she added, slowly; "They
just lived religion in that house %
After a moment, with her old, cheery
, voice, she said "Well, | got married
and come here. First Sunday said
t Where do you 60 to meeting? W.
: never 60 to meeting 1 stayed to home
that day; but ] knew 'twant right
, noways. Next Sunday l went alone t.
the. where l 'spOsed l belonged.
stood in the entry. One after anOthe
, went along, looked at me not one smiled
I've stranger, know; but if I'd beel
white lady. all dressed up, guess some
body'd seen had seat. stayed til
the sexton had done ringing the bell
2 Then he looked at me l looked at him
e and he went off into the meeting hous
: and left me- Next Sunday l wen
somewhere else. Just bout the sam
: everywhere So | thought I'd be
better Christian at home, reading m
s Bible, than going where it made me s
1 wicked. You see. from getting provok
I cd at Christians. felt kind of provOke
= at God for giving me black skin
/. wonder what he made folks so differen
]. for? Well. 1 got to staying home
: 'twant no way to do; l didn't like il
t And when my boys came, wanted 'er
d to 90 to Sunday-schoOl, and not lOa
: round all day Sunday. So when jim
= that's my oldest, you knOw-was gOin
: on eight years old, | spent heap {
time fixing him up real pretty, and
d fixed up my best things-ironed 'em my
If self. you know"
e "And ] know they were irOned faul
!; lessly."
.You may believe that. Then too
It my boy and went to meeting Foil
know me- | said, and I'll get Sc:
a somewheres. and put my Jimmy into ii
of infant class l went early. Mrs.
g came along-niee woman; one of IL
le salt O. the earth-she came along. smiles
p and bowed, and went in. So they kel
,e on coming and bowling and smiling
m me, one said, How nice your little be
N looks but net one of 'em, Have "
got a seat?' And the Same old sextC
ID rung his bell and went off into churc
o' But want going to be put off so. tn
I. time. And just walked in and S