The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-19
TWENTY CENTS A DAY,
II A SEWING GIRLS DIARY, AS FOUND IN
HER ROOM.

non each morn meant e ,la-day,
nd a l nv world vas bright and gay.
had not felt the touch of Care;
a heard Of something called Despair,
Inf knew 1t only by its name.
How far it -eemed-how soon it cameO
les. all the brieht years hurried by;
orrow was near, and-this is II
81 rhc same girl that stood, one night,
here in the vide halls thrilling hight,
yiih a the cos ly robes astir
h It love and pride had bought for her?
low the great crowd, mid their kind din
azeI w tn gaunt eyes and drank me in!
nd then they hushed at each low word,
o Death himself might have been heard,
o hear me mournfuily rehearse
he tender Hood s sad, plainiive verse
bout the woman who, half dead,
titchei her frail life in every thread.
ow lit le then knew the need!
ct for my own sex did plead,
md my heart crept on each words track
ill soft sobs from the crowd came back.
saw my sister, streaming eyed,
ct bearing still face of pride:
h, sisteri when you looked at me
ith that quick yearning glance OF love,
Id yon peer on, to what might be
hat is-and IS it known above?
When that great throng shout did raise,
md gave ME words OF heartfelt pralSe'
6lI NV younr giriiSh he ID was turned.
fd vciIr clear eve see farther then
Emonent past all mortal ken,
|hd III the dreary scene | drew
Iid my own form appear to you?
'ght have be N; grief was o'er nigh,
I'D tod, have pity-ths is |,
reading steep and dangerous way,
twenty cents day!
February 5, 1855,
hther this is the day we hailed
5 your bright birthday. We ne'er failed
b throng aboIt with loves fond arts,
md bring you preseAts from our hearts,
alat we had planned from long ago;
bd-now you lie beneath the snow!
" love, my father, how you stood
Ewixt me and all that was not good!
low. each o'er-hurried breath drew,
~ girl-Ecart turned and clung to you!
[pw near comes back that dismal day
p sat, sad-factd, with nansht to say,
Im morn till night! did not dare
N to ask to soo,he your care;
new it was too sadly grand
feel the light touch of nv hand.
friends you loved hai gone astray,
kd swept our competence ava
nd did strive so hard to save
pur dear, sweet gray hairs from the grave
bo latei yo sun went down o'er-soon,
Iouded in life's mid afternoon.
pu guarded me with patience rare
fom cen the shadow of a care;
[pu called me " Princess" and my room
as dressed as palaces might be,
am amid this gloom
hat mocks. insults, and murders me,
Eriving a earret's rent to pay,
twenty cents day.
/ February 20, 1855.
cannot well afford to write
fingers are in call elsewhere:
g must voice my back despair
i should die before twas night.
i've no mother now to call,
seek her heart, and tell ner all.
mother. wei know you rest
fonder heaven. serene aud blest;
sadly, strangely sweet 'twouid be
know yoI knew and pitied ME,
Fi yet wouid not have you dream
IN If Il dagger s t:IlItcSt gleam
et : noIlting at ny maiden breast.
81 Oh, sweet mother, sweetly rest!
tl >tiii feel your influence shed
,' res upon my aching head
et night l stood upon the pier,
ii the gray river swept 50 near,
u clan ed up at me in a way
ne nne with friendly voi;e might say,
Ome TO my arm and rest poor girl
b leaned down with head awllri
ID heart heavy it might sink
Gnderne tn the river b. ink,
kand | could not feel or see
fw rle away aui retted ne;
FOice | fe,t, unheard. though near,
Nv ait, You must not enter here
pres AGAINST me with one st in
lr girl, not long you nee re nlin.'
oh, sweet mo;heri l must write
words that would be said hi hit,
OG Could hold my tired head here.
haot see one gleam OF c!:c r;
is garret room. SO bleak
gold air stlngs my failing cheek;
ess my room, my gar is thin,
hateful Hunger has come in,
pays, Toll on. you foo ish one!
shall be mine when all is ,Ae.''
kay> and NIGHTS of pain ahi dread
gnaSe upon 4 crust OF bIeld
ha; scant nouriShment 'tW oIld giye)
krt, could not eat and 1--we!
bother! / to God shall pray
a!e In heav II may ne er be told;
ou are where whole streets are gold,
-tarn twenty cents u day!
February %, 1885.
never loved me. No sane one
I'd love and Go as he had done.
my heirt CLING and ciung to him,
when respect and faith grew dimI
Iiightvst toucn could thrill me so.
(ak Girl, twas hard to bid him 90.
bCgn wayward WIS his heal t knew,
Eorld have sworn that he was true!
how l owed him. or maybe
Eed s0me one that thought was he.
[ey brought me-what? his mangled C rse
blid God they I'd They brought m
i worse.
Jaw one who should bear his name,
Ee whose pale face was hercely grieved,
be whom h. wantOnly deceiS ed
I'D setencel to a life OF shame.
hat was the end | could not wed
man whose nobler self was dead
b. man , a brave and noble race,
ut you can be so vile and base!
.liu when there Is no urgent need,
ou protect us well Indeed;
ut when adversely is near.
hen the wave breaks upon our head,
Ihen we are crushed with want and dread,
hen we have most from you to fear!
by do men strangely look me DER
! hen | their mercy need the more!
o they not know girl may tsste
he dregs of want, and yet be ch:ste?
hould woman sell her soul away
o save its manacles o. clay!
feDruary 70, lSe5.
j honest means of life have failed.
ne small accomplishments Eve tried
pat pie ised friends in my days of pride
re naught; but vice has not prevailed.
md, thank Heaven, should not, thouoh m,
heart
fere torn thousand times apart.
alt God shield helpless girls aIway
3ho live on tEe.ity cents day!
., February "a, 1885.
Eeak, weak, still weaker do grow;
Ey mournful fate can bus know:
|od, keep me not long here, pray,
10 toil-on twenty cents day!
:. February &c, 1885.
h, horrors! is it's it true
That | have read!-if | but knew!
h, God, tell me where can fly,
lot to be found when l shall dieI
hey say dead waits are oft b. night
lObbed OF a decent burials right:
Ihat fends the friend ess bodies bear
70 crowds of waiting students, where
en- tear EN- up for men to sec.
p, God, sweet God, do pity me!
|nd will humby pray 10 men:
this should come within the ken
one who lives a true loved life,
4 one who sister has, or wife:
ne who loves women for the best
N 1t is in them, whose lips have pressed
,ure, genuine lips, whom women trust,
Fhose heart is free from loathsome lust;
ne whom wculd have loved if he
rother or husband were to me
ask you-nay, DO command
lth that imperiousncss you so
Ike from white and shapeiy hand
Iot der you-but no, no, no.
am past that hnmbly prav
Pat you will see that l unmarried
i've Christia BURIAL Gnard-oh. ouard
n men with manly hearts and souls.
poor dead body from the ghoulsI
rove aiway to keep it pure