Womans Trials | Page 7

In all of these I have spoken of her and created an
interest in her favour. The mere wages that she earns is much less than
what she really receives. All her children's clothes are given to her, and
she receives many a bag of meal and load of coal without knowing

from whence it comes. In fact, her condition is more comfortable in
every way than it was, and, in fact, so is mine. The lesson of patience I
learned from Mrs. Partridge in my first, and in many subsequent
interviews, impressed itself deeply upon my mind, and caused me to
look at and value the good I had, rather than fret over the few
occurrences that were not altogether to my wishes. I saw, too, how the
small trouble to me had been the means of working out a great good to
her. My need of a washerwoman, about which I had been so annoyed,
and the temporary want of a seamstress which I had experienced--light
things as they should have been--led me to search about for aid, and,
providentially, to fall upon Mrs. Partridge, who needed just what it was
in my power to do for her.
Whenever I find myself falling into my old habit, which I am sorry to
say is too frequently the case, I turn my thoughts to this poor woman,
who is still toiling on under heavy life-burdens, yet with meekness and
patience, and bowing my head in shame, say--
"If she is thankful for the good she has, how deep should be my
gratitude!"

I DIDN'T THINK OF THAT!

MR. LAWSON, the tailor, was considered a very good member of
society. He was industrious, paid what he owed, was a kind husband
and father and a pleasant and considerate neighbour. He was, moreover,
attached to the church, and, by his brethren in the faith, considered a
pious and good man. And, to say the truth, Mr. Lawson would compare
favourably with most people.
One day as Mr. Lawson stood at his cutting board, shears in hand, a
poorly dressed young woman entered his shop, and approaching him,
asked, with some embarrassment and timidity, if he had any work to
give out.
"What can you do?" asked the tailor, looking rather coldly upon his
visitor.
"I can make pantaloons and vests," replied the girl.
"Have you ever worked for the merchant tailors?"
"Yes, sir, I worked for Mr. Wright."
"Hasn't he any thing for you to do?"

"No, not just now. He has regular hands who always get the
preference."
"Did your work suit him?"
"He never found fault with it."
"Where do you live?"
"In Cherry street," replied the young woman.
"At No.--."
Mr. Lawson stood and mused for a short time.
"I have a vest here," he at length said, taking a small bundle from a
shelf, "which I want by tomorrow evening at the latest. If you think you
can make it very neatly, and have it done in time, you can take it."
"It shall be done in time," said the young woman, reaching out eagerly
for the bundle.
"And remember, I shall expect it made well. If I like your work, I will
give you more."
"I will try to please you," returned the girl, in a low voice.
"To-morrow evening, recollect."
"Yes, sir. I will have it done."
The girl turned and went quickly away. As she walked along hurriedly,
her slender form bent forward, and there was an unsteadiness in her
steps, as if from weakness. She did not linger a moment, nor heed any
thing that was passing in the street.
A back room in the third story of an old house in Cherry street was the
home of the poor sewing girl. As she entered, she said, in a cheerful
voice, to a person who was lying upon a bed which the room
contained--
"I have got work, sister. It is a vest, and it must be done by to-morrow
evening."
"Can you finish it in time?" inquired the invalid in a faint voice.
"Oh, yes, easily;" and as she spoke, she laid off her bonnet and shawl
hurriedly and sat down to unroll the work she had obtained.
The vest proved to be of white Marseilles. As soon as the invalid sister
saw this, she said--
"I'm afraid you won't be able to get that done in time, Ellen; it is very
particular work. To stitch the edges well will alone take you many
hours."
"I will sit up late, and get a fair start to-night, Mary. Then I can easily

finish it in time. You know a vest is only a day's work for a good sewer,
and I have nearly a day and a half before me."
"Yes; but you must