Womans Trials | Page 8

remember, Ellen, that you are not very fast with
your needle, and are, besides, far from being well. The work, too, is of
the most particular kind, and cannot be hurried."
"Don't fear for me in the least, Mary. I will do all I have engaged to
do," and the young woman, who had already arranged the cut-out
garment, took a portion of it in her lap and commenced her task.
The two sisters, here introduced, were poor, in bad health, and without
friends. Mary, the older, had declined rapidly within a few months, and
become so much exhausted as to be obliged to keep her bed most of the
time. The task of providing for the wants of both fell, consequently,
upon Ellen. Increased exertion was more than her delicate frame could
well endure. Daily were the vital energies of her system becoming
more and more exhausted, a fact of which she was painfully conscious,
and which she, with studious care, sought to conceal from Mary.
When, through loss of friends and change of circumstances, the two
sisters were thrown entirely dependent upon their own exertions for a
livelihood, they, with prudent forethought, immediately applied
themselves to the learning of a trade in order to have the means of
support. Confinement for twelve or fourteen hours a day, sitting in one
position--a great change for them--could not long be endured without
producing ill effects on frail young creatures at best. Mary, the older,
failed first; and, at the time of which we are writing, had so far declined
as to be little more than the shadow of any thing earthly.
With her own unaided hands, Ellen found it impossible to earn enough
for even their most simple need. Often Mary was without medicine,
because there was no money left after food and fuel were bought. More
and more earnestly did Ellen apply herself as want came in more varied
shapes; but the returns of her labour became daily less and less
adequate to meet the demands of nature.
The busy season had passed, and trade was dull. Ellen worked for only
two merchant tailors, and with them she was considered an extra hand.
When business fell off, as the season approached towards mid-summer,
she was the first to receive notice that no more work could be given out
for the present. With a disheartened feeling she returned home on
receiving this intelligence. Mary saw that something was wrong the

moment she entered, and tenderly inquired the cause of her trouble. On
learning what it was, she endeavoured to comfort and assure her, but to
little purpose.
As soon as Ellen could regain sufficient composure of mind, she went
forth in search of work at other shops. To one of her peculiar, timid,
and shrinking disposition this was a severe trial. But there was no
passing it by. Three days elapsed, during which every effort to get work
proved unsuccessful. Even the clothing stores had nothing to give out
to extra hands.
Reduced to their last penny, Ellen was almost in despair, when she
called upon Mr. Lawson. The garment he gave her to make seemed to
her like help sent from heaven. Cheerfully did she work upon it until a
late hour at night, and she was ready to resume her labour with the
rising sun. But, as Mary had feared, the work did not progress
altogether to her satisfaction. She had never made over one or two
white Marseilles vests, and found that she was not so well skilled in the
art of neat and accurate stitching as was required to give the garment a
beautiful and workmanlike appearance. The stitches did not impress
themselves along the edges with the accuracy that her eye told her was
required, and she was troubled to find that, be as careful as she would,
the pure white fabric grew soiled beneath her fingers. Mary, to whom
she frequently submitted the work, tried to encourage her; but her eyes
were not deceived.
It was after dark when Ellen finished the garment. She was weary and
faint; for she had taken no food since morning, and had been bending
over her work, with very little intermission, the whole day; and she had
no hope of receiving any thing more to do, for Mr. Lawson, she was
sure, would not be pleased with the way the vest was made. But, want
of every thing, and particularly food for herself and sister, made the
sum of seventy-five cents, to be received for the garment, a little
treasure in her eyes; and she hurried off with the vest the moment it
was finished.
"I will bring home a little tea, sister," she said, as she was about leaving;
"I am sure a cup of tea will do