Lizzy Glenn; Or, The Trials of a Seamstress

week," remarked Berlaps to his man Michael one day dur

four of our

nce she took

a week-near

after. It certainly hasn't taken he

w, poorly enough," replied Michael. "She's

down the bundle of work she had brought with her. Her half-withdrawn vail showed her face to be very pale, and her eyes much sunken. A deep, jarri

ut, Lizzy," said Berlaps, in a tone meant to rep

"I can't get along very fast. I have a constant

ly half aloud, but sufficiently

ons for not finishing my work in good season, and bringing it in promptly.

with her eyes drooping to the floor, and her hand

med to soften him a little. No wonder; they were made fully equal to those for

uch as these in a week-or even six?"

m, and I cannot possibly sit longer than a few hours at a time. And, besides,

-offended tone, and turned away from the counter and walked back to his desk, from

and if you have any more r

in the least. This uniform, dignified reserve, so different from the demeanor of most of the girls who worked for them, coupled with the manner of Perkins's interference for her, inspired in his mind a feeling of

let their eyes fall to the floor. They seemed for a moment to have identified each other, and then to have become instantly conscious that they were nothing but strangers-that such an identification was

ung woman?" ask

izzy Glenn," r

w any thing

kind of a creature; though what she has

she been wor

hs or so, if I re

ve?" was Mrs. Gast

, and then their intercourse ha

stance to the ceiling, thus leaving a free circulation of air in the upper and unobstructed portion of the room. As the house stood upon a corner, and contained windows both in front and on the end, each room had a window. The whole were heated by one large stove. For the little room that Lizzy Glenn occupied including fire, she paid seventy-five cents a week. But, as the house was old, the windows open, and the room that had been cut up into smaller ones a large one; and, moreover, as the person who let them and supplied fuel for the stove took good care to see that an undue quantity

took it up, unrolled the bundle, and seating herself by the table, entered once more upon her daily toil. But her mind was too much disturbed, from some cause, to permit her to pursue her work steadily. In a little while she laid aside the garment upon which she had begun to sew, and, leaning forward, rested her head upon the table, sighing heavily as she did so, and

no! no!" and the young creat

and instantly the two were locked in each other's a

ngaging herself, and holding the young woman from her, while she read ov

n mother! Or, the wreck of her, which a wave of lif

ow can she be in this room, and in this condition! It is imp

ead upon the bosom of Mrs. Gaston, and weeping

s dead," said Mrs. Gaston, i

a never claimed

our fa

a moment, while a shade

hy do I find you here? And more than all, why as a poor seamstress, toiling for little more

o earn at the miserable prices we are paid by the tailors has scarcely sufficed to keep my children from starving. But one of them"-and the mother's voice trembled-"my sweet Ella! was not permitted to remain with me, when I could no longer provide things comfortable for my little ones. A few shor

me her at this relation, that sh

or more than five pleasant years. Let us not be separated now, when there are clouds over our heads and sorrow on our paths. Together we shall be able to bear up better and longer than when separated. I have a room, into w

To have one who can love me as you will love me! One t

upon the neck of her mate

Mrs. Gaston. "You have n

ng," repli

nd left the room. In a little while, she came back with a man, who remo

a more even flow, "clear up to me this strange mystery. Why are you here, and in this destitute condition? H