Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

been guilty of the most systematic falsehood. Helen resumed:

[ocr errors]

From all they said, I feared it was likely you might be deceived into making some agreement that you would afterwards be sorry for: therefore I tell you now. I think Granny, you had better take us to the gentleman you have the letter to rather than a stranger.' Then, seeing the deep grief and alarm depicted on her friend's countenance, she added, "You know, all Christ's people must bear a cross; and really we have had none to bear, we have been so happy and prosperous. So it is reasonable to expect it now. Besides, is not it a mercy to be so forewarned?'

Again the poor widow thanked her young counsellor; who, smiling through tears, said, I have often prayed that your kindness to me, a friendless child, might be like bread cast on the waters to be found again after many days: but as yet I have done nothing for you, my own dear Granny.'

[ocr errors]

They went to rest; and at an hour much earlier than even their usual habits had accustomed them to awake at, they were startled from repose by the ringing of a large bell, followed by the shrill tones of Mrs. Wright in the adjoining room calling on her children to get up and be off.' It evidently required some rough persuasion to divorce Johnny from his bed; and a blow, followed by an angry cry, was heard. After the lapse of a very few minutes, the door slammed after the departing trio, who were evidently sent forth fasting. As for any morning devotion, it was but too plain that such a thing was wholly incompatible with the habits and feelings of the family. In one point of view, this rather calmed

the widow's rising apprehensions; she knew that wherever the tree is evil the fruit must be so too; and she strove to persuade herself that what this household were in the town of M- they would have been in her own peaceful village, or in any other place. Resolving, therefore, to be so guarded in her proceedings as to avoid any trap that might be laid, she strove to picture to herself a scene of piety, peace and comfort when her dear children were once finally engaged in the work which she resolved should be rather below than above their years and capabilities. Mr. Stratton's letter was her sheet anchor; for even if he did wish to separate them from the parish it was manifestly his interest to make such absence agreeable to them; and so to prevent their return. Thus she reasoned with herself; and rose with a somewhat lightened spirit.

Not so Helen: she had a presentiment of evil, as it seemed. In reality it was only the effect of her natural sagacity drawing plain conclusions from obvious premises. The boatmen on the canal had dropped hints of which all that she had yet seen were explanatory; the aspect of the town classes where she had passed along, the demeanour of Mrs. Wright, the appearance, manners and communications of her elder children, with what she had overheard of the rousing scene that morning, all combined with her deep mistrust of Mr. Stratton, and the anxious warnings of the good clergyman to prepare her for bitter trials. Yet it was not for herself that Helen trembled; her fervent love for the companions of her childhood-the tenderness with which her bosom yearned towards them on the approach of even the lightest calamity, and the consciousness of

their truly helpless state in the midst of a callous population where they had not one friend-for she could not concede that sacred title to their new-found relations-all led her to an utter oblivion of self in the matter, and added poignancy to her fears for them.

It was Saturday; and Mrs. Wright, in expatiating on the advantages of beginning work on Monday morning, dropped a few hints that convinced her mother she would feel a satisfaction in seeing them settled in another abode. Desirous of choosing one within an easy distance of the mill where the children would be employed, she could not delay her application; and eleven o'clock saw her, accompanied by her neat and healthful young party, making the best of their way to the counting house of the Messrs. Z. A person officiating as clerk at a high desk, scarcely deigned any notice of the respectful salutation of the visiter, but continued writing until, a little hurt at his discourtesy, the old lady drew forth her letter, which was endorsed Private, requesting to know whether he was the gentleman there addressed. The clerk took it in silence, surveyed, squeezed, and examined it; then, slowly rising, tapped at a door, and handed the epistle to some one within.

After the lapse of a few minutes, a gentleman of fashionable appearance issued from the inner room; and after contemplating the group, asked, 'Well, good woman, are you the person mentioned by Mr. Stratton in this letter?'

‘I am, sir; I am Mary Green, from L.' And these are your grandchildren?'

Three of them, sir: and the other is also under my care.'

[ocr errors]

6 'Mr. Stratton,' said Mr. Z. has requested me to provide work for them: I believe I can do it. Here, Abel, write a note to M., and mind this.' He pointed out a passage in the letter, at which the clerk gave a knowing smile, and proceeded to pen a few lines, which he folded and sealed.

While this was being done, the widow respectfully informed Mr. Z. that high wages was not so much their object, as work proportioned to their strength, and sufficient intervals for instruction and proper relaxation : but he interrupted her, without taking his eyes from the newspaper which he was reading, ' All that, my good woman, you must settle with my agent: I have nothing farther to do in the matter.' And he returned to his apartment.

The agent was in another building, and busily employed in making out a number of returns. As he snatched the note which she tendered, the widow thought she had never seen a less prepossessing countenance; but she retracted her hasty judgment, when, on glancing his eye over its contents, Mr. M. closed the large volume before him, and leaning his arms upon it, bent forward with a complacent smile, inviting her to be seated on a neighbouring chair, while the young people were directed to occupy a bench near the wall.

[ocr errors]

'So, Mrs. Green, it appears you have the good luck to come well recommended to our principal, Mr. Z.'

'Yes, sir, and he referred me to you.'

'A nice party of young hands; let's see, what are their ages? but no, we'll say nothing of that just yet.

Of course, you will make a long agreement, having such an advantage at entering.'

'No, sir; I wish to make the agreement for a short time, on trial.'

Trial! Pho-be advised by me; don't drive away good fortune when it comes to your door. Enter them for a couple of years at least.

'Oh, no,' exclaimed the widow, who was firmly resolved to do nothing rashly,' I must at present only engage them by the week; but if all turns out as I hope, we can then agree for a longer period.'

[ocr errors]

You are quite wrong: however, waiving that point, till we see to others-let me tell you the scale of wages. With the ages you and I have nothing to do-the doctor settles that, and these children are so well-grown that he is not likely to under-rate them. In fact some people are so naughty as to mislead the doctor, by letting him think the youngsters are as old as they look, not what the parish registers make them: and as we can't get at the registers, they have it all their own way, you know.'

[ocr errors]

I should be sorry to act such a part, sir.'

'Of course, of course: they are, as I said, naughty people; but they reconcile it to their consciences by arguing that it is the actual strength, not the actual age of a person which fits him for labour; and that if a child at eleven years old has the substance and muscle of thirteen, it is perfectly fair to rate him accordingly, and to let him earn the wages of thirteen, which are far better. So you see the people know how to beguile us.'

And if they did not,' thought the widow, 'you are ready enough to teach them the way of deceiving.' She then asked where she should find the doctor.

« AnteriorContinuar »