both thirteen and over; the youngest nine; thirteenth year, and assigns to them the therefore--__"} labour suited to adults! "No, sir," interrupted the widow; "the little girl is not even twelve; nor this boy much more than eight.”. "Then why did you bring him here, good woman? You of course know that children are not admissible to our mills under nine years. The fact is, that little fellow wants but a few days or so of the requisite age; and having the strength and appearance fully, you would not condemn him to idleness and vice, for the mere formality of the thing: come, doctor, fill the certificate." "Excuse me, sir," said the widow, modestly but firmly, "I cannot wrong this gentleman, by allowing him to certify what I know to be untrue. There is the parish register; you will see the child is only eight years and a half." "Then he must stand aside," said the surgeon, while Mr. M. wrecked the nib of a pen upon his thumb-nail, with looks of evident vexation. The surgeon was bowed out by Mr. M.; who proceeded with no very gracious looks to make the entries. Meanwhile the widow's heart smote her with painful self-reproach. She regarded the sickly boy as wholly unfit for even the light tasks that she had been assured would be assigned to him; and resolving to make any personal effort or sacrifice, rather than injure him, she requested the agent to postpone the insertion of his name for a while. "Nonsense, nonsense, my good lady. He will be rated at nine years old, and worked accordingly; and paid accordingly, too, thanks to your register and the doctor's conscience," he added with a sneering laugh. But she still objected. In vain did the gentleman remonstrate, and in vain did he argue, except that the boy himself became anxious to undertake what was represented as being rather a pastime "Now for you, my lad. Past thirteen, than a task. The widow remained inflexi I suppose ?" "Yes, sir." The surgeen mused for a minute. He had looked in the boy's pale face, felt his slender arm, and almost transparent fingers. Something appeared struggling in his bosom; and with a sudden look full at the agent he said, "I cannot certify." "Not certify! doctor, I have seen you pass many far younger, and quite as weakly, without deducting any thing on that score." "Very probably you have, Mr. M.; nevertheless, I cannot in the present case agree to do it. His sister has more the appearance, and the reality, too, of the average strength than he has. I could conscientiously enter her in his stead.” "You are quite right;" exclaimed the agent, "let it be so, and the exchange will be an advantage to all parties." The widow said nothing, but presented again the open certificate of Mary's actual age to the surgeon, who, half smiling, proceeded to fill up the forms that left both her and her brother under the nominal protection afforded to children; for the legislature, by its latest act on the subject, recognizes as young men and women all who have completed their ble; and the agent, after entering Helen and Mary, closed the book with an air of displeasure; then sternly told them to be at their posts by six o'clock on the Monday morning. He refused to listen to Mrs. Green's queries as to the nature and duration of their employment, which he said she might make out among her acquaintance, adding that they need not stay there any longer. With a glow on her aged cheek, the widow led her companions to the door, secretly congratulating herself that she had not been beguiled into a more permanent engagement for the two girls. When Mrs. Wright heard that not only Willy but James was exempted from the agreement, she lacked words to express her astonishment and regret. "To be sure, this boy's cheeks are not so red as the others, and he isn't so overgrown as Mary; but if all that are not stronger and stouter than he were taken from work, a precious town of young idlers it would be, and the mills might stop at once." "I don't wish to be an idler, aunt," said the boy, colouring. "More shame for you if you did, and your grand-mother that has tended you all your life long to have you thrown on her hands now, when she ought to be supported by you.” The boy burst into tears. "Granny," said he, "I will work, and nobody shall hinder me." the pure sea-breeze of their own sweet native villiage, it was less painful than that which marked the population. Health, cleanliness, and good humour seemed almost equally banished from among them. Of bold, noisy mirth, drunken songs, and rude, coarse jesting there was indeed no scarcity: the poor strangers often shrank "Be quiet, my dear child," replied the widow, soothingly; then turning to her daughter, she said, with considerable ear-back in terror from the sounds they heard nestness, "Sally, I shall be always glad to talk over your family concerns with you at proper times, and to have your advice; but I must not be dictated to in what concerns these children; particularly in their presence." and the sights they beheld, but not even little Willy was tempted to smile by anything about him. Groups of children there were, and far more numerous than might have been expected, considering the factories were all full; but they seemed nearly divisible into two classes-incorrigible, reckless idlers, and poor, enervated sickly objects, who had crawled forth from the surrounding abodes of poverty to mingle with them. Still hoping to reach a quar Oh, to be sure?" said the other, as she violently swung a pot from over the fire; "William's children must be gentlefolks anywhere; and their poor relations, that live by the hard labour of themselves and their little ones, may be proud of the hon-ter where beer-houses and gin-shops our of serving them. This unfeeling reproach sank deep into the hearts it was intended to wound; but no reply was given. After a short pause the widow inquired about the schools, and was sullenly informed that there were plenty, from among which she could make her choice. "And the Sunday school?" "Wright can tell you about that; but it's little use, for they will be too tired to go there." "I'm not tired a bit," said Mary. "Tell me that this day fortnight," retorted her aunt, with a significant look. Dinner being dispatched, the widow announced her intention of seeking a lodging to which they might remove on the Monday: Mrs. Wright offered some faint opposition, protesting they were quite welcome to the best she had to give: but her mother pleaded the advantage of settling at once; and having been told where to look for a respectable abode, she again sallied forth with her little band. It was market-day; but the busiest hours of traffic being past, the country people were leaving the town, and our villagers had opportunity to contemplate the lower orders of the inhabitants now perambulating the streets, to pick up at reduced prices the refuse of the market and shops. Great as was the contrast between the dense smoky atmosphere of these narrow, gloomy, filthy streets, and VOL. II. 9 should be fewer, and comparative respectability more apparent, the widow passed on; but she found herself receding too far from the mill of the Messrs. Z., and the day fast closing too. She therefore fixed upon a small tenement, the occupier of which was a decent old man, who offered the accommodation of two apartments, such as she required; and having exchanged references, she secured the rooms for a week; resolving to make no more permament engagement without sufficient deliberation. Alas! the poor widow little knew how total a sacrifice of her independence she had already made. It was now getting late; the streetlamps were lighted, and before they set out on their return, the factories had poured forth their thousands of labourers, from the puny infant of six or seven years, to the grey-headed man whose broken-down aspect proclaimed him as unfit for toil as they. It was a spectacle of interest and wonder to the young Greens to behold such a rush of children coming from or hastening towards every point of the compass. Some shouting as they bounded along, in mischief or in sport pushing their quieter companions from the path, but the greater number evidently feeble from exhaustion, jaded and ill-tempered, and frequently resenting, in expressions of fearful impiety, the annoyances of their more lively comrades. The widow shuddered as this occurred within her hearing, but still more were her feelings that though not a cousin she hoped she might be owned as a friend, saluted the poor girl, who, fixing her full eyes on her face, abruptly said "I like you very much, Helen Fleetwood." harrowed, when an involuntary pressure of her arm, which rested in Helen's, induced her to follow the direction of the girl's agitated look, and she beheld several mere children emerging from the doors of Mrs. Wright seemed rather puzzled by a gin-shop, flushed with the liquid flame this scene: she understood not the feeling which they had been swallowing. She awakened in the generous minds of her hurried her young party onwards: secretly guests by a spectacle that she expected resolving that unattended they should would have excited their disgust; for it never stir through those polluting scenes; was already apparent to all, that poor and clung to the arm of her sympathizing Sarah had only one arm, and that one so supporter, with sensations of mingled contracted to be nearly useless; while her thankfulness, pity, and self-reproach; for feet were bent in, until she rested on the Helen, to whom alone she now looked for ankle-bones. "You see," said her mother, solace and for aid, was of years so tender, "what an object she is. The arm was of mind so innocent, and disposition so re-lost by an accident, and all the rest came tiring, that she needed for herself the guar- from convulsions and fits.” dianship that others must seek at her hands. Bewildered and heart-sickened, she reached her daughter's abode; and, on entering, heard a faint, querulous voice, exclaiming, "Haven't I suffered enough, without being turned out of your company for my misfortunes ?" "Let her stay, mother," added Charles; "they're nailed now fast enough; and what signifies their seeing her ?" Thus prepared, the strangers exhibited no surprise at the addition made to the party within. The girl who occupied a low chair near the chimney-corner, appeared to be naturally much taller than Phoebe, but was so twisted and crooked that she scarcely reached her height. Every feature betokened consumption far advanced; and her large, glassy grey eyes seemed to rove about in quest of some object to interest them; while an expression of melancholy discontent showed how vain was the search. A large shawl pinned close round the throat fell over her shoulders and body; and she was evidently helpless as an infant. "Don't be frightened," said Charles, who saw the children shrink back at the last words. "She has no fits now, poor thing!" and he looked at her with an expression of tenderness which his countenance had hardly seemed capable of assuming. When Wright came in, he answered all inquiries respecting the Sunday school nearly to the widow's satisfaction. He said the teachers were chiefly taken from among the adult working-people; and that there was plenty of the Bible. Respecting the day-schools, he told her that the children must produce every Monday a voucher from some master or mistress of having attended their school for two hours each day on any six days out of the week; but he added, that there were ways of managing that without being over-punctual. His wife interrupted him: "Oh, you need not talk of that; mother's conscience is too particular. Here are these two boys going to be gentlemen at large, because one is weakly for his age, and the other wants a few weeks of being nine!" "You won't be able to afford that, moThe widow, merely asking, "Is this ther," said Wright, shaking his head; my grand-daughter Sarah?" imprinted" 'you must get the little fellow into a silkan affectionate kiss on the pale cheek that mill, where the age is no objection, and was raised to receive it; and the girl's the hours are shorter." faint smile went more to her heart than any thing she had yet met under that roof. "Grandmother," said she, "I am quite glad to see you: are those my cousins?" They all surrounaed her immediately, and each had something kind to say. Helen approached last, and gently telling her Both the boys brightened at this, and eagerly looked at their grandmother, who observed, "We shall see about all those things next week; to-morrow is a day of rest both for body and mind. Where is your place of worship?" "Our parish church is three streets off." counter in a strange place; and as yet she had seen nothing that wore the aspect of benevolence-nothing but what contrasted strongly with the deference and respect to which she had been accustomed at home. Home! she dwelt upon the term till tears bedewed her pillow, as all the fond recollections connected with that When they retired for the night, Helen remarked that poor Sarah had interested her greatly; but that she seemed to have no idea of religion, which she thought very strange; for surely if the clergyman was at all like Mr. Barlow, he would visit and instruct one so afflicted, and with a short time to live. "Alas, my child," said the widow, "this place is so thickly peo-magic word crowded upon her. "Yet," pled, that I fear the clergy cannot visit half their people unless they be sent for: and from what I have seen and heard in this house, such visiters would scarcely be over-welcome." "The boys say they will lie in bed till noon to-morrow, and then go play in some fields near the town." "Then, Helen, we must all endeavour to show them how Christians ought to spend the Sabbath-day. May we have grace to be faithful! It is not easy to flesh and blood, when placed among scorners, to persevere, even outwardly, in a right path; but we shall receive all needful help from him who giveth liberally and upbraideth not." They did beseech that help, and laid down to rest; but many were the thoughts that kept them waking that night. Helen had obtained a view of their probable trials, that would greatly have oppressed her spirit, had not the powerful interest awakened in her mind for the poor dying Sarah well nigh banished everything else. Taught of God to value the privileges that his mercy had bestowed on her from infancy, they were now doubly enhanced by the sad spectacle of a family, nearly connected with those to whom she belonged, evidently destitute of even the desire to know the Lord. She longed to awaken in their dark, cold minds such a desire; but far more than any other did the mutilated girl's sad ignorance affect her; and many a plan she revolved for Sarah's spiritual good, ere sleep closed her eyelids. thought she, "it is far better thus to feel myself a pilgrim and a sojourner. It was the curse of Moab to be settled on his lees and not emptied from vessel to vessel, and therefore he became proud and presumptuous. It matters little where or how the remnant of my days is spent ; but these poor helpless ones-who will care for them as I have done?" The promise was brought to mind, "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort him." The widow prayed, and slept. Early on the Sabbath morning they awoke, conscious of a sunbeam struggling to find entrance into that gloomy abode : they saw the bright ray striking aslant on the opposite roofs, and a clear blue sky stretching above. It was the first fine day that had shone on them since leaving home, and they hailed it joyously. "I suppose," said James, "this is no place for singing hymns, or else”—. "And why not?" interrupted Mary, impatiently; "let's begin at once:" and before the widow could decide whether to allow it or not, the four clear voices were carolling their early Sabbath hymn, as they had always been accustomed to do in their own cottage. No notice was taken, though it evidently created a stir in the adjoining apartment; but when the guests, fresh from their morning duty, and even more neatly dressed than before, presented themselves at the breakfast table, a glance of dissatisfaction from Mrs. Wright, who looked dirtier than usual, accompanied the remark, "You were determined we should not oversleep ourselves after the week's work." "Did we disturb you, aunt?" asked Mary. "I don't complain; but the children, poor things, would have been glad to remain quiet." The widow was not less agitated by the same theme; but her anxieties took a much wider range. In all that most distressed her as appertaining to her daughter's children she read a fearful tale of peril for those of her departed son. The evident jealousy of the former forbade her Phœbe now appeared, yawning, sighto expect help, or even common sympathy ing, and looking so ill that they really under any difficulty that she might en-grieved for having broken her rest. In viting them to approach and receive her greeting. No change was made in her dress, but Phœbe appeared tricked out in such finery as to astonish her cousins, whose gaze of wonder evidently gratified reply to their apologies, she only said, with a look of derision, "Oh, I like musical geniuses, especially when they are so devout." A titter from the press-bed in the corner, and the word "very" repeated by Charles, proved that the boys were keep-her vanity. Charles was seated near, ing to their resolution of remaining there. Sarah too was absent. with a soiled story-book in his hand, which he seemed desirous to display while addressing to James the inquiry, “Well, I hope you have had enough of praying and psalm-singing!" "We'll all sing," said Phoebe, "when they have learnt our songs"— -"No, no," rejoined Sarah hastily, "their song is best." "My dear, dear child,” said the widow, sitting down by her, "our song is indeed the best; for it gives praise to the Saviour of sinners." "Who is that, grandmother?" asked the girl, raising her eyes, with a half vacant look. "Jesus Christ," repeated all her cousins, in a breath, and with a solemnity of tone that seemed to provoke Phœbe, who, tossing her head, observed to her sister in a voice of scornful reproach, "Just as if you did'nt know that as well as they!" The Sunday-school was opened long before they could arrive from the late breakfast table, with their dilatory conductor; and a very cursory view of it de- Mary was about to volunteer a tart termined the widow not to enter her chil-reply; but Sarah's eager voice interposed: dren there. Such an uninterested, heavy-"Oh the singing? what sweet singing looking set of scholars she had never seen; you made this morning! You must sing nor was their personal appearance as to to me that pretty tune again. I cried cleanliness such as to invite a near ap- when you left off, it was so sweet." proach. The greater number were dozing over their tasks, and the principal business of the teachers seemed to be that of shaking or cuffing them out of their lethargy, into which they presently relapsed; and Mrs. Green seeing that her own children were disposed to laugh at the odd appearance of the little slumberers, soon withdrew, intending to walk in the church-yard until the hour of service. Here, however, she found a large number of ragged idlers playing about; and bad language so prevalent that it quickly drove them thence. They then slowly proceeded along one of the principal streets; and before the welcome bell summoned them into a house of prayer they had wandered to the doors of another church. The respectability of their appearance procured them seats in a pew; and amiable indeed did the tabernacle of the Lord appear to them as a holy refuge from scenes and sounds alike new and disgusting to the modest villagers. The preacher was not a Mr. Barlow: little could they learn from his discourse of His grandmother turned to him, and what they had been accustomed to in commenced mildly explaining the differtheir own place of worship: but the ap-ence between such a knowledge as he pointed scriptures of the day-the Psalms meant and a real saving acquaintance and Lessons-seemed peculiarly suited to with the Lord Jesus, but he broke in upon their need; and Mrs. Green thankfully her, rising and with an oath exclaiming, owned, as many another had owned, that "I wish you had not come here to pester whatever the pulpit may do or leave un- us with your cant. I shan't stay to be done, the desk in our churches must per- bored with it, at any rate; and as for that force preach the gospel. poor girl, she has enough to bear without being made a gloomy Methodist into the bargain. Come along, Johnny-better lose one's dinner than get such sauce to it." He dashed down his book, seized his With conscious reluctance they again reached Mrs. Wright's dwelling; but this was dissipated when they heard poor Sarah's exclamation of pleasure, while in "Do you know him, Sarah; do you know the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and as your own Saviour from sin and its everlasting punishment ?" asked the widow. "No, ma'am ; I do not." "It's a lie," exclaimed Charles, "you do." |