fortable, in fact a luxurious, home,
a kind and provident husband, and servants to do every thing in my
house. There was no lack of the means for procuring every natural good
I might reasonably desire. But, between the means and the attainment of
the natural blessings I sought, there were many obstacles; and, instead
of going to work in a cheerful, confident spirit to remove those
obstacles, I suffered their interposition to make me unhappy; and not
me alone, but my husband and all around me. But here was a poor woman,
compelled to labour hard with her hands before she could obtain even
the means for supplying nature's most pressing wants, doing her duty
with an earnest, resigned, and hopeful spirit!

"It is wicked in me to feel as I do," I could not help saying, as I
made an effort to turn away from the picture that was before me.

When Mrs. Partridge came back, which was in about half an hour, I said
to her--

"Did you find all safe at home?"

"Yes, ma'am, thank you," she answered cheerfully.

"How old is your baby?"

"Eleven months old, ma'am."

"Is your husband living?"

"No, ma'am; he died more than a year ago."

"How many children have you?"

"Four."

"All young?"

"Yes, ma'am. The oldest is only in her tenth year, but she is a good
little girl, and takes care of the baby for me almost as well as a
grown person. I don't know what I would do without her."

"But ain't you afraid to leave them all at home alone, for so long a
time?"

"No, ma'am. Jane takes excellent care of them, and she is so kind that
they will obey her as well as they do me. I don't know what in the
world I would do without her. I am certainly blessed in having so good
a child."

"And only in her tenth year!" said I--the image of my Alice coming
before my mind, with the thought of the little use she would be as a
nurse and care-taker of her younger brothers and sisters.

"She is young, I know," returned the washerwoman--"too young to be
confined down as much as she is. But then she is a very patient child,
and knows that her mother has a great deal to do. I often wish it was
easier for her; though, as it can't be helped, I don't let it fret me,
for you know that would do no good."

"But how in the world, Mrs. Partridge," said I, "do you manage to
provide for four children, and do for them at the same time?"

"I find it hard work," she replied; "and sometimes I feel discouraged
for a little while; but by patience and persev