Page:Sketch of Connecticut, Forty Years Since.djvu/85

 to have spun. If you have any more flax, I should be very glad to take it." "Sit down Mrs. Rawson," said Madam L, "You never seem to be tired, while any work remains. Have you walked three miles this cold, unpleasant day?"—"Any body who is strong, and well, need not complain of walking a few miles, Ma'am. Some part of the way is rather wet, but since I've been able through your help to get such a pair of strong shoes, I don't mind any sort of walking. What a blessed thing it is, when the hearts of the rich are turned to give work to the poor, and assist them to get the necessaries of life, for themselves and families."

"Heaven," said Dr. L, "helps those who are willing to help themselves. Have you any children, good woman?" "O yes sir. God be thanked. What a lonely creature I should be without them. We live almost a mile from any neighbour, and they are company and comfort to me. Some folks blame me, because I don't put them to service. But there are only two of them, and they're very serviceable to me. The boy is twelve years old, and he takes care of the little spot of garden that we have, and raises vegetables, and cuts my wood in the winter, and when he can work out a day or two, with the farmers, he's willing and thankful to do it, to get a little provision for me, or help pay my rent. The girl is two years younger, and does the chores while I spin. She takes to the wheel too, herself, as natural as a duck runs to the water. My eldest son wanted to follow the seas like his