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"I'll tell you. We will set ourselves to work to find out a change of employment for her. I have known it produce good effects. Some of the rooms are cooler than others. The Messrs. Z. will not listen, I fear, or rather their overlooker, to any proposal for improving her condition where she is; but the gentleman who sent you to our meeting has interest enough to get her into a far more comfortable mill; and we must prevail on him to interfere." "Now, all the blessings !"—and Richard's emotion was so great he could not finish the sentence but by clasping Hudson's hand and raising his tearful eyes to heaven.

"Thank you, my friend, I know your heart's desire for me, and it is sweet to have an interest in each other's prayers. I feel for you in more ways than one, Richard: you regard Helen with something beyond a brother's affection, and no wonder."

"I'm too young to think of marrying, if that's what you mean," said the lad with manly frankness; "but I dare say you are right. By the feel that came over me, when I saw her lay deadlike, I should not live long after her."

“Ah, Richard, that is the language of a heart that does not know the strength of the body it is lodged in. Some of us must live to close the grave over all that sweetened our lot below, whatever unwillingness we feel to survive them. And while God has work for us to do," he added with fervour, "so be it!"

as to expect things to tumble out, of themselves, just as I would have them? You lazy manufacturers are so used to see the machinery do your work for you, that you can't judge of us field-labourers, who carry all before us by mere strength and perseverance."

Hudson smiled: "You have odd notions of machinery, my fine fellow, if you think it does our work for us. It only make us work."

"Little's the machinery I want to keep me going, when the work to be done is for the advantage of-we won't name no names, if you please, Mr. Hudson," he continued more merrily and archly than before; "and as to the great secret that's between us now, according to your finding out. mum! not a word to any living soul."

"Of course not," replied Hudson; and as he followed Richard's now bounding step up the creaking stairs, he sighed heavily over the recollection of his own early hopes, and the sad presentiment of a coming blight on those of his interesting companion.

Helen was perfectly recovered; and her anxiety to prove it induced a cheerfulness of manner that enlivened the whole party, now completed by the addition of Willy. The evening passed delightfully: it was like one of their own cottage evenings ; and, when parting in the street, Hudson re-iterated his promise of taking Richard to his friend's mill the next day, after consulting with Mr. H-, whom they were to see early. Richard most cordially "Now let us go back, Mr. Hudson. I blessed him, and walked on to South's, repromise you I'll keep very patient, depend-peating to himself his conviction that there ing on your doing what you say the very was not such another perfect character in first thing to-morrow morning."

"Certainly, the very first, if we be spared to see it; and I'll take you to the mill I spoke of, and show you all the rooms; and then we can judge which will be the fittest for Helen."

"Oh, I wish I knew how to thank you!" "It is not much I can do; what I can I will. But remember we have difficulties to encounter yet, in more than one quarter."

"Pho! what care I for difficulties," cried Richard, with a flash of his natural joyousness, at the same time pitching high into the air a small pebble that he had picked up. "Do you think I'm such a baby

all the world as his new friend. Even Mr. Barlow came short of his standard just then, so full was the poor boy of that hope to which a young spirit cleaves as to its natural element. He saw no real difficulties in the way of Helen's removal to what his fancy pictured as a sphere of comparative enjoyment in the superior mill; and beyond that lay a vista terminated by a cottage resembling the home of his infancy, which he was at liberty to fit up as he pleased. Sweet seemed the toils that were to earn that visionary independence; short and swift the years that must intervene before he might hope to rise so high in the squire's service as to warrant the

expectation. He fell to considering, only poor, uncleanly-looking cottages. The his now pleasant pillow, the respective air lost much of its freshness, seemingly merits of woodbines, jasmines, China roses, clematis, and other candidates for the honour of overshadowing that rustic porch where Helen was to sit, on a summer evening, and superintend the knitting of his infirm grandmother, while busily engaged in needlework for other branches of the family; and in the midst of his fragrant perplexities the young gardener fell asleep.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE DEATH OF HOPE.

HUDSON, punctual to his appointment, brought the desired permission to visit his friend's cotton-mill, together with an assurance from Mr. H. that he would do every thing in his power to effect the admission of Helen into that establishment, at the same time reminding Hudson that difficulties might arise, not easily to be surmounted. The afternoon was the time fixed on for proceeding to the factory, situated several miles from M.; and as they crossed some stubble-fields, where the bright sun-beam fell warm and unclouded, while the little birds sported around them, peering for a grain of corn, or snatching from the bramble its ripening treasure, Richard felt as though the last few days had been passed in a feverish dream, and marvelled at the remembrance of depression so severe as to have already blanched his cheek and dimmed his eye. "Let the mill be what it may," said he, "the situation is enough to determine me. Why the very breath one draws here is like new life after that horrid town."

"Yes," replied Hudson, "at this hour and under such a sky, I confess it is: but we must not forget that the mill-work lasts from before sunrise till after sunset, most part of the year; and as the ground lies low, unwholesome mists will rise early and late. The situation is not considered so healthy as you might suppose: at least for those who cannot enjoy the sunshine."

They soon quitted the fields, approaching a sort of village composed of exceeding

impregnated by the smoke that rose from several towering chimnies attached to buildings disproportionably low. Conspicuous in the midst, or rather on the edge of the cluster, wholly detached from all the others, rose a lofty square fabric of imposing appearance, to which Hudson pointed, saying, "There's our mill."

"Indeed!" exclaimed Richard, "why that's a noble-looking place to be sure. And only see, Mr. Hudson, how the sun shines upon all the windows on that side. Ay and it's plain he must shine there all day, for I can see through it, the glasses are so plenty, and I see it's open to the south-east as well as to the south-west."

"All the rooms are lighted on three sides, I believe," observed Hudson.

"What a size they must be! Come this is a deal better than I thought; and there can be no want of fresh air in it."

Hudson shook his head: "The windows are never open."

"That's bad: but rooms so large must be airy of themselves, and cheerful too they can't help being, with so much sunshine."

"You see it under every advantage," said Hudson, "and must judge accordingly."

They now entered a long archway, where Hudson inquired for the principal acting manager, who soon appeared, and conducted them up a flight of stone stairs. "I bring you here first," said he to Richard, "instead of taking you in a regular way through the rooms, because I have some orders to give respecting the machinery." Thus speaking, he opened a door, and the youth stood in mute astonishment at the scene presented to him.

The apartment, though large, was by no means high in proportion to its size; and along the ceiling, closely placed together, ran a number of black leather straps, attached to wheels and pullies, every one of which was in the most rapid motion, accompanied by a noise sufficient to drown any voice not raised to a painful pitch. On the floor stood a vast number of frames, seemingly all iron, with just space sufficient between them to allow a passage for the operations of their attendants. These

When they returned to the work-room the manager pointed to a wooden frame, reaching high from the floor, and said, "You see we box off our machinery."

were chiefly girls, dirty, barefooted, and | tremendous sweep. Near the door was a gloomy-looking, who cast a cold glance on tall upright frame, round which two large the strangers, and pursued their work, iron balls were whirled at the extremity of which consisted in watching the move-strong rods. Every thing was on a scale ments of innumerable cones of cotton, the so gigantic, the motion was so impetuous, threads being supplied by machinery, the noise so deafening, that he felt stunwhich also kept the spindles perpetually ned. revolving, each when filled requiring to be replaced by another. The party walked round the room, but no variety appeared in the occupation; each frame exactly resembled the rest; each had its own lea- "What does he mean ?" asked Richard, ther straps running on their pullies; and as the other stopped to give some order. its own wheel, or flier, fixed against the "There is a very dangerous thing, ceiling as it appeared, whirling round with called an upright shaft, in that box," rethe same rapidity, the same monotonous plied Hudson, "It keeps constantly in noise as its fellows. The same mechani-rapid motion, and when left exposed, very cal employment occupied each individual dreadful injury is inflicted, and often inlabourer a human piece of mechanism, stant death to the poor children who are attached to those of iron and leather, pas- caught in passing it. sing to and fro within a confined space, with an air of vacant listlessness such as Richard had never beheld among any class of work-people. The air of the room, if air it might be called, which felt more like the absence of that refreshing element, was oppressive to a most sickening degree; its prevailing savour was that of rank oil, necessarily used in great quanti-gentlemen in general are brought to box ties for the supplying the leather, and greasing the machinery; the temperature was dreadfully high, and a tightness came on his chest, that rendered the operation Richard made some remark, of which of breathing quite laborious. Every the word "murdering" alone reached his minute brought an increase of these op-friend's ear. They were now again in pressive sensations, and glad he was when the manager, opening a door, conducted them into another apartment, divided by a wooden partition from the former.

"Can any mortal man be so wickedly cruel," said Richard: "Nothing should bribe me to let Mary or Willy ever go near such works."

Hudson shook his head: "Mary must pass it many times in a day, in Mr. Z.'s mill, and it is not until some severe measures have been taken, that our factory

it off, as you see here. That is one of the crying evils against which our friends direct their strong efforts."

the room first entered, and the oppression seemed to fall more heavily than before on his lungs. "At any rate," said he, "Helen shan't come to this room. A baker's oven would be as comfortable, and a deal more wholesome."

This contained the master-power, the mighty engine that kept every thing in motion. An immense iron wheel, of which The next room, however, was no betonly the upper half appeared above the ter: the machinery was similar in appearfloor and reached to the roof, raised high |ance, though belonging to a different to afford it space, was making its rapid rev-stage of the work; the employment of the olutions, by means of two enormous joints labourers was not the same, but their asof the same metal, that, playing from above, alternately raised and depressed what Richard would have called the handles of the wheel. The pulsation of the boarding on which he stood, as the thun-iously did he look for some token of cheerdering strokes fell rapidly upon his ear, almost dismayed the astonished rustic, and he shrank with cautious eye from approaching the narrow chasm within which the wheel was carried round with such a

pect precisely so; and the atmospheric evil not one whit ameliorated. Richard walked round as before, Hudson keeping the manager in conversation, and anx

fulness, or even of ordinary intelligence, among the young people. Many had features evidently formed to express it; and some wore an air of boldness far from agreeable: but the same absence of all

that characterizes the youthful countenance still prevailed; the same look of gloom and listlessness, the same measured movement, attendant on that of the whirling machinery about them.

"I am sick of the sight of those twirling bobbins," said he to Hudson: "is the whole place full of them ?"

"No, we are going through the factory the wrong way, and shall end, I suppose, where the work begins. You will soon see the cotton preparing for this stage of twisting and filling."

They next found themselves in a room crowded with low iron frames, of which the front parts advanced and receded in perpetual motion, just leaving space between for the girls to stand. Threads were stretched upon the frames, which incessantly snapped, and the labourers' office was to catch and piece the separated ends.

"This is Mary's work," said Hudson; "and Katy's is to creep underneath, and pull off the loose cotton."

"Why, she would be crushed to death." "Habit makes her expert in avoiding the danger but you see it is fatiguing and the least heedlessness would be dangerous."

Richard both saw and felt it: a new impression with regard to factory-work was fast taking place of the former one; but he said little.

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"This is Helen's department," said Hudson.

"This!" and Richard looked round him with painful curiosity. Just then, the hour for tea arrived, and a signal being given, the whole machinery at the same instant stood still. The manager apologized for leaving them, saying he would be back in a quarter of an hour, and Richard eagerly watched the effect on the labourers of this short respite from toil.

There were no seats: they gathered themselves in groups, or stood singly leaning againt the frames, or sat down on the floor, hastily swallowing whatever they had brought for the meal. Of course, it was abundantly mixed with flue; but this appeared a less evil in Richard's eye than the mixing of young people of different sexes, and the sort of conversation that seemed to be passing among them. Many, indeed, appeared to think of nothing but the luxury of a short rest on the floor for their weary bodies; but evidently there was a great deal going on, in an under-tone, that would not have borne publishing. He became impatient, and said, "Let us go back to some of the rooms we have seen; for I want to find out one where they are more comfortable-and more safe," he added, after a pause.

The search, however, was fruitless, so far as comfort was concerned. In these rooms the girls with difficulty squatted They soon found themselves in an themselves in small parties between the apartment where the machinery and the rows of frames, which ran quite across labour were wholly dissimilar. The for- them. The same aspect of exhaustion, mer consisted of enormous cylinders, piled the same vacancy, and lack of youthful one above another, and covered with a animation prevailed. Hollow cheeks, heavy moveable case, which was raised to admit eyes, narrow chests, and stooping shoulof the necessary operations, performed ders met the inquiring gaze at every turn. chiefly by men: but a number of girls and Discontent, not noisy or active, but gloomy young women were also employed in and silent, seemed impressed on all, tolooking to the deep cans where the cot-gether with a sort of helpless resignation ton, rent to pieces by the cylinders, was to what they knew must be. Hudson thrown out in beautiful flakes. These spoke often and kindly as he passed them, rapidly filled, and when full were taken but seldom got a reply-never a cheerful away, being replaced by empty ones. one. Their minds seemed to stagnate, There was, however, a worse annoyance their spirits to have wholly evaporated, in that room than in any of the preceding; and a sort of indifference the farthest posthe flue-fine particles of cotton wool, so sibly removed from all feeling of enjoyimpregnated the air, that Richard soon ment, reigned supreme. The time allowed found not only his coat covered, but his for their meal soon expired; in a mothroat lined with them. At first he had ment every wheel was flying round, every preferred this branch of the work, but the strap in motion, every little spindle revolvirritating effect of the flue was tormenting.ing in its place, and with heavy step the

attendants resumed their stations, pursuing the same monotonous work, which if Richard had been a classical scholar he might aptly have compared to the punishment of Sysiphus.

The manager now rejoined them, and Richard saw the remaining departments; the first and last stages; the weighing and rolling, and carding and drawing out of the raw material; the winding and storting and packing of the finished thread; but though some of the rooms enjoyed more ventilation, and were less oppressively heated than others, he saw nothing to cheer him; and they had passed the outer gate some minutes before he broke silence.

that effect. Did not the air of the room oppress you?"

"Indeed it did. Sometimes in summer, just before a great thunder-storm, I have felt as if I was pent up in a box, with a weight on my head, and really got quite dizzy for a while; but though that is the nearest thing I can think of to liken it to, those rooms were fifty, ay, five hundred times worse. The weight seemed to be not only on my head, but all over me; and then the sickening smell and the whirring noise-I'll tell you what, the first few days in a factory would make me ill, and when I got over that, I should become stupid."

"You have answered your own question so far. If we had no other plea for

"How different a mill is from all I had short hours and a frequent change of

fancied !"

"What did you expect?"

"Why, I supposed it was a dark, dismal-looking place, where the people had to run about, and work very fast, with a great deal on their minds, and a world of management necessary, but this is nothing of the sort."

hands, the dreadful heat and unwholesomeness of the atmosphere would be enough. You may suppose what it must be when the gas is lighted, adding to the closeness and the bad smell of the place: in winter they require it for many hours, morning and evening. Then the sunshine, cheerful as it would otherwise be, comes in at

"Then you find it better than you ex- those endless windows with such power as pected?"

"Better! no; fifty times worse. You see, I'm used to hard labour, and can't say but I sometimes get more than I like of out-door work in all weathers; but then, Mr. Hudson, I have worked like a man not like a wheel and pulley. My mind has gone along with my hands, and I had something to keep me in remembrance that I was better than the spade I dug with. I never was idly disposed; but if fatigue came over me for a minute or so, I could stop my spade and rest upon it; it didn't dig of itself, and force my foot to follow it."

"That last," said Hudson, "is the most reasonable part of your remark. As to the first, if you consider, there is some room for thought in the work you have just seen. A machine can't put the cotton in the scales, or tell when the weights are equal; nor can it know when the threads break, and piece them, or reckon the bales, and ticket them; or

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"It's all very true; but tell me what it is makes the people look so like machines, if they don't feel so ?"

"Many things, Green, assist to produce

to broil the poor creatures, and make them wish it away, instead of rejoicing in its brightness."

"Another thing," said Richard, “is the constant standing, and just fidgeting about within such a narrow space, in those rooms where we first went; the others are better as to giving more liberty, but the cotton flies about so much in them as to injure, I should think, every body that breathes there."

"It kills many. Did you see the little boy sitting in a heap of the raw cotton, swallowing his portion quite in a cloud of flue ?"

"Yes; a ragged, miserable-looking creature he was. I noticed his famished face as he munched that hard, mouldy crust."

"But generally the labourers in that mill are remarkable for a favourable appearance. They are examined by a strictly conscientious surgeon, who is also frequently taken through the rooms, to judge whether any of the people are getting sickly; in which case they are removed."

Richard stared. "Why, Mr. Hudson, what do you call sickly if those pale, yel

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