In time Sally was old enough to be put to some business, and as she had all along been of a weaker constitution than her sisters, it was deemed advisable to select some occupation for her of a lighter description.  Accordingly she soon found herself placed with a shopkeeper in the town, to learn the mysteries of concocting bonnets, caps, &c.  The money she received at the commencement was very little, but doubtless was a just equivalent for her labours; but her parents, whose income had decreased with their increasing years, had often to suffer privations, in order to dress Sally as became her position.  Sally was naturally quick of apprehension, and the old folks’ hearts were often cheered by the reports of her advancement.

“It maks me thankful monny a time i’th’ day, Tip, to think ha Sally taks to her wark; an’ tha sees shoo’s soa steady an’ niver braiks ony time, an’ aw connot help thinkin, ’at may be, shoo’ll net only be a comfort to us in old age, but a varry gurt help.”

“Shoo’s steady enough,” said Tip, “but aw dooant think its wise to build ony castles i’th’ air abaat her helpin us mich.  Th’ kitten seldom brings th’ old cat a maase.  Nooan o’ th’ brothers has iver done owt for us,—­net ’at aw want owt, net aw; but aw know ’at we’ve had to do a deeal for them, an’ it luks rayther hard, at they should niver think abaat payin a trifle back; an’ awm feeared Sally ‘ll be one amang th’ rest.”

“Happen net.  Tha wor allus fond o’ lukkin o’th’ dark side.”

“Aw may weel be fond o’ lukkin at it, for awve seen varry little o’th’ breet en.”

Sally continued to progress, and her employer was not slow to recognize her abilities and increase her wages in proportion.  She often indulged in dreams of what she would do for her parents, as soon as she was able, but as yet her own wants were so very pressing, that it took all her money to satisfy them.  She saw and admired her fellow-workers, as they entered or left the place of business, dressed in such clothes as she had never had, and such as it must be some time before she could hope to obtain.  But she clung to the hope that the time would come, and she strained every nerve to hasten its approach.  Though by no means vain, yet it was quite evident, Sally was aware she was as much her companions’ superior, in personal attractions, as they were her superiors in point of dress, and it is to be feared, that there were times when she consulted her mirror with exultation, and painted in her imagination pictures how she could outshine them all when the time came.

By degrees almost imperceptible, crept in a dislike to her home;—­not to those who owned it, far from it.  To her parents she was still loving and dutiful, but she began to conceive that her own attempts to improve her appearance, her manner of speaking, and her general carriage, were strangely at variance with her humble home and its belongings.  Happily, those precepts most potent to restrain any waywardness or wickedness, had been early instilled into her by her mother, whose quiet christian life had been her daily example.  Her religion was pure and simple, and she never failed to impress upon Sally the happiness to be derived from an adherence to the truth, and a faith in the goodness of God.