I seem to have had a very hard time all through. Well, my first baby
was born twenty-three years last February, and my husband was working
just about one or two days in a week at 3s. 4d. a day. My second baby
was born sixteen months after, being still-born. My husband was out
of work for three months then. I did nothing but cry. I could not get
what I ought to have. The doctor wanted to know if I had been in any
trouble. My mother told him how long we had been out of work, and I
had cried a good deal. The doctor said that would be the cause of my
baby being dead. When I got better, I went to work (and to tell you
the truth, I have worked hard ever since). Twelve months after that I
had another baby. I was very ill. When I got better, I took in plain
sewing; then two years after I had another baby, but my husband was in
better employment, earning 18s. per week, and I thought I was a lady.
But it was not for long. My husband’s work finished, and we moved to
----, where I had fresh troubles, my next baby being dead born, and
my next only lived five months. When I was laid up again we were very
hard up. I had to let the young person who looked after me go before
her time was up. After I paid her and my rent and coals we had no
dinner the Sunday, simply because we could not afford any. I always
tried to get on and keep us all respectable, but it was hard work. I
also managed to get the doctor paid before I wanted him again. Two
and a half years after I had another baby, and she has taken more to
rear her than all the rest; she cannot go to school. She takes such a
lot of fits, both night and day. My next baby was born about eighteen
months after, and when she was five I had the misfortune to go to bed
again; I had a very bad time, although it was my tenth child. I was
chloroformed, and the baby lived half an hour. I am sure you will be
tired reading all my troubles, but I assure you I had to work hard in
my home and out of it to keep us all together. I used to buy extra
every week, it did not matter how small, so that I could be better
able to pay for someone to look after me. I have a good husband, and
he helps me all he can. Three of my daughters is under the doctor now,
and I am of the candid opinion it is through me working so hard and
not getting plenty of food and attention during that period. I hope I
have not wearied you. I many a time feel I could write a book of my
troubles; I seem to have had so many. When we look back, we wonder
however we have got along, but every cloud has a silver lining, and I
am looking forward to see my children better provided than I have been.
With all good wishes for a brighter future.
_Wages 18s. to 22s.; eight children, two still-births._