I myself had some very hard times, as I had to go out to work in the
mill. I was a weaver, and we had a lot of lifting to do. My first baby
was born before its time, from me lifting my piece off the loom on to
my shoulder, as two of us had them to lift, and then carry them from
the shed across the yard to be weighed. If I had been able to take care
of myself I should not have had to suffer as I did for seven weeks
before that baby was born and for three months after; and then there
was the baby suffering as well, as he was a weak little thing for a
long time, and cost pounds that could have been saved had I been able
to stay at home and look after myself. But I could not do so, as my
husband was short of work; and when I had my second baby I had to work
all through again, as my husband was short of work and ill at the time.
So there was another poorly baby. While I was carrying this one he only
worked three months out of the nine. I could not get any support at
all then. I had to go out to work again at the month-end, and put the
baby out to nurse. I had to get up by four in the morning, and get my
baby out of bed, wash and dress it, and then leave home by five, as I
had half an hour walk to take my baby to my mother’s, and then go to my
work and stand all day till half-past five at night, and then the walk
home again with my baby. I had to do this with three of them. I think
you will understand I have had my share; and all my children have had
to be brought with instruments. I have had six living children and one
miscarriage. I lost two from injury at birth; and when I had the last,
the doctor told me he did not know how I had kept one, the times that
I had had, and the way they had to use the baby before birth. And now
I am suffering myself, all from not being able to take care of myself
during pregnancy. My baby that I lost died from hæmorrhage when he was
eight days old; then the second, when she was four months old, died
from an injury to the spine, both done at birth. I think it would have
been a good thing for me if all these reforms had been in force, as I
should have both been better in health and saved a lot of suffering to
myself and my children.
It was from no fault of my husband that I had to suffer: it was from
shortness of work. I know I should have had the best of everything if
he had been able to get it for me. He had 28s. a week and all holidays
off. Then there was out of work, many a time playing for six weeks at
a time.
_Wages 28s.; six children, one miscarriage._