As Mary Atkins was one day going to fetch some turnips for dinner, she
saw, at the corner of Poverty Lane, a second-hand shop, at the door of
which hung a great deal of ragged finery. There was a tawdry flowered
gown: to be sure, it had some holes in it, but it was well starched,
and made a show: there was, likewise, an old muslin cap, with a pleated
border, and a fine red ribband round it. Mary went home, and told her
mother she wished her to go with her to Poverty-lane, to buy something
at the second-hand shop, for she had seen some very pretty things
there; and Sally Idle had bought a white apron for six-pence, and a
muslin handkerchief for two-pence. My dear, said her mother, there is
not a place in the town I have so great a dislike to as a rag-shop,
for such it may properly be called; and, it is one great cause of the
ruin of poor people, that they lay out their money at these shops. The
apron and handkerchief which Sally Idle bought, would, probably, be in
rags the first time they were washed, and she would then find that she
had laid out her money in a very wrong manner. The pleated bordered
cap you saw, was, I dare say, already in holes; and, perhaps, after
once washing it, could be pleated no more: besides, such a thing would
take a great deal of time, which poor people have not to spare. I would
rather see a plain cloth cap, with a strong lawn border, set strait
on, which would wear well for years, than such fine ones which would
not last a month. The cotton gown, perhaps, I could buy for half what
I gave for my new stuff one; but it would often want washing, and that
would take a great deal of time, which would very much hinder my work
at the wheel. Soap too, is very dear, so that it would soon cost me
more than that I have: besides, I think it very untidy to see a poor
woman with a dirty bit of a cotton gown all in rags, when she might,
by a little contrivance, have a comfortable stuff one. Poor people, in
general, find it difficult to raise money enough at a time to go to the
shops and buy a new garment: but my way is to put by, weekly, a little
out of what every one gets. You know you have each a place to put your
own in, and, by many a little being often put together, it soon becomes
a good deal. When I want a new garment for any of us, I go and see how
much is in the drawer, and if there is not enough, your father and I
endeavour to make it up out of our own earnings. I should think it a
shameful waste, indeed, to spend my money and my children’s at a rag
shop. I never have done it, nor do I ever mean to do it; but, if you
think it a better way, you are very welcome to try. But, as I think it
a disgrace for an industrious woman to be seen there, you will excuse
my going with you. O, said Mary, I will not go, I am convinced that
your way is best; and, now I think of it, Sally Idle had a great many
rents in the linen gown, which I know she bought there but a little
time since, and it looked very dirty and untidy too. Some people, said
her mother, may laugh at my putting by the six-pences and the penny’s
every week, but I am sure we have a great deal of comfort from it; and,
it matters not who laughs, so long as we are certain that we are doing
right. I do not think that I should hoard up a great many shillings and
guineas as if I could get them, for they are only desirable to make use
of; but I know it to be my duty to do the best I can with my little,
and, while I do that, you may be sure I shall not go to the rag-shop.
Ruin within the rag-shop stands,
And all who dare to enter,
With tattered bargains in their hands,
Repent so rash a venture.
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