The district surrounding the mills, in which most of the hands
lived, had put on an aspect of mourning. Some of the workmen and
their families had already packed up and gone. Most of the
houses occupied by the hands were owned by the Atwater Company,
and if the poor people remained till January 15th, the wages due
them then would be eaten up by the rent of the tenements.
So they were wise to leave when they could. Many who remained
would be a burden upon the taxpayers of Tillbury before the
winter was over.
Nan and her folks were not in such a sad situation as the
laborers, of course. Mr. Sherwood had a small sum in bank. He
had, too, a certain standing in the community and a line of
credit at the stores that he might have used.
Debt, however, save that upon their house, he had fought to keep
out of all his married life. That his equity in the Amity Street
cottage was so small was not his fault; but he owed not any man.
"Now we must go fishing," Mrs. Sherwood said, in her sprightly
way, when the little family really discussed the unfortunate
situation after the announcement of the shut-down of the mills
was made public.
"Goodness, Momsey! What a reckless creature you are," laughed
Mr.
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