They persevered, however, in their efforts to find a person, and
after trying half a dozen, who could not or would not do the
work, they gave it up in despair. But not long were they
permitted to struggle with the severe toil which their
circumstances imposed upon them; for on the night before
Christmas, when a large demand for candy was anticipated, and
both of them had worked very hard, Mrs. Redburn fainted and fell
upon the floor. It was in this manner that she had been taken at
the commencement of her former long sickness, and to Katy the
future looked dark and gloomy. But she did not give up. She
applied herself, with all her energies, to the restoration of her
mother; and when she was partially conscious, she attempted to
conduct her to the bed. The poor woman's strength was all gone,
and Katy was obliged to call in Mrs. Howard to assist her.
Mrs. Redburn suffered the most severe and racking pains through
the night, and at about twelve o'clock, Katy went to Mr. Sneed's
house, and calling up Simon, begged him to go for a doctor. But
the physician's art seemed powerless to soothe her. All night
long the devoted daughter, like an angel of mercy, hovered around
the bed, and did all he could in vain attempts to ease the
sufferer's pain.
Poor Katy! The sun of prosperity had set, and the night of
adversity was coming on.
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