The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-07-20
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY 20, 1862
WE CLEAVE TO TRUTH, WHERE'ER
SHE LEADS THE WAY"

1000 lor renectlon, anu with regret, Mrs
Williams recalled the manner in which
three dollars Of the little sum appropriated
to the payment ofa just debt and to the
comfort of her children, had been expen-
ded.
IF Mrs. Evans is right in her ideas of
true charity, have certainly not acted in
accordance with it" she mentally excain
ed, as she proceeded to purchase one pair
Of shoes, and few yards Of flannel.
Her self-reproach was increased when,
on reaching home, she found the young
sempstress awaiting her.
Gould you conveniently let me have
the dollar which You owe me, Mrs. Will
lams 7" she asked,i in timid but earnest
manner.
81 am sorry to say that cannot, this
morning, Alice" was the reply. Call
the latter part Of next week, and it shall
be ready for vou."
The girl hesitated. She evidently dis
liked to urge her request, but necessity
overcame her reluctance, and she again
said
at woull be great favor if you could
let me have it."
at it impossible, Alice, but if YOU really
need it, / will endeayor to send it to YOU
IN day or two. What is your mum
Der T.
With deep sigh, Alice gave her ad
dress, and took her leave. The tears fell
fast from her eyes as she left the house,
for with that trifling sum she had hoped
to procure some necessary comforts for
her invalid and destitute mother
Quite dispirited, Mrs. Williams returned
to her parlor, and looking with disgust at
the pin-cushion and work-bag, which acci-
IDENTIFY met her eye, she hastily thurst them
out of sight, exclaIning-
How | wish Alice had the money
which | paid for these. suppose / must
ask Henry for dollar for her, though /
hate TO tell him Of pi,l lfoolishness.ns : /,
The reluctance to tell her husband pre-
vented the request from being made that
evening, and the next morning it passed
from her mind until lie had gone to his
daily business.
"Neyer mind," was the reflection, 81
said in Il day or two. | will ask Henry
tor tie money when he returns, and send
it 10 Alice, this evening""
The morning was cloudy, and soon af.
ter the children went to school the ruin
came down in torrents. On their return
little Ellen's thin shoes were perfectly satu
rated with wet, and with some anxiety her
mother hastcncd to warm and dry her
feet, for the child was naturally delicate,
and could bear little exposure.
"Sec, how dry my feet are, mamma,
with my thick new shoes ~ exclaimed Ma
ry, triumphantly. "When will you buy
Ellen a pair :"
Very soon, my dear" was the reply,
accompanied 10y another pang of regret as
she thought Of the appropriation of the
needful sum.
Experience is stern teacher. Its les
! sons are valuable, but often bitter.
Not many hours elapsed ere Ellen
showed symptoms OF sudden and violent
cold, and before night was so exceedingly
teverIsl' that her father judged it best to
call physician: ,..
Can you account for the attack 2" he
asked, as he left the pulse Of his little pa
tient, and listened to her short and labor
I'd respiration.
"They returned from school in the rain" :"
answered Mr.. Williams, "and must have
taken cold"
"Her feet got very wet" added Mary,
who was standing by the bed, looking sor-
rowfully at her sister. "Her shoes are
very thin, indeed, not like my nice thick
ones which keep out all the water"
Mr.. Williams looked inquiringly at his
wife, but her face was turned from his OBJ
seryation.
"Nothing worse than damp feet, at this
season, particularly" remarked the pnysi-
clan, rs he wrote prescription, and prom
ised TO call at an early hour in the morn
ing.
The mother passed an anxious night at
the bedside Of the restless child. She felt
fearful that regular course Of fever must
follow, and the opinion Of the physician
at his next visit confirmed her apprehen-
sions. Several days elapsed before the
little invalid showed any signs of recovery,
and then her feeble frame had received
such shock that it was evident that un-
ceasing care would be necessary through
the winter.
"How soon can go to school again,
papal" she asked, as her father stood by
her bedside, on his return home, one eve
ming.
"Notfor good while, / fear, my child"
was the reply. "We must try and make
you happy vt home, for il will be long be-
fore you can bear exposure. BY the way,
Lucy" he continued, addressing his wife,
show did it happen that You did not buy
thick shoes for both the childteni I un-
destood you that the money gayo You
was sufficient for all needful purchases.r
Mrs. Williams blushed, but frankly re-
Piled "
sand so Il was. Henry, had l appro-
priated Il as we intended. meant to
have told You all about il ioap aro, but
this Sickness has prevented. Let Mary sit
BY Ellen, and amnse her foF a few wminutes,
and I viii explain u to you. q ~. "