The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-11-26

that meannrss yet, and, if | keep my
present mind, never will"
Mary Rivers, as has been seen, went
home, feeling very badly. The more
she thought about what had occurred,
the more she felt mortified and really
ashamed of herself for having trespaSsed
upon Jane Tonpklns for her periodicals
and newspapers, to such an extent as to
Cause her father to interfere and forbid
her lending them any more. For this
fact in the case she was not slow to
infer.
"NIarv," said Mr.. Rivers, as he sat
that evening, liStless for want Of some
thing to read or do, 'ain't none Of the
magazines out for this month! Havn't
YOU got 'Gaze,,r' Post or Courier
from your friend Miss Tomp<ins :"
"No, papa" replied Mary.
Il thought you went there to-day"
$50 | did, but Jane says her father
has lorb'Gded her to lend the papers and
magazines any more
"t!e has !" calculated Mr.. Rivers, with
surprise and something of Indignation.
''Why was that /"
Il don't know; but Jane said she
couldn't let me have them any moie.'
"lt'S very selfish - said Mr.. Rivers.
''verv selfish What harm could your
reading the magazides DO him, | wonder z!
Bnt that's just like some people They
cannot bear to see others enjoy them
selves, and will prevent it if in their
power"
Mr.. Rivers felt rather uncomfortable
about this refusal on the part OF Mr..
Tompkins. 1t seemed to him to be
aimed at his family. He also felt I'M
comfortable at the thought of losing his
. regular weekly and monthly enjoyment
, of reading the newspapers and maya
zines "lree gratis, for nohing.' In fact
this standing of Mr.. Tompkins upon his
!. reserved rights. had an unhappy effect
upon the whole Rivers family, from the
father down to little Tommy, who read
the anecdotes, and story now and then,
with as high relish as any OF the rest.
Things remained in this posture for
two or three weeks, when Mr.. Rivers
became so hungry for Elemental aliment
Withheld by Nj. Tompkins, that he
strained a point, even though he felt that
4. c"nldn't afford it, and went and sub
ST brl for a magazine. He brought
ho' couple of numbers with him, and
tossing them into Mary's lap, said -
"Thrre's reading for YOU, Wary, and no
thanks to Mr.. Tompkins !"
Mary's eyes and face Frightened as
she caught up the magazine.
Have you subscribed for it, papa -
she asked eagerly.
"Y"s, dear. You can read your own
magazines now"
"Oh, am so glad - exclaimed Mary,
the tears starting into her eyes.
Even though he couldn't afford it, Mr..
Rivers felt happy to think that he had
made Mary so happy. On the next
day, he thought frequently Of the de-
lighted face of his daughter when he
told her that he had subscribed Tor the
magazine. Before night he determined
to give her another agreeable surprise
ere the week was out. 1t was Thurs
day. On the next evening, when he
came in, Mary sprung towards him, and
holding up newspaper, said, while her
whole Countenance beamed with plea
sure--"A man left the Gazette here to-
day. Did you subscribe for it, papal
Yes, | know you did; your face tells me
so ~
you seem highly delighted about it, '
Mr.. Rivers said, with an irlepresslble
smile.
"And so am. I've wanted to see
the Gazette badly"
Nor was Mary alone in her express
sion of pleasure. The younger sisters
and brothers were in raptures at the
idea of having a "'Gazette' that was all
their own to read;" and even Mrs. Riv-
ers, who was not OF a very literary turn,
remarked, on the occasion, that news
paper was can excellent thing among
Children" and that, for her part, she al.
ways liked to read a little in them now
and then, especially in that part con-
tanning :ecei pts and other domestic mat
tiers. Not tor long time had Mr.. Riv-
ers done anything that gave such uni
versal satisfaction athomc. Even though
he couldn't afford it, he was very far
from repenting ofthis act of extra liber-
atty.
Many weeks did not pass before an
other magazine and another newspaper
came to the house, and before six months
Mr.. Rivers was as liberal patron of
periodical literature as Mr.. Tompkins,
and this although he "couldn't afford it,
A year or two have passed, but not
withstanding the heavy additional ex-
pense of twenty dollars per annum for
magazines and newspapers. the mercan.
tile community have not yet been star
| tied by an announcement of the failur
of Mr.. Rivers, and we hope never will
at least not so long as he takes the