Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1854-12-09
THE LITTLE SISTERS.
A PRETTY STORY.

PRETTY STORY.
s.You were not here Yesterday" said the
gentle teacher of the little village school, as
she placed her hand kindly on the curly head
Of one Of her pupils. 1t was recess time, but
the little girl addressed had not gone to
| frolic away the ten minutes, nor even left
her seat, but sat absorbed in what seemed
fruitless attempt to make herself mistress of
a sum in long division.
Her face and neck crimsoned at the re-
mark Of her teacher, but looking up, she
seemed somewhat treasured by the kind
glance that met her and answered, "No,
ma am, was not, but sister Nelly was"
| 81 remember there was little girl who
called herself Nelly Gray, came in yester-
day, but did no. know she was your sister.
But why did you not come? You seem to
love study very much.'
1t was not because | didn't want to-, was
the earnest answer, and then paused, and the
deep flush again tinged that fair brow, but
she continued after moment of painful en-
barrassment, smother cannot spare both Of
us conveniently, and so we are going to take
turns, Fm going to school one day ard sis
ter the next, and tonight Pm to teach Mel
ly all | have learned to-day, and tomorrow
night she will teach me all that she learns
while here. It's the only way we can think
of getting along, and we want to study very
much, so as to some time keep school our
selves, and take care Of mother because she
has to work very hard to take care Of us.
With genuine delicacy Miss M forebore
to question the child further, but sat down
beside her, and in q moment explained the
rule over which she was puZzllng her young
brain, so that the difficult sum was easily fin
| ished.
ssYou had better 60 out and take the air
moment, you have studied very hard o-day."
said the teacher, as the little girl put aside
her slate.
81 had rather not might tear ma dress
II will stand by the window and watch the
rest.
There was such apeculiar tone in the voice
of her pupil as she said, 81 might tear my
dress,o that Miss NJ was led instinctive!y
to notice it. 1t was nothing but nine-penny
print of deep hue, but it was neatly made
and had never yet been washed. And while
looking at it, she remembered that during the
whole previous fortnight that Mary Gray had
attended school regularly, she had never seen
her wear but that Que dress. "She lis a thought
full girl,' said she to herself, Sand does not
want to make her mother any trouble wish
l had more such scholars"
The next morning Mary was absent, but
her sister occupied the seat. There was
something so interesting in the two litsle sis
tiers, the one eleven and the other eighteen
months younger, agreeing to attend school
by turns, that Miss NJ could not forbear
observing them very closely. They were pref
ty faced children, Of delicate forms, and fai-
re-like hands and feet-the elder with dark
lustrous eyes and chestnut curls, the younger
. with orbs like the sky of June, her white neck
yelled with a wealth Of golden ringlets. She
observed in both, the close attention to their
studies, and as Mary had tarried within du-
ring play time, SO did Nelly; and upon speak
ing to her as she had to her sister, she re-
|, celved, too, the same answer, 81 might tear
J my dress"
The reply caused Miss NJ to notice the
garb Of the sister. She saw at once that it
was the same piece as Mary's, and upon scru-
tinizing it very closely, she became certain
that it was the same dress. 1t did not fiji
quite so pretty on Nelly, and was too long
for her, too, and she was evidently Ill at ease
, when she noticed her teacher looking at the
bright pink flowers that were SO thickly sci
, on the white ground.
The discovery was one that could not bui
interest heart so truly benevolent as thai
which pulsatcd in the bosom Of that village
school teacher. She ascertained the resi-.
dence Of their mother, and though sorely
shortened herself by narrow purse, tina
same night, having found at the only store il
the place few yards Of the same material
purchased dress for little Nelly, and SEN
it to her in such way that the donor cou,C
not be detected.
. Very bright and happy looked Mary Ora.
on Friday morning as she entered the schoo
at an early hour. She waited only to p!ar
her books in neat order in her desk, ere sh
approached Miss NJ and whispering in
voice that laughed in spite Of her efforts t
make it low and deferential, ssAfter this weel
sister Nelly is coming to school every day
and oh, am so glad!
: ssThat is very good news" replied tn
> teacher kindly ssNelly is fond Of her books
| see, and am happy to know that she Cal
: have an opportunity to study her books eve
!. ~ day." Then she continued, little goo
. natured mischief encircling her eyes an,
!. dimpling her sweet lips, s.But how can you
mother spare you both conveniently?o
go, yes. ma am, yes, ma'am, she can now
: Something hapdened she didn't expect, an
z she is as glad to have US come as re are t
0 do co." She hesitated moment, but he
8 young heart was filled to the brim with Joy
: and when child is happy it is as natural t
tell the cause, rs it is for bird to warbl
Q when the sun shines. So out Of the fullnes
Of her heart she spoke and told her teache
this little story.
{ She and her sister were the only children
Of very poor widow. whose health was .