The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-22
THE LITTLE SISTERS.
j. rRETrY sroRr,

"You were not here yesterday" said the
ycp,lc teacher of little village school. as
sbe placed her hand kindly on the curly
head of one Of her pupils: II was recess
time, but tho little Girl addressed had not
gone to frolic away the ten minutes, nsr
even left her seat, but sat absorbed in what
seemed n fruitless attempt to make herself
mistress Of a sum in long division.
Her face and neck crinsoned at the re-
mark of her teacher, but looking up, she
seemed somewhat re.assured by the kind
glance that net her and answered. -
"No ma'am, wa, not' but sister Nelly
was"
"I remember ther, was o little girl who
called hprscli Nelly. Gay, came in yester'
day, bat I did not know che was your els
ter. But why did you not comet You
sesm to love study very much" =.
at was not because did MT want to,
was the earnest answer. and then she paused
and the deep flush again tiuged that fair
brow )" but, she continued, alter amoment
OF painful embarrassment, "mother can Mt
spare both Of US conveniently. and 50 we
are going to take turns, l IN going to school
ono day and sister the next, and at night
she will teach me all that she learns while
here. II 8 the only way We can think OF
getting along. and We want TO study, very
much, 90 as to sometime keep school our.
selves, and take care of mother, because she
has TO work very hard TO take care OF u.s."
With genuine delicacy Miss NJ
forebore to question the child further, but
sat down beside her, and in moment ex'
planned the rule over which she was puzzling
her young brain, SO that the difficult sum
was easily finished.
"You had better 20 on! and take the air
o moment, you have studied very hard 70.
day, said the teacher, Us the little girl put
aside her slate.
~ had rather not might tear my
dress Il will stand by the window and
watch the rest"
There was peculiar tone in the voice Of
her pupil as she said, 'Imight tear my
dress that Miss NJ was led instinc.
lively to notice it. It was nothing but
ninepenny print Of deep blue, but it was
neatly made, and had never yet been washed.
And while looking at ii, she remembered
that during the whole previous fortnight
that Mary Gray had attended school regular
ly, she had never seen her wear but that one
dress. I" She is q thoughtful little girl
sald she to herself, and does not want to
make her mother any trouble. 81 wish ]
had more such scholars"
Tho next morning Maryiwas absent, but
her sister occupied her seat. There was
something so interesting in these two little
sisters, the one eleven and the other eigh.
teen months younger, agreeing to attend
schools by turns, that Miss NJ could
~, E,.Ls.. .L-..-:-s .L.-- ~..y .ioSeiy y
They were pretty faced, OF delicate forms,
and fairy 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 vciled by wreath Of golden
ringlets She observed in both tho same
close attention to their studies, and as Mary
had iarrid in during play lime, SO did Nelly;
and uron speaking to her as she did to her
sister, she received, too, the same answer,
may tear my dress.
The reply caused Miss NJ to notice
the garb Of the sister. She saw at once
that it WAS of the same piece as Msry's,
and upon scrutnizing it very closely. she
became certain that It vas the same dress.
II did not ct quite SO prettily on Nelly, and
was too long for her. too, and she was evi.
IDENTIFY Ill ut ease when she noticed her
teacher looking ut the bright pink flowers
that were so thickly set on the ground.
The discovery was one that could not but
interest heart so truly benevolent as that
which palpitated in the bosom Of that vii.
lage school teacher. She ascertained the
residence Of their mother, and though sorely
shortened herself by q narrow purse, that
same night, found in the only store In the
place few yards Of the same material, pur.
chased dress for little Nelly and sent 1t to
her In such way that the donor could not
be detected.
Very bright and happy looked Mary
Gray on Friday Morning, as she entered the
school ut an early hour. She waited only to
place her books in neat order in her desk,
ere she approached Miss Nj and whis.
pering in voice that laughed in spite of
her efforts to make 1t low and deferential.-
7" After this week, sister Nelly is coming to
school every day, and oh. m 30 glad
THAT is very good news" replied the
teacher kindly. "Nelly Is fond Of her books,
l SEQ and am happy TO know that she can
have IN opportunity to study her books ey.
cry day. Then she continued, little good
nasured mischief eacirclins her eyes and
dimpling her sweet lips. But how can
your mother spare you both conveniently"
20, yes, nam, yes nam, she can now.
Something happened she did Mt expect, and
she is rs glad to have Us come rs we are to
do So" She hesitated moment, but her
young heart was filed to the brim with 10y,
and when o child Is happy Il Is natural TO
tell the cause, as 1t is for q bird 10 warble
when the sun shines. So out Of the full.
ness Of her heart she spoke and told her
teacher this little story.
She and her sister were the only children
Of very poor widow, whose health vas 30
delicate that It was almost impossible 70
support herself and daughters. She was
obliged to keep them out Of schoo, all win.
tor, because they had no clothes 70 wear. bu,
she told them that II she could earn enou oh
by doing odd chores for the neiebbors n
buy each Of them new dress, thew MIGHT
60 in the spring. Very earnestly had The The
girls improved their stray chances, and
very carefully boarded the copper coins
which usually repaid them. They had each
saved nearly enough 10 buy calico, when
Nelly was taken sick, and % the motber
had no money beforehand, her own treasure
had TO be expended in tho purchase of med.
icine. 40 did feel so bad when sebool
opened, and Nelly could no. 20 because she
had no Dress" said Mary. III told mother
l would mt SO either, but she said had
better, Tor could teach sister at home some
and 1t would be better than no schooline.-
l stood 1t for fortnight, but Nelly's little
face seemed oil the time looking at me on
the way 70 school, and could NJ ha ha.py