Star of the Kanawha Valley. [volume] (Buffalo, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1856, 1856-02-13

the greatest blessings OF life and
that is the anticipation Of better days.
Ills human nature, and as such is
right, for those who only look upon
the dark side OF life. are daily conjur-
ing up fears, which are worse than
the reality, and unhappy presents
ments oitentimes work out their own
tulfilment. Then let us all hope for
the bcst.and be satisfied with such a
lot as is melted out to us by Him who
rules the stormy sea, and guides Alright
our wandering barque.
Again Ellen prepared for her daily
visit to the post office; and it was their
hope, but in that they had been dis
appointed SO often that it seemed that
disappointment was herl lot.
Sheentered the Office with trem-
bling steps. :.
The clerks were oil busily employ
ed in delivering letters for the South
ern mail had just arrived. Sheswait-
ed till nearly all had been served; and
approaching the desk she asked the
usual question expecting to hear the
same answer, yet hoping for the best.
The clerk looked over the.letiers-
1-: Morton did you sayF !.
Yes, SIR - : ~ F., ~ II
Here is one,' and and he handed
her large letter or packet. With
joy she seized it, and dropping from
her hands a single twenty-five cent
piece, was about to leave the Office.
Here said the: clerk, 'this is not
enough-the postage is a half a dol
lar -'.,>.. " ~ 4 7 .
.Halfa dollar!!' exclaimed Ellen.
'Yes;sit is a double letter. 5>>ss+4 /.
Ellen stood a moment in silence. -
Then slowly advancing to the desk
she put the letter into the clerks hands,
took her money and turned away.
Are. you not going to take it, ask
ed the clerk. b. -:
Icannot!' she exclaimed, while iu
| spite of all efforts to restrain her feel
ings, the tears started from her eyes.
Il cannot! have no more money!
The last words died upon her lips as
she left the office. TT G p.
That's too bad,' said the clerk to
one of his associates, as she went
out. -" 49,.
| What's too badl'
why, this letter. + -.
The girll did you sec herr - r."
NO RI. IT, : ~. N
She was handsome US a picture,
and she had been here SO often for a
letter, and now it has come she can
not haveit.'. '*., - /
1Why. notl' =. 7 w.. = ]
r. She can't pay the postage * \
| SWELL let her wait till she can,
then N 4:
'IhaveSa half a. mind to pay the
postage myself + Fl
| 'loukad better, I guess; maybe
she'll pay YOU 4 II :. ~
r ~ would it l knew where she lived
! br who she is. Its too bad to charge
lfty cents for a letter. More thar
sc earn in a week these hard times.
Bt:it's none of my business. If she
cones again though she shall have
theletter if l have to pay for it my
self. r. ~ist'' ~ |g'~
: Yhen Ellen returned home she
: fount Mr.. Brown already there.
wv $ there any letter. asked her
{ moths as soon Us she entered the
HOUSE! II = @Ef...
l 'Thep was, but II: = H u
!, Vince is itg Was it from New
Orleansi y ..r / l. ~ Z r W.
i don know where it was from,
but / hayt-' -~<> /ts
= Let mssee it quick, said Mrs.
, Morton. ..:. -.
, 'Ihave Mt got it, III /
EtNot got h why have you lost it,
No, coul not pay the postage
What have;ou done with the mon
ey that we hat saved for more than
a month on puhose to pay the pos
E tage withF' 2 r. ss i IN 1tI81s
Il have got IT, money. mother but
| the postage is hf a dollar. Per
haps Mr.. Brow, will advance the
money, and aa3,5
0 No. IIwont adance the money;
YOU need not think # that said the
E hard hearted landla.' tatN
J sBut perhaps it cdtains money,
) so you said once More, and / let
e have the money, and have never
!, seen it SINCE ti2s
!, But we were disappointed then.
!. Yes, and may be agah Idon't be-
i |lieve you have any lcttet IN the office.
J. It's only a sham TO put p off.
: Ishall say no more, SAN Mrs. Nor.
ID ton.
sThen,' said Brown, 4 ilst com
3 ,nence business. And sooAn officer
& lentered and commenced mo,ng the
! little furniture Mrs. Norton ncd.
!. sThere IL not halfenough to Nv me
3 now added Brown, but it I'll be
Ilfbetter than nothing y
RI Mrs. Morton watched their Aove.
II ments with fearful eyes, but wAoui
( saying word; she knew it won DC