The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-02-19

| emulation, and desire to dress as well or bet
ter than any of her neighbors, and help her tt
forget that The state of her heart is of so mucl
more consequence than the clothes she wears
| A vain, dissatisfied spirit has come up in he
heart, that has taken away her gratitude, ant
not only spoiled her enjoyment of her love fo
her mother, but has m ade her disrespectf ll!'
ooh, MAJ sohbcd Nellie, 81 did not mean t,
be disrespectful, and am sorry was, but i
seems very strange that you are not willing
should have as pretty things as other girls; anc
nothing in the world could make me happier
than the beautiful pink feather at Mrs. La
vin;a's.' DIR. Carson, who had been engaged
at his writing desk during the above conversa
ton, looked up, and asked, sis my daughter
so very confident about that? Is she quit,
sure? Think, now. before speaking" s'l
needn't think," said Nellie, half smiling, &c
kno,c about it." Every well, then, how mucl
money is wanted to make her happier thar
anything in the werld?' s.Only twenty shil
lings, Pa.'' you shall have them, then, il
you viii promise not TO spend them for week!'
Nell:e's countenance fell again at the thought
of such postponenent of her darling wishes
bnt she gave the promise as cheerfully as she
could. and, on receiving the sum, quickly lef
the room, without venturing to look at hel
mother, though not without thanking her faith.
er, and taking with her the despised bonnet
now grown a little less odious.
The week of waiting was not yet over
when DIR. Cason invited Nellie to ride with
him one morning as he was going around to
some of his patients. Nellie was only too
glad TO go with her father, for he always had
some new thing 20 show her or teach her, and
sometimes he allowed her to hold the reins of
"Old Speedy" so they went jogging over the
smooth road So she dressed herself quickly,
and notwithstanding her bonnet was yet with
out its feather, her eyes were dancing with
Joy as she tied its strings, and drew on her nice
mittens. In another minute she had gaily
kissed a good-by to her Mamma. and was at
the side Of Papa, waiting to be lifted into the
carriage. The fresh cold air soon frightened
the roses on Nelie's cheeks, and as cheered
Old Speedy that he scampered off at snch a
holiday pace as made the little girl almost
afraid to drive; but he seemed to know that
gentle hands held the reins, and carried his
head as proudly as though they had been the
queens and when he met carriages, turned out
of his own accord, as much as to say, 81 must
show her how TO guidep' After passing through
several streets, they stopped at house where
the Doctor left Nellie in the carriage to amuse
herself by watching objects in the street.
Nothing especially attracted her attention.
however. till shs saw a little pale-lookiag,
brght-eyed girl of about her own age come
quickly up the sidew ak. and go into sec ond-
hand clothing store, nearly opposite Old Spec
dy's stand-post. Her interest was al once
awakened as whether the object of this lit
tie girls call was tobuy or sell; and she coun-
ted the days when she herself would go upon a
shopping excursion for the all-impo feath-
er. She was sorry to see the little girl 60 in
to such store, for she felt there would be
nothing pretty to buy there, and but small
sum received for what might be sold. Not
withsanding the unfortunate state of mind in
which Nellie was introduced TO the reader, she
bad truly kind, sympathetic heart, which
moved quickly at the sight Of suffering or sor-
row; and when she saw the little stranger come
ont of the store, with coarse handkerchie
upon her head in place Of the neat hood worn
in, she exclaimed, "Indeed, what a pity!o But
twas a circumstance full of mystery, howev-
er, that the girps face seemed TO wear happi-
er expression under the handkerchief than
under the hood, and was evidently lighter
hearted as she rsn off down the street Upon
some other errand. The case was still being
pondered when the Doctor came out, to whom
Nellie told the story. "Some poor child
probably" said the Doctor, ''who needs many
things more than warm hood; l wisl, had
seen her." Away went Old Speedy again
and Nellie had not ceased her speculations up.
on the matter, when they stopped in front OF
building evidently containing many tene-
ments for the poor. She was not particularly
pleased that her father wished her to go in
with him, but she nevertheless silently follow.
ed bi n up two flights of stairs, where he tap
ped lightly at door. The summons to enter
wa Sci lcculc, anu WHtH Tie uOOT was OPEN
ed, Nellie could see no one in the room. Some
old, faded chintz was hung across one corner
Of the room, and partially concealed bed
on which a feeble, emaciated woman was ly.
ing.
care you alone this morning, Mrs, Ford?'
asked tho Doctor. "Just now am; Betsey
has gone out to see if she cannot find some
errands to do, as she used before got so bad
She says o IF pennies are almost gone, and wor.
lies lest may suffer. Poor child. my owr
faith is weak sometimes, so cannot wonder
that her trust in the promises of our Heavenly
Father Is so often less than what we have
reasvnt to expect of older persons!'' s.Yet wh,cl
too few persons either feel or see," said tn,
Doctor.
Nsllie's intui.ive delicacy prompted her t.
look for seat as far from the bed as possible
where she would attract no notice, and ther,
busted her thoughts on the picture Of extrem,
poverty before her. She had never before see,
it unaccompanied with untidiness and disor
der. The room so scantily furnished was neat
ly arranged, and the few dishes upon the shell
We're nicely washed. sWho washed them
and who was Betsey?' Very soon the doc
was opened, and the little stranger in tn,
coarse handkerchief stood before her-he
pale cheeks flushed by the frosty air, and LIE