Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-12-19

mother, because she has TO work very
hard to take care of u.s.
With genuine deIicacy, Miss NJ. fore
bore to question the child further, bnt sat
down beside her, and in moment ex-
planned the rule over, which she was puz'
zIing her Young brain with, so that the
difficult sum was easily finished.
You had better 60 out and take the
air moment; you have studied very
hard to- day. said the teacher, as the III
lie girl put up her slate.
II had rather not | might tear my
dress will stand by the window and
watch the rest"
There was such peculiar tone in the
voice of her pupil as she said, 81 might
tear my Dress" that Miss NJ. was led in
stnclively to notice it. 1t was nothing
but ninepenny print of deep blue, but
was neatly made, and had never been
washed. And while looking at it, she
remembered that, during the whole pre-
vious fortnight, Mary Gray attended
school regularly, that she hac never seen
her wear out lhdt one uTesS.
"She is thoughtful little girl said
she to herself, "and does not want TO
make her mother any trouble. | wish
had more such scholars"
The next morning Mary was absent,
but her sister occupied her seat. There
was something so interesting in the two
little sisters-the one eleven years old and
the Other eighteen months younger agree
ing to attend school by turns that Miss
NJ. could not forbear observing them very
closely. They were pretty faced chiI-
dren, of delicate forms and talry-llke
hands and feet ; the elder with dark, Ius-
trous eyes, and the younger with orbs
ike the June sky, her white neck velled
by wreath OF golden ringlets. Size OBJ
served in both the same close attention to
their studies; and as Mary had tarrled du-
ring play time, so did Nelly, and upon
speaking to her as she had to her sister.
she received the same answer, 81 might
tear my dress
Again the reply caused Miss NJ. to no.
tice the garb Of the sister. She saw at
once it was the same piece as Mary s,
and upon scruiinizing il closely. she be-
came certain that it was the same dress.
1t did not fit so closely on Nelly; 1t was
too long for her and she was evidently
not at ease when she noticed her teacher
looking at the bright flowers that were so
thickly set on the dark ground.
The discovery Was one that could not
bu, interest heart so trul y benevolent as
that which pulsated in the bosom Of tnal
village teacher. She ascertaned the resi-
dence of their mother, and though soreiy
slrsghlened herself by narrow purse,
that same night, having found at the only
store in the place few yards of the same
material, purchased dress for little Mel
IIv, and sent it TO her in such a way that
the duuor could not be detected.
Very bright and happy looked Mary
Gray on Friday morning. as she entered
the school at an early hour. She waited
only to place her bonnet neatly in the
desk, ere she approached Miss NJ, and
whispering in voice tha'laughed IN spite
of her efforts TO make it low and deieren-
Hal-"After this week, Nelly is coming
TO school every day-and OH | am so
glad ~
This is good news" replied the tea
cher. kindly. "Nelly is fond Of her
BOOKS, | see and am happy TO know
tha, she can have an opportunity 10 study
her books every day"
Then she continued-a little good-hu-
moreG mischief encrciing her eyes-"but
how can your mother spare both conve'
nienily."
80, yes ma'am-yes a'am, she can
now. Something has happened which
she didn't expect, and she is as glad to
| have US come as we are 10 60 So.
She hesitaed moment, but her young
heart was filled 10 the brlm with JOY, and
when child is happy it is as natural for
I il 10 tell The cause as II is for a bird to
warble when the sun shines. SO ont OF
the fnlness of her heart she spoke, and
told the teacher this little story:
She and her little sister were the only
children of poor widow, whose health
was so feeble and delicate that 1t was al
mos, impossible to support herself and
daughters. She was obliged to keep
them on, of school all winter, because
thew had no clothes to wear but she 'oid
them if they could earn enough by DONG
old chores for the neghbors to buy each
Of Them new dress. they might goln The
summer. Very earnestly had the little
girls improved their stray chances and
Terv carefully laid by the copper coins
which usually repaid them. They rad
each saved nearly enough 10 buy calico
dress, when Nelly was taken SICK and as