The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-08-25
The Contrast.

short winter evening was dawninp TO
a close as young and poorly clad girl
reach the door Of splendid mansion in
Bleeker street, New York. The servant
ushered her into large and elegant a.
partment, where sat Mrs. -, the mis-.
tress of so much wealth and grandeur. in
conversation with friend. The Young
girl stood for moment and then courte :,
sled, and presented to Mrs. B-a small
bundle, saying: Il hope the work will
suit you, madamel
The work is well enough said Mrs.
Is -; examining it carefully; but why
did you not bring it before? 1t is at least
week past the time it was promised
Unless you are more punctual and keep
your word better, cannot let you have
any more work
1t was growing dark, and the room was
not yet lighted, so the tears that gathered
in the girls eyes could not be seen, but
her voice was very trsmuIous as she an.
swered:.
Il did not mean TO break my word,
ma'am, but my mother has been much
worse, and my little brother in chopping
wood cut his foot, so ] had to -" Here
her voice became inartculato, and she
hastened out Of the room.
This ia always the way with these peo.
pie; said MIS-. B -, "a sick mother. or
"A sick aunt, or a cut foot-anythinp for
/ an excuse
Meanwhile, Mary reached the humble
| dwelling she called home. Whether her
feelings were laboring under the wound
so thoughtlessly inflicted, or her mothers
illness distressed her, or her heart sicken-
ed at the thought Of helpless poverty or
1t might have been the contrast between
the room she had left, aud the one she
had just entered which forced itself upon
her. Whatever was the cause, contrary
/ 10 her usual serenity and care 20 appear
as cheerful as possible before her mother,
she covered her face with her hands, and
leaning upon the rude table before her,
/ burst into passion OF tcars. 1t was but
a momcu! before - fain, voice from the
led called Mary She started from her
| posture of grief and went to her mothers
, bedside
Mary, dear, wipe your eyes, and sit
down 10y me here, and read the thirty
/ fourth Psalm. II viii do us both good
Mary reached down from the shelf the
well.wo,n Dible, aud seated at the foot
Of her mothers bed. IN q subdued vvieo
read aloud. She had just finished the
verse: Many are the affections OF the
righteous. but the Lord deliyefeth him
out Of them ALL when gentle tap was
heard at the door. A little girl some years
younger than Mary opened it, and lady
entered
rs this where Mary Morris lives T.
Mary started up from the bed. That
| l. my name ma'am.'
'Ah, YES, you are the one just saw at
Mrs. IS: inquired you out, and
have come TO see il could be of any
service to you how is your motherF
The last tallow candle was dimly burn
ing beside the bed where Mary had been
reading. The lady went toward it, and
took the hand OF the enaciated sufferer.
Have you any physician =
NO mean. My poor husbands sick
ness cost me so much, that | have now
nothing TO pay one. | hope shall get
better in a few days, and then all will 60
well but now it is very hard for poor
Mary
But you have high fever and should
he attended TO; my husband is q physi.
clan, he will call and prescribe for you,
and here are some provisions for the chill
dren; and Mary, just open the door-my
servant has brought you wheel5arrow
load Of wood ready split; give all your
attention to your mother, you shall be
provided for
Their hearts were too full for expression
Of thanks, but the lady needed them no.
to convince her that there was no luxury
like that fdoing good. Tears were shed
in that humble room that night, bit not
OF bitterness, and there were thanks Civ
ings that would put to shame the feeble
gratitude of thousands that are, 'increas-
ing in goods, that have need Of nothing
Mrs. b. went that night to witness the
performance OF popular tragedy, and
was so overcome by the distress Of the
hero and heroine, as to be unable to at.
tend 10 anything else for several days.