The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-04-06

the coffee into it, began to prepare it for
browning.
4 will mind you,' she answered, but I
don't like to have you take so much
trouble nm NV sccpuEt'
Trouble, ssid. Il haven't been SO
happily employed in long time, and all
| ask ;s, to have my own way for little
while, and Mary to help me-
You shall have everything as you
want it, said Mrs. Freeman, 'and | will
try to I've very good and quiet, to please
you, for know you want to make me
happy.'
took Cooley from my pocket, and
| handed il to her. Here is Magazine
you can look ut, to keep you out OF mis-
chief while am "perating.'
| knew she waa fond OF reading, and
seldom had time, or opportunity TO graft
fy her taste in this respect. She was
soon absorbed in story, and forge,ful of
her present circumstances.
Drowned the coffee, aud putting it in
the coffee pot, with small portion Of one
OF the eggs, poured SOME cold water on
! 1t, kitS wav ! have Of making cotfee)
and set it on the stove. Then fried the
ham and eggs, and baked the apples,
whiIo little Mary set the table. |, occur
ed TO me there WIS no cream for the cof
fee. WAS acquainted with the lady liv.
! ing next door, and knew she had sbun
dsnce. and to spare, SO ] took the cream
jug. and ran III to ask for little cream
to garuish the feast | had prepared. |
! found her lounging in a luxurious, easv
chair. clad in costly apparel. When 4
prohered my request, she laughed, and
called me, AN eccentric girl but rang for
q servant, and told her to ill ny pitcher
with cream.
While ! was waiting for it, spoke Of
her neiglbor, the poor widow. saw n,
once, 10y the expression of her face, that
her heart was steeled against aav synDa
thy for my particular portege, whatever
she might have for others.
Mrs Freeman, she said, was always
complaining ; but for her part, she didn't
see what there WAS to prevent her getting
si"ng A. well As other poor people, and
She thought All that ~ss lacking, WAS a
disposition 10 DO So
Having disposed Of the matter in this
summary manner, she reclined among her
Cushions with serenity, and q conscience
un~itiing OF offence. As | walked back
with the cream, thought,
"a wrctchcl soul, bruised With adversity.
Sc lid be QIiet when We hear il cry
But were We hurdened with like weight of pain,
As much, or more, VIC should ourselves com.
plain"
] placed tho supper on the .sblo, and
then sat down At one side, and poured
the coffee, and did the Eonors generally.
The widows countenance looked less hap @.
gaVd when she took her seat at the table,
than 1t had done when ] cams ip, with
the rest. the withdrawal Of her mind from,
care, which the reading brought, and the
fe,ling that she WAS not wholly forssker.
that my care for her comfort gave her.
IL VA" An interesting study 10 observe
It's gradual clearing up, IA she drank the
coffee, and partook Of the food. When
she returned to her rocking chair, after
the meal WAS finished, the weary, hope
less expression had given place 10 bright
cheerful look, and she convcrs.d in cn
animated. hopeful manner. knew the
world wore tor her fairet sspec. than i,
had presented two hours before, and that
the burden of care and anxiety, which
hsd pressed SO heavily upon her, was in
= good measure removed. And all this,
s.'d, forsthe ,riiiing sum Of two shiliings
and little kindness.
no~ chaaply No may confer happiness
many times, thought, without the
slightest personal sacrifice. il we only dc
sire opportunity. The widow told me-
| afterwards, that shs went to work the
uer, morning. after the little incident, |
have mentioned, with renewed courage,
and her affairs grew more prosperous
My timely coming, she thought. raised
her from tho despondeucy into which she
was hopelessly sinking, and wnrded off
the feveI that she felt sure would have
ensued from her over wearied spirit and
frame.