The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-15
h to the Dissemination of Ltek .enc

She was neatly dressed, and had cheerful
contented expression of countenance; although
she looked pale and feeble. as thoughlshe had
been very i'll. 3E
Isabel inquired kindly concerning her health;
and she replied that she was much better, and
hoped soon to be able to work again
For Several days Jenny continued to bring
her fresh strawberries to Mr.. Orawford's, and
received many gifts from Isabel and her
mother. Mrs. Crawford also visited the cot.
tage with Isabel. and was so much pleased
with Mrs Green, that she sent her own ply
sician to see her, and provided her with many
comforts.
Mrs. Green's health improved very much,
and she was soon able TO do many things to
aid 10 their support, although too close a!ten-
tion to needlework brought on return of her
old complaint.
Isabel had now reached her twelfth birth day.
Her father bad promised hes s;,arts apd the
event was already much talked of among her
companions; for, as We have already said, she
was an only child. and her parents we're wealthy
and loved to do everything to promote her
happiness. There was to be music and dane
ing, and an elegant supper. and everything
else that could be desired, at the birthday
party; and Isabel looked forward to it with
great antieipations of delight. faf
You had better have your little berry girl
for one of the walters at your party. Isabel
said Mr.. Crawford, as they were talking over
the arrangements one evening. She will be
useful to you. and it will give her pleasure to
see all that is going on
Thank you. fhther' replied Isabel. Jenny
will be delighted to come, am sure'
How does she get along with her studiesi
asked Mr.. Crawford Your mother tells me
that you are teaching her arithmetic
She learns very fast, father. Her mother
will send her to school next winter, if she is
well enough to spare her.
Mrs. Green is quite strong again now. is
she not Isabel p
Much better than she was but the sew.
ing still gives her the bad pain in her side. 1
wish she had something else to do When
they had a COW, she used to sell fresh milk and
fresh butter, and this brought them in a good
deal of money but, while Mrs. Green was
i'll, they grew SO poor that the COW had to be
sold to pay their debts
THAT was a pity returned Mr.. Crawford.
A COW is great blessing 10 a poor person;
that is. if they have enough to feed one
But they had not, father; that was one
great trouble. Jenny could pasture the COW
at the sides of the road during the summer ).
but in the winter they needed hay for her, and
they had no money to buy it.
i would willing have given them the hay
| if had known the circumstances and they
need not have parted with the cow replied
Mr.. Crawford
Il wish they had another, father said lisa.
bel, earnestly. Do you think that you could
afford to buy them one 2 -
i hardly think can,' answered her father,
stroking her hair afectionately. we people
who are called rich have good many ways
! to spend our money. There is my little daugh-
ter's party, for instance that will cost as
much as a COW. will try to help Mrs Green
through the winter but do not think that
can afford to give them so large sum-
Isabel was silent and seemed to be thinking
deeply, -
You must not be grieved at my refusal.
: my child said her father, You know that
E woald gladly oblige you, if thought it would
e be right
!, i know that father am not grieved,
r replied Isabel but still she remained very
: thoughtful. -
# After a long silence, she said. Father, i
s I will give up my party, will you buy a Cow
/, for Mis-. Green p
y Give up your party. my dear Isabel Car
you make up your mind to do this, when yor
3 have looked forward to it so long ?
? Not very easily, father; but I think ca,
do it. The pleasure that we should have from
d, the party seems of little consequence when
think of the good that the money would d.
e Mrs Green
lie and thoughtful. At length, he said,
10 Il will speak to your mother about it, lisa
bel and Tomorrow morning we will talk o
ID the subject again. Perhaps you will repeu
if of too hasty decision
* Both Mr.. and Mrs. Crawford felt a littl
"a reluctant at the the thought of Isabel's givin
x up her party and at one time her father ha
70 resolved to buy the cow himself. and not as
for any sacrifice on her part. But her mothe
d. opposed this course for she felt sure tbs
tn the self-denial would be good for Isabel, an
r she did not think it would be right for thel
to to deprive her of this good
v: I'VE will let her take her own course sh
ne said to her husband. She will lose her part
it is true but the act of kindness will brin
,h around her many good and gentle apirits. an
he she will be happier than with her earthly con
- panions. ss'
be When Isabel came to her father in IL
ne morning, therefore, and told him that she ST
on wished to buy the cow, he consented at enc
al and promised that he would attend to Il
rd business himself, and would see that she W,
nd provided with food for the first year, at leas
OF When Isabelis companions questioned he
ge as usual, about the expected party, she W
nd little at a loss to know what to say to thel
ito She could easily tell them that she had co
cluded not to have it but then they wou
she want reason. and she was unwilling to speI
3