Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-06-29
THE BROTHERS GIFT
BY KATHLEEN.

all the little incidents of the cour.ship t
the absent one were quite new-at least
Fred thought they were
40, if you've got good story to tell
let's have it now founded on facts a
some Of the marvellous legends, we stol
INTO the privacy of the hay-mow to read
need to affirm
"Well, Net,ie was Just as Industrious a
little body as ever you saw, and instead o
wasting her tiuie in endless listening t
my talk, during my nnfailing three eve.
nings week, for year and a half, sh,
would sew or knit week day evenings, aud
make me 60 to church Sunday evenings
Don't you laugh, Jack, about the snake
me GO There are more ways than one
10 which the girls manage. am good
bass singer, our voices ohimed uelodiousl )
in hymns and psalms, aud | was proud to
sit beside her, look into the same hymn
book, aud all the while confien, that no,
another fellow in the neishboILood could
get as near to her as that.
'One night, just at dusk, | saw man
unload box at her father door When
questioned as to where it came from, he
said, that was none of his business, be
brought it according to directions, was
paid in advance for doing SO, and that was
all be knew or cared about it, Ny curl
osity, not to say little jealousy, was ex-
cited. Netiie's father was not one TO get
up surprises, though fond enough of his
daughter. She had no brother to send
her costly present, no previous lovers,
that | knew Of; what could it all mean
IA tack hammer and chisel opened the
box, aud revealed pretty mahogany case,
to wha, | at once pronounced a mclodeon,
but there was note for Nettie asking her
acceptance of something which would make
rare music in her home, and hoping the
giver would live to see her bring the mu.
sic out Of it.
"Jack, what are you laughing at? Net
ties face grew first red, then white, as she
saw how looked, yet earnestly protested
she did not know who sent the box. |
tried to be very calm as | helped to un-
pack the affair and open i; for her, saying
she must be in hurry to practice the
music, to charm the great unknown, when
be came to see her.
"Thc poor girl could scarcely speak be-
tween surprise at the gif; and grief at my
jeolousy, bu; tears came yelling up into
her blue eyes till was ashamed OF myself.
But what is this" We both exclaimed,
mo melodeon.' l picked up pamphlet
called Directions fer The use OF Toggart d;
Farr's Seieing Machine; and here was the
iron needle-womaD, who, under Ne;tie's
skillful guidance, was to make my shirts
and leave her time TO read, instead of hav-
ing to stitch her life away, as many young
wives and mothers have to do"
"Ever learn who was the giver?" said
Jack, very inditferenily, to Nettie, as she
took her place between tue two brothers.
"No," said Neirie, "but wish could,
for never was bridal gift more valuable
I'd like to sing netc Song Of the Shirt
while making dozen or SO for him"
Snow, that's real gratitude; here's
clue to the discovery" and he handed her
a bi; of paper, on which was written:
Sent to the order Of John Monroe. one of
our first class sewing machines. PrIce,SI2
Received payment, Aug. 80, 1857.
TAesAHr & FARR."
Fred looked amazed, then pleased, for
Nertie had risen, and, with her face all
sglow with emotion, threw ber arms around
Jacks neck, and said, as she touched the
broad forehead with her rosy lips, any
best, dearest brother. ~
''But l can not understand" said Fred,
70 bow you came to know about Net,ie be-
fore we we're married"
81 DO. A friend sent me word of your
and late in comings, and viii
'her your steps tended at night, and l set
myself to work to fad what kind Of gift
could send, which was most valuable,
md | could think Of nothing better than
, sewing machine; SO l ordered one sen,
10 Nettie, With the note which caused you
he commotion. | am satisfied that no.
hing better suited to your means could
lave been selected; and to crafty Nettie
be shall make me all the shirts she de.
Tres to, since I'm not likely to have a
iettie of my own to do the work. How
yer, bad an odd corner iu my trunk on
caving San Francisco, and filed i; for the
enefi, of my friends. Here, Fred, take
bis key and unlock the trunk, and see my
uriosity shop"
Didn't the trio laugh, as they handed
Ut parcel after parcel! Dolls, primers,
ops, trumpets, puzzles, games, &c, for the
abies then a morocco case with tiny
latch and elegantly wrought chain for
'e,tie, valuable microscope for Fred,
nd such rare and beautiful portfolios Of )
ngravings aud maps, shells and minerals,
iassihed aud arranged for cabinet! To
ro.n all, most elaborately bound Bible :
I'D hymn book "for," said Jack, as his :
me eyes grew moist, 1--WE must not forge, '
be chart aud compass BY which Christians r
hape their course amidst the tempests
Fhleh often assaii them-,he ones which Q
uided cur parents to heaven. have ad- y
hired many women for their grace and =
'veliness, but the memory g mother c
ho is now among the blessed, teaches me h
rat real, unaffected pieiy is the las. and ii
'owning grace Of womanbood, and with u