The Union and journal., 1861-12-27
BIDDEFoRD, ME-. FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 27, 1861.
ter about some more, and perhaps 1 can do

ter about some more, and perhaps can do
her good
Il would have made the kind lady's heart
ache could she have seen the sagerness with
which the half.famished child dcvoured the
lunch which was set before her in the kitch.
en-. .........I ..... 10 .H.. u III
In few moments they were ready to start.
Mrs. Stirling had replaced her velvet mantle
by Scotch shawl, her French hat by sim
pie straw and with basket in her hand,
containing q few daintics with which she
hoped to tempt the sick girls palate, she
followed the child across the city toward
C street, q locality hitherto terra ineog-
nifa to her. ....f .. .r. ..
In a halr-dilapidatcd wooden house, in
narrow court, she found the object OF her
search. She went up two flights Of stairs,
and entered back room lighted by one win
dow. The atmosphere struck her, in spite
of her warm attire, with sudden Chill
Evidently the sun never came there. The
dampness on the walls, the general aspect Of
gloom and cheerlcssncss, was only relieved by
an air Of scrupulous neatncss, which perva.
ded every thing. Mrs. Stirling had already
noticed this quality in the attire Of the child,
which, though cheap and poor and patched,
,.,,,,.,,,l,ta -, ita ala hor
own. ....I.
At the window, attempting to sew, the
older sister sat, but she was evidently very
i'll. Every now and then spasm of cough
ing seized her, which compelled her to lay
down her work, and clasp both her hands on
her side, while the palcness of her thin cheek
flushed into hectic. Mrs. Stirling had not
seen her before since spring-the work ro-
turned that morning having been sent by a
servant. She went up to her and sat down
in chair which stood near.
your sister said you were sick, and 10 |
came to SEQ If I could DO Of uss to you, she
said, in gentle tones, which Of themselves
carried certain comfort with them. You
have changed terribly since spring. / must
hear all about it; but want you should
cat what have brought you-hcrc are some
wine jelly and bit OF cold chicken-thcy
will do you good
The poor girl looked at the yiands with
the involuntary grcediness Of hunger. Then
she blushsd deeply, and said in q low voico
Il am very grateful, madam, but If YOU
please, l will wait until you leave Inc. al.
low me at present to attend to YOU
No, indeed!' Mrs. Stirling spoke in hcr
pretty, absolute fashion. Il am not going
yet. want to talk with you awhile, and
shall not do 80 until you have taken some
thing to strengthen you. Little Jane has
lunched already
So the gay, bright lady sat and waited,
feeling. in the new prospect Of being active
ly useful, genuine glow Of delight. W hen
the girl had finished her generous meal, and
taken up her work again, Mrs. Stirling be-
gan to talk to her.
.Is this consumption, Annc?' she asked,
gently. Your cough alarms me-
NO, ma'am, am very sure 1t is nothing
of the kind yet. There is no consumption
in our family. My father was country
minister, and had u strong and healthy con-
sti,ution. He died young, but il was from
a violent fever, caught in attendance on n
sick stranger. think it was grief which
made my mother follow him in three months.
She had always been delicate, though not
sickly, and she lacked the strength 1t requires
to live and suffer. 1t is seven years since she
died, on the very day little Jane was born
'IIow old were you thcn?'
Fifteen, and there were no living children
between us two.'
And have you supported yourself and her
ever sinco?'
'Oh no! My fatheir's books and furniture
sold for enough to keep us some time: and
my aunt, who lived here, brought us to Bos.
ton. We both lived with her. She took
care of Jane, and worked in shop, and
earned enough to buy our clothes and help
| Aunt Martha with tho living. 1t is only
since she died, three years ago, that l have
been alone with Jenny
you come out of the shop, then?'
| Yes, because could not have Jeney there
with me, and she had no ono else to see to
her ; and indeed have had more money since
| have embroidered 30 much
But surely you have suffered more than
usual this summer?'
.Oh yes, ma'am. The ladies work for
are mostly out Of town In the summer always,
and SO winters, | try to save something to
help us through. But last winter was 50
hard that | had not as much work as usual
and this summer We have not been very well
or. had to give up the comfortable room
I used to have, because could not earn
enough to pay for it, and l suppose the
dampness here has not just agreed with me.
She tried to smile, but the tears came In.
stead. Mrs. Striking took her hand with o
comforting pressure.
Dent cry. Better times are coming TO
you now. lam sure | can influence you o
good deal more work. You shall have enough