Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-02-11
MRS. STIRLING'S RECEPTION.
ICONTINUED.1


She took the bundle from the childs hand
and said, with the same bright, kind smile
which had wiled John Strings bachelor
heart away, "Where did you come from
and how did you nnd the way here alone
you poor little thing?"
"Sister Annie sent me, ma'am. She had
done your embroidery, and she thought il
che could get the money for it, to pay Mr.
jenkins, maybe he would let us stay in the
room till she got little better"
"She is sick, then ?"
"Yes'm. She didn't feel we'll enough to
come. 1t has been hard getting along all
summer, for the ladies she works for were
most all out of town, and some of them ow-
ing her; and spose the worry, and the
not having much to eat did it, ma am"
Mrs. Stirling leaned toward the little
creature and looked at her more closely
Could il be hunger, she thought, that made
those blue eyes look so large and the skin
so transparent Was this little thing act
ually suffering for bread, and she going to
spend five hundred dollars in one evening,
feasting those who never felt a want even
of dainties? She knew now what thoughts
had been in her husbands mind when he
spoke of suffering among the poor She
said, pleasantly, "Well, child, you must have
some luncheon, and then / will 90 with you
to see your sister. l had better speak to
her about the work"
"Aint it right? Can't you pay her p"
The child gave q start of alarm, and spoke
with the premature womanliness and the
natural apprehension of misfortune which
are among the saddest fruits of poverty.
Mrs. Stirling relieved her with ready
sympathy.
"Yes, indeed, the work is all right. It's
done beautifully; but l want to see your
sister about come more, and perhaps l can
do her good"
1t would have made the kind lady's heart
ache could she have seen the eagerness with
which the half famished child devoured the
lunch which was set before her in the
kitchen.
In few moments they were ready to
start Mrs. Stirling had replaced her velvet
mantle by Scotch shawl, her French hat
by simple straw; and with a casket in
her hand, containing a few daintes with
which she hoped to tempt the sick girls pal
ate, she followed the child across the city
toward c. street. locality hitherto ter
ga incognitG 10 her.
In halfdilapidated wooden house, in q
narrow court, she found the object of her
search. She went up two flights Of stairs,
and entered back room lighted by one
window. The atmosphere struck her, in
spite Of her own attire, with sudden chill
Evidently the sun never came there. The
dampDess on the walls the general aspect
ofgloom and cheerlessness, was only relieved
by an air of scrupulous neatness, which per-
vaded every thing. Mrs. Stirling had al
ready noticed this quality in the attire Of
the child, which though cheap and poor and
patched, was as immaculate in its cleanli-
ness as her own.
At her 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 paleness Of her thin
cheek flushed into hectic. Mrs. Stirling had
not seen her before since spring-the
work returned that morning having been
sent to her by servant. She went up to
her and sat down in a chair which stood
near.
"Your sister said you were sick, and SO
/ came to see if could be of any use to
YOU" she said, in gentle tones, which OF
themselves carried q certain comfort with
them. "You have changed terribly since
pring / must hear all about it but l wan
you should eat what have brought you
here are some wine jelly, and bit of colo
chicken-they will do you good"
The poor girl looked at the Viands will
the involuntary greediness of hunger. TheI
she blushed deeply, and said in low voice
81 am very grateful, madam, but if yol
please, will wait until you leave me- AL
low me at present to attend TO you"
mo, indeed !" Mrs. Stirling spoke il
her pretty absolute fashion. 81 am NOT goinl
yet. want to talk with you awhile, and
shall not do SO until you have taken some.
thing to strengthen you. Little Jane has
luncbed already"
So the gay, bright lady sat and waited
feeling in the new prospect Of being ac-
lively useful genuine glow of delight
When the girl had finished her generous
meal, and taken up her work again, Mrs
Stirling began TO talk TO her.
'Gs this consumption Annie ~ she asked
gently. "Your cough alarms me-"
'No, maam. I'm very sure II is nothing
of the kind yet. There is no consumption
in our family. My father was a country