The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-31
self, cousin Gertrude p

'NO
And of course the calicoes and stockings
and remnants are not VINO, in the name of
common sense, are they for? and how much
money do you think you have spent this NOR
ming on this rubbish: y
'As to whom they are for, you shall see
that Tomorrow; and as to the money! have
spent, it is less than half my usual winter al
lowance'
And do you expect to dress on the other
half?' cried Nan, with wide open, wondering
eyes.
No, the other alfgoes for coal and house
rents
And you are to dress on-whats'
What have. Except boots and gloves, l
do not mean to have single new article this
winter
Except, of course, your bonnet one could
hardly imagine Miss Chaloner in last years
chapeau.'
Not even excepting my bonnet. My last
winters one was black velvet. 1t will alter
over irreproachably. do DOT mean that the
world shall know these things, Nan. | am
not going to turn hermit, or even to give up
the society in which l have been accustomed
to move. had more new fineries last viii
ter than half my friends had sight of. |
shall not be conspicuously " shabby if | wear
them again. | only let you into my secrets
because you are my little cousin, who loves
me, and | think my example may have some
weight with YOU. You are rich enough to
do great deal of good in the same way. 1t
is going to be terrible winter Taxes are
such as our country never knew beforN and
goods are selling at prices We should have
thought fabulous year ago. With ny ward
robe full of last years handsome dresses.
could not think it right to buy new ones
when the cry of the poor and the wall of the
destitute are piercing the air on every side.
But there have been poor people always
Gertie, and you have never felt like this be
fore
NO, have not realized the fact of suffer
ing as realize it W. It-is the hour O
darkness all over the land. Thu reSurr, c.
ton morning will come by-alu-ul, but Now
the light is murk, and the stars are d'm.
will tell you ALL Nan. have given more I,
my country tlan gold could buy. One
loved, and who loved me, went, in August
with the threo-years men. He came to III,
with the light of eager courage and sell-de
votion in his eyes, and asked me to bid nin
God-speed, and send him on his mi>sior.'
And you did it 2
yes, did it. 1t was hard struggle; bu
what was that should stay at home ant
! keep my own, and let other womens lover
and husbands march, and bleed, and die, tha
! and mine might shelter ourselves in smi
ling home, and look out through plate glass
and from between soft draperies, at the win
ter? Yes, gave him up. He is gone. IL
will come again, perhaps; but | can neve
forget that other perhaps-that the mout
which kissed mine at parting may never kiS
again, or the eyes at whose courage lit th
fire of my own resolve may look their la:
on the smoky sky of some Southern battle
ground.
When had given him up longed to d
something myself. Beside the one great sa
ritice all lesser ones seemed easy, and almo
his last words had marked out my path
: How shall l bear it - l faltered, clinging
him with woman's weakness. by beir
always busy, Gertrude and remember Il
r pity in his eyes as he said it. There are
y many suffering ones to comfort-so nal
: wounds to heal
: Since he went away have been leading
r new life. | have been among class of pc
q ple | had never understood before-the go'
S and honest poor. have seen there sights
K make woman's heart ache, and, so far as
:. could, have carried consolation with NE.
r is small sacrifice, Nan, to 90 without nj
!, cloak or wear last years dress for the sa
S of giving a shelter to the sheltere.s.'
n But | never thought you were benevole
d Gertrude, and you always seemed to me We
2. fond of dress,in digniied, high and Nigh
IS fashion of your own
n so was, and so | suppose | am still /
J. that was not all of me, Nan. needed ro,
J. ing, and | can not understand the soul whi
1t these days of dread and danger, these tin
er Of parting and praying, would not quicken
" new life
Nan Darrow looked at her cousin. NJ
j. Chaloners face shone as if she were inspir
er Into her great, gray eyes food of light /
Is broken-her pale face wss flushed, her hs
was erect, her chest heaved. Even Mans
NJ penetrating gaze could not fail to see that
n, that soul its hour had come
They did not talk much more. Mans
H. ture was impulsive, ,demonstrative ou1spok
I'd but she dared not express to Gertrude
en- admiration which she felt-as profound
IS. anv sentiment of hers could be- Go II
and do likewise was the only tribute y
all Chaloner would have welcomed.
er The next morning they took the cerri;
packed with the purchases of the day hef
gs and started to convey them to their dest
IT. tons. On the way they stopped at Ever,
ost and took in the Madonna.