The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1862-12-12

The dresses were purchased-a few REM
nants for children, some dark calicoes and
strong woolen goods in larger patterns.
Then dozen or two of coarse, warm stock
ings, and the list was complete.
"Now, to pay you for being good, YOU
shall look at pictures little" Miss Chalo-
ner said, as she led the way toward Ever
ett's. .
They looked over some choice engrav-
ings for half an hour, and finally Miss Chal-
oner purchased One-small, but a gem of
the most exquisite art-a Madonna with the
Holy Child smiling in her arms, and the
attendant angels looking out from the
clouds around, with the brightness of an
other world upon their brows. She gave
directions for it to be framed simply, and
said that she would call for it on the NOR
row.
With unusual reticence Nan refrained
from any questions until they had reached
home, and sat down in her cousins plea
SAINT room to rest while. Then when the
bundles began to come in, she asked,
care these blankets and cottons for
yourself, Cousin Gertrude ?"
"No."
"And of course the calicoes and stock
lngs and remnants are not. Who, in the
name OF cOmmon-sense, are they for? and
how much money do you think you have
spent this morning on this rubbish?"
Gas to whom they are for, you shall see
that tomorrow and to the money l have
spent, it is less than half my usual winter
allowance
"And you expect to dress Oh the other
half?" cried Nan, with wide open, wonder
ing eyes.
"No, the other half goes for coal and
house-rents.'
"And you are to dress on-what?'
"What l have. Except boots and
gloves. do not mean to have single
new article this winter"
"Dxcept, of course, your bonnet one
could hardly imagine Miss Chaloner in a
last years chapeou."
mot even excepting my bonnet. My
last winters one was black velvet. 1t will
alter over irreproachably. do not mean
that the world shall know these things,
Nan. am not going to turn hermit, or
even to give up the society in which have
been accustomed to move. / had more
new fineries last winter than half my
friends had sight Of l shall not be con-
spicuously shabby if | wear them again. I
only let you into my secrets because you
are my little cousin, who loves me, and l
think my example may have some weight
with you. You are rich enough to do a
great deal of good in the same way. 1t is
going to be a terrible winter. Taxes are
such as our country never, never, knew
before, and goods are selling at prices we
should have thought fabulous year ago.
With my wardrobe, full of last years hand
some 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 al
ways, Gertie, and you have never felt like
this before
"No, have not realized the fact of
suffering as realize it now. It's the hour
of darkness over all the land. The resur-
rection morning will come by-and-by; but
now the night is murk, and the stars are
dim. / will tell you all, Nan: have given
more to my country than gold could buy.
One | loved, and who loved me, went, in
August, with the three-years men. He
came to me with the light of eager cour-
age and self-devotion in his eyes, and
asked me to bid him God-speed, and send
him on his mission?"
"And you did it?'
eyes, did it. 1t was Il hard struggle
but what was that should stay at home,
and keep my own, and let other women's
nd b,c do, MI
die, that | and mine might shelter our
selves in smiling home, and look out
through plate-glass, and from between soft
draperies, at the winter? Yes, I gave him
up. He is gone He will come again,
perhaps; but can never forget that other
perhaps-that the mouth which kissed
mine at parting may never kiss again, and
the eyes at whose courage | lit the fire of
my own resolve, may look their last on
the smoky SKY of some Southern battle
ground.
''When had given him up, longed to
do something myself. Beside the one great
sacrifice all lesser ones seemed easy, and
almost his last words had marked out my
path. How shall | bear it !? faltered,
clinging to him with woman's weakness.
BY being always busy, Gertrude, and I
remember the pity in his eyes as he said it.
There are so many suffering ones to COM
fort-so many wounds to heal
Since he went away | have been liv-
ing a new life. / have been among a class
of people / had never understood before
the good and honest poor. have seen
there sights to make woman's heart
ache, and, so far as l could, l have carried
consolation with me. 1t is a small sacri-
fee, Nan, to go without a new cloak or
wear last years dress for the sake of
giving shelter to the shelterless.
"But never thought you were benev-
olent, Gertrude, and youa always seemed
to me very fond of dress, in a dignified,
high and mighty fashion of your own"
$50 was, and so suppose l am still
but that was not all of me, Nan. needed
rousing, and cannot understand the soul
which these days OF dread and danger,
these times of parting and praying, would
not quicken into new life."
Nan Darrow looked at her cousin. Miss
Chaloners face shone as if she were inspi-
red. Into her great, gray eyes flood of