Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-08-12
KaTY,s VICTORY.
RY CLARA ELIzEBErH.

old Hall, and Minnie and Katie Day
were invited guests. All the bright,
spring morning Katy's heart was full OF
happy thoughts, for she was a gay little
creature, and loved the company OF her
Young friends. She went singing
around the house, and it seemed to her
the work never was so light and easy.
Minnie went to the village where she
sewed for livelihood, and Katy did the
Homework and took care of her mother,
who was an invalid.
swiftly the golden hours of the morn
inc sued by, and the shadows of the
osternoon were chasing away the sun
beams, when Katy's household tasks
having been all completed, she went up
stairs to look at her dresses for the eve
ming. She was to wear a blue muslin,
which was becoming to her fair COM
plexion and light hair. Minnie's dress
was pink, as she had dark hair and eyes.
The dresses looked temptingly lovely as
she spread them out on the white coun-
terpane. Then Katy began to think
how she should wear her hair-she wish
ed she had some flowers; and remember
ing that friend of hers had beautiful
spring plant in blossom, she put on her
bonnet and with light heart tripped
home and carefully placed her flowers
in water. How beaut full they were
those pure, white blossoms hiding
"A Iorg the bright green leaves, and fill
ing the room with their sweet fragrance.
Katy held up the delicate sprays and
arranged and re-arranged them in her
hair-all the while admiring their pure
color and graceful shape. Then she
put them back in the water and went
down stairs to light the fire for tea.
Just then she thought of Minnie-what
woald she wear2 Why had she not
thought of her? and she loved flowers
so well, and they would look SO pretty
in her dark hair. What should she do?
1t was too late to go for more; her con-
science smote her for her selfishness,
but it could not be helped Minnie was
older than she, perhaps flowers would
not look SO well for her, and she had so
much to do she could not think of every
body. Reasoning thus she went about
her work, but the small voice deep down
in her heart could not be hushed; it
sai1-"How selfish you are Katy Day, to
think only of yourself; poor Minnie
works hard all day, and is SO kind and
thoughtful of you; how it would delight
her to come home and find you had
thought OF her, and how can you enjoy
your flowers when she has none?" What
should she do? ''Give up the flowers
and make Minnie and herself happy"
said the small voice. But she wanted
them herself; it was so povoking to
have some one else to think about.
Again she crept up stairs to look at the
blossoms and fit them on her hair, and
went down stairs saying, 81 can't give
them up"
The sun was just going down behind
the hill when Minnie left the latch of
the garden gate. Katy caught look at
her pale, weary face through the win
dow. and now the voice within spoke
louder than ever; now she must decide,
Tor she well knew Minnie would not
take the flowers if she thought Katy in
tended them for herself. Katy stood
still, but conflict was going on in her
soul. 1t was little thing, but the de-
cision she would make must leave its
for the time make her happier or sad
der
The still small voice prevailed, and,
brushing away the tears, she resolved to
be very brave and noble.
30, you can't think what ] have got
for you !" shasaid, as Minnie hung her
hat in the half "Come up stairs, and
see the beautiful flowers I've got for
you hair. Won't they be splendid"
''For me, Katy? o, they are so sweet
just what I've been wishing for all day
You are my darling little fairy; how
good you are-always thinking of me. "
Katy felt how undeserving she was of
these praises, and turning aside to
hide her bushes, saying as she did so
so, I'm not half so good as you think
/ am, Minnie %
But what will you wear, Katy ?"
$50, my hair Will curl, you know; I
can wear it so for tonight, though don't
like it very much.
Minnie took little parcel from her
satchel. 81 thought some blue ribbon
would be pretty for your hair, it is so
light and wavy." 1t was now Katy's
turn to be grateful, and she felt all the
time as if she had escaped great gulf
of selfishness, and was SO glad she had
conquered.
After the tea-things had been put
away, and Mrs. Grey, kind body, had
come in to sit up with their mother,
Minnie and Katy went up stairs to dress
for the evening. Katy twined the white
flowers in the heavy braids of Minnie's
dark hair, and was quite delighted at the
charming contrast. Minnie twisted the
blue ribbon in her sunny hair, and de-
clared that she quite came up to her
ideal of fairy. When they went down
stairs for kiss from their mother, she
said she had meyer seen them look so
pretty befOre-the flowers and ribbons
wers so becoming.
That was the happiest evening Katy
had ever known. Happy, because over
and through it foated the fragrance of
a loving act. Her heart was full when,
near the close of the evening, she heard
a lady who was visiting at the Hall, in
quire of friend, "Who is that young
lady in the pink dress, with the white
flowers worn so gracefully in her dark
hair % sob, that is Minnie Day, one
of the sweetest girls in these parts.-I
The little creature with the blue ribbon
in her sunny hair is her sister their
mother is a widow, and they love each
other dearly. ! believe one would make
any sacrifice for the other. never saw
Minnie look so happy as she does to-
night, and so pretty, too she seems to
have forgotten all her care I; il does my
heart good to see her so bright and
cheerful, she has tn work so hard, and
is so kind and patient,"