Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-08-17
Moral TaIs.
Miny's Oranges.
By REV: HohATIo ALGER, JR.

Mlly,s Oranges.
BIT REV: H0hATIo ALGER, JR.
| The room was small one, and TIL,
furniture Of the plainest description
Upon a bed in the corner, with cheeks
nearly as pale as the pillow upon
which her head rested, lay little girl
evidently quite i'll. Her face was thin
and wasted, and told a sad tale of i'll.
ness.
Seated at the window was an older
sister. Her eyes were bent upon a
dress on which she was working rap
idly.
A movement of the little girl on the
bed attracted her notice. She Law
down her work and approached her.
How do you feel, Milly ?" she said,
tenderly.
"My head aches, sister Grace.n
You took no dinner, Milly,-could
you not eat something 2" - ..
If / had an orange, think could
eat that"
"Well, Milly, l will try to get you
one. Miss Utley's dress is almost
done, and she will pay me some mon.
ey. Have patience, and you shall soon
have one." -. &c.. ...s $685..
"You are SO good, sister Grace y
said the little girl, taking her sisters
hand and softly caressing it.
And | have a good little sister,
too, "said Grace, smiling kindly. And
now l must go to work again"
Again the needle was swiftly piled.
Half an hour after Grace rose with an
air of satisfaction, and putting on her
bonnet aud shawl, prepared to carry
home the completed dress.
A walk of q mile brought her to the
house of Miss Blanche Utley, upon
whose dress she had been engaged.
The dress had been anxiously awaited,
being intended to grace the wearer at
party that evening. 1t was tried
on, and evidently afforded great salts
faction.
at will do very WE'LL" said Miss
Ctley, graciously. "I shall perhaps
have some more work for you soon."
Still Grace fingered.
You need not wait any longer" !"
said the young lady.
II believe you have not paid me-
said Grace, hesitatingly.
"You are not affaid Of losing it, l
hope" said Miss Utley, with haateur.
F" ! assure you that usually pay my
bills"
al do not doubt it,"said Grace, with
an air of depreciation "but have
little sister sick at home, aud we spend
our money almost before we get it.
II you could pay me tonight it would
be great convenience to me-"
1t will not be convenient for me"
said Miss Utley, coldly. "If you will
call the first of next week, l will pay
You then" ...
But" .
Not word more. Ican't be both
cred about such small NATTER
With heart aching for the disap-
pointment in store for Milly, Grace
slowly left the house and went out in.
to the street. She felt it hard indeed
that money which she had fairly earn
ed should be withheld from her, when
she had SO urgent need of it.
What should she say to Milly? She
did not dare venture upon the extrava.
gance of single orange, even, lest
her scanty funds should uot hold out
till she received further payment.
Meanwhile, without her knowledge,
there had been an auditor of the con-
versation between Miss Utley and her.
self. In the room adjoining was seat.
ed young gentleman who had of late
shown decided preference for the so.
ciety Of Miss Blanche Utley, whose
lively manners and good looks we're
likely to impress favorably those who
did not see her as she appeared at
home. Ralph Harding was a young
lawyer, whose handsome private for
tune made him quite independent Of
his profession He was considered in
every respect an excellant match.
Among those who secretly hoped to
make a conquest Of him was Miss
Blanche, whose anxiety about her dress
on the present occasion was not un-
connected with the impression which
she hoped to make upon him at the ap.
preaching party. He had been shown
in by the servant, while she was en-.
gagged with Grace, without her knowl.
edge, or she would have been far more
careful about what she said.
The young man listened with sur
prise and disgust to the revelation OF
her heartlessness and want of feeling
He appeared to take a sudden resolu
tion, for no sooner had Grace left the
house than he rose silently. and with
out being observed, left the house
without waiting to see Miss Utley. BY
some mistake the servant had neglect
ed to apprise her Of the company
awaiting her, so that it was long
time before she learned accidentally
Of the visit. "a
When Ralph Harding emerged into
the street, be. had no difficulty in dis
tinguishing Grace some rods in ad
vance, walking with slow and list
less step, like one respondent.
/ What should he dot
i Nothing better suggested itself thar
to follow her quietly and learn where
she lived. Then he would be able t.
relieve her needs without her knowing
to whom she was indebted.
! Grace walked on, still with the sam'
slow step.
She went into grocery store in tn
window of which were displayed som
oranges.
! Ralph Harding, taking care not t