The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-10-19
Only a Dollar.
iOllar, Charlie.,'

"Only q dollar, eh:" said the young
husband with u smile, as he placed one
foot on the rung of his wife's chair, while
she leaned her elbow on his knee, and
watched him open the steel clasps of his
pocket-booh. A solitary note and few
loose pieces of silver were all that pre-
sented themselves.
Lucky enough, Adeline, that your
demands are so small, this noon," said
Mr.. Huntley, ash unrolled thccrumpled
paper, "for l settled debt of fifty dol
lars before | came home in II hurry to
see YOU"
"Say rather, see your dinner )" am
swered the pretty wife, us she put up Il
mouth like Il rosebud for kiss.
''Well, pussey, guess twas Il little
of both, for you better believe | was
hungry. Here, take this too;" and he
emptied the silver into the rosy palm.
"Won't this do till supper time"'
"Oh, yes! You see I've nothing III
the world to purchase, but l owe dol
lar TO that poor woman who brought
nome my muslin wrapper, and | told
her she should have the money to-day
for shure and certain, as Bridget says
She was a charming little wife, and
the young merchant thought so or he
would not have fingered another half
hour by her side when he knew so we'll
he ought to be at his store. But there
was a strange magnetism in the pretty
filce-in the dainty movements of the
restless, graceful head-in the light talk,
that reminded one of the humming-bird,
as it fluttered over the sweet lips. And
all these things held the husband like so
many chains, until, at last, with u despe-
rate effort he seized his hat, pressed his
lips upon her forehead, and hurried
away.
"Och, sure, ma'am, they're the most
beautiful strawberries, as big as my
thumb and as red as a rose in June; and,
sure, the mans at the door with his bask-
ct piled full of the same"
Strawberries, Bridget! lhad no idea
they were ripe SO early;" and Mrs. Hunt
ley hurried on to the door.
1t was enough to make anybody's
mouth water to look Mt them; and MIS-.
Huntley'sc certainly did, as the man filled
Il basket of the ripe, delicious fruit, say
ing
'sSeventy-ttve cents, na'anl, and the
first of the season."
cts q dreadful price" murmured the
young wife, s'and then owe the only
dollar have by me to that poor woman.
How provoking! Charley's so fond of
strawberry cake, and could make such
a beautiful one out of two of those bas-
kets; and what Il delightful surprise it
would he at supper! But that woman !;
no matter, I'll give her something for
having to wait. Bridget, here, run up
stairs and get my purse on the table"
A moment later, and the bill and sill
yer were poured into the hard palm of
the strawberry man.
"You're not going away, mamma !?
Please do not 60 away and leave Willie
alone ;''-and the sick boy li:tedhis arms
appealingly from the hard pallet on
which he lay, while the fever flush deep
cned in his hollow cheeks, and the fever
light frightened in his dark eyes.
ut is only little while, Willie, and
mamma will buy some bread and make
you nice piece OF toast when she comes
back and my boy shall sit up by the
fire, and have Il cup Of warm tea, too,
and some medicine to made him we'll a.
gain. Mammals going to get whole
dollar, and she'll spend it every bit for
her darling" said the mother, as she
leaned fondly over her child, and drew
the folds of the old quilt tighter around
him.
One kiss, full, oh +! 80 full Of motherly
tenderness, and the sick boy lay all alone
in that dark, destitute room, where the
pale spring sunshine looked In coltlly on