The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-23

the question OF dollars TO comprehend
the meaning of pale, suffering counte-
nance. To him it was dumb sign. He
buttoned his coat deliberately, and NOV
ed towards the narrow hall.
81 will send for the piano in the course
of an hour" he said.
In less than an hour one OF Mary's
pupils would be there to receive a lesson:
"Oh! no. Not to-day! Don't send
for it to-day, sir y
She clasped her Lands p..infulls..
!" In an hour, 1 said"
He was cold and severe in manner.
!" Just give me two days. Perhaps l
can get an advance payment from my
new scholars"
In her extremity Mary conquered
pride, and pleaded with the Implying
| man.
every we'll. That may be faasible,'
vance, and pay me twenty dollars, the
piano can remain. Two days, you say"
{. Yes. sir. Give me two days.
At this hour, day after to morrow,
I will be here. If you have the money,
we'll; if not, shall wait no longer
And he went away.
q I'm afraid it Won't do, Mary said
Mrs. Wild, when her daughter suggest
ed calling on the lady who had sent her
! three scholars, and stating her ease.
"She is a stranger, and it may prejudice
her mind against you, and cause her to
withdraw these pupils at the end of their
first term.''
"But what am I to do. mother?"
asked the disheartened girl.
!" If do not pay this man, he will
certainly remove the instrument and [
see no other possible way Of obtaining
the money!
ct is Il simple act of Borrowing
returned Mrs. Wild. "You would call
it an advance-but the lady would con-
slider it a loan. Now, let us see if there
is not some one else from whom you can
borrow the sum needed for q short time.
If so, it will be better than to run the
risk of loosing scholars
"Yhere is not a living soul to whom |
can apply said Mary, q chill creeping
down in her heart, as she imagined her.
self asking OF some old acquaintance o.
friend the loan of twenty dollars
There is Mrs. Lincoln suggested
Mrs. Wild.
. could die more easily than ask
such favor of her," answered Mary.
:" Mrs. Parrish, y said the mother.
The girl shivered as she replied
+" NO-nO--nO!
" Mr.. Burdan is q kind hearted gem
tleman."
"He doesn't know me-
"He knew your father and highly es-
teemed him. | am sure that if he COM
pretended the case, he would be only
too we'll pleased to render this small SER
vice. Take heart, dear, and go to him.
l know it will be a hard trial, but we
are in great extremity. To lose the pi-
ano is to lose the very means Of living. :"
" Is there no one else, mother: /
never liked Mr.. Burdan. Something
about him always repealed me.'
"There is Mr.. Bostwick."
"Annie's father ?"
sYes."
Mary dropped her eyes, and sat very
still for some time. Then, signing heav-
lily, she answered
I" annie is a sweet girl We went to
school together, and | loved her very
much. She was fond Of her father. and
often spoke of him rs y kind and gener-
Gus man. He was always making her
presents. He doesn't know me; but he
deal more freely than to Mr.. Burdan."
elf this is your feeling towards Mr..
Bostwick,', said Mrs. Wild, "you had
better see him. The favor you will ask
is so small that he cannot find it in his
heart to refuse"
But when Mary's thoughts went for
ward to the proposed interview with
Mr.. Bostwick, her courage failed, and
the day passed in weak dependency.
After a miserable night came another
troubled morning. No plain way open
ed before the stumbling feet Of Mary
Wild. Her mother, who knew how
sensitive were her feelings, said nothing
more on that subject Of trying to get a
} loan from Mr.. Bostwick. She would
not move her to that ordeal by the pres
sure of single consideration. If Mary
: went to him, itmust be entirely her own
act.
Nearly the whole day passed in weak
indecision on the part Of Mary. \ hum
dred times almost did Mary endeavor
to brace her mind for the painful work
that lay before her; and as often, when
, imagination pictured her in interview
: with Mr.. Bostwick, did her heart sink
} down in her bosom, weak and shiver-
ing. ..st
The day had waned until it was near.
i " six O'Clock, and still Mary shrunk
I back nom the only path that seemed
oDened for her feet. She was sitting