Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1866-03-29
Moral Talts.
MAGGIE'S SACRIFICE.

Here, pet, this III buy you as fine a
rig as the best o 'em III hev on an
nary gal thar III show prettier face
over her new gown-hey wife ?"
The old farmer rang down broad
piece of gold ON the table as he spoke,
and turned toward his wife with a
fond, proud smile. She looked up from
her Christmas cookies with an answer
ing light in her eyes, but said, half
chiding!y, af
"Come, father, don't make her vain. !"
Maggie sprang from her perch on
the arm of the old fashioned settle,
and clasping her father round the
neck, half smothered him with kisses;
then catching up the shining coin, she
danced up and down the kitchen till
her bright curls were in a simmer of
light. The old man watched her with
fond delight : but the prudent mother
said sharply,
Why, Maggie, I'm surprised at
you to act SO foolish"
Maggie sat down obediently, the
gold clasped tight i'm her hand, her
blue eyes dancing with happy expecta-
ton. In moment she sprang up again.
Mother !" she exclaimed, "may
go and get it ?"
"Get what, child ?"
"Oh you know, mother; the blue
silk-the one we looked at and the
white gloves"
Of course, the mother knew, and
was almost as much pleased as her
daughter but she answered gravely
enough,
Well 'spose so, Maggie and
call by Miss Tabby's, and tell her to
come round tomorrow and fit the dress
for you; but, child, don't be so proud
o. your clothes, it's sin."
"Oh, mother I'm not proud, I'm
only glad" laughed Maggie, winding
her white comforter round her head,
and dancing off in the direction
of the dry-goods establishment, in
whose window the long coveted blue
silk was displayed.
There was to be great ball on
Christmas-night ; given to the young
people of the village by Squire Steb-
bins. Of course, Maggie was invited,
for she was great favorite with the
squire but her merino frock was sad
ly faded, and all the girls were getting
new and handsome dresses.
"If only conld get that silk, moth
er," she had said, as the obliging clerk
displayed it in cleaning folds :" it is
so lovely. Oh l wish could'
But the prudent mother shook hel
head, and said, "Too costly, too cost
lily, You must have a plain merino
Maggie"
Maggie pouted but her doting old
father said nothing until after he hac
sold his last lot of oats, then the broad
gold piece rang down on the kitchen
table.
With light heart, Maggie danced
over the snow on her way to the dry
goods establishment. No one hai
got it before me, hope" she musel
to herself, "there'll not be snch anoth
er dress at the party. Dear, dear pa
pa |; Miss Tabby must put white lac'
on the cuffs and round the neck I; ant
I'll wear the gold chain that Henr,
give me. Oh won't Henry be sur
prised when he sees me-won't he !!
and, giving way to her feelings, TIN
silly little thing indulgcd in variet.
of unlady.like capers, to the secre
amusement of sober young man VIII
was making his way along the oppo
site side Of the street.
But there was the store, and there
in the window, the identical sill
cleaning with all the splendor of hea,
ems own blue; and suspended abov
it dainty pair of white gloves, trim
med with lace cuffs and knots of blu
ribbon. Maggie's heart began to pa
pitate so joyously that she coul
scarcely get her breath.
What is the price of that sill
and the trimmed gloves?o she askct
! timidly, stepping into the store.
twenty-five dollars, Miss /; an
!, cheap as Dirt replied the clerk.
} twenty-five dollars! !! just IL
: amount Of her money.