The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-08-29
selected story.
CHARITY.

greatest OF these is Charity"
1t is hopeful sign in young man, wnen
his mefltations on heavenly virtues are ~
deep and earnest as to cause him ainost un-
consciously TO repeat alodd to hiihseii pas
sages of Holy Writ, as did DIR. Norton, rlolng
slowly home in his sulky, one clear June al
ternoon, the above quoted verse. But when
we confide to YOU that lie had just come from
well-to-do Farmer Abbott's, whose three
blooming daughters were severally PANIED
Faith, Hope, and Charity, it may reasonably
be doubted whether the handsome Young
doctors meditations were as much on heaven
ly virtues as on earthly.
1t was rather pretty tableau that he in
terruPted when he stepped into the Abbotts'
coy slttlng-room, that afternoon, and some
now lts memory haunted him STILL The
Wheeis OF ms light sulky made no noise as
they rolled over the grassy lawn in front OF
the house, and with all the freedom of init
mate acquaintance he sprang lightly to the
steps, then in through the open door, with
out knocking, and was thus in their midst
before they knew him to be anywhere near.
Now Charity, the youngest of the sisterly trio
had that very day purchased a pair of new,
gaiteI boots. and at the very moment when
he darkened the doorway, was exhibiting
them for the opinion of her mother and sis.
tiers. SO there she stood in the middle of the
room, her dress raised just lar enough TO
SHOW the trim boots, little strip of snowy
stocking, and, above all, the faintest suspicion
OF dlmity rufiiing. Down went the dress,
however, when she suddenly saw her trio of
spectators changed to quartette, and up, up
to the very verge OF her brown hair, mounted
the rosy bushes; but the burst of laughter
from her mother and sisters at her discomtit-
ure, reused her to composuIe. sd like to
know your opinion on my new boots, DR..
Norton" said the little puss, saucily. walking
up to him, determined to face it bravely out
and thrusting forward one dainty loot.
Hum, well" said the doctor, with as much
gravity as though he were pronouncing on a
case OF malignant typhus, "let us see. Cloth,
but that's no objection il you'll always remem-
Der your rubbers in the damp. Heel rather
too high; if were cobbIer I'd take off
half inch of that, but perhaps you'll stand it
il you've been used to that sort of thing.
Don't pinch anywhere, do they? Consump-
ton soled9 No, as l live, good, honest. half
inch soles! think they'll do, Miss Charity.n
What is your consultation fee ?" said
Charity, gravely pulling out neat portmon-
naie.
Five dollars in so important case as this. D
replied the doctor subsiding into COW rock
ing chair, "but don't pay me the money. PIl
take this chair for few moments, and a
glass OF water, and call it event." so Charity
Went Tor the water. When she came in with
it, he was just making known his Grand
"Pve been to see old MIS- Wells, She is
very low, won't last much longer, but the
family are all worn out, and agreed to send
a watcher for tonight. So called to see if
one OF you ladies wouldn't CO."
=" can't, I'm sure" said Mrs. Abbott
promptly. haven't BEEN able to watch for
years, but one of the girls could CO." |
shouldn't like to so into such a place. said
Faith, they are SO poor and everything
seems so disagreeable there:" and her hand,
some face expressed such lofty dlsdain that
for moment DIR. Norton felt quite ashamed
that he had ever made such a suggestion to
one SO gracefully fastidious.
II should be really afraid to CO." and Hone
raised her soft, blue eyes, timidly to him
What II the poor creature should die in the
nightp Hope Abbott looked just what She
was, gentle, confiding girl, and we must
pardon our young hero, If the thought did
pass through his head, what pleasure il
would be to cherish and protect one SO lovely
al his life.
an co., said Charity, quietly, Sim not
afraid, and If the place is disagreeabe I can
endure it for one night. Even if the poor
creature should die, can call the tamilvn
yes, certainly" said the outer DIR. Norton,
whiie the inner man was saying, "Most sens-
bic OF the three sisters! Behold true Chart
W IL fSiy Sidu W nave IOunQ q suitable
watcher for the night, and also much Obliged
to you, Miss Charity" said he, as he took his
leave few moments after. "The family will
tell you all about the medicines and drinks.
and shall be over myself in the morning
unless L hear OF her death preyiously.N
Keep up good courage, and take good care of
yourself. Good day." And with wave of
MS hand to the whole family. he whrled
away in cloud of dust, the noble, PROPOSES
iDg young doctor, whom half the girls were
breaking their hearts for, but who, as thew in
dignantly aveued, seemed to have NOT tbe
least bit OF a heart to give anybody except
ms patients, to whom he made himself very
dear, no matter who they were. or how old
and repusive. His breakneck pace. however.
subsidized into slow walk as he rode nm the
NIL beyond, and it was sthfb Bt ttff d6uotafion
which heads this story.
That evening, just at sunset, Charity Alb
bolt went leisurely down the meadow natb.
across lots from her pretty home to the bnm,
bic cottage OF the Wells family The grass
waved and surged about in the evening
oreeze, sea OF billowy green, gemmed with
TALL noddlng buttercups. The delicious
breath from the crimson clover on tho Hill
side came waited to her like purest incense
and little further on, a faint, delicate odor
from the lowlands told of Strawberries rinen-
ing 10 luscious sweetness down among the
rank grass and weeds. The bobolinks nod
ded their saucy black caps at her as thew fol-
lowed along in friendly proximity. triIlinq
iorth meanwhile their unteIligible iarqon
rlcn ana Clear IN its sivery sweetness and |
thus attended, she traversed SLOWLY the lona !
meadow path, drinking in at every stem tbs |
beauties OF earth and sky and cloud. Down.
tne little hill which hid her home from view
tnea through huge gate which opened a lii |
Tie way with It's creaking sweep, to let through |
ner agile form, then around the corner of a
neld OF rye, already standing stout and tall
ana she entered little pine grove. The |
preeze was whispering and signing in the |
waving Drancnes, making sweet, pensiye
.l,a whicn cnlmed In pleasantly with her
and she fingered in the charming grove a II,
tie, pleased with everything, even the soft.
brown carpet which the fallen needles moJo
under her feet. Regarding it then. and not |
I'LL then, she noticed that she had on her
new CATERS. Provokingl The morning dew
would nearly spoil their beauty, but it was |
not worth while to 60 clear back home again
SO, resolving to make the best of it. she pass,
ea on out at the bars, and down a little piece |
was her destination. "--'N
Inc SOFT, clear, summer night passed slowly |
away, Inc parent watcher moving quietly |
about, doing all that sympathy conId nromnt |
for the poor old woman now SO nearly he
yond che reach of her gentle ministrafions
WIN toucn as tender as though the invalid |
were dear friend, she chafed the aged limbs |
smoothed back the snowy hair from the wrin-
hleu race, and bathed the aching head. I'm
wearled were her attentions. and mnch wero
they needed by the worn sufferer mill ~
waro morning they took effect, and she sank
away INTO quiet, peaceful Sleep Still Char
sy sat oy the bedside, driving away with her
i ;an .ne Vlliainous mosquitoes that persisted |
Ia anhoyLnS ner charge, at the same time |
creating with it fresh currents of air for the |
comfort OF the sufferer, whose lungs were
well nigh wasted away.
AT sunrise the family were I'D. and Charity |
was released from her post. glad to 90 forth |
night ''o' ioi "earisome
= Inc Iresh rays of the morning sun sbone
fuli IN Dr. Norton's face, rousing him from a
oil Mt OF unusually quiet ard undisturbed
sleep, 10 visit old Mrs. Wells was his first
s.s, and he made hasty toilette and
!, Started out. A sudden determination seized
i W ~ across the fields on foot, instead of
wh;oiss ,1, ,s norse 10 go around by the road.
WHICH was Twice as far. The morn;no 81
was SO lnVgorating that he felt as If the ,vaII,
wouid De decided benefit, so he struck into
Ine path across the pasture, which. at tbe
rye neld, came into the path Charity travers-
"a the evening before, and walked brisklv
IN. VI i'Aiy
Mindful of the well-being of her new gait
RS, Charity picked her way carefully along
ne road, Wetting them in the dewy Grass
VAen she tried to avoid the dust, and cover
nS tnem with dirt when she tried to avoid
ne dew by taking the middle of the rood
NE ,aa IN tne shadow OF the pines she paused