Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-05-20

She met her husband, when ne come
to his i've o'clock dinner, with beam
ing smile. The meat vas well cooked
and neatly served the wife opposite
him was young and fair; and when JOIN
rose from the table and Went
with her into her evening room, it was
no wonder he said to himself, that thls
being in ones own home wasn't so bad
after all.
" What is it, Nellie! !'' he asked. after
q while, in answer to questioning look
in his wife's eyes. She drew near him.
"You are sure, John, you can spare
me that five hundred dollars without
putting aside any rightfui claim ?"
az hope 50, Nellie; if 1 had not
50, should noT~have given it
to YOU, much as love to please you"
"Then what" she spoke hesitatingly,
{" what if wanted very much indeed to
use it for something else?"
"I do not understand what yeu can
possibly mean"
For answer she detailed to him the
different events Of the day. When she
was through, she said:
at seems 50 hard, John, for that posl
girl, minister's daughter, too, 10 be
suffering for want of food and living,
or rather dying, by inches, in that mis-
erable, damp, unhealthy place. 1 can
see how, with five hundred dollars, ]
could make her SO comfortable / stop,
ped in at Nurse Smead's on my way
home to-day, and found that she had q
nice, bright, good-sized room, where the
sun shines half the day, which she will
let for seventy dollars year. There Is
q stove in it already, and a carpet on the
floor, and thirty dollars more would sup
ply 1t with every thing needed for com,
fort. Now. if l could pay the rent of the
room a year i'll advance for Annie Had
ley, and fit it up neatly, what fine start
it would be for her! 1t would give hel
such rest-such freedom from care, She
would have time to get well She's very
skillful with her needle, and, with the
work she could easily do, she could live
50 nicely, and Jenny could go to school
have it all planned, and there, with
your permission, gees the hundred dol
lars in my pocket"
John Stirling looked at his wife, and
it seemed to him, with the generous, un'
selfish light illuminating it, her face was
the face of an angel. But he did not say
so then.
He answered her in the tone of one
raising an objection, but what would
you wear to the party, Nellie? l should
not like yeu to look shabby"
Trust me for that. | can wear my
wedding dress 1t is such a rich heavy
white silk, and it is not, soiled at ALL
With little different arrangement oi
the trimmings, it will be as as handsome
as any thing 1 could get. But are you
quite set upon giving the party, John ?''
Are not you, dear?'
81 was"
There was q pause for few moments
in which Nellie tied and united the tas.
sells of her little silk apron several times
When she looked up an eager light shone
through the mist which had somehow
gathered before her eyes.
81 suppose there are many people in
the city, John, just as worthy as Annie
Hadley, and needing help just a,
much? ?' =.
Without doubt, Nellie; plenty o.
werse-cases, especially now as winter is
coming on"
Gould you help me to find them ?"
al think could. Some OF the cases
of destitution, which he can not afford
to relieve, make business mans heart
ache almest every day."
"Then four hundred dollars extra
which you would net have given other.
wise, will do a great deal, won't it?"
Yes, great deal. 1t is a largt sum- ,
Yes, it is large sum, az you said
last night, John, to be spent on single
evenings entertainment for those who
do not need it, but not large when we
compare it with the wants of those who
suffer. John, l have no wish to give
that party. Will you take the money
for doing COED ?" ~ l--- 80,
But these who haveinvited US, Nell.
lie? The Hurlbuts, the Grayssns; ali
your many friends? One wouldn't like
to be thought mean"
1--WE can ask them all, a few at time
all those we care for. Ysur ordinary
housekeeping allowance is liberal
enough for that. If that does not please
them, after all, John "-snd the little
woman hid her face ON her husbands
shoulder, for she was one who seldom
uttered her deepest thoughts, or men,
toned, even to him, the emotions which
she held most sacred" if they should
not approve it, it matters so much more
what He thinks who told us to invite to
cur feast the poor, the MANNED, the blind
I have been blind till to-day, John. i
don't care for large parties any more"
You shall do as your heart has coun-
seled you, Nellie. The money shall be at
your disposal tomorrow. We will give
our reception to the guests whom God
graciously chose for u.s."
He said no more just then, but Nellie
had unconsiously gained in that
hour new and holier hold on the heart
of her husbsr 4. He had loved the gay,
half.spoiled girl; what word, expresses
what he felt for he noble, self-sacrificing
woman who II l:ist day had revealed to
him?
Annie Hadley's heart was lightened
next day of weary burden, and she was
as grateful for Mrs. Stirling's delicacy rs
for her aid.
The First Baby.
What affectionate dad that can now
lock with pride on his descendants, does
not remember the mingled feelings of