Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-09-02


attraction for you is to be cmy wonderful
Cousin Charlie, concerning whom you
have been forced to listen To so many
raphsodies, and whom You used to style
my king among men. You see, Rosie, ]
am opposed on principle to marrying
ones cousin, and being unable to appro-
pirate him myself, shall magnanimous'
ly deed him over to you. Isn't that what
you would call pure generosity"
Rosie laughed little as she read this,
then took a rapid survey of her wardrobe
and its belongings. Evon her dainty
taste was satisfied with one exception
her cloak was certainly getting shabby,
and since she must get new one, why
not make the long coveted purchase. a
short calculation in mental arithmetic en-.
sued, and then she decided the cloak
should be bought the very next day. She
was aroused from her revery by a knock
at the door. and little head was thrust
inside-"A letter for you, Miss Rosie.
With kiss and smile, Rosie thanked
the messenger. "Ah from Bessie" she
said, glancing nj the supcrscriplion. Bes-
sic was her only sister, and ten years her
senior. Their mother dying during Ros.
les childhood, Bessie gave her all the
love and tender care that fond sister
could bestow. She married very young
n man who seemed born to be unfortunate
nothing prospered in his hands. Failing
in business within year, he accepted,
after months of idlencss, situation rs
clerk at miserable pittance. He either
was or fancicd himself to be. confirmed
invalid, thereby eXcusing himself to his
conscience tor his weak pei formancc OF
manly duties, as well as the life of slavish
servtude to which he subjected his meek,
Young wife. Then it WAS that Rosie re.
membered the love and caro- lavishcd up.
on her childhood. Many needed gift
came from her generous hand, and not
intrequen,ly liberal sums OF money were
freely given to relieve the necessities OF
her sister and the little ones. One child
n little girl, named for her, Rosie had
clothed and educated For her brother
n.law she felt but little sympathy, being
keen-sighted enough to sec him as he
really was-a weak, inefficient, selfish
tyrant, whose misfortunes were to be at
tributed solely 10 his lack OF manage
menl and energy. But Bessie and the
children she tenderly loved, and could
not endure the thought of their suffering
for tho want of anything that she could
supply. OF late such demands upon her
generosity had been more frequent than
usual, but the last letter had seemed to
promise better things. For wonder. all
were in good health. Mr.. Lees salary
had been increased, and together Bessie
had written in hopeful tone that was
very cheering to Rosie. 1t was there
fore, with no painful misgiving that Rosie
opened her letter; but as she read, the
smile vanished from her lips, and the
happy light faded out of her eyes. She
laid it down with sigh, and no wonder,
for thus it ran:
Il have not written you for the last six
weeks, partly because have been too
busy, but mainly for the reason that |
have nothing but bad news. Fred has
been obliged to give up his position on
account of sickness; his cough returned,
and he found the work too confning. Two
of the children are down with scarlet
fever, and AM JUST recovering from a
severe attack of pleurisy. What with
doctors bills, nurses, and the innumer1'
bic expenses of illness, we are entirely
out of money. The children need shoes
and warm dresses; Fred has no overcoat
our stock of fuel is almost exhausted, and
| am completely discouraged. | dom
see how we are to get through the winter
Rosie, dear, unless you can help US.
know you have already done more than
we had any right to expect, and an
ashamed to ask you again; but 1t yol
can, help US through this difficulty.
hope we shall be able TO take care of our
selves hereafter"
".The next day one hundred dollars
found its way to Bessie, and Rosie callet
on her way from school to tell her couslr
thatthe contemplated shopping expedition
was to be indefinitely postponed.
"'What! you haven't repcnted OF you
extravaganza already?' queriod Helen il
surprise.
Not in the least
Then why in the world have you Sc
suddenly changed your mind? Do tel
me, am dying to know"
Notwithstanding her disappointment
Rosie laughed as she answered. i have
sent the money 10 Bessie"
Now, Rosie" began her cousin in
dignantly. "has Bessie Lee had the assur
ance to send you another begging letter
after all you have done for that family
Why dom that lazy husband of hers g
to work and support his wife and children
| should think he would be ashamed tt
take money from you.
Il do not know what you mean by
begging letter." said Rosie, quietl!
ignoring Helen's last question. She ha'
written very sad one, to tell me tha
Fred is in poor health aud out Of employ
/ u u 4. I'll. N.