The Lincoln County herald., 1871-12-28
UNMAsKED "A NEW YEARS STORY.
BY s. ANNIE FROST.

Ina poor room, in the upper part Of
q small house, q young girl sat at sewing
The room was very tioy, the furniture Of
the plainest kind but the extreme Of
poverty was not there. Everything was
in neat nrdar, md theve was an air Of
comfort in all 'tn e"--"rrdinps . "'". =
fire. burned in the stove that evidently
served for cooking Us woll as to warm the
room, and tho only occupant sat in q
deep, well-cushioned armchair, wearing
a nicely wadded wrapper. and wrapped in
soft wooden shawl. But what spoke
most eloquently Of want was tho young
girl and her occupation. She had evi.
IDENTIFY just left sick bed her hollow
cheeks, closely cropped hair, sunken eyes,
and emociated form told the plain story
of long and severe illness, yet in her thin.
trembling hands she held piece Of sew.
ing, the trimming for rich black silk
dress that was spread out upon the bed
She was Obliged to stop often and let her
head rest against the chair, but she per
severed, and round her lips hovered q
smile, as if some pleasant thought was
associated with her work.
twas IN one Of the pausss of her work,
when her eyes we're closed, that the door
opened and another young girl about her
own age came into the room. About the
same age. and wonderfully like the in.
valid. The same short brown curls, the
same large hazel eyes, soft, fair complex
ion, and delicate features marked both
faces, but the new conner had rounded
checks and the bloom Of full health that
was wanting in the other face.
Sewing, Hattie ?" shs cried, taking
the work from the thin fingers. "And
upon a dress trimming! You ought
to have a good scolding."
But you will not give ne one"
"Don't be too sure of that. You are
not we'll enough to work, Hattie. Who
is that for p
MRS. Hartley. Sho wants It for q
Now Years reception, and | had it before
1 w.e s;.L worls far her huoI.nd' c
store, aud she has given mo two or three
dresses to make"
II will finish it for you this afternoon
Now we must have dinner, and she drew
from under her cloak basket which she
opened. "Hcre is a roast chicken to be
heated some oysters, which will stew
cranberry sauce, celery, rolls. also to be
warmed, and custard pie. If you are
very good, and eat plenty of dinner. you
shall also have glass Of wine and some
white grapes that are still in the basket
Then l have some news to tell you"
While she was speaking, Nettie Hast
ings had thrown aside her hat and cloak
tied a white apron oser her black dress,
and then unpacked the basket, and was
now busily preparing tho dinner, and
taking the dishes from the closet to set
the little round table. The invalid
seemed accustomed to her ministrations,
for she only looked on With happy
smiles.
1T won't be long before I can get
dinner" said she, as Nottie inquired the
precise locality Of the tea caddy. "What
should have done but for you, Nsttie ?
Died in pauper hospital"
"You should have sent for me before
you were sick, Hattie. But it will not
be long before you are 10 my home"
mo, no! You are too kind. must
again live, Nettie, us have since father
died." "'
Sewing, freezing. and starving ?
There u oan do no more till the oys.
ters are done and the chicken is hot, so
will tell you my news" She sat down
beside the invalid's chair and continued :
you know, Hattie, that whatever was
the quarrel between your father and my
grandfather, there was some bitter eumity
that was never reconciled. Your father
left the city, while an orphan at three
years Of age, was adopted by our grand
father. Whom no died. nearly two years
sso' ana loft me all his wealth and his
sepiendid hons", I did not even know he
had another grandehild. NJ mothers
sister who came to live with me when
grandfather died, told me first OF a son
who had left his home in anger and Pc :, ),
returned, but know nothing furthX .
can never tell you the happine. ~
a1nnCY cent me little note a
jsrs
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