The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-21
TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCE.
ACulIIsTMAs STORY.

AClilksTMAs sTuKI. H,.
There was no sign over tho door Of
Hannah Griersonls little shop, for Il was
so tiny in proportions, and the stock of
goods so poor and limited that q sign
would have been m unnecessary piece Of
ostentatiOn. In the small window speci-
mems OF the trimmings, buttons, and such
wares as comprised the stock were ar.
ranged neatly and tssteiully, ana inter-
spersed with these were some cheap toys,
small dolls, pln.cushions, and other fancy
trAes, in honor Of the approach Of Christ.
mas. One article, cOnspicuously display.
cd seemed, however, strangely out OF
place in the small window. It was a
ubIe,COver Of delicate gray wooden cloth
embroidered in zephyr and silk, with
such naturally colOred flowers, such ex-
Qlisite taste in grouping, that 40 artist
need not have been ashamed to stop and
admire the beautiful design.
Two little rooms back Of the store, com.
pEised the entire extent of the humble
dwelling; one small bedroom, the other
used for cooking and other household
pursuits. Evening shades were gathering
on tho afternoon Of a stormy December
day, when Hannah Grierson, a young,
peasant.faCed woman, closed the store for
tue night, and passed into the bedroom,
where an elderly lady lay upon the bed,
Ill and sad.
have used the uoblest designation Of
thesex, the word woman, in speaking of
Mrs. Grierson and her daughter; but when
tie rays OF the lamplight fell upon the
two faces, you felt instinctiVely that these
were ladies in education and by assoCia-
ton, though their poverty was painfully
apparent in every detail oftheir home and
dress. Neat and clean as was everything
surrounding them. there wassnothing but
what was oithe cheapest kind, and scanty
even then. The widows dress Of the ell
der lady, the deep mourning OF the
younger ones course attire, told the cause
ri the destitutiOn, and explained the quiet
sadness in both faces. There was nothing
new and startling in their past. Mr. Grier-
son had been merchant Of good stand
ing, able to live In comfort, and to give
social Importance to his wife, and 4 finish.
ed education to his only daughter. Four
sons had preceded their father 10 the grave
then followed failure In business and = lin.
gerlng illness, tue care and expenses Of
which had drained the small sums lett
alter the business was closed. Death
came TO release the father, and tho two
women were left 10 win a livelihood from
the rough world.
One relative might have helped the
widow and child, but in her heart the
IIOn hand Of avarice had crushed out all
warm impulse and human sympathy.
Barbara Wilcox was Mrs. Griersons only
SISTER. a widow alter few short years Of
welded life, but childless and enormously
wealthy. Grudgingly she had lent the
money " open the little shop, where
Hannah Grierson worked faithfully to
support herself and her sorrow.strickcn
mother. ALI the fond affection that had
gone forth 10 her brothers and indulgent
father now conferred upon this frail, inva.
lid mother, whose feeble life needed the
utmost care and tenderness to keep her
still with her only child. For her sake,
To give her the comforts sue could not
earn, Hannah had gone to hes hard aunt
FOR little sums, to relieve tho most press
ing wants.
What little she could do for the shop,
Mrs. Grierson did Cheerfully. Yards oil
pretty trimming had passed from her
fingers 10 the little window; she had
dressed the most Of the Christmas dolls,
fashioned the pln.cushions, and when Han.
nah, from the remnants OF her fancy
work box, gathered quite a quantity Of
material thrown aside in happier days,
together they had embroidered the beau.
tlul table.clOth. Both ladies had been
fond oiall combinations Of colors In fancy
work, neither having any marked talent
Tor music or other accomplishments, and
the table.cloth, if sold would go far to
pay the quarterly rent.
Hannah Gricrson was nineteen years
OLD when her father died, two years be-
fore the opening Of this story. She had
no wonderful beauty, no brilliant talents,
olta frank pleasant face; brave cheerful
spirit; and large fund Of common sense,
that most rare Of all senses 10 develop
perfectly in American girlhood at the
present day. But for her the little shop
could never have existed, and it was her
loving care that kept the heart,brokeu
widow from following her husband TO tue
grave
There was all the unspOken elements oil
love IN her lace when Hannah Grierson
lett the little shop and bent over her
mothers bed. The invalid smiled In an
swer 10 the tender look bent upon her.
Free for tonight, Haunah"
Yes: The storm is so bad, there Ia no
nope OF more customers. Can Won sit III
lor supper! have some oysters Tor you,
as 0ur dinner was so short,|
And for youSell%
Now, mamma, do look as II | need.
ttdinvalid dishes? No, l shall have nv
AVGFile superb broiled herring"
u can't remember that YOU were 50
'ond OF herring until lately, dear
Perhaps 1t Is like a taste Tor olives, an
acquired taste" said tho young lady,
utyly' There see you ere not able to
get up. Lie down again, and l will bring
The table here"
w.. Have IA you sold the table cover, Han.
Not yet But there are still two DAYS
dolls, though"
Three Of these I dressed ?"
Yes Mine will never sell ill yours
are oil gone Everybody picks out yours"
You gave mo all the protest faces
'U 10Y Hae incest pieces Of silk and ribbon"