New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-17

good fellow, after all. And you can man.
age now till Christmas, can't you, Hester
l shall be able to get about then, and some
thing may turn up"
EYES," replied his wife, 81 can manage
very WE'LL" but she felt sick at heart as
she wondered how the managing was to be
done. ..
With the little time Hester had to devote
to it, music copying could only bring her in
a few shillings weekly The trinkets she
had were of little value, and she possessed
no friends nor relations from whom she
could borrow money, even if she had been
willing to adopt measure to which both
her husband and herself were so opposed;
while if, as she once or twice felt tempted to
do, she were to tell Roland the truth, the
anxiety would be sure to retard his re-
covery; and until he was well he
would be powerless to help her.
that an angel might have hesitated to call
sin, working, planning, scheming, deny
ing herself the cOmmOnest necessaries for
the sake of her husband and child. And
Roland remembered, after he had learned
the truth, how, through it all, she had al
ways had bright smile OF gentle word
for him and Nessie.
The evening shadows on Christmas eve
came creeping into the room where Hester
Carroll sat alOne-came creeping in, filling
the recesses with strange, weird shapes.
distorting everything, and making the
pianofOrte look like some ungairily monster.
They had it all to themselves that evening
in the old room that, on every previous
Christmas eve of Hester's married life. had
glowed with light and comfort, and CHEER
full woman's presence. Now it looked dark
and dreary, while Hester. with bowed head,
sat thinking YEARLY of the impossibility of
finding path out of the misery that sur
rounded her. How she had struggled
through the last few weeks she scarcely
knew. Her trinkets were gone, and, one
by one. the little prettinesses OF her home
had gone too; but the money thus obtained
had been barely enough to satisfy imme-
date wants; and so, Oh Christmas
eve, Hester found herself possessed
of scarcely two shillings while as
she ran over the list of her belongings, she
could think of nothing that she could. with
out Roland's knowledge, convert into mo-
ney. She knew he must learn, the truth
soon: but on Christmas day, the day on
which he was to come down stairs for the
first time since his illness, she had hoped he
might be happy and the only way in which
she could ward Oft discovery for day later
made her heart ache as she thought of it.
While she hesitated the door opened, and
Nessie came in.
Are you all in the dark. mamma ," she
asked, as she looked around. "Papa's
awake now, and he wants his tea but he
says he'll wait if you're making the pud-
ding
'Shut the dOor..my darling, and come
here" said the mother u want 10 speak
to you"
Nessie obeyed, rather awed by the tone in
which the words were spoken.
s. l am in sad trouble" continued Hester,
g and my little daughter is the only one that
can help me. You know tomorrow is
Christmas day, Nessie. the day on which,
above all others, we should try TO make ev-
cry one happy; and you and l would like
to make poor papa happy, should we not,
dear !"
But isn't he happy, mamma ?" she
asked.
He will not be when he knows some
thing l have to tell him. darling" replied
her mother. ''but that need not be til to-
if you will help me. Listen TO me.
Nessie. am talking TO you as if you We're
much Older than you are, and you Will I'M
me better by-and-hv. NJ trouble
is that have no money-not enough to buy
our dinner to-morrow-and l have not even
anything for which / could get money.
There is something of yours. darling. if you
would lend it to me; you shall have it back
as soon as ever | can get it. Oh. Nessie,
my little one, forgive me -
'Oh. mamma" said the child, in great
distress. please don't cry mamma. viii
give YOU everything ! have-only-only-
not Peepy, please, she added, looking half
inclined to cry at the thought of her little
black kitten being gwen in exchange Tor
anything, even for plum pudding.
Its not Peepy, darling" said her mother
do you think you would mind lending me
your silver mug, Nessie, till papa is quite
well and busy again ~
"Oh no. mamma, | never Use l.. said
Nessie, you may have it to keep.
God bless you. darling" said her mother
Il hope you will have it back before long.
Pray God You may never know surh agony
rs il has been to ask YOU this Nessie: I
would not have done it had there been any-
hing left of my own. And now go back TO
papa. ms pet. and tell him tea III soon be
'eadv: but remember that YOU must not say
anything to him OF what | have told you.
That. for a little time, must he SECRET be-
5ween you and me. Papa is 20 lie happy
.o-lnorrow. is ne not =.
For a few moments after Nessie Lad left
ler, Hester sat huddied up in the conner Of
he couch weeping hot bitter tears that
would be shed. however she might struggle
o keep them back by telling herself that
he might be very thankful that Roland
vas Spfred 10 her, and not sit crying there
IN Christmas eve. However. at last. she
colded herself into calmness. and then,
Trying her eyes. she began the preparations
such poor little preparations as they had
gradually grown TO be- for tea: and her
ask completed. she carried the tray I'D
tairs. Up there everything was warm and
,osy: there was a bright fire. and Roland.
eated by it in his easy chair, with Nessia
tauding with her kitten in her arms beside
iim looked up with glad smile as Hester
nterhd
Why, little wife" he cried how oala
nd pinched you lcok-and you are as cold
IS ice. What in the world have YOU been
.oing! Is there no fire down stairs, l. that
Why you brought the kettle up here
Hester thought sadly or the impossibility
# keeping two fires lighted when she had
'roHght u the last scuttletull OF Goals: but
lie ans wered cheerfullv, Il have been busy.
nj did not want fire. No, indeed, |
ant let you cut the bread and butter
GU are much too lavish with the butter"
why. what a little screw you are grow
ng!" laughed Roland: and then he added
nore seriously, you are right TO be careful
alling; but there can be no harm IN beng
Apply on Christmas eve. l am so thankful
o have my health again. and | feel so much
etter now (almost as well as | have ever
eenj. that | shall be quite glad to begin
york again. l can't think What has made
gu such tyrant as to keep NE upstairs
Il this time.
50 Because Won would have been
A ny way" she replied; there,
ow. sir. you know my reason.
'cssie. | am going to leave YOU 20 wait
pom papa. for there are some things | want
. buy
Il thought you had done all that
his morning" said Roland, 80 that we
hight have spent this evening together; and
don't like the idea of your roaming about
he streets. alone, after dark.
Indeed, don't roam. Roland" said Hes
er, smiling, land l shall not be long, dear.