Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-11-20

Have | ever said but that l have enough
of everything?" asked Nellie, with lit
tie of the dignity that used to subdue
troublesome boys.
'Oh no, of course not. Everybody
says you've got an ercellent husband; and
am sure | didn't mean anything. You
know 1t is my way to joke little occa-
sionally, and you remember our fiule talk
| about pin-money," and with continued
| protestations, Miss Perkins slid the paper
into her pocket again, and took her de-
parture. Then Nellie put her head down
on the table and had good cry. When
| Christmas came, she thought of the pretty
dressing gown she had made for Chester
the year before, when she was only zen.
gagged; !" and wished she could do as much
again, "but what would a present be
worth, begged from his own pocket?n said
she.
| Chester's gift to her was a wringinc
machine. The year before, it was book
| of poems; but then, the machine was vast
| Iy more useful, and given with an I'M
diminished affection she knew, only it
was $50 practical"
| Nellie did not ask for any more money
| during the winter, although once she
made purchase while Chester leaned
over the counter to offer well meant ad
vice, and then afterward paid for it from
| his own pocket.
Not but that he was ceiling to do this,
! but she thought how much better il would
have seemed to count the money from her
own little purse, as she used to do. 1t
was very natural, under the circumstances,
| for Nellie to wish that she could do some.
thing in addition to her daily duties that
should bring the longed for pin. money!"
but not until the following May was there
an opportunity. Then, as she was passing
his house one afternoon, old MIR. Stanly
accosted her. Mrs. Pomeroy," said he,
if you wasn't married woman. | should
| be after you to teach Our district school
this summer We have got some good
sized girls that would go, if l could find
| the right kind of a teacher"
How much will you give me if |
will take the school ?'' asked Nellie, try
ing to conceal her delight at the PROPOSE
| ton
Wouldn't take it, would you now?"
said the old man. I'D give you-well,
I'd give fifty dollars. You'd board to
| home, of course
Il will let you know my decision to-
| morrow morning, Mr. Stanly, but please
don't mention that | think of teach
| ing"
That night Chester was informed of her
splendid plan" You see the school
| house is so near us and nice long time
before and after each session to do my
work; and ! am so strong. Please say
yes, Chester" she pleaded, and sohe at
last consented, and the school was en-
gagged.
! With unfaltering courage, and feeling
Of her old independence, Nellie com
menced her work busy from morning
until night, and happier than ever, until
at the end Of the fourth week, Chester fell
| from the beams of the barn and broke his
| leg, Then she wanted to give it up; but
after a few days interruption, he insist
ed upon her resuming it. Then, poor
| fellow! he had nothing to do but lie
on the parlor sofa and watch the
road to the school-house door, and the
hands of the clock creeping around at a
snails pace, measuring off the time for
| her return. Yes, he had his farm TO worry
about, also; and the .'help," and Mr..
Goldthwaits next payment. He knew
that everything was being neglected, and
oh, how he longed for the use of his help
less limb once morel But one day, as he
was trying to plan and calculate for the
payment, he happened to think ofNellie's
fifty dollars and then his mind was at
rest, for he felt sure it would be sufficient
to make up all deficiencies. The school
was finished at last, and Mr.. Stanly
promptly gave Nellie the promised
wages, saying as he did so that she had
earned double the sum, which was sweet
music in her ears. Tears of gratitude
Ind bar H. l. 1 L
she felt at least an inch taller than usual.
Chester began to hobble about on
| crutches during the harvest season, only
to find, as he had feared, that the farm
had been neglected, and was not going to
| meet his expectations Of the spring He
could not complain of Nellie's work, how
ever, for she had not let the dairy suffer;
so that from that, and the other sources,
he could nearly meet the five hundred dol
lar payment. "Nellie's money would lust
make it out, think" said he to himself;
but although he limited again and again
OF the lack, and her ability to meet it, she
was strangely slow to understand, and
would innocently inquire, What can you
do, Chester?"
lie was too proud to ask her outright
for her hard-earned money, but he thought
half-angrily, "Why doesn't she ofer itY
she ought to know | need it," But he did
not know how often she longed to do it,
only being restrained by her determine
ton that he should ask and find out how
good it seemed,
One day peremptory note from Mr..
Goldthwait, saying that the payment was
due, and must be made before night,
brought matters to a crisis.
Nellie saw the messenger who brought
the unwelcome note, and saw her husband
as he leaned against the garden fence to
read it, and pitied him so much that she
wanted to rush out with her offering at
once but he turned toward the house, and
she sat down quietly to her sewing; not