American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-11-29

was proving himself to be. She said not
another word, however, and the next
afternoon got ready for her shopping eX-
pedition-she could fortunately wear rub
bers-and waited for her liese lord to PRO
vide her with the necessary funds
But he sat writing at his desk, obliv-
ious OF all domestic cares, and at length
she said with an assumed nonchalence
Can YOU let me have some money,
Chester"
"Oh! yes, you haven't any, have you?"
and he drew out his wallet and began 20
count the bills therein.
There's five-that must go to Mr..
Jackson for the use of his team; and
three-my minister's tax exactly; and ten
that goes for a new sleigh-robe; and two
you can have that, l guess" separating ii
from the rest; will that do?"
Nellie's face grew white and then red,
and her heart beat SO that she could
hardly answer; Il will try to make it"
Chester looked up, thinking her voice
did not sound just natural; but she had
turned toward the window.
There's some changeyou can have, too
said he, adding several pieces ofscrip to the
bill. She took the money, thrust it into her
purse, and walked rapidly away; but her
thoughts ran somewhat after this fashion :
"And so my claim is last and least In his
estimation. l suppose that is the reason
that so many women grow so sort of anti
quated; they hate to beg" Her hus band S
ears would have tingled could ~ nave
known these reflections, h., ,t as it was. he
only looked after ner and thought what
fortunate 1ellow he was to get such a
me.
After purchasing an inferior pair of
boots, Mrs. Nellie found that she had
thirty cents remaining, which was speed
lily invested in pins, needles, and thread,
and she returned home resolved ito labor
and to wait" a little while longer.
A few days after this, as she was bend
ing over the table trying to cut out Ches-
ter's vest, Miss Eunice Perkins called,
and after few minutes desultory chat,
the worthy spinster drew from her pocket
a paper, which she handed to Nellie, say
ing as she did so: 1--WE are trying to get
money to purchase a silk dress for a
Christmas present to our pastors wife.
AS the gentlemen are trying to do some
thing for the pastor, we ladies intend to
get her dress among ourselves. Some
one reminded me to come to you; you
used TO be so liberal in your subscrip-
tions."
Nellie tried to read the we'll known
names already on the paper, but film
seemed to come before her eyes, and she
felt the blood rushing to her cheeks. She
tried to smile, however, as she said:
really haven't any money by me today,
Miss Perkins-and l can't tell you'll
think you need not rely on me for any
thing"
Miss Perkins gave a little feminine
shrek. "There! there! now confess, Mrs
Pomeroy; isn't it just as told you? Can
you married ladies have half the indie
pendence that we single ones have?" and
she tried to look very knowing.
'Have l ever said but that have enough
of everything?" asked Nellie, with lit
tie of the dignity that used to subdue
troublesome boys.
ooh no, of course not. Everybody
says you've got an ercellent husband; and
| am sure l didn't mean anything. You
know it is my way to joke little occa
sionally, and you remember our little 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 bt
worth, begged from his own pocket" sale
| she.
Chester's gift to her was h wringing
machine. The year before, it was boob
of poems; but then, the machine was vast
Iy more useful, and given with an un
diminished affection she knew, only i
was $50 practical"
Nellie did not ask for any more money
during the winter, although once sh,
made a 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 a1illtng to do this
but she thought how much better it woult
have seemed to count the money from he
own little purse, as she used to do.
was very natural, under the circumstances
for Nellie to wish that she could do some
thing in addition to her daily duties tina
should bring the longed for pin money,
but not until the following May was Their
an opportunity. Then, as she was passin,
his house one afternoon, old Mr. Stanl'
accosted her. Mrs. Pomeroy," said he
Z" if you wasn't married woman, shout,
be after you to teach our district schoo
this summer. We have got some good
sized girls that would 20, if | could fin
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 propos
ton.
wouldn't take it, would you now ?
said the old man. I'D give you-wel
I'd give fifty dollars. You'd board t
home, of course"
=" l will let you know my decision t.
morrow morning. Mr.. Stanly, but pleas
don't mention that l think of teacl
ing"
That night Chester was informed of he
splendid plan" e" You see the schoo
house is SO near US and a nice long tim
before and after each session to do IN
work; and am SO strong. Please sa
yes, Chester" she pleaded, and so he
last consented, and the school was er
gagged.
With unfaltering courage, and feelin
of her old independence, Nellie con
menced her work; busy from mornin
until night, and happier than ever, unit
al, the end Of the fourth week, Chester fe
from the beams of the barn and broke h
leg. Then she wanted to give it up; br
after few days interruption, he insis
ed upon her resuming it. Then, poo
fellow! he had nothing to do but Ii
on the parlOr sofa and watch Ill
road to the school-house door, and til
hands of the clock creeping around at
snail's pace, measuring off the time ft
her return. Yes, he had his farm to worr
about, also; and the "help," and NJ
Goldthwait's next payment. He kne
that everything was being neglected, an
oh, how he longed for the use of his he'll
less limb once more! But one day, as Ii
was trying to plan and calculate for I'll
payment, he happened to think ofNellie
fifty dollars; and then his mind was
rest, for he felt sure it would be sufficiel
to make up all deficiencies. The schot
was finished at last, and Mr.. Stanl
promptly gave Nellie the promise
| Nuafrcs cauin IL ne Ia. diI co thnt cL. L.,