Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-10-01
HOME CIRCLE.
Miss Lofty.

1t was the old story of sickness, debt,
and their consequent troubles which
brought the family of Mrs. Holden from
her home of comfort and ease to one of
hardship and privation. Her husband
gone, and with him, rs it proved, all their
means of living, she felt that she must de-
pend on her own eXertions to support her
self and her two children-NIinna, the
eldest, being an invalid, confined most of
the time to her bed, and Louis, boy of
ten, too Young to add anything to the
maintenance of the family.
Mrs. Holden being naturally an able
seamstress, found that by going out in
families to sew by the day, she could earn
more than by staying at home, for she not
only saved her own board, but had more
constant work. Or course Mlnna was
left much to herself, but she never COM
planned for well she knew how needlul
was every penny her mother earned.
Minna's room was the pleasantest in the
house. Everything in it was for the most
part of the plainest character, but the
vases that stood on the mantle, on each
side of the marble clock, were choice
and the rows of handsome books appeared
to good advantage, though they were
forced to occupy pine shelves. There was
purity and sweetness in the atmosphere
of the room which impressed those who
enterndit. And the appearance of the
young girl, exte nded on her bed with her
lair, uelledle ldce anu ROluen nalf, only
added to the attractivensss.
Minna had a few friends who were al
ways welcome. Among these was the lit
tie milliner next door, CHEEKY little body,
whose very presence was tonic. Know
ing that Minna was lonely she had often
took her work in to sit with her.
You are bearing a heavy burden, my
dear, this morning. she said to Minna,
observing her downcast looks " or do you
not feel as we'll as usual ~
am so helpless Miss Lotty-such a
useless person )" and the tears dropped
down her pale cheeks.
They also serve who only stand and
watt" said Miss Lofty. "My dear, if
your appointed work in this world was TO
run about as do the Lord would have
provided you with means for doing it ; but
your mission just now is to lie in bed, and
preach patience to us poor souls who have
to rub against all manner of crooked crags
and come in contact with crooked people
and for your encouragement, though, per-
haps 1 have told you before, when any
thing has vexed me, l come to you for re-
lief. The very sight of your submissive
face does me all the good l need. But,
bless me! have forgotten what l came
for this morning, and may be my news is
just the medicine you need. Mr.. Sellers,
the toy man, came to see me this morning
to know if would dress three hundred
mas. / thought of you at once, and told
him although my time was all occupied
now, 1 thought could have it done to his
satisfaction. He will give five cents doll,
little and big, if the materials are found
if he furnishes them, three cents. It's not
very much, but think you would not find
IT irksome werk, have rolls of silks and
bits of lace-no use in the world to me,
and you are welcome to them.n
And have large roll of pieces, too
and shall like it very much indeed
thank you, dear Miss Lofty" said Minna,
with glowing countenance. Mother
needs so much a new bonnet and shawl for
church this winter, and if 1 could only
earn the money to get it, l should be very
happy. If you please, we will not let her
know anything about it; would so like
to surprise her."
No more lonely days for Minna, now.
The work progressed finely, Miss Lottie
kindly taking charge of dolls ond mate
rails, and bringing in to Minna what she
needed each day; in this way Mrs. Hol-
den had not even suspicion of what was
going on until Christmas morning, when
Miss Lottie had a boy leave large band
box at her door containing the shawl and
bonnet.
1t is needless TO say how greatly the
mother was gratified, and Louis, TOO, for
Miss Lofty, owning herself to be won
derful contriver,n had managed to save
enough out of the fifteen dollars Nnna
had earned, to buy Louis new cap and
mittens. Though the day came when
Miuna's spine, which had been the cause
of her i'll health, grew stronger under the
skillfu1 treatment of an eminent physi-
clan, whom Miss Lottie managed to intro
duce to her; and though she was able TO
go about with good degree of health, she
often said that the happiest time in her
life was the aforementioned November
when she earned, with her own hands,
Christmas presents for her mother and
BROTHER Young Folks Meas.