The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1873-12-27
2Uiscellameons.
UNM NEW- YEA RS
STORY.
BY 9. ANNIE FRoS

From Cooley Lady's Book.
In poor room, in the upper part of a small
house, young girl sat sewing. The room was
very tiny, the furniture of the plainest kind
but the extreme OF poverty was not there
EVERYTHING was in neat order, and there was
an air of comfort in all the surroundings; a
clear fire burned in the stove that evidently
served for cooking as well as to warm the room,
and the only occupant sat in deep, well-cush-
ioned arm chair, wearing nicely wadded wrap
per- and wrapped in a soft woollen shawl. But
what spoke most eloquently of want was the
young girl and her occupation. She had evil
IDENTIFY Just left sick bed; her hollow cheeks,
closely cropped hair, sunken eyes, and emacia-
ted form told the plain story of long and severe
illness, yet in her thin, trembling hands she
held piece of sewing, the trimming for rich
black silk dress that was spread out upon the
bed. She was obliged to stop often and let her
head rest against the chair, but she persevered,
and round her lips lowered a smile, as if some
pleasant thought was associated with her work
1t was in one of the pauses of her work, when
her eyes were closed, that the door opened soft
ly, and another young girl about her own age
came into the room. About the same age, and
wonderfully like the invalid. The same short
brown curls, the same large hazel eyes, soft, fair
com plexion, land delicate features marked both
faces, but the new conner had rounded cheeks
and the bloom of full health that was wanting
in the other face.
"Sewing, Hattie?" she cried, taking the work
from the thin fingers. "And upon dress trim
ming You ought to have good scolding."
"But you will not give me one."
"Don't be too sure of that. You are not we'll
enough to work, Hattie. Who is that for?"
"Mrs. Hartley. She wants it for New Year S
reception, and l had it before was sick.
work for her husbands store, and she has given
txun or three drasSps to make"
"I will finish it for you this afternoon. Now,
we must have dinner" and she drew from un-
der her cloak basket, which she opened
"Here is a roast chicken, to be heated; some
oysters, which l will stew; cranberry sauce,
celery, rolls, also to be warmed, and custard pie.
If you are very good, and eat plenty of dinner,
YOU shall have also glass Of wine and some
white grapes that are still in the basket. Then
have some news to tell you."
While she was speaking, Nettie Hastings had
thrown aside her hat and cloak, tied white
apron over her black dress, uHpacked the basket,
and was now busily preparing the dinner, and
taking the dishes from the closet to set the lit
tie round table. The invalid seemed accustom-
ed to her ministration, tor she only looked on
with happy smiles.
at won't be long before can get dinner"
she said, as Nettie inquired the precise locality
of the tea caddy. "What should have done
but for you, Nettie? Died in pauper hos
pital."
"You should have sent for me before you were
sick, Hattie. But it will not be long now before
you are in my home"
"No, no! You are too kind. / must again
live, Nettie, as 1 have since father died"
"Sewing, freezing, and starving? There! l
can do no more till the oysters are done and the
chicken is hot, so / will tell you my news" >
She sat down beside the invalid's chair, and
continued
"You know, Hattie, that whatever was the
quarrel bewteen your father and my grandfa-
ther, there was some bitter enmity that was
never reconciled. Your father left the city,
while l, an orphan at three years of age, was
adopted by our grandfather. When he died
nearly two years ago, and left me all his wealth
and his splendid house, did not even know he
had another grandchild. My mothers sister,
who came to live with me when grandfather
died, told me first of the son who had left his
home in anger and never returned, but knew
nothing further. l can never tell you the hap
piness l felt when you sent me little note ask
ing me to come to you."
al was dyingof want, Nettie, orphaned, alone
and sick. l knew from my father that had a
cousin here, and l thought she would keep me
from starvation till l could work. ! hoped for
no more; but when you came, you loaded me
with luxuries, watched beside me for weeks.
gave me the best physicians care, clothed me
warmly, added comforts to my miserable room
gave me new life! Nettie! Heaven will re-
ward you"
"Let me finish my story, Hattie. You and
are the only living relatives of our Grandfather
Hastings. The enmity that existed between
your father and his father is buried now in theii
graves. As soon as l knew you were here and
in want, l went to my lawyer to right what was
an injustice, and to have your share, one-hal
of our grandfathers estate, transferred to you.
"Nettie! %
81 was informed that no such document could
| be signed or become legal until was OF age, Sc
| could oniy make you comfortable out OF my
income, a liberal one, and 'yat until day.
am twenty-one to day, and l have just put my
| name to the deed that makes you the joint heir
| ess of our grandfather. All | ask of you is Il
come and share my home, live with me, and b.
| my sister, until some one with nearer claim
carries YOU away. Tomorrow is New Year,
| Day. l shall carry you homo this afternoon
and you shall sit in state at my reception, ant
be introduced to all my friends. Hattie Hat
tie! you must not cry so. 1t will make you IL
again"
But it was not in the power of the invalid t.
check suddenly the tears called forth by tn
| emotion wakened by her cousins generous gift
Rich, independent, loved A life of lonely toi
thus suddenly removed, and so delicately AM
affectionately She could only sob and cares
her cousin, till Nettie discovered her oyster
were cooked, ner dlnner not, anu "oke einiio
again by her cooking cares and jokes. Dime
over, Nettie said:-
"You have only heard half my news"
"Have you another fortune to give away?"
"I am thinking" and the prettiest blushe
came upon the young girls cheeks, "to give al
mine away and myself with it. Now, that yo
are my sister, must have no secrets from you
so l will tell you all about it. Last evening
received little note from gentleman who ha
visited me frequently, and with the note ring
The note told me somebody loved me, and ask
ed me to be somebody's wife. If consented,
was to wear the ring at my New-Year's recer
tion; and, Hattie, it is on my finger now," an
she held up her hand, and displayed super
solitaire diamond upon an azure enamelle
setting.
/