American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-12-05

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lady she knew had more to be thankful
for than she.
AS they were leaving the church Della
saw her father stop to speak to a poor
woman, and as he did so she knew that
he slipped note in the Widow Halls
hand-it was more than one dollar, for
the woman dropped 1t, and Harry, who
was holding his sister by the hand,
picked it up.
so much less for my new dress, NUT
tered Della, giving Harry sudden jerk,
hurting him away before he was thanked
and taking long, impatient steps. 1t was
his sister as he trotted along by her
side, out of breath and hardly able to
speak But Della was not thinking of
him; the dark spirits in her heart spread
their evil influences and poisoned all of
her enjoymepts for the time by their I'M
happy and envious suggestions.
When the family assembled around
the dinner-table the only cherries face
there was Delias. "The bud in the
bosom" had not been singing sweetiy all
day, and her mother observed with re-
greet that the sullen cloud on her little
girls face still remained, while her
brothers and sisters were bright, cheer
full and happy.
"Del1a, j want you to put on your hat
and carry this basket to Miss Hall, the
poor lame giri,'' said her mother,
Just as her daughter had found a
comfortable corner and taken a book to
read. She took the basket with a frown,
from her mothers hand-she dared not
disobey-and started very reluctantly
upon the disagreeable GRAND. The air
was cold and the distance very short; II
she hurried she could easily return in
half an hour to her pleasant book.
81 suppose this is the way people do
IN stories" she thought. as she walked
slowly along with the basket in her
hand. Well, for my part, think char
fly had better begin at home" She was
thinkingof the money her father had
given away that morning as she went up
the narrow stairs leading to Mrs. Halls
room, for the poor widow and her lame
daughter only had one room in small
house.
"Come in," said sweet voice in an
swer to her knock; and Della opened the
door and walked into the little but neat
room, where Miss Hall sat by the win
dow, with an open book on her lap.
She thanked her as Della gave her tue
basket. j.
This seems like Thanksgiving Day.
she added" this has been such de-
lightful day to me. Yes" she said. as
Della glanced inquiringiy and surprised
at her pale face and the clutches resting
against her chair-"yes, 1t has been
very pleasant day. 1 have been sitting
up nearly all the time, and that is q
great treat for me, for my back is 80
weak cannot always do so, and when
am lying down 1 cannot read or sew, and
l have not walked any for six years."
She did not speak complainingly; 1T was
nothing unusual for her to suffer; but
Della. who scarcely knew what illness
was, repeated:
six years! Have you been sick six
years." 90
teen years old when an accident made me
lame: it was very hard at first for me ;
but know have 50 much to he thank
full for l do not dare to complain. You
see, it might be 81 much worse"
Della wonderedho how that could be, and
what the blessings were that Miss Hall
was SO thankful for. as she looked around
the plainly-furnished room, and at the
lame girls pale, wasted face. Perhaps
expression of her own face, for Miss Hall
said:
II can often sit up and read, and from
the WINDOW here can see the blue sky
and the sunlight shining on the green
grass and trees. In summer the birds
come and build their nests directly I'M
der this window, and cannot tell you
how much pleasure and interest take in
all their housekeeping. Then, you know,
l have my mother, who is so strong and
we'll, to take care of me, and my friends
often come in to visit US. So, you see
/ don't have a very dismal life, after
ALL" .a
Della was silent. She looked on the
carpet; there was blue spot in it; but
at that moment it did not remind her OF
silk dresses or fine hats.
Il expect you pity me-" she added.
"But, my dear, you need not. Content
ment is the best thing to have; and l
have found out that grace will be given
for our day if we only ask for it in faith.
/ once learned a very pretty verse; have
never forgotten it:
There are briars besetting every path,
Which call for patient care;
There is q cross in every lot,
And an earnest need for prayer:
But lonely heart that leans on Thee
Is happy anywhere!'"
Mrs. Hall entered the room at that
moment; she ran up to Della, and, tax
ing both of her hands, exclaimed, with
tears in her eyes:
Il have been worrying and worrying
due tomorrow, and only had part of it
l believed the Lord would provide, or |
tried to believe it; but it seemed very
dark to me. and when your dear father
gave me that money this morning it did
seem as if it was an angel from HEAVIER
coming to help me. l am afraid he did
not know how much it was, for he never
let's his right hand know what his left is
giving: perhaps he made a mistake.
Ask him if he knew he gave me five
dollars"
AS Della babe them good-by and left
the house the dreary spirits which had
been brooding over her heart all day .un-
folded their black wings and flew away.
She had the free use of her limbs; she
could walk about in the fresh air and
sunlight; she had comfortable home, Il
kind mother, and dear brother and sis
tiers; and as for her father-wel, she
believed as the Widow Hall said: If any
one deserved high place in heaven II
would be her father; and she could not
help feeling the strong contrast between
her own selfishness and his generosity
She would have spent the money he had
given to the poor widow woman upon
herself; she was not willing to share any
of her comforts with the poor and needy
while her fathers charity had made the
widows heart sing for joy.
An hour had passed since she left
home; and when Della returned Il sud
den fear hurried her onward. When she
saw the doctors carriage standing be
fore the door she ran in breathlessly,
and learned from the frightened children
that her mother was very ill. Della flew
to her bedside, and saw her mother lying
before her pale and unconscious! All
how terrible it seemed now! The life
less form and sealed lips, perhaps they
would never pronounce forgiveness fol
all of her daughters unkindness and
c L. hui