Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-01-03

vi, HObIlHS Stl'l al
voice from the bed "only I'm SO tired
I've embroidered and crochetcd, and
painted, and read till I'm just sick of
everything and my bones ache, and
[ don't believe I'll ever get we'll" And
the head went down among the pillows,
and the pale face was buried out of
sight.
"My DEAR said her mother, gently,
s. know it is very tedious to lie on n
hard bed for months, especially for one
so active as you. But the doctor says
you are improving, and you mustn't get
discouraged"
I'D like to know how 1 can help it, -
sobbcd Hope, turning Il tear covered face
to her mother, "whcn I've been stuck to
this horrid old bed for three months,
with my knee strapped to boards, and
when I've made every fancy thing |
could think of, and read every interest
ing book i'll the library, and got SO aw
full tired of everything. And now it's
most Christmas, and all the girls are
having such splendid times going to
parties and getting ready for the Christ
mas festival, and have to stay poked
up here in bed"
Mrs. Laurie, hoping to divert Hopes
attention from her own griefs, "that |
don't think are having any gayer times
than you"
81 should like to know where ?" asked
Hope, inditferently.
cat the orphan asylum Mrs. Laurie
replied, "where / went to Il meeting of
the Board, you know. Poor things !
they have little to look forward to-a
few years shelter of the asylum, and
then bound out to work somewhere.
And most of them are as bright and in
teresting as children who have parents
to make life happy for them."
How many are there % asked Hope,
somewhat interested.
"Only twenty-five now, said Mrs. Lau
RE; land it's very fortunate there are no
more; for it's such hard times Just now
that it is all the Board can do to feed
and warm them. really don't see how
we can make Il Christmas festival for
them, as we have heretofore, unless We
get help outside. It's apity, too, poor
things p
At this moment Mrs. Laurie was
obliged to go out, and Hope was left alone.
her bed ut any rate she could not get
those wretched orphans out of her
thoughts. She pictured their life in
the great, barn-like asylum; she thought
of the dreary round of lessons, with no
mother to go to at night, and no home
in all the wide world for them she i'm
agined their dismal holidays, with moth
ing to look forward to, and nothing to
talk about.
Bed time came. She was undressed
and laid down to sleep, the shaded night
lamp placed in the corner, the glass of
water and little bell (to ring if she
wanted anything) put on the table by
her side, and the family went to bed.
But something was the matter with
Hope. Wide awake she lay, staring up
at the wall. not crying now, but with an
earnest and thoughtful face-more
thoughtful than sixteen-year-old faces
usually are / can't tell just what she
thought but by and by bright color
came into her pale cheeks, her face
grew eager aud happy, and not till to-
ward morning did she fall asleep.
"Why, how bright you look - was
her mothers morning greeting. "Do
you feel better?"
"Oh, yes, mother y exclaimed Hope
and I've thought of something! I've
got plan ~
"What is it?" asked Mrs. Laurie,
glad to see her interested in something
at last.
"I'll tell you all about it pretty soon, -
said Hope )" only first 1 want you to
tell me something. Will you?"
Yes, if | can, said Mrs. Laurie,
smiling at her eagerness.
"Well, how much do you except to
spend for me at Christmas % asked
Hope.
"Dear me ! L don't know" said her
mother; :" L usually look about till 1
find something you would like, and then
buy it."
"Yes but there's some limit" said
Hope, earnestly; you wouldn' think of
spending a thousand dollars"
Ofcourse not, laughed Mrs. Laurie;
especially this winter. Well, at a
rough guess | should say not much over
fifty dollars this year.
son, that'H do nicely" exclaimed
Hope. "And now, mother, III tell YOU
my plan. In the first place, l want
you to give me the money itself, and be-
fore Christmas, too; and with it L want
to get up a Christmas party for those
forlorn orphans. want tree-a real
nice one-and everything and | want
nice supper, and"
"But, my dear child y interrupted
Mrs. Laurie, fifty dollars won't go far
toward supper and presents for twenty
five children"
&c know if will not be very grand,
mother" said Hope earnestly "but
it'll be grand to them-poor things.
And you know the presents won't cost
much, I can make such lots of things,
and I've got plenty of time and Aunt
Janell help you about the supper, and
Phil will get the tree and fix it. I've
thought it all out, and 1 know can do
it do let me, mother!'
Mrs. Laurie thought it was great
undertaking, and she disliked to have
Hope try to do it but when she looked
into her eager, glowing face-brighter
and happier than since her injury-she
had not the heart to refuse so, after a
few moments hesitation she said
"Well, dear, if the doctor thinks so
much excitement good for you, won't
object. But you'll find it hard to do