Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-01-03
GAZETTE.
II ~ Nj ASK ILD.
a New Years Story,
~ :. ANNIE FROST

the extreme OF poverty was NOT there Every |
thing was III neat order, and there was an air |
OF comfort III all the surroundings cicaf hre |
burned i'll the stove that evidently served for |
cooking as well as 70 warm the room, and the |
ouly occupsut sat 10 deep, well-cushioned arm
ichar, wearing nicely wadded wrapper, and
wrapped in a soft woollen shawl. But what spoke |
most eloquenty OF want was the young girl and
her occupation. She had evidently Just left u |
sick bed her hollow cheeks. closely cropped hair,
sunken eyes, and emacated form, told the plain |
story of long and Illness yet in the thin,
trsmbling hands she held u piece OF sewing, the
trimming for a 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, aud round her lips hovered a
smile, as if some pleasant thought was associated
with her work.
1t was In OF the pau4es of her work, when
her eyes closed that the door opened softly,
and another young girl about her own age came
into the room, The same short brown curls the
same large hazel eyes, soft, fair complexion and
delicate features marked both faces, but the new
. coner had rounded cheeks, and the bloom Of
tul health that was wanting in the other face.
"Sewing, Hattie - she cried, taxing the work
from the thin fingers "And upon dress TRIM
lining You ought TO have good scoldug"
."But you will not give me one
.s"Dont Os too sl,re OF that You are not we'll
y enough to work. Hattie Who is that for =
: -"Mrs, Hartley She wants it for New Year.
reception, and had it bef.re was sick. work
for her husbands store, and she has given me two
or three dresses TO make.
al will finish IL for YOU this afternoon. Now,
we must have dinner" and she drew from under
her cloak a basket which she opened. "Here is q
Il Ipast chicken to be heated some oysters which
Twill stew cranberry sauce; celery, rolls, also to
be warmed, and oustard pie. III you are very
good and eat plenty of dinner, you shall also have
q glass of wine and soma white grapes that are
still III the basket. fhen have some news to
tell you"
While she was speaking, Netlis Hastings had
4hrox., do haI md n h ifa anron
over her black Dress unpacked the basket. and
was now busy preparing the dinner aud taking
the dishes from the closet to set thr little round
table. The Invalid seemed accustomed to her
ministratons, for she only looked on with happy
smiles.
= aIt won't he long befoic can get dinner, she
said as ette inquired the precise locality OF the
tee caddy. "What snould hev done but for you,
: Nsttis? Died in pauper hospital"
tt"I on should have sent for me befoie yoE were
sick, Hattie But it will not be long now before
you ere in my house"
lss "No, no You are too kind. / must again live,
~ Nettie, as have since father died"
a'sSewing, freezing and starvingl There! l can
do no till the oysters get done and the chick
en- is hot, so | will tell you my news" She sat
down beside the invalid's char and continued
m nYoa know, Hattie, that whatever was the quar-
rel between my father and yonr grandfather there
was some bites enmity tina, was never reconcIed.
Your father left the city, while |, an orphan at
three years Of age, was adopted by our grand
a.father. When he died, near two yrais ago, and
left me all his wealth and his splendid house, |
did not even know he had another grandChIld.
{ Nv m others sister, who came to live wlh me
when grandfather diol,' told ma first of the
who had lett his HON, anger and never return
ed, but know noth,uT farther. | can never tell
YOU tho happiness I,il when you Sout me little
note asking me to coma 10 S"u
II 81 was dying OF want, Neltie, orphaned, alone,
and sick | knew from mv father that had a
!. 3cousin here, and thought she would keep me
ota u,innfi 4 haf,a fnr,,
more; but when you cuma You loaded me with
Injuries watched beside ne Tor weeks gave me
the best physicians care clothed me warmly, ad-
ded comforts to my miserable looni gave me new
life o Nettie, heaven w,i reward you."
III "Let me finish my story, Hattie. You and
are the only living relatives OF Grandfather
Hastings The enmisy that existed between your
fhther and hi, father ls buried now in their grave
! As soon as 1 knew you were here and in want,
went to my lawyer to right what an injustice,
and to haze your share, one-halt of our grand
fathers estate, transferred to you,'
"Nettep
!. 81 was informed that nu such document could
: be signed or become legal nntli was of age, so l
! could only rake you comfortable out OF my
come, n liberal one, and wait until to-day. i am
!, twenty-one to-day, and have Just put my name
70 the deed that makes you the jont heiress of
grandfather. al Gsk OF you is TO come and
share my home, live with me, and be my sister,
until some one with nearer claim carries you
Z away. Tomorrow is New Years Day. l shall
garry you home this afternoon, and you shall sit
sn state at my reception and be introduced to all
NY friends. battle Hattiel YOU must not cry
%. 1t will make you i'll again.
But it was not in the power of the invalid to
check suddenly the tears called forth by the emo
ton awakened by her cousins generous gift
/. Rich, independent lovedl lite of lonely toll
thus suddenly removed, and delioately and af-
kecfionatelyl She could only sob aud caress her
+ cousin, till Nette discovered her oysters were
cooked, her dinner hot ana woke smiles again by
her cooking cares and jokes. Dinner over Nettie
said:
n .'You have only heard half my news"
'sf "Have you another fortuns 10 give awayf'
as al thinking" and the prettiest bushes came
upon the young girls cheeks. Ito give all mine
away aud myself with u. Now, that you my
sister must have secrets from you, SO will tell
I Y vou all about it, Last night / received note
{rom gentleman who has visited me frequently,
and with the note q ring. The note told me that
bodys WIFE II 1 consented, was 10 wear the
rirg at my New Years reception; and, Hattie, it
Is on my finger now and she held up her hand,
and displayed superb solitaire diamond upon au
azure enamelled setting
'sThen you love himf"
! :. ind him always congenial companion. l am
sure of one thing, though, Hattio, that honor
and respect him above all men.
"I.ove will come then"
"a ~ believe that, or | would never marry him.
n He is SO good, Hattie, so noble and generous
M There Is no great charity in the city that has not
hsname upon the list OF subscribers, and he talks
- 90 beautifully about the poor, that 1t would bring
tears to your eyes to hear him. am sure he does
4 good secretly as well as openly" ....
4. That will suit you, Nettie."
VI II believe" said Nettie, gravely '.that large
s wealth is given to some only that others may be
benefited also by its use. To hoard money is q
- crime I'm nv eyes, and | do try, Hattie TO be Q