The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-01-01


ter it would have seemed to count
the money from her own little purse,
as she used to do. 1t was very nat
ural, under the circumstances tor
Nellie to wish that she could do
something in addition to her daily
duties that would bring the longed'
for 'pin-money," but not until the
following May was there an opportu-
nifty. Then, as she was passing his
house one afternoon old Mr.. Stanley
accosted her. "Mrs. POmeroY," he
said, '1t you wasn't married wo-
man, | should be after you to teach
our district school this summer. We
have got some good-sized girls that
would go if | could find the right
teacher"
"Howsmuch will you give me it /
will take the school 7" asked Nellie,
trying to conceal her delight at the
proposition.
"Wouldn't take it, would you
now ?" said the old man. "I'll give
you-well, I'd give you fifty dollars.
|
course"
81 will tell you my decision to NOR
row morning, Mr.. Stanly, but please
don't mention to any one that | think
of teaching"
That night Chester was informed
of her splendid plan You see the
school house is so near us, and nice
long time before and after each ses.
sion to do my work and | am so
strong. Please say yes, Chester" "
she pleaded, and SO he at last con-
sented, and the school was engaged,
With unfaltering courage, and a
feeling of her old independence, Mel
lie commenced her work busy from
morning until night, and happier than
ever, until at the end OF the fourth
week, Chester fell from the beams
of the barn and broke his leg. Then
she wanted TO give it up but after
few days interruption, he insisted on
her resumlng it. Then, poor fellow
he had nothing to do but lie on The
parlor sofa and watch the road TO
the school house door, and the hands
of the clock creeping around at a
snall's pace, measuring off the time
for her return. Yes, he had his farm
to worry about also, the help and
Mr.. Goldthwait's next payment. He
knew that everything was being neg
lected, and oh, how he longed for
the use of his helpless limb once
more but one day when he was try
ing to plan and calculate for the pay
ment, he happened to think of Mel.
lies fifty dollars and then his mind
was at rest, for he felt sure it would
make up all deficiencies. The school
was finished at last, and Mr.. Stanly
promptly gave Nellie the promised
wages, saying as he did SO that she
had earned double the sum, which
was sweet music in her ears. Tears
of gratitude filed her eyes, and as
she hurried home, she felt at least an
inch taller than usual. Chester be-
gan TO hObble about on crutches du-
ring the harvest season, only to find,
as he had feared, that the farm had
been neglected, and was not going
to meet his expectations of the
spring. lie could not complain of
Nellie's work, however, for she had
not let the dairy suffer SO from that
and other sources, he could ne arly
meet the five hundred dollar pay.
ment. "Nellie's money will inst
make it out, think" said he to him
self, but although he limited again
and again of the lack, and her ability
to meet it, she was strangely slow to
understand, and would innocently
inquire. "What can you do, Ches
ter 7"
He was to proud too ask her out
right for her hard earnings, but he
thought half angrily, "Why don't
she offer it she ought to know ]
need it," But he did not know how
often she lOnged to do it, only being
restrained by her determination tha
be should ask for it and find out how
good it seemed.
One day peremptory note from
Mr. Goldthwait, saying that the pay
ment was due, and must be made be
fore night, brought matters to a cri
sis.
Nellie saw the messenger who
brought the unwelcome note, and
saw her husband as he leaned agains
the garden fence to read it, and pit
tied him so much that she wanted to
rush out with her offerings at once
but he turned toward the house. and
she sat down quietly to her sewing
not looking up even when she beard
his crutch coming thump, thump.
across the floor.
"Nellie, it is just as / feared. Hear
this !" and then he read the mis-
sive, with It's cruel threat, that unless
the money came that night, Mr..
Goldthwait would take the place.
''Isn't that too bad What will
you do 2" asked Nellie sympathizing
ly.
81 canno OF make up unless you lei
me have your money, now that is q
fact" was the desperate answer.
"Well, / will see what | can do"
said Nellie, cody, as she brought
forth her treasure.
"There is ten, that will buy a new
dress and ten, a cloak /; aud five, &
hat or bonnet ; and ten-I shall need
that for boots, gloves, and other lit
tie things. / thing | can let yor
have fifteen dollars" looking up in
nocently. A grieyed look spread al
over Chester's face the corners o.
his mouth began to twitch, and if he
had not been man and six feet high
he would have cried.
"Nellie % that was all he could
say.
"What 7" and then Nellie had botE
arms around his neck, and the bills
were thrust into his hand. 81 mean
you should have them ALL" she sob
bed.
"What made you act so, then
how could you be 500 proyek
ing 2" said Chester.
Tnen Mrs. Nellie sat up very
straight, and said she, "Did yol
hate to ask me for that money, Ches
ter 2"
"You know | did," was the an
swer.
swell, why bavn't you asked 70
it before z"