The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-05-20

and thoughtfulness beyond her years COM
forte6 the afflicted, fed the hungry, and
made life pleasant and sweet to many
struggling creature, who would willingly
have laid down its heavy burdens.
Years sped on. Effie and Gertie grew up
to womanhood, were the reigning bellies of
season or two. But the panic laid its
whitening touch on Mr.. Mason, and Effie
disappeared from society; while Gertie fin
ished her maidenhood by wedding a young
man, reputed wealthy, and the heir to
many hundreds of thousands.
x =
Mrs. Gertie Rollin, nee Morton, was
lounging on a velvet sofa, before a glowing
fire, one Winter evening. She was pretty
piquant brunette, with as bright bloom
on her cheeks as of old, but her eyes were
restless and brow slightly dsfgured by a
frown that spoiled the warm beauty of the
dark face.
What drag life is after all!' was her
mental lament as she yawned over a new
novel she had been trying to read. 81
wish Charley would hurry home from that
funeral"
Charley came in presently, cookbook
ing, free and easy sort of fellow, who did
not seem to care whether he were rich or
poor.
"Well, my love-" yawned Gertie, "your
uncle Joe is buried"
"Yes, Gertie, dead and buried" dryly
replied Charley, seating himself before the
fire, and unfolding the evening paper.
"Put that paper down." was the wifely
command, 81 want to hear the news
How much was uncle Joe worth ~
Give hundred thousand
"You don't say SO! Won't that be a
help to us?'
Mr.. Rollin did not reply, but curious
smile fitted over his face.
And he was once poor, you say ?" she
went on.
Yes, sudden reverse of fortune left
him without dollar. He tainted on the
street once, from cold and hunger"
"Poor old creaturev'
"Gertie." Charley's voice was strangely
stern, DO you remember Effie Mason?'
"To be sure, do. A goose of a little
thing, who patronized all the street beg
gars,'' said Mrs. Rollin, who never quite
forgave Effie for forcing her to touch that
slow creature"
Where is she now?''
"Bless me, how do / know. Her father
failed years ago, and they went into cheap
lodging somewhere"
Well-she is uncle Joe's herr
"What?" Gertie was on her feet like a
flash, "has he not left his fortune to you9'
"Not dollar of it," grimly replied Mr..
Rollin, who had the satisfaction of know
ing that Gertie would not have married
him but for that prospective fortune. "Do
you remember the old man Effie helped to
his feet one bitterly cold morning ten
years ago?''
"That-that-was not your uncle Joe?"
Gertie cried in vexation.
"That was uncle Joe; and he never for
got how Gertie Morton sneered at his pow
erty. Effie's pocket money procured him
food and lodging, and sudden change in
fortune brought him wealth. He leaves
every dollar of it to Eftie, who has been
teaching music to keep herself and parents
| from actual Starvation
! "Provoking"' shifted Gertie, as she
founced out of the room to take out her
disappointment in good cry.
Provoking, indeed" sighed Mr.. Rolln,
"for I needed the money. But uncle Joe
never forgot face or favor"
He went on in the dreary channel of an
aimless, fashionable life, while Effie-pa-
tIent, long suffering Effie rejoiced in the
return of her "bread upon the waters"