South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-10-26
Carries Sacrifice.

fond, proud smile. She looked up from
her Christmas cookies with an answer
ing light in her eyes, but said, half
chilingly.-
Come, father don't make, Carrie
vain"
Carrie sprang from her perch on the
arm Of the old fashioned settee. and
clasped her father round the neck. half
smothered him with kisses; then catch.
Ing up the shining coin. she danced up
and down the kitchen until her bright
curis were in simmer of light. The
old man watched her with fond delight
but the prudent mother said sharply
why, Carrie, I'm surprised to see
: you so foolish y
! Carrie sat down obeliently, the gold
clasped tight in her hand, her blue eyes
dancing with happy expectation. In
moment she sprang up again.
Mother" she exclaimed, "may go
and get it?"
Get what. child?"
"Oh, you know, mother; the blue silk
/ dress-the one we looked a., and the
white gloves
OF course the mother knew, anil was
almost as much pleased rs her daugh-
ter, but she answered gravely enough
well, 'spose So Carrie, and call at
Miss Hunts, and tell her to come round
Tomorrow, and fit the dress for you;
but child don't be so proud of your
clothes; it's a sim"
"Oh. mother. Fm not proud I'm on
ly glad" laughed Carrie, winding her
white Ex-senator round her heal. ami
dancing of in the direction of the dry
goods establishment, in whose window
the long coveted blue silk was dis
played.
There was to be n grand bali on Christ.
mas night, and of course Carrie had re-
ceived an invitation, Is she was n favor
lite in Newton, and any party was con-
sidered dull without her merry face. If
[ could only get that silk, mother she
had said and this wish became doubly
dear after In Hawley had said so tanta.
lizjngly ITS pity, Carrie. you can't
lave pretty things, when they become
YOU 50 we'll"
To tell the truth, both La and Carrie
were in love with Il rising young lawyer,
but neither would have admitted LUIS
spicy remark was vented on her rival.
probably because Carrie hail received
the invitation she so much expected
from the wealthy and handsome Fred
Cameron, who was considered quite n
catch.
As Carrie nearel the store her heart
began to palpitate SO joyonsly that sho
could scarcely get her breath.
What is the price Of that silk and
gloves?" she askel, timidly stepping
into tho store.
Twenty five dollars, miss and cheap
er than dirt, replied the clerk.
Twenty-Five dollars just the amount
Of her money.
Il think | will take. she began,
but an eager hand plucked her sleeve,
and turning, she met a wan face oolLin.
pleadingly out fro a tagtered hOol.
please, miss, never begged before
bat help my poor mother; thcyr turnin'
her out in the street, and poor fathers
a dyin', the doctor says"
The trembling, plaintive voice went
to Carries heart like knife.
"What can do?-how can help
you?" she asked.
"Oh, miss. it's twenty-five dollars we
owe-rent. you know; and poor mother
can't pay il, please TO help her"
Carrie closed her fingers over the
gold in her hand, and glanced toward
the blue silk with n swelling heart. See.
ing her hesitation the clerk came around
and took the child by the shoulder.
Go out" he said roughly. and don't
let me catch you IN here again. Don't
heed her. miss" he added closing the
door otis all lies they tell. Shall !
wrap the silk up2
For an instant self was predominant.
She must have the blue silk she must
, 20 TO the ball and dance with Fred. but
IN dlitt!e while something nobler got the
supremacy.
NO, shereplied, resolutelY, not now.
! must look after Lhat poor child, first"
. tlalt an hour later, poor woman
wcpt tears Of gratitude and joy over her
dying husband in the cheerless garrett
she called her home: and Carrie went
back TO the old farmhouse with q step
slow and sober enough.
well, pet" said her father. fondly,
, II 'spose you sc GOT the blue silk at last. ~
"No, papa, no !" faltcred Carrie. With
gusl Of tears, that she tried i'm vain
10 suppress. III gave the money away
60 poor little girl"
II was Christmas day. The snow law
white and crisp on the chain Of the Iili,
that shut in the old New England farm.
honsc, aud the sun just dropping out Of
sight, tinGeing their submits with n soft
glow, and gave the strip Of wintry sky
beyond n rosy warmth. so suggestive Of
summer twjlights. that one forgot the
keen winds and tho biting frost. and
fancied the notes Of the cuckoo i'm the
wood and The breath Of violets I'm the
air. Bat Carrie was not indulging i'm
any such reveries ~ she STOOD on the
front steps hearing The sleighs glide by.
with their merry peal Of bells, bearing a
freight Of happy girls 70 Che ball.
"Oh! / did want To- 90 so badly" she
murmurcd, "buL / can't wear nv faded