Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1877-06-14

flowers around you all the time. Oh,
darling, are you not glad9 Smile just
once like you used to and say so,"
s'Yes, mamma, I am glad,'' but
there broke from those pailled lips
no childish, cry of delight; only a
sad sweet smile that made the
mothers heart ache. aa@ ~n
SON, has it come too late" she
cried pressing the little form tightly
to her breast as if trying to shield it
from the destroyer. ''If had only
written sooner;'' and her pent up
feelings broke forthin tears. .zG
What does uncle say, mother?"
asked Herbert, at last.
''Read the letter my son. - g @sA
''Will expect us on Thursday, and
wants us to stay with him always, and
sends Fifty dollars to pay our ex-
penses.'' What a surprise You will
go"
Eyes, tomorrow. We will have
very little to do to get ready. Our
furniture we will give to our poor
neighbors. We can we'll afford to do
so since God has so blessed u.s.
Their trunks were packed, she had
taken the last look into the little
room where her husband had breath
ed his last, and where so many days
of suffering had been passed, and
now in two hours they were to take
their departure.
Herbert strolled out to take walk
for the last time in the city. He had
thought of going no where in particu-
lar, but almost unconsciously his feet
turned in the direction of his little
henefactress. "Oh," he said, as he
leaned over the gate of the beautiful
place, ''if / thought prayers could
save her life, how would pray; but
I viii never forget you, my little
friend; no never, never
The grand old house of Ralph
Mortorn's was thrown open, and
once more music and song was heard
within its walls, and the villagers
flocked to welcome back Mary Lin
den to the home of her girlhood. As
the weeks passed by, her eyes grew
brighter, her cheeks roster, her step
lighter, and she looked more like her
old-seif, her uncle told her? And
Herbet, he, too, grew strong and
healthy. bat Nellie, poor, patient
Nellie, grew weaker and weaker each
day. and when the green leaves faded
and fell, she faded with them.
"Don't cry, mamma" she would
say when she felt the hot tears falling
over her face. 81 am going where Il
never will be lame any more, and pa
pa will be so glad to see me-
One bright autumn day she closed
her eyes in the sleep that knows no
awakening, calmly without murmur.
Over her grave grows heart-ease,
white candy-turf, and the starry jes-
samine. Poor little Nellie, your life
was short, but it taught such lesson
of faith and resignation that those left
behind to tread life's thorny pathway
will never forget.
1t was Thanksgiving day, day to
bless God for warmth and good but,
alas, those two fair young orphan
girls in that miserable garret had
neither. They remembered the
time, though, when Thanksgiving
day was known to them as one Of I'M
limited feasting and rejoicing, warm
heart greetings and glad memories,
and their home as luxurious as any
to be found in the city; but ah, that
was passed. ..Er
my poor sister, your cough is
worse, said the younger of the two.
II will take this picture and see if /
can sell it. You must have a fire,
and something nice to eat.
"Oh, Grace, / can't bear to have
you spend your earnings on me-" and
the poor girl buried her face in the
ragged blanket and wept. @.-&
"Hush, my sister, not a word, 1
am going now" and taking the pie
ture she had carefully wrapped in
paper, she drew her thin shawl around
her and hurried down the street.
She stopped moment before large
store, then entered, and ttlfiiaiy ap-
I,russenua tne man at the counter.
~ have a picture ] would like to-
seH," she said. Ea@1 ia = .-
He took it and looked at it critical
ly.
SIS it your own picture ?'and have
you ever sold any before p ~"
"It is my own production, and
this Is the first 1 have offered for
SALE"
"Ah, I see, a new beginner; well,
of course you cannot expect much. 1
will give you three dollars for it.
Three dollars! and she had toiled
night and day on it. Gould she give
it up for that price2 She hesitated,
not knowing what to do.
"Here is the money" said he,
throwing it down on the counter as if
in haste 10 close the bargain with her.
''And now your name and address;
we always take it, to be sure it was