The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-08-28
CHARITY AT HOME.

The Forbes girls had been at a recep-
ton, and were just STEPPING in to their car
riage when they saw Nellie Bigelow COM
ing up the street.
''Drive on home, Thomas; we will walk.
Oh, Nelly !-such an age since we saw
you'll You must go shopping with us!'
The three had been schoolgirls togeth-
er, and had never forgotten their old
friendships, although, now they seldom
met. Jenny and Dora Forbes were lead
ers in a fashionable circle while Nelly
was teacher in one OF the public
schools.
The delicate silk and velvet costumes
of the two first contrasted oddly with
Nelly's coarse waterproof suit. But the
Forbes girls seemed never to think of
that, though Nelly, with all her good
sense, thought Of it, and struggled brave
ly NOT to care. .......
At the corner wretched deformed lad
tried to sell them some papers.
Dora's cheeks flushed and her ewes fill
ed. "You poor child p she said, handing
him some money. ''See, girls! this IS
certainly no imposter."
Jenny also gave him some money, but
Nelly stood motionless.
"Do you think we were deceived? Per-
haps you don't approve of giving aims
on the street?" they said eagerly, appeal
ing to her for advice just as when they
were at school.
II have no right to an opinion" said
Nelly.
The sisters exchanged significant
glances.
'They think it is meanness in me-"
thought Nelly, bitterly.
They went into Sharpless's. Nelly
bought some flannel, taking out we'll
filled purse to pay for it. While she still
held it, white-haired old lady, friend
Of the Forbeses, approached them.
"Ah, girls, just in time to help in a
good work! Those poor people burned
OUT last NIGHT forty families. have a
subscription-paper here; how much will
you give?''
"Don't put our names down. Just say
Cash." said Jenny; and the warm
hearted, generous girls emptied their
purses.
"And-your young friend?' said the
motherly old lady, glancing at Nelly's
full pocket-book.
II cannot make contribution she
said stifly.
"Not large one we don't ask every
body to give like these dear girls-but a
trif1e.;'
II cannot give anything to-day" said
Nelly, turning away. AS she walked to
the door, she heard Dora say in an indig-
nant Whisper
''Nonsense! nobody is so poor that they
can't give something if they choose"
There was an embarrassed silence for
a few minutes as they walked up the
street together. But Dora and Jenny
soon forgot the incident, and were as gay
and affectionate as before
''What are you going to do tomorrow,
Nelly?" said Dora. ut is a legal holi-
day, and of course your school must be
closed. I wish you would come and
spend the day with us. We are going to
drive out on the Wissahickon IN the after
noon, and have tea and dance in the
Sybil boat-house in the evening. The
boys are members of the club, you know,
and it is their plan. They have been
busy decorating the boat-house all this
week. Augustine is to furnish the sup
per, and mamma is to chaperone us. You
positively must come, Nell"
''There will not be more than dozen"
began Jenny, eagerly "and no. no dress
ing" hesitating; Gust plain walking
dresses. Say you will come, Nelly
Nelly was only eighteen. And drive
all the afternoon liz the park, with dance,
and perhaps Dora's handsome cadet
brother as partner! 1t was long since
she had any glimpse of pleasure. And
then it would not cost anything. How
could she resist?
II think I can GO she said, Ter eyes
sparkling II will determine this even
ing, and send you note by mali"
AS the girls left her, she noticed how
people glanced at them with a smile Of
pleasure. With their airy dresses, sweet,
innocent faces and light-hearted voices,
the dull street frightened as they passed.
Nelly was young and pretty as they, yet
nobody looked after her with pleasure.
II give nothing away-not even
smiles," she thought, as she: walked
YEARLY home. In her purse was her
quarters salary. There was not a penny
Of it which was not appropriated-so
much for groceries, so much for the boys
clothes and shoes, not n penny left to
give away.
The Bigelows were wholly dependent
on Nelly's earnings and her fathers sal
airy as book keeper, and the supply was
scant She saw many poor creature in
need of help, and it CALLED her intolera-
bly, that she had nothing to give.
s'What was it that Dora had said2" she
unused, as she walked along. "Nobody
so poor that they cannot give somethn g
it they choose.
The words rung in her ears as she went
into the bare little dining-room where
the family was seated at supper. 1t was
not hilarious assemblage. Mr.. Bigelow
was thin old man, who talked in mono
syilables to his children. His shabby
coat was buttoned with an air of impreg
nable dignity Nelly remembered as IN
dream, that when her mother was alive
she had seen him joke and laugh heartily.
But since her mother had gone, he had
grown lifeless, silent and old. His chill
dren, even Nelly, shrank from his cold