Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-08-14
Charity at Home.

circle OF society, Wnlle Nelly was Oedcnei III
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 bravely not to care.
At the corner wretched deformed lad
tried to sell them some papers.
Dora's cheeks flushed and her eyes filed.
You poor child /" she said handing him
some money. I" See, girls this is certainly
no impostor."
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, appealing
to her for advice ust as when they were at
school.
al 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'. Nell bought
some flannel, taking out a well.flled purse
to pay for it. While she still held it,
white-haired old lady, friend Of the For
beses, approached them
"Ah, girls, Just in time to help in good
work Those poor people burned out last
night-forty families. I have a subscrip-
ton 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.
81 cannot make contribution" she said
stiffly.
"Not large one-we don't ask every
body to give like these dear girls-but
trihe."
al cannot give anything to-day" said
Nelly, turning away As she walked to the
door, she heard Dora say in an indignant
whisper:
"Nonsense nobody is so poor that they
cannot give something they choose"
There was an embarrassed silence for
few minutes as they walked up the street
together. But Dora and Jenny soon forgot
the incident and were as gay and affection
ate as before.
"What are you going to do tomorrow,
Nellie ?" said Dora. 9" 1t is legal holiday,
and of course your school must be closed.
wish you would come and spend the day with
us. w Z are BOluS W uiNC Oue VII VIC W 10
sahickon in the afternoon, and have tea and
dance in the Sybil boat-house in the even
ing. The boys are members Of the club,
you know, and it is their plan. They have
been busy decorating the boathouse all the
week. Augustine is to furnish the supper,
and mamma is to chaperone us. You posi-
lively must come, Nell"
"There will not be more than dozen"
began Jenny, eagerly, "and no-no dress
ing" hesitating; "just plain walking
dresses. Say you will come, Nelly"
Nelly was only eighteen. And drive all
the afternoon in the park with dance, and
perhaps Dora's handsome cadet brother as a
partner 1t was long since she had had any
glimpse of pleasure. And then-it would
not cost anything, How could she resist
al think | can CO." she said, her eyes
sparkling. al will determine this evening,
and send you a note by mall
As the girls left her, she noticed how
people glanced at them with smile OF
pleasure. With their airy dresses, sweet
innocent faces and hghthearted voices, the
dull street frightened as they passed. Nelly
was young and pretty as they, yet nobody
looked after her with pleasure.
81 give nothing away-not even smiles,
she thought, as she walked YEARLY home
In her purse was her quarters salary. There
was not penny of it which was not appro
priated-so much for groceries, so much fol
the boys clothes and shoes, not penny
left to give away.
The Bigelow's were wholly dependent oil
Nelly's earnings and her fathers salary a.
book-keeper, and the supply was scant Sh'
saw many poor creature in need OF help
and it CALLED her intolerably that she hac
nothing to give.
"What was it that Dora had said ?" sh'
unused, as she walked along. "Nobody 81
poor that they cannot give something i
they choose"
The words rung in her ears as she wen
into the bare little dining-room where th
family were seated at supper. 1t was not
hilarious assemblage. Mr.. Bigelow was
thin old man, who talked in monosyllable
to his children. His shabby coat was but
toned with an air of impregnable dignity
Nelly remembered as in dream, that whel
her mother was alive she had seen him jok
and laugh heartily. But since her mothe
had gone, he had grown lifeless, silent an'
old. His children, even Nelly, shrank fron
his cold blue eyes.
When her mother lived the tea-table ha
been bright and merry-no matter how poo
the fare. Now Thad and Joe were squat
bling in whispers over the dry bread and al
pies, while Alice grumbled outright.
You got your pay to-day, Nell. w
might have something better than staryi
tion Diet
Nelly WINGED as is she had been STRUCK
How hopelessly rough and vulgar Alice an
the boys were growing Surely it was nc
her fault. She worked hard for them a
day, and when she came home in the ever
ing with her nervous headache, they betoo
themselves to the street for companions.
"Where are you going tomorrow, boys
she said, gently. at is a holiday, you know
You bet we know p They nudged eac
other and giggled "Big goingson to-mo
row. Never you mind"
, "What viii you do, Alice 7"
"Folow the parades, | reckon" tossin
: her head.
Her mothers daughter tramping about tn
streets in crowd of half drunken men
Nelly looked at the boys with searchin
gaze Tney had honest, manly faces, bt
hard and defiant lines we're already comm
into them.
7 She sat silent long time. The drive O
: the Wissahickon and the dance 1t was M
e easy to shut the door on that dream of d.
light. At last she looked up cheerfully.
i " W nat 10 you say, cuiiuieni W PlVuiO
e Early start, big basket, boat to Rocklan'
Q fishing-all kinds of fun"
!, "Nelly"
"Do you mean 1t ?"
y The children started up. ave never di
such a thing !" cried Alice. 81 never WI
q farther out of town than the waterworks
) my lifep
!. "Oh, Ally, that cannot be true"
Yes, it is true. You don't take an
u care of me, or you would know. Nobod
y does-since mamma died" The child
!, lips trembled.
y 81 will take care of you now, little sister
r. said Nelly, putting her arm around he
It "Well, what do you say, boys Z"
\. Thad and Joe looked at each other. "W
IT made sort of engagement" said That
o "but we'd rather go with you, and-we wi
Ir 60" he added, resolutely.
Mr.. Bigelow had left the table and wal
Q dered aimlessly TO the window. Nelly ra
N after him and caught his hand 1t was lii
q caressing wooden statue. .
q papa-you will 90 with rs z"