The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-07-17

Nelly STOOD mOUlOnlesB.
Do you think we were deceived ?
Perhaps you don't approve of giving
aims on the street ?" they said, eagerly,
appealing to her for advice just as when
they we're at school.
"I 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. Nell
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. l have
subscription-paper here how much
will you giveP"
"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
everybody to give like these dear girls,
but trifie."
CT cannot give anything to-day"
said Nelly, turning away. AS she walk
ed to the door, she heard Dora say in
an indignant Whisper
"Nonsense nobody is so poor that
they can't give something il 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 affectionate as before.
"What are you going to do tomorrow,
Nelly ?" said Dora. :" 1t is legal holi-
lay, and of course your school must be
osed. wish you would come and
spend the day with us. We are going
to drive out on the Wissahickon in the
afternoon, 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
the week. Augustine is to furnish the
supper, and mamma is to chaperone us.
You positively must come, Nell"
"There will not be more than a
dozen," began Jenny, eagerly, "and no
no dressing" hesitating; "iust plain
walking dresses. Say you Will come,
Nelly"
Nelly was only eighteen. And a
drive all the afternoon in the park, with
dance, and perhaps Dora's handsome
cadet brother as a partner 1t was long
sioce she had had any glimpse of pleas
ure. And then-it would not cost any
thing. How could she resist ?
"I think can go, she said, her eyes
sparkling. "I will determine this even
ing, and send you note by mail. y
As the girls left her, she noticed how
people glanced at them with q smile OF
pleasure. With their airy. dresses,
sweet, innocent faces and hght-hearted
voices, the dull street frightened as
they passed. Nelly was young and
pretty as they, yet nobody looked after
her with pleasure.
"I give nothing away-not even
smiles" she thought, as she walked
wearily home. In her purse was he1
quarters salary. There was not penny
of it which was not appropriated
much for groceries, so much for the
boys clothes and shoes, not penny left
20 give away.
The Bigelows were wholly dependent
ON Nelly's earnings and her fathers
salary as book-keeper, and the supply
was scant. She saw many poor crea
ture in need of help, and it CALLED hel
intolerably that she had nothing to give
"What was it that Dora had said 2
she mused, as she walked along. "No
body so poor that they cannot giv'
something if they choose"
TIE words rung in her ears as sh'
went into the bare little dining-roon
where the family were seated tsup
per. 1t was not a hilarious assem-
blage. Mr.. Bigelow was a thin ol(
man, who talked in mOnosyllables to hi
children. His shabby coat was but
toned with an air of impregnable dignity
Nelly remembered as in dream, tina
when her mother was alive she had seel
him joke and laugh heartily. But sine
her mother had gone, he had grown life
less, silent and old. HIS children, eve
Nelly, shrank from his cold blue eye.
When her mother lived the tea-tabl
had been bright and merry-no matte
how poor the fare. Now Thad and 10
were squabbling in whispers over tn
J. dry bread and stewed apples. while Alic
lr grumbled outright.
W "You got your pay to-day, Nell. W
might have something better than star
IL walton diet"
,e Nelly WINGED as if she had bee
g struck. How hopelessly rough an
vulgar Alice and the boys were growing
D. Surely it was not her fault She worke
Id hard for them all day, and when sh
m came home in the evening with he
d nervous headache, they betook then
y, selves to the street for companions.
le "Where are you going tomorrow
boys?" she said, gently. 1t is hol
es daY. YOU know"