The Van Buren press., 1878-08-06
MISCELLANY.
CHARITY AT HOME.

The Forbes girls had been at a recep.
ton, and were just stepping into theil
carriage when they saw Nelly BigeloN
coming up the street.
g Drive on home, Thomas; we viii
walk. Oh, Nelly such an age sine.
we saw you! You must go shopping
with us ~
The three had been school girls to
gether, and had never forgotten their oil,
friendships, although now they seldom
met. Jenny and Dora Forbes were lead
ers in fashionable circle of society
while Nellie was a teacher in one of the
public schools.
The delicate silk and-velvet costumes
of the two first contrasted oddly will
Nelly's coarse waterproof suit. But the
Forbes girls seemed never to think oil
that, though, Nelly, with all her eoot
sense, thought OF it, and struggled brave
| ly not to care.
| At the cornera wretched deformcd lad
tried to sell them some papers.
Dora's cheeks flushed and her eyes
filled. "You poor child!' she said
handing him some money. "See, girls
this is certsinly no impostor.'
Jenny also gave him some money, but
Nelly stood motonless.
"Do you think we were deceived
Perhaps you don't approve OF giving
aims on the street 7" they said. eagerly
appealing to her for advice just as When
they were at school.
Il have no right to an opinion" sale
Nelly.
The sisters exchanged significant CLAN
| ces.
They think it is mcanncss in me,
thought Nelly, bitterly.
| They went into Sharpless's. Nelly
bought some flannel, taking out well
filled purse to pay for it. While sht
still. held it, white haired old lady, !;
friend of the Fofbeses, approached
them.
"Ah, girls, just in time to- help in I
good work Those poor people burnet
out last night,-forty families. ! hav'
subscription paper here; how mucl
will you give"
"Don't put our names down. Jus
say Cash. said Jenny; and the warm
hearted, generous girls emptied thei
purses.
And-your young friend p said til
motherly' y'old lady, glancing at Nelly
full pocket book.
81 cannot make contribution, sh
said stlflly.
"Not large one,-we don't as
evoryI,odY to give iihc rfIese dear girls
but trihe'
81 cannot give anything to day,
said Nelly, turning away. AS she walk
cd to the door, she heard Dora say il
An indignant whisper ...
Nonsense! nobody is so poor tha
they cunt give something if the.
choose"
There was an embarrassed silence fo
a few minutes as they walked up ths
street together. But Dora and Jcnn,
son forgot the incident, and were as ga,
and affectionate as before
"What are you going to do tomorrow
Nelly Z" said Dora, :" 1t is a legal holi
day, and of course your school must b.
closed. wish you would come an,
spend the day with us We are goin,
to drive out on the Wissahickon in th
afternoon, and have tea aud q dane,
in the Sybil boat-house in the evening
The boys are members of the club, yol
know, and it is their plan. They hav,
been busy decorating the boat-housc al
the week. Augustine is to furnish th'
supper, and mamma is to chaperone us
You positively must come, Nell"
"There will not be more than .
Dozen" began Jenny, eagerly, sand NJ
no dressing," hesitating; 'just plail
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 cade
brother as partner! 1t was long since
she had had any glimpse of pleasure
And then-it would not cost anything
How could she resist?
81 think can CO." she said, her eye'
sparkling. 81 will determine this even
ing, and send you note by mail"
AS the girls left her, she noticed how
people glanced at them with a smile o
pleasure With their airy dresses, sweet
innocent faces and light-hearted voices
the dull street frightened as they pass
cd. Nelly was young and pretty as
they, yet nobody looked after her will
pleasure.
al gave nothing away--not ever
smiles," she thought, as she walked
wearily home. In her purse was he
quarters salery. There was not penn,
of it which was not appropriated-s'
much for groceries, so much for the boy
clothes and shoes, not penny left t.
give away.
The Bigelows were wholly dependen
on Nclly's earnings and her father
salcry as book keeper, and the supply
was scant She saw many poor crea
ture in need Of help, and it CALLED he
intolerably that she had nothing tt
give
"What was it that Dora had said Z
she muscd. as she walked along "No
body so poor that they cannot give some
thing if they choose"
The words rung in her ears as sh
went into the bare little dining room
where the family were seated at sup
per. 1t was not hilarious asscmblage
Mr.. Bigelow was thin old man, VIII
talked in monosyllabcs to his children
His shabby coat was buttoned with a
air Of impregnable dignity Nelly re
momhered as in a dream, that when he