The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-06-19

low keys, while aunty sat in her usual
chair by the window, dressed in the
rusty alpaca that she had worn at least
a hundred afternoons, keeping time, in
her accustomed way, with her thin,
long-fngered, patrician hand.
1t was the only amusement, the one
distraction, of the household. The
Balbriggans were a musical family
aunty had once fine contralto Of her
own; and though 1 could not carry q
tune, 1 had fine appreciation for the
sweet burden of those more fortunate,
and thanked God fervently for this gift
to yonder two, who sang and sang away
long after aunty and L had gone to dish
up the evening meal. The potatoes
were so mealy, the ham and eggs so
crisp and inviting; Daisy had made a
wonderful pudding took heart OF
grace, and grew content once more.
Lets leave it all to God, DEAR I
whispered to Tom. He who cares for
the fall Of a sparrow will not see us
want
'Hum-yes, said Tom, raising his
eyebrows and Struggling his shoulders
tricks he Lad learned from the for
eigners about us-'yes but God helps
them that help themselves I; and while
we're on the Scriptures, Prudy, don't
you forget that nice little parable about
the fellow who came to grief through
hiding his talent in napkin. We must
do the best we can with whatever &C.
complishments we may have eh, Prue p
I'm sure I've always striven'-I be-
gan, for the words of the boy hurt me.
Now, Prudy, he broke in, who said
you didn't2 I'm only alluding to
others
well, as for you'-I began again ;
but he cut me short by declaring that he
had been a second Hercules. who,
then, do'you mean ? said, wonderingly;
for what could poor old aunty do more
than she did, and Daisy was but child
as yet-barely twenty the coming June.
tNous gerronS,' said Tom, who inter-
larded his conversation in this polyglot
way.
From that time out Tom really did
work like Hercules. Every night he
went back to the Office, and worked
there till close on to midnight. 1 had
no idea that in the insurance business
people could be so hurried, and, indeed,
had heard of considerable depression in
all the mercantile branches ; but Tom
assured me that the rush in his line of
business was remarkable that people
stood in line and waited until their
turn came round, and there seemed to
be no dininution in the rush as yet. He
hoped it would last till the summer, and
begin again with renewed zeal with the
gales Of autumn.
Life and property are SO uncertain,
1 said mournfully. But I'm afraid
you'll be worn out, Tom.
Not at all, be cried 4 rather enjoy
it. It's good fun, you know, to see
people so excited and enthusiastic. I'm
going to take Daisy down there TO-
night, Prue. She's crazy to 60, and
what on earth harm can there beP Now
you know / love her better than my
life; and do you suppose I'd risk hurt
ing hair of her lovely headl But /
believe there's more in her than any
body fancies. I'm going to see, any
how. And don't look as if you'd seen a
ghost, Prue. I'll be there to look after
her.
But what can the child do there p
Dor Tom grasped and shook his
head as if the subject was too much for
him. Then he added, more soberly /;
'She can do lots OF things, Prudy-sort'
ing out pens and paper, and-and lots
of things. You've no. objection to hel
going anywhere under my protection,
have your
Mo- I stammered; but l didn't
half like it, and couldn't half understand
it. If she must do something, why
can't I get her q situation in the store
with me p
'Psha Neverl' said Tom. Good
gracious 1 should think not Thai
would be another case of hiding ones
light under a bushel; and such 9
bushel Now just leave it to me Prue.
So Daisy went, with much shynesE
and confusion and trembling, for which
/ augured that this experiment would
soon spend itself. What was my chagrir
when, several days after, Daisy, with Q
burst Of tears, threw herself upon my
neck, and declared that hereafter she
could bear her share of the family ex
penses; that her venture was q success,
and che was engaged.
Hooked from her to Tom. my thir
slow blood beginning to quicken.
Tngagedv 7 repeated.
Yes said Tom, glibly, she made {
hit; told you she would. 1t wat
splendid. She carried everything be
fore her. / never was so proud Of any
thing in my life
'HowP' L said, soberly.
How p repeated Tom, also somewha
soberly. why why-a-you dom
know the routine. you see, Prue. It'I
difficult to explain; pens and paper
and stamps-pOrticularly stamps. She'
engaged in the stamp department, Prue.
Daiav said not a xvord h,t IooLod a,