The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-29

when she Is PAID for her nrst pocket
handkerchief.
Six shillings, however, she means to
expend for the more urgent wants. Two
shillings Goals; one shilling very, very
coarse straw bonnet; fourpence ribbon to
trim it with; one shilling bread, and six
pence potatoes-a halfpennyworth of
milk-and then, what is left?-one shil-
ling and a pennyhalfpenny. Myra
shall have a cup of tea, with sugar in it;
and a muffin, that she loves so, and bit
of butter. Four-pennyworth of tea,
three-pennyworth of sugar, two-penny.,
worth of butter, one-penny muftih-and
threepence-halfpenny remains in the good
little managers hands.
She came up the dark stairs of her
lodgings so cheerfully, followed by boy
Juggling her Goals, she carrying the other
purchases herself-so happy!-quite
radiant with joy-and opened the door
of the miserable little apartment.
1t was bleak wintry morning. Not
a single ray of the sun could penetrate
the gray, feecy covering in which the
houses were wrapped; yet the warmth of
| Viz SlllOht anu lIICo wac oulilSlSiit oO AoA
to assist the temperature of the atmos-
phere as to melt the dirty snow, which
now kept dripping from the roofs in
dreary cadence, and splashing upon the
pavement below.
The room looked so dark, so dreary, so
dismall Such a contrast to the one she
had Just left! Myra was up, and was
dressed in her miserable, half-worn cot
ton gown, which was thrown round her
in the most untidy, comfortless manner.
She could not think it worth while to
care how such gown was put on. Her
hair was dingy and disordered; to be
sure there was but broken comb to
straighten it with. and who could do any
thing with such comb? She was cover
ing over the fire, which was now nearly ex-
tinguished, and, from time to time, pick
ing up bit by bit of the cinders, as they
fell upon the little hcarth-putting them
on again-endeavoring to keep the fire
alive. Wretchedness in the extreme
was visible in her dress, her attitude, hel
aspect.
Il She turned round sLettice,e e,entered, and
saying pettishly, 81 thought you never
would come back, and | do so want my
shawl" returned to her former attitude
with her elbows resting upon her knees
and her chin resting upon the palms Of
her hands.
"I have been sad long time, indeed y
said Lettice, good humoredly; "you mus
have been tired to death waiting for me
and wondering what | could be about
But I've brought something back which
will make you amends; and in the first
place, here's your shawl" putting it ovel
her, land thank you for the use of it
though would not ask your leave, be
cause | could not bear to waken you
But was sure you would lend it to me
and now for the fire. For once in {
way we will have good one. There
Sim, bring in the Goals; put them in tina
wooden box there. Now for good luml
OF two." And on they went; and tn,
expiring fire began to crackle anC
sparkle, and make pleasing noise, anc
a blaze soon caused even that room t
look little cheerful.
Oh dear! | am so glad we may fol
once be allowed to have coal enough t,
put spark of life into u.s. said Myra
Lettice had by this time filled the
little old tin kettle. and was putting i,
upon the fire, and then she fetched ou
an old teapot with broken spout, {
saucer without cup, and cup withou
a saucer; and putting the two tDgethe
: for they were usually divided between
the sisters, said:
81 have cot something for YOU whicl
I know YOU will ike better than blaz
Z, "a cup Of tea. And to warm your poo
fingers. see if YOU can't toast this nut
+! fn.'' handing it to her on what was nov
a A two-pronced. but had once been
: three-pronged fork.
. 'But what have you got for yourself?
Mvra had, at least, the grace to saw,
D "Oh! / have had such breakfast
@ And such thing has happened! but
: can not and will not tell you until yo
have had your own breakfast, poor, dea
c girl. You must be ravenous; at least,
should be in your place, but You neve
Il seem so hungry as l am, poor Myri
However, l was sure you could eat
$ muffin"
i THAT was very good-natured of vol
= Lettice, to think Of it. 1t will be
treat. But oh! to think that we shoul
n be brought to this, to think a muffin
one mulfin--a treat!" she added di
k maIly,
'IIet us be thankful when we get i
e however" said her sister; "upon m
word Mrs Rull has riypn ms some var
Q
Is good Goals. Oh, how the Kettle do
= eniov theml IT. must be ouife treat
= or,r ottla 70 faoI hot noor tb;r~, ri,