The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-05-30
She tried to smile, however, as she said

| Sne tried to smile, however, as she said
u really haven't any money by me to
day, Miss Perkins-and can't tell you-l
think you need not rely on me for any.
thirg.
Miss Perkins gave little feminine shrek
There there ! now confess, Mrs. Pom.
eroy isn't it just as told you ? Can YOU
married ladies have half the independence
that we single ones have p and she tried to
look very knowing.
Have ever said but that have enough
of everything asked Nellie, with little
of the dignity that used to subdue trouble.
some boys.
'Oh no, of course not. Everybody says
you've got an excellent husband and am
sure | didn't mean anything. You know
it is my way to joke a little occasionally and
you remember our little talk about pin mon.
ey, and with continued protestations Miss
Perkins slid the paper into her pocket again
and took her departure Then Nellie put
her head down on the table and had good
cry. When Christmas came she thought of
the pretty dressing gown she had made for
| Chester the year before, when she was only
! engaged and wished she could do as much
again but what would present be worth
begged from his own pocket p said she.
Chester's gift to her was a wringing ma
chine. The year before it was a book of
poems but then, the machine was vastly
more useful, and given with an undiminish-
ed affection, she knew, only it was so prac.
tica.'
Nellie did not ask for any more money
during the winter, although once she made
purchase while Chester leaned over the
| counter to offer well-meant advice, and then
afterward paid for it from his own pocket.
Not but that he was willing to do this,
but she thought how much better it would
have seemed to count the money from her
own little purse, as she used to lido. 1t was
very natural, under the circumstances, for
Nellie to wish that she could do something
in addition to her daily duties that should
bring the longed for 'pin-money,' but not
until the following May was there an oppor-
tunity. Then, as she was passing his house
one afternoon, old Mr.. Stanley accosted
her.
Mrs Pomeroy," said he, IF you wasn't a
married woman l should be after you to
teach our district school this summer. We
have got some good sized girls that would
go if could find the right kind of teach
err
How much will you give me if will
take the school ? asked Nellie, trying to
conceal her delight at the proposition
Wouldn't take it, would you, now p said
the old man. I'd give you-well, I'd give
you fifty dollars. You'd board at home, of
course
i will let you know my decision to-mor-
row morning, Mr.. Stanley, but please don't
mention that l think of teaching
That night Chester was informed of her
splendid plan
You see the schoolhouse is so near us,
and a nice long time before and after each
session to do my work and | am so strong.
Please say yes, Chester, she pleaded, and so
he at last consented, and the school was en-
gagged.
With unfaltering courage and a feeling
of her old independence Nellie commenced
her work busy from morning until night,
and happier than ever, until at the end of
the fourth week Chester fell from the beam.
of the barn and broke his leg. Then she
wanted to give it up but after few days
interruption he insisted upon her resuming
ipr ca1I h.,
to do but lie on the parlor sofa aud watch
the road to the schoolhouse door, and the
hands of the clock creeping around at a
snaii's pace, measuring off the time for her
return.
Yes, he had his farm to worry about al
so and the help and Mr.. Goldthwait's
next payment. lie knew that everything
was being neglected, and oh, how he longed
for the use of his helpless limb once more
But one day, as he was trying to plan and
calculate for the payment he happened to
think of Nelie's fifty dollars, and then his
mind was at rest, for he felt sure it would
be sufficient to make upall deficiencies. The
school was finished at last and Mr. Stanley
promptly gave Nellie the promised wages,
saying as he did 80 that she had earned
double the sum, which was sweet music in
her ears. Tears of gratitude filled her eyes,
and as she hurr,d home she felt at least an
inch taller than usual. Chester began to
hobble about on Crutches during the harvest
season only to find, as he had feared, that
the farm had been neglected, and was not
going to meet his expectations of the spring
He could not complain of Nellie's work,
however for she had not let the dairy suffer:
so that from that, and the other sources, he
could nearly meet the five hundred dollar
payment. 'Nellies money would just make
it out, think, said he to himself but al.
though he hinted again and again of the lack,
and her ability. to meet it, she was strange
ly slow to understand, and would innocen-
tly inquire, what can you do Chester? {?
One day peremptory note from Mr..
saying that the payment was
due, and must be made before night, brought
matters to crisis.
Nellie saw the messenger who brought the
unwelcome note, and saw her husband as he
leaned against the garden fence to read it,
and pitied him so much that she wanted to
rush out at once but he turned toward the
house, and she sat down quietly TO her sew
ing, not looking up even when she heard his
crutch coming thump, thump, thump across
the floor.
Nellie, it's just as feared. Hear this :
and then he read the missive with its cruel
threat, that unless the money was brought
that night Mr.. Goldthwat would take the
place.
Isn't that too bad What will you do %
asked Nellie, sympsthizingy.
Il can't make up the five hundred unless
you let me have your money, now that is
fact was the desperate answer
well, | will see what | eau do said Nell