Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1880-01-09
A NEW YEARS STORY.

~ Is the evening DtloIo n4Ppy No"
Year.-A half dozen merry girls earn
estly engaged in planning for the
morrow's holiday. A vacation of a
week has allowed most Of the students
at the seminary happy meeting with
the loved ones at home, bat these few,
living too far away for them to return
to their homes, have been making the
most of their release from study. The
old seminary has echoed and re'echoed
with their merry laughter, and to-mor'
rows sport must bring the browning
Joy. Yes q sleigh ride is just In.
thing. Such beautiful sleighing and
then Smiths livery-those lovely gray
horses and how they will make thu
bells jingle
Such had been the conversation fol
two or three days; but tonight .discorc
had entered. Brown had dared
to raise a dissenting voice to the opin'
ion OF Lizzie Grey, and she had retort
cd with such bitter words that Matte,
sorely grieved, had gone to her room
and Lizzie was now arguing that she
be lett behind on the morrow.
Il say 1t is very unlady-like to set
up her will in that style. l cannot
overlook 1t right away. She had bet
ter spend New-year's meditating on her
selfishness. She can fill the Oldest
seminary with her groans of repent
ance."
A pause ensued after this bitter
speech, for all feared Lizzia's ungov-
erned tongue. After the silence had
become oppressive, Mary Edward, timid
though christian, said, 81 do not see
that Matte is very much out OF the
way, and even II she were, would it be
right to speak of her so harshly !
Even though she were an enemy, would
it be- right' There is a command that
bids US do good to our enemies and to
those who despitefully use US. They
are our Saviour's words"
Her look and tone made a deep i'm
preston upon the girls yet Lizzie evil
IDENTIFY was not subdued, for she said,
though In somewhat softer tone, "lt
she should 60 with us, she would spoil
all the fun; for she would make us do
just as she thought fit. | want a free
good time. I'm bossed enough during
school tims. She don't deserve to 60,
the way she behaved
Mary replied, "You know none OF
us are perfect, and We music be Chart
able to each other; and Christ's plan
is the only one by which We can cor
rect our poor, frail hearts: Forgive as
ye hope to BE- forgiven 1t is costly
plan but beautiful as it is costly
While she spoke her face became radi.
ant, as though the mysteries ofthis reli-
Mon, she protested had come to. her with a
new meaning.-All felt the influence OF
these plain words, and even Lizzie's
proud heart was bowed. She felt the
time had come for her to practice the
many good home-lessons that Mary had
up in her frank, open-hearted
way.
"You are right, Mary. ] begin to see
how selfish have Enthusiastically sell
fish. I'm more than half wrong, and
to punish my old self, Pm going to
room and ask her forgiveness;
and with this good resolution the i'm
pulsive girl bounded away.
What passed between them in that
half hour none ever knew; but when
they returned arm in arm, with happi-
ness beaming from their countenancss,
all knew that peace had been restored,
and bidding each other loving good
night" they went to their rooms to
sleep, to wake, to enjoy.
The next morning was all they could
lesire-bright and beautiful. A hasty
breakfast was soon dispatched for an
,arly start had been arranged, that
hey they might return to the good din
ler the stewardess had promised. Soon
he spirited horses were at the door,
and the girls, wrapped in warm robes
we're away. A few miles were passed
N the greatest enjoyment; but on de-
sending a hill where the railroad track
must be- crossed the horses became
almost ungovernable, and drew the
'leigh too quickly across the track,
when, 10 crash, and all stood still.
Upon examination the driver pronounce
ID 1t bad break down-the shoe and
unner both being broken. He must
70 to the nearest town for repairs.
A small farm house was not far off,
nd to it the girls made their way. A
lumber of children with the mother,
made room for them around the kitchen
ire. Determined to make the best of
he circumstances, they laughed and
nads merry with the children. Get
ing some paper, they made dolls for
hi girls and horses for the boys, till
III were rejoicing in a New Years gift.
he mother was as much pleased as the
She told the girls that her
husband had died only short time
'efore, and she had been 80 busy, and
ad so many places for her money, that
Id had not been able to get the child
en- any p 'esents for the holidays. With
nxious eyes she, looks at the clock.
, is dinner time. What shall she do
It last she said, "Ladies, have moth
hg better than bread, pork and pota-
res to offer you for dinner"
They assured her that such dinner
4 y = l