Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-01-31

4
fore l came TO it. It Must MOI
happen again III will get paid to-
day for this picture, and when
the children are asleep will run
around to the market and buy a
turkey, with all the accompani-
rnents, and then | will invite Mr..
and Mrs Wilson to eat with us
tomorrow, and / will learn if
they are in trouble.n
Inspired by kindly thoughts,
she worked faster than ever and
soon the last touch was gently
placed, the miniature rigidly scru-
tiniZed, and, with satisfied smile,
wrapped up. Then, telling the
children to get their coats and
hats, they all three fastened away
to the photograph gallery. Only
one clerk was there, having been
left in charge while the others
went home earlier than usual.
"Mr. Poser expected you," said
he, "and told me when you bro't
his wife's picture TO shut up the
place and bring it to his house.
Said he knew you wouldn't dis
appoint him-you never do
Where's the house, Johnnie :?
/ might take it myself--and get
paid" she added, mentally.
"Up in fortieth street, but you
hadn't better take it, Mrs. Len
nox, for he has party tonight,
and / live near there"
Every well, Johnnie. Don't
undo the package; if you take it
from the box it might get bro
KEN"
"Oh, I'll look out. Merry
Christmas, Mrs. Lennox; l won't
see you tomorrow"
"Merry Christmas, Johnnie; l
shall not forget you on the 26th."
She turned sadly away and went
slowly home with the children,
trying to share their enjoyment of
the brilliantly beautiful shop
windows, where so many things
| were displayed that she would
like to own. But she scarcely
thought of that, her disappoint-
ment in not getting the expected
$40 that evening, had quite de-
ranged her plans, for now no tur-
key can be bought.
"Laugh, mamma. laugh. Don't
be so still,' cried out little BERTHE
| as he glanced up at her sad face.
The mother smiled to please him,
a tender, loving smile, such as an
angels face might wear. and both
the children laughed outright.
"Dear irnocents. They know
nothing of life's trials and disap-
pointments. Neither shall they
know; have always made them
happy, and will still do 50, wheth-
err we have Christmas dinner or
not"
New energy animated her, she
joined with her darlings in admir-
| ing beautiful and wonderful toys,
books and all the various holiday
gifts so temptingly displayed and
only took them home when they
were ready. AS she helped little
BERTHE up the long, tedious flight
of stair that led to their two rooms,
while Madge tripped lightly on
ducdu, SilC hiCo hio. w HoOh, uCl
neighbor, coming down, and ex-
changing a pleasant greeting, saw
that the young wife's eye-lashes
were wet with tears, while her
voice sounded unnaturally cheer
full. m
So the artist who had been
young wife herself once, and was
now a patient, quiet little widow,
fell planning again as soon as she
had given the children their sup
per, and, after a merry game of
romps put them to bed.
"Only one dollar beside the
money for rent" she sighed, "and
four meals to provide before / can
see Mr. Poser. Well, / have some
stores in the pantry !; / will see
what there is, and then go to mar
ket. l must manage to share my
dinner with my poor neighbors-
al least to invite them-or / shall
be troubled all day. How glad /
am that l bought gifts for the chill
dren three weeks since, when they
were cheaper and had the mon
ey; now they at least will not be
defrauded of their expected enjoy
ment on Christmas day.
Among other lessons which the
vicissitudes of life had taught this
| brave little woman, was that of the
true art OF cookery-how to pro-
vide delicious meal from cheap
and simple materials; so when
she had looked through the pan
try she tripped off to market with
self-satisfied and happy smile, as
ifshe had been going to buy the
largest turkey and best bunch of
celery to be found there, though
her basket was small and her purse
held only one dollar.