The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-01-06
Selfrf Sturp.
| The Emeralds.

20 One wintry afternoon IN January away
up in the bleak attic of a wretched tene-
ment-house, pale, sad-eyed woman sat
sewing. The garment upon which she
was engaged was very rich dress The
twilight closed in rapidly, with binding
fall of snow, a bitter, wailing blast that
made the windows rattle in the case
ments still the pale-faced woman stitch
ed on.
."Molher," piped sweet voice from
the cot beneath the window, "shall you
get the fine dress done2 Oh, mother, ]
am so hungry; il / only had some tea
and bit OF sausage"
She worked on steadily for few mo-
ments, paused only to brush a tear from
her white cheek, then arose and shook
out the glimmering robe.
"'Tis done at last" she said. "Now
mothers little girl can have her supper;
only be patient little longer, Flora.-
Ross, Ross, where are YOU, my boy ?"
A manly little fellow came out from
the bedroom beyond.
1.-The fine dress is done, Ross" said
his mother; "anG you must run home
with it as fast as you can. Miss Oracle
will be. out of patience, know. Tell
her couldn't finish it one moment soon
er. and ask her to give you the money.
We must have it ,te-night; and you ran
stop in at Mr. Rays as you come back
and buy some coal; and we. must have
some bread and tea and mite Of but
ter, and you must ee, sausage for poor
little Flora }aa.. eszs 44T
"Pll get them al, mother" he said,
sand be back in time. You shall have q
big sausage, little sis,'' he added turning
toward the cot. .ets 8a1s ipis
The girl nodded her curly head and
her great, wistful eyes sparkled with de.
light. -
FeAnd yon shall have half Of it, Ross"
she piped in her splendid bird voice.
Hadn't. ycu better put on your thick
Jacket, my boy7" continued his mother
"The wind cuts like aknife."
T'.Pshaw, little mother, i don't mind
the wind" And away he went down the
creaking stairs and out into the storm.
Miss Gracie lFontenav was in q perfect
furore of impatience and anger. Her
dear five hundred friends we're assembled
in the halls below and her handsome
dress had not come home. What did
that beggar woman mean by disappoint,
ing her ?"
hok n a
the door and a voice ln'lhe hail..
ssPlease tell Miss Oracle my mother
couldn't finish it sooner; she wants the
money tonight" 4
The servant took The handsome dress
and message. i5r2f
I'll never give her another stitch OF
work." cried the angry beauty, 81 ought
to have had it three hours ago Here,
Fanchon dress ME at once-there's not a
minute 10 lose. No, can't pay tonight
II haven't time, He must call to-mor-
row"
"But we've no FIRE and nothing to eat,
and my little sister is sick" called the
boy pushing up the grand stairway.
"Shut the door, Fanchon!" command.
ed Miss Oracle; and the door was closed
in bis face.
From the porch at the parlor window
Pansie watched the whole scene, hel vi.
olet eyes distended with childish amazs >
ment.
Poor little boy" she said, as Ros;
disappeared down the stairway; "sistel
Gracie ought to pay him. 1t must bt
dreadful to have no fire anu nothing tc
esi."
She stood for moment balancing her
self on the tip Of one dainty foot, hel
rosebud face grave and reflective; ther
Ia sudden thought flooded her blue eyes
with sunshine, and snatching something
from the table she darted down STAIRS
The servant had just closed the stree
door but she duitered past him like
humming bird and opened it.
On the steps sat Ross, brave little fel
low that he was. his iace in bis hand
sobhing as il bis heart would break.
'Wbat's the matter, little boy ?" ques
toned Pansie. stE &EE
1 Ross looked up half believing that
was the face OF an angel looking dow
upon him through the whirhng snow.
"Oh, / cannot 60 home without tn
money" be sobbed ;"poor mother work