Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-12-25
For the INDEPENDENT.
AChriStIlaS Rose
Ely B. S. c..

by B. S. C.
Mamma, it will bloom by holiday
time see !"
And a pair of soft, dark eyes Wi
dened with a sudden splendor of de-
light, pair Of slight, girlish hands
tugged vigorously at rather un-
calmly in haste to display the sim
gle vaunted bud to the lady lying
back pale and helpless among the
bolstering pillows Of her invalid
chair.
"Well, Mignonne, what then ?'
"Do you ask, mamma ? Why you
shall have a rose at Christmas,-a
great, gorgeous Gloire de Dion, such
as papa used to fasten in your hair
and at your throat when you went
out with him of evenings. Do you
remember ?"
The sick woman sighed, clasping
her wan hands YEARLY. Did she re-
member when she had home and love
and wealth and health, only so few
years ago?
"If papa had lived and the things
had not been sold, and you had kept
well, mamma" went on the girlish
voice at the window, "things would
have been very different for me-and
for you too, for that matter. But it
is very pleasant as it is; l can 60 on
with my German and French, and
my music, thanks to you, mamma,
and who knows, with merry laugh,
sbut that I shall make fine match
some day, and so win back all the
old Agreements of life that we miss so,
Even then, mamma" after "a pause.
''papa would be gone-oh if he
might but have lived"
"Mignonne!"
The girl turned with terrified
gesture Of dismay: Mamma, dar-
ling! what a wretch am !" for the
poor lady's lips were colorless, and
she was catching her breath in sud-
den gasps.
"Never mind, dear, ''she said sooth-
ingly, when she was sufficiently calm
to speak. 81 am weaker than usual,
to-day do not blame yourself so bit
terly."
90, mamma, l am heartless /
not only forgot how little you can
bear, but l seem TO have forgotten
how miserable we must always be
without papa. l can even quite for
get it at times"
"And that is right. We cannot
sorrow forever; in time the poignan-
cy of grief wears away. Do you
know of the poor, little insect that,
losing a tenticle, puts forth an imme-
diate effort, latent until then, that
in time renews it So, in the per-
feet economy of nature, there is a
constant renewing force at work that
supplies deficiencies. 1t is wise, it
is right, but, my love, it is only the
prerogative of the young and the
healthy"
''Is it So, mamma then, perhaps,
there is some excuse for my being
happy, even though l know that you
are i'll, that our only home is lodg-
ing. house, and we have only grand
papa's annuity to live upon, which
will fast go now, for we have CON-
menced on the principle, mamma"
Have we done that, Mignonne ?''
cit could not be helped you are
to have what you need, and if it
comes to the worst, there are great
many things | could do to exc out a
living"
"What could you do, Mignonne ?''
so, you need not smile, mamma.
| could give music, French and Ger
man, could give lessons in china
painting, l could make bonnets !
well if there was nothing else, /
could even dance in the-ballet
There, mamma, scold with your eye
brows, like the man in the Spectator.
Apropos of making money, there is
something in yesterdays daily l
want to read you, may II"
She spread the paper out on the
desk of her mothers chair. "Here
it is, mamma:
"WANTED.-A young girl of re-
finement, to take the leading part in
the pantomime-'A Flower Carni-
val'-to be given on Christmas Eve,
at - Hall, for the benefit of st.
Aloysious' School for the Friendless.
None but those with some dramatic
talent and good references need APP
ply. Salary, for one night only $50"
"Of course you know that is i'm