The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-12-08

mind to go to Vassar, as have all along
hoped to. Perhaps people vii. talk
about us both, and, il you give up your
project, say that you are noble and 1
am selfish. But wait till the end of the
chapter-then see."
Cornelia took her departure, leaving
Lillian in state of intense bewilder-
ment. But after short, quick battle
with herself she decided to reject her
cousins advice and hang out dress
makers sign.
For while, all went we'll. Work
came so fast, money rolled in so prompt
ly that she had no time to think. Her
three sisters, Adelia, Cora and Laura,
were one after another, taken from the
grammar-school, which had been good
enough for her, and entered at fashion
able Institute. In the simplicity of her
heart, Lille imagined that they would
appreciate their advantages, and show
some corresponding degree of thank
fitness. Alas! dress, dress, dress, was
their constant cry. It took all their
sisters spare dollars and odd half hours
to elaborate their stylish costumes.
But Jack, her eldest brother, should
prepare for the university. He should
have private tutor, even il she had to
do without that seal-skin coat for which
she had hoped so long. The coat was
sacrificed, the tutor engaged, but Jack
would shirk his lessons. II don't see
why YOU can't let Teller alone!' he
grufiiy exclaimed when demonstrated
with. The time for examination drew
near; but, one fine day, Jack was
missing. Next they heard that he had
shipped before the mast. The tutor,
however, had seen Lille only TO ad-
mire her. If he had been touched with
her devotion to her family, she had,
also, with his patience toward Jack.
But, when he asked her to leave this
life of toll aud share his
lot, which, however humble,
should always be beautifed With
love-she said, while her lips turned
white, Il can't; the children need me"
This was Lilies only offer. She never
entered any society in which she could
meet gentlemen, for as years passed on
she had grown so neglectful of her own
appearance that she never owned a
suitable dress in which to show herself.
The girls grew older, and took their
places in the same circles as their
school-friends. Next, Addie had beau.
Next, Lille, think you might take
that horrid sign down; we don't want
everybody to know that our sister is
only dressmaker!"
Parties succeeded and then a we'd
ding. Lovely, fairy-like dresses Of
Swiss and satin followed enc another,
all stitched by the faithful fingers Of
the sister, whose form was growing
stopped and whose hair was turning
gray. And when Addie became the wife
of a wealthy Judges son, Lille went
to church in IA black silk whose seams
showed white, and bonnet three
seasons behind the times. And some
people wondered who that dowdy, old
maidish looking woman was who sat
with the family-possibly favored
servant or humble dependent.
In all these years of industry Lille
had laid by about $500. Upon this she
thought she could place some reliance
when old age came. But her fathers
house was heavily mortgaged. She
handed out her savings, and never
made any more IF 1 were to die to-
morrow" she bitterly thought, Il
haven't dollar to bury me!'
Well, Lilies story henceforth does
not vary much. Her sisters all married
wealthy, her younger brothers. thanks
to her energy, became well established
in business. Her parents grew old and
feeble, and she alone supported them.
When they died she contributed just as
much toward their burial as those who
could buy and sell her." The pro-
ceeds of the house, divided, amounted
to little. After awhile Jack came back,
rich in ships and merchandise, having
succeeded best of them all. and without
her help. When she was past work,
she led tolerated existence for few
years, from one house to another, until,
finally, at her own request, her brothers
and sisters dubbed together and made
up sum sufficient to procure her adj
mission to the Old Ladies Home
where they frequently forgot to visit
her.
What Of Cornelia Gary all this time
Well, she went to Vassar, as she had
intended. They missed her at home,
and were sometimes piDched without
her, but it didn't hurt them any-she
had been pinched, too. They lived and
got along very we'll, until she gradu-
ated with honor. And then weren't
they proud of Our Cornell" When
she came home at last, and spent few
weeks with them, they appreciated her
presence, and all, from father down to
baby Eddie, were glad to do something
for her. She hadn't cheapened herself,
as they knew her value.
Next she received an appointment as
professor of mathematics in a Western
college, at salary Of 81 800 yenr and
her board. Then, when she was able,
she remembered her family at home,
and sent them freely more in one year
than poor Lille could earn in three.
Because he respected herself, they re-
spected her and themselves; and every
one Of her brothers and sisters studied
dill emily and turned out we'll. Mr..
Cary was soon relieved from the press
ure of all his debts, and had the salts
faction OF owning his home before no
died.
And next, after three years of $40
cessful, noble labor, Cornelia married q