The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-12-26

ealogical tables she saw other words be-
tween the lines, so that the Israelitish
record reads thus:
The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel,
the son of Azariah. eye did it not. IN
The son of Tahath; the SON of Assir,
the son of Ebiasaph, the son Of Korah.
6 Ye did it not.
Finally the whole page seemed to re-
solve itself into these four monosyllables.
She closed the Bible, and put it in its
accustomed place on the table, bounded
on the north by the lamp, on the south
by the matchbox, on the east by Bunyan g
Pilgrims Progress, and on the west by a
bunch of worsted roses under glass case.
She was restless, miserable, ,tormented. She
endeavored to read the Life Of Napoleon
Bonaparte," but even the thrilling story
of the Russian campaign was lacking ia
interest, compared with her own inward
conflict between duty and the cold sci.
fshness of lifetime.
She did not enjoy her dinner, although
the butter beans were from her garden,
and the black raspberries were the FIRST
of the season.
She could not take her accustomed af-
ternoon nap. A wonderful new design
in patchwork, known as the Rocky Noun.
tain pattern, cJuld not fasten her atten-
tion.
She ordered the horse and rockaway
and drove four miles after wild cherry
bark, for which she had no need, as her
garrett was already great herbarium.
AT last the weary day came to its close,
but was succeeded by an equally uncom.
Portable night. Amid frequent tossing
and waking, Miss isoxbury dreamed OF
thin little hands stretched out to her in
piteous appeal, and of sad, wonderful
voice that said with Infinite reproach:
"Yet did it not"
The Rev. Joseph Alder was surprised
soon after breakfast the next morning by
the appearance of Miss Reliance Rox bury
in the parsonage porch. She brought a
basket of raspberries, and said:
81 won't come in this time, thank you
Just wanted to say I'll take one-one ol
those children"
Mamma, is it mornin'?"
"No, Dot, go to Sleep
The child turned restlessly on the mis-
cradle straw pallet in corner of the small,
hot room. 1t was after midnight, and in
summer, but there was fire in the stove,
for the woman at the pine table was iron
ing by the light of a glimmering tallow
candle.
There was no breeze, but in at one win
dow came sitting poisonous odors.
Pale and faint, the mother bent over
hnr +lnI h.,
dress as carefully as if it were the finest
muslin and lace. She worked from early
dawn until dark at her daily task, button
holes at cents dozen. A cup of tea
and acrust of bread had beenher susten.
ance. For Dot there was bun and an
orange.
The dress was finished and hung on the
only chair in the room, with several other
small articles. A hat of coarse white
straw, with a blue ribbon twisted around
it, a pair of bright stockings, tiny hand
kerchief with bit of color in the border.
All were pitifully cheap in texture, but dear
in patient toll and loving sacrifice. Dot
was going to the country for two long
blissful weeks, and the mother could COW
er the expense of the meagre outfit by
some extra deprivation during the child's
absence. She turned toward the pallet.
Dots violet eyes had opened. Her golden
curls were tangled by the tossing of the
little head on the pillow. Her thin pinched
features were flushed with feverish excite.
ment.
Mamma, is it mornin'?"
"No, darling"
The woman blew out the light, and
threw herself on the pallet. Tiny fingers
crept eagerly into her palm.
Mamma, tell me more about it,
pleaded Dot.
Darling, it is years since mamma saw
the country, but it was just as I've told
you. Wide, clean streets, with big trees
and blue sky and flowers"
"Oh, oh 4" murmured Dot. "Does
you s'pose they'll give me one f'ower
mamma found one on the stweet once
"a little wife fower. A lady dropped
| it,"
"Yes, dear, you'll have all the flowers
you want. Don't talk any more to
night"
The sky was already white with the
dawn. The mother did not sleep. As the
light of another day of misery crept into
the room, she raised herself on one elbow
and looked long at har child, restraining
an impulse to snatch it to her heart, then
softly rose, and after bathing her face and
hands and kneeling in prayer for endur
ance, took her work and sat down by the
narrow window. A few hours later sht
stood amid the hustle of the Grand Cen
trail Depot, with Dot clinging to hel
dress. A crowd of wondering, expectant
children were being marshalled into linz
to take their places on the eastward bound
| train.
"Come," said the kind gentleman il
charge, to Dot.
Dot kissed her mother "good-bye,'
and laughed even while the tears rar
down her face, as she entered the ranks o
the odd procession.
"Oh, sir!" cried the mother as sh'
turned away, "take good care of my ba
by. I have nothing else in the world I
iii.
| There was an unusual stir in the villag'
of Lynford. The railway station wa'
thronged with people, and surrounded b!
vehicles awaiting the afternoon train.
The Rev. Joseph Alder and the minis
ters of sister churches conversed togethe
on the platform.
"a glorious charity" said the Baptis
minister, raising his hat to wipe the per
| spiration from his brow.