Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1883-12-27

it picking berries. was gong to eu hnu
big dolly; but-but-" her voice
choklng-"Id rather give the money
TO you. We couldn't say our PRAYERS
tonight, Dot and ], if left you citing
She forced the money into his hand
What's your name ?" he asked.
Where do you live?"
"Jeanie Goodwin's nv name-I live
across yonder, at Razelwood cottage.
Good-by." ee'
The last few words ended witha sob.
ana Jeanie darted away to hide the tears
she could not keep back.
| DOT, we won't erieve, will we ?" she
whispered that night, clasping her little
sister as they nestled together in the
same bed, "Only think, Dot, tits lust
the same as if the great Lord himself
had been sitting there, under the elm
tree, and we gave our money to him.
We won't fret about the big dolly, Dot?"
"No, of course" answered Dot
obligingiy, "and the rag dolly's lust as
good after all.
Years went by; years of patient and
mcessant toll to the widow and her chill
dren, at Hazelwood cottage. But their
combined efforts failed to keep want
from their door. Dot was almost help.
less, and the mother herself was frail
and ut last fell Ill. The heavy burden
OF care rested on Jeanie's shoulders.
| One winter afternoon found her very
sad of heart. Her mother was in need
OF nourishment and medical attention:
poor little Dots pale face betrayed her
lack OF strong, wholesome food, and a
debt hung over the cottage which would
soon make them homeless.
Suddenly she remembered that it was
Christmas day. But, alas! there was no
christmas cheer for then, much less
Christmas gifts. And yet how she
would have liked to buy some little
trifle for Dot!
Jeanie stood in the door, and looked
out at the fast-falling snow. A tall,
slender girl, graceful as a young willow,
with sweet, sad face, and tender, reso-
lutte eyes. 1t was an inclement after
noon; but Jeanie was determined to face
the storm. She had formed purpose.
Dot" she whispered, approaching
her sisters low char, "Pm going to see
| DR.. Farnsworth. Don't let mother
know. l shall not be gone long, dear. i"
She left the cottage, and crossed the
fields with rapid step, the snow beating
in her face. The old meadow still stood
at the crossing, and, just beyond it, the
giant elm tree. Jeanie paused for
breath minute; her eyes filling with
tears. 1t saddens us sometimes, to see
how strong aud changeless nature 1s,
when the dearest treasures OF our hearts
seem to be slipping away from us.
Jennie hurried On, under the snow
laden branches of the elm trees, and
along the self-same patch her childish
feet had trod on that memorable day
| when she was on her way to purchase
the big dolly. She did not recall the
circumstances, however; other and graver
| ! thoughts filled her mind.
She reached the village after a fatigu.
ing walk, and made her way to DR..
Farnsworth's residence. The old phy-
slcian's son, disciple of Esculapius,
| just returned from abroad, and getting
ready to step into his fathers shoes, oc-
cupied the sitting room, into which
Jeanie was ushered. He rose to his
feet, poll ely inquiring in what way he
could serve her.
THANK you; but it's old DIR. Farms
worth 1 wish to see, please" said Jeanie,
in her sweet, soft voice.
And the young doctor left the room
thinking he had never seen q sadaer OF
a lovelier face.
Why, bless my soul, here you are;
and 1 had just ordered my buggy to
come over and see you," exclaimed the
elder physician when he appeared.
"Then you know my mother is i'll ."
said Jennie, with hushicg cheeks.
mo, l didn't; is she i'll %
'' Yes, sir; she's been i'll for weeks"
replied Jeanie, speaking rapidly, lest
her courage should fail her; "but she
wouldn't allow me to come to you, sir,
because-because we haven't the money
to pay. But can't see her die for
want of medical aid; and, if you'll only
go to seee her, sir, if there's any thing I
can do, any sort of work"
"Never mind, never mind," inter
rupted tue doctor; "we'll settle all that
hereafter; you should have let me know
long ago. Come to the fire and warm
yourself; you didn't walk over?"
eyes, sir, I walked; but I'm not
cold; and if you'll be good enough TO
go ut once"
"Yes, yes; my buggy will ye around
IN ten minutes. l was just coming over
to see you, Miss Jeanie. I've got let
ter for you"
ga letter for me, doctor %
| A letter for Jeanie Goodwin. 1t
came enclosed to me-from Marshland.
One Rathburn, lawyer, sent il.
Here it is.
Jeanie received the letter and looked
at it with wondering eyes. She could
scarce break the seal, her hands trem-
bled SO.
! DR.. Farnsworth busted himself with
his saddle bags while sho read it, sup
pressed twinkle in his eyes.
The substance of the letter was as
follows. a man named Hiram Burns
Idylng recently, at Marsh6eld, had left a
will bequeathing pretty cottage and
ground and something over six thousand
dollars in cash to Jeanne Goodwin, lit
tie girl living at Hazlewood cottage,
some two miles from Berrysille; said
Jeanie having given him two dollars to
pay his way to Marshiand, some seven
years before, when she found him sit
ting by the wayside, i'll and peuniless,
and he, Hiram Burns, desiring to repay
the debt with interest.
ooh! exclaimed Jeanie, clasping her
hands.
"Oh!" echoed the doctor, looking up.
"Now, there's luck, young woman!
You'll be able to pay my bill, you see.
I've written back to Rathburn; and if
you say SO, I'll take you down to Marsh
land, and see that you are not cheated.
And now merry Christmas to you"
Jeanie could not speak; her heart was
too full. After many days her childish
act of self-sacrifce had been rewarded.
And it seemed to come, too, as special
| Christmas gift.
| Some weeks later, as soon as her
mother was able to make the journey,
they went down to live in the pretty
cottage at Marshland; and, not many
| months after, Jeanie married DR.. Farms
worth's aon.
| WoninJ l., T,,o,,, W..