The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-12-10
The New Furniture.

1uO 4NOW 4 VI A4UuAOs
1t will cost a thousand dollars, my
DEAR
ga thousand dollars !" Stella looked
grave. ''Do you think you can spare it ?"
The merchant laughed.
81 could spare five thousand, birdie,
and would, if you really needed it, just
as well as not. Why, child, you could
hardly ask anything that | wouldn't
do;" and the care-lined face of the mer-
cant grew bright, and he stopped down
and kissed his little girl.
Little girl he still called her, though
Stella had passed her sixteenth year by
some months. She had but lately re-
turned from school, to take the place of
her long dead mother in her fathers
house and at his table, and she bore the
responsibility like the brave little woman
that she was. Now the parors needed
new furnishing, -curtains, carpets, all
but the handsome piano, which had been
a recent gift. Beautiful, youthful, be-
loved on every hand, Stella might have
felt, and probably did, that she had no
wish ungratifed.
care you going out to-day?" her fla
uher asked, as he stood, hat in hand.
"Where is Spring street," queried
Stella, suddenly looking up from a
thoughtful contemplation of the coal
fire.
"Spring street? Why nearly out to the
suburbs. It's not much of a place, |
should Judge. You can't possibly know
any one there.
go, yes, mammals dearest friend, Mrs.
Sturgis, lives there" answered Stella,
brightly. "She wrote me several times
while | was at school. She has never
forgotten mamma, and mamma wished
me always to keep up the acquaintance. :"
go, remember; Sturgis-a preacher,
isn't he s-Se4tlnsl over some small CON
gregation, or other? Poor, of course !;
he is too Independent in his notions to
be very popular. Have you heard from
them since you have been home?"
"Yes cook is a member of his church.
She told me where they lived, and that
poor Mr.. Sturgis is sick again; suppose
that means that he is often sick"
''Sick again? Yes, dare say SO; such
men make short work of themselves,
Why don't his church send him off for
vacation somewhere, if they think any
thing of him"
"I should Judge the church is made up
of mechanics and poor people, by what
cook says, and may be they can't afford
it."
Perhaps not. All, young lady, don't
let me catch you falling in love with
minister. His is, in most cases, a dogs
life :" and the merchant pulled on his
well-fitting gloves, complacently. cat
the beck and call of every body; obliged
to preach, sick or well, Pm glad new
er took to the profession. My poor old
mother used to say that it was her hearts
90 To1,Y,x-
Johnny, however, has proved, | think,
the wiser of the two"
~ thought it wasn't matter of fancy,
papa, said Stella, quietly.
81 don't know; may be and may be
not. At all events, if you go, don't you
walk. I'll tell Stef to come with the
carriage-say in an hour"
Eyes, that will do" said Stella,
thoughtfully; and in an hour she sat in
the handsome carriage, of which her
father and the coachman were very
proud, and was riding leisurely toward
Spring street.
1t did not seem to be pleasant local
ity, as the merchant had said. The gut
tiers ran with uncleanness, and shock
headed urchins, peanut vendors, organ
grinders and dogs abounded.
"Number forty, did you say, miss ?"
queried the driver, stopping for mo-
ment.
eyes," and rapidly they drove on to a
cleaner part of the street, though the
house looked mean and uninviting to
Stella's unaccustomed sight.
''Here it is, miss" and they drew up
before an old-fashioned brick house, the
chains of whose landing ratified in the
brisk wind.
Stella told the man to drive round the
block once or twice, and then went up
the ten or twelve steps to the front, din
gy, bell-less door.
\ small domestic made her appear
ance from the regions below, and admit
ted her into tolerably well furnished
hall, then into a large parlor, where the
little nicknacks and elegancies devised
by some feminine taste hardly compen-
stated for the faded carpet, and thread
bare chairs and lounges, and the cheer
less look that generally makes large and
meagerly furnished rooms so repulsive.
Seating herself in capacious but
, shabby rocking,chair, near the tiny fire,
Stella shivered as she waited for the
minister's wife, who had been her moth
er's dearest friend and whom she her