The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-05
THAlIseIIIlIG sTelf,::

You need not try to NM those -
pens, Bessie; kasw what chew AZ.
said Walter Allisrn, with . sad It'll,
smile, ~ he watched the motions a hi
wife. --'
Mrs. Allison had just taken che bills
tor sllls they we're. from the post. car.
r:er at the door; and as she stood be,
fore the bureau mirror, fastening he,
hat, she had endeavored 10 slip tile NO.
ly. yellow envelopes out Of her sici
husbands sight
"Yes," sighed Mr.. Allison again, 81
know very we'll what they are-but
how they ore to be paid, or WHOM,
don't know, aM sure," and he clasped
his thin white hands over his eyes will
low moan. Hir wife was et his side
in a moment.
Don't be dishcarteMed, DEAR nh,
said, cheerily. "You are getting Wi
so fast now, and after while / Know
we shall get out Of these difficulties
Why" she added. pasyfully, II am 20
ing to collect a bill of my own Til,
morning. to tie value of $40. Yor
ought not To- have looked about so curl.
onsly, apl then you would not have
knowtl of these unwelcome visitors.n
Until you had found some way ol
bowling them out, eh?" said Walter
smoothing the fair head bent over hi.
chair. "And I know full well your ex.
pccted $40 is all spent, wisely. You
are brave little woman, Bessie, but
can not see how We shall stem this tide
much longer. have a notion of writ.
ing to sister Catherine, / dislike to dc
it, but there seems Just now no othe,
way"
"Wait until after Thanksgiving, said
Bessie.
Thanksgiving! II is near at hand
is it not? What with debts and ,luns.
fancy that we shall not feel particu.
larly Joyous or grateful" said Walter
Allison, bitterly.
II am thankful, Walter, dear, that
you IRE so far recovered, and, above all,
That you were spared to me-" And
here Bessie's voice faltered, and she
hid her face IN her husbands shoulder.
and both were silent as they remem-
bered the empty crib in the next room,
and little grave whittier the baby bow
had been laid to rest only q few months
ago.
Eyes, dear" SAID Mrs. Allison, rous
ing herself. tive will be thankful to
have each other and, precious Eth
el. and when lam tempted to despond,
sly over and over to myself: I have
never seen the righteous forsaken, nor
his seed begging Bread and then an,
thankful for the memory of pious par.
ems and ancestors. And nov I must
go and see Mrs. Wilton about my work. y
"That seems like begging bread ia
me. or very near it,"
Mrs. Wilton don't think So. I can
tell you,' said Bessie, brightly. II get
very good prices for my work, and You
IRE not to under-rate me, 1 can tell YOU,
SIR"
Walter Allison looked at the bright,
brave face, the trim, energetic but
graceful figure before him. and sighed
again, but Bessie pretended not to hear,
She stirred the fire into q blaze, arrang-
ed the hooks and ,apers on little
stand within her husband s reach, shook
up the lounge cushions, aud made the
rather bare room look as cozy and com.
Portable as possible; and with kiss to
llttt, Ethel, and an injunction to "take
good care of papa" Bessie went out
into the wintry air.
She was brave woman, as he hug
band had said but, in spite of her cheer.
mess, there was heavy weight on her
heart this November morning. BY
some of those sudden turns of business
SO often occurring in our cities, Walter
Allison had been thrown out Of en-
ployment. Then came the illness and
death Of the baby. quickly followed by
the long tedious fever which had
brought the husband ind father al.
most to the Verge Of the grave, and
though now ccnvalcscent lie was still
weak and helpless. Under the con.
slant drain their slender means had be.
come painfully less. necessaries were
sadly needed, and debts were calling
loudly for payment.
As soon MS her husband needed less
of her constant care, Bessie Allison had
conrageonsly tried to assume the place
of "bread winner" She and her lus.
band had both relatives Of wealth and
position, but the poor and struggling
easily fall out of notice; and the ALI.
sons had full measure of pride, and
called on none for assistance. Bessie
considered herself fortunate to obtain
sewing and fency work from severa! Ia
dies, and, rs she said, her work received
good prices. But there was SO much
needed, though she trimmed the little
household strictly to the needful: and
80 many bills caused by that long ill.
. ness, that, strive bras ely as she would,
weary look had crept into those soft
brown eyes, and lines of care were
gathering around that sweet mouth,
that yet had always hopeful words for
the invalid.
II must pay one of those bills" said
Bessie, as she passed along the busy
street. Il think Mr.. Morris will wait
awhile, but I am not sure of White &
Go. Twelve dollars out of NV twenty
go to the grocers; they have waited So
long on us. shall have to see what ]
can get on my watch"
She pressed her hand upon it as she
thought of the wedding day when Wal.
ter gave it to her. The postofioe had
to be passad ere the pawnbrokers shor
was reached. Almost mechanically SHE
stopped i'll and inquired for letters
One vas handed her. Bessie almos,
shrank from the sight of the blue bust.
ness-looking envelope. Oh, surely il
was not another dun! It was addressed
to walter II. Allison"
But I will open it. He must not bt
30 troubled again to- day." said the tru,
wife, as her trembling fingers slowly tor,
aside the envelope.
Was she mistaken? Surely it was ,
check on---bank. and for three hun
dred dollars. Three hundred dollars
How it would tighten their burdens
how it already lightened the poor littl,
wife's heart! Bessie wondered hoy
she transacted her business with Mrs
Wilton; how she could listen and an
swer intelligibly MS to box-plaiting an,
tailor-fnish, or decided between tn
merits of plush bands or satin pipings
when she was so eager to rush hom
and tell Walter of the good news. An,
once or twice she was OBLIGED IN 1ool