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

with an exclamation OF delight, came
forward.
Ann gave me the wrong name," she
SAID, rapidly, kissing her, tor / should
have had you brought directly to my
own room. Why, how chilled you look!
Come up stairs into my snuggery, sit
ting-room, nursery, all in one;" and
Stella followed her, glad of the change.
There, in room frightened by the
sun and warmed by good fire, a homely,
rag-carpeted, but really cheerful place,
Stella soon felt completely at her ease.
Three little girls, the eldest ten, the
youngest, a sweet little fairy of blue
eyed baby, were presented to her, and
after she had admired them and their
surroundings, and mentally resolved that
their rag-babies should be replaced by
the very prettiest dolls that could be
bought for money, she entered into con-
versation with her mothers friend.
"Your mother and | were almost in
separable from the time we were babies
together, till we married" said Mrs.
Sturgis, her sweet face Frightening with
pleasant recollections. CATER that, we
saw each other less, but the light of our
love burned just as brightly. We al
ways correspondent, and exchanged little
keepsakes till she died. Your father
had not made his fortune at that time,
and'-she paused, with sudden sad
dening of the face. At that moment
sharp cough smote Stella's ear, and a
rustling as of papers.
"It's Lewis" said Mrs. Sturgis, in an
altered voice; nothing worries me like
that cough; and then he is sosworked.
It's almost pity he is as willing as he
is, for it really seems as if he WAS at ev-
erybody's beck and call but don't see
any help for it. If he could only get off
only afford it, mean"-and then she
stopped again, with bright red spotsin
her cheeks and changed the subject.
Presently Lewis himself came ina
tall, handsome man, his face pale and
noble, his whole manner indicating the
possession Of superior talents. Stella
never so pittied any human being as she
did this self-sacriticing earnest worker for
the good of souls.
When she left, little Carrie, the eldest
of the girls, was treated to ride, 80,
miles and miles !" she cried, describing
it to her mother, as she came back into
the sunshiny room; "and the pretty lady
had stopped at a shop, and ordered some
of the most magnificent dolls she had
ever seen in all her life, and they were
each to have two apiece"
How happy the children were so hap
ply that all their prattle turned upon
Stellas visit and the great things it was
to do for them.
Stella went home more thoughtful than
when She drove away. She14ad learneaI
some sad lessons that day, and her eager
heart was ready to profit by them. She
could see for herself, that the minister's
family was really poor that the chill
dren's little frocks were made out of
older and Quaintly-fashioned garments;
that Mrs. Sturgis was worn with care;
and that the minister would soon be
beyond recovery, unless help speedily
came.
She walked straightway into the par
lor, after she had Invested herself of her
wraps. 1t had never looked so cheerful,
so absolutely beautiful, as now. There
was the well-heaped CRATE, glowing with
anthracite; the cleaning of marble
busts; the shining costly pictures; the
soft, bright colors in the rich carpet
What if the pattern was little out of
date? To be sure, people who could afford
it, laid down patterns of more subdued
tints, and bordered them with lovely
colors, but the carpet had been of her
mothers choosing, and could never be
quite out of fashion.
Her mind was quite made up; she
would appeal to her indulgent father that
very night, and. so, perhaps, save val
liable life.
The conversation was opened at the
supper table. Stella had arrayed her
self in her most becoming dress, put
flowers in her hair, called in the aid of all
that was beautiful and refining, like
Queen Esther OF old, and her fathers
eye rested upon her with peculiar salts
faction and newly-awakened pride. She
told him of her visit-described the
place, the wife, the husband.
"And now, papa" she continued,
looking at him with bright earnestness,
"you said this morning, that | could
hardly ask any thing that you wouldn't
do. am going to put you to the test, }"
she added with smile.
well, daughter, think know what
is coming" he said.
'Give me the thousand dollars, and
let the parlors go till next year."
He ridiclued the idea, at first; got
little angry, and then relented at the
sight of teat-drop ON Stella's cheek.
wen, InlS is WnaJ came Oh IL.
In very few days note was received
by the minister, which read as follows;
Please accept the enclosed check, and use
it for the recovery of your health.
All, what happy family circle was
that on which this wonderful good for
tune fell How much it would buy
that precious thousand What living
pictures, never to be forgotten, never to
fade what beautiful thoughts what
healthful life-currents
Stella saw him go, thin, emaciated,
hollOw-eyed; she saw his return, months
after, bright, elastic, renewed, body
and soul and ever after every thing
seemed to go well with him.
And none of them all were happier
than Stella Youths Companion.