Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-07-10
SELECTIONS.
NEW FURNITURE.

1T will cost thousand dollars
my dear.n
/ A thousand dollars Do yor
think you can spare it ~
The merchant laughed.
Il 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 merchant grew
bright, as he stopped down and kiss
ed his little girl.
Little girl he still called her
though Stella had passed her six
teenth year by some months. She
had but lately returned from school,
to take the place of her long dead
mother in her fathers house and at
his table, and she bore the respon-
sibllity like the brave little woman
that she was. Now the parlors
needed new neutrality-suspicious.,
carpets, all but the handsome piano,
which had been q recent gift. Beau
tiful, youthful, beloved on every
hand, Stella might have felt, and
probably did, that she had no wish
ungratified.
Are you going out today" her
father asked, as he stood, hat in
hand.
Where is Spring Street 2" queri-
ed Stella, suddenly looking up from
a thoughtful contemplation of the
coal fire.
"Sprlng Street? Why, nearly
out to the suburbs. It's not much
of place, / should judge. You
can't possibly know any one there"
ooh yes; mammals dearest friend,
Mrs. Sturgis, lives there" answered
Stella. brightly. "She wrote to
me several times while was at
school. She has Sever forgotten
mamma, and mamma wished me al
ways to keep up her acquaintance"
"Oh, | remember; Sturgis-a
preacher, isn't he? Settled over
some small congregation or other ?
Poor, of course; he is too independ-
ent IN his notions to be very pop
ular. Have you heard from them
since you have been home.
eyes; 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 on y vacation some.
where, If they think anything of
him ~
Il should judge the church is
made up of mechanics and poor
people, by what cook says, and
maybe 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, dogs life!" and the
merchant pulled on his well-ftting
gloves, complacently. cat the
beck and call of everybody; obliged
TO preach, sick or well-Tm glad l
never took to the profession. My
poor old mother used to say that it
was her hearts desire to see her
Johnny a preacher. Johnny, how
ever, has proved, / think, the wiser
of the two"
" | thought it was not a matter of
fancy, papa" said Stell, quietly.
81 don't know maybe and may
be not. At all events, if you go,
don't walk. I'll tell Stet to come
down with the carriage-say in an
hour"
Yes, that will do" said Stella.
thoughtfully; and in an hour she
sat in the handsome carriage, of
which her father and the coactman
we're very proud, and was riding
leisurely toward Spring Street.
1t did not seem to be a pleasant
locality, as the merchant had said.
The cutters 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 a moment.
Yes" and rapidly they drove on
to cleaner part of the street, though
the house looked mean and uninvit.
ing 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 old man to drive
| nr.,,x,d tI,o bloaI- onoa -.