New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1891-02-11

i we nave known as Meg StrattOn; she
was Tom Rullo ck s wife Of a year past,
and, Judging by appearances, even
/ should his bro hers decide on celibacy,
the noble name Of Rullocks would not
fail Of representatives.
Patty, the DANES handsome daugh-
ter, stood just within the door, an In
FAINT Of some, months in her arms; a
small urchin just beginning to walk,
clingeyin@g, to her gown.
The dame was speaking, but she had
hardly finished before her impetuous
daughter broke IN
"Well, mother, can't see it. I am
as fond Of Nelly F'ranklen as any Of
you; though, OF course, living away in
town, I couldn't do for her as you and
! the rest did, But can't see it. It's
like a flying in the face of Providence,
l call it-shutting herself up. and
moaning and pining away to a ghost,
and making that poor child no bet
| ter"
"Nay, Patty, I think she's cheerful
enough with Ida," said Meg, gently.
ri found her the other evening singing
to her as she laid on her lap, and the
dear little thing initiating OF her, in her
sweet, quiet way; they didn't seem pin
ing:o - ~
ed Patty. *,
"She works day and night, I be-
lieve," and Meg; s:many a time before
daybreak Tom says he's seen a light
in her window. She does q deal of
work for the shops in town, you know,
Patty, the mems things, and then she
knits and nets, too, SO fast and well;
the best she gets in the ladies' work,
baby things and that" 49,. AZ
"Hard enough it must be-"
Up the broadcast pathway that led
from the beach, across the downs, to-
| wards the Rullocks cottage, came the
young widow and her child.
The mother had carried her little
girl up the ascent, but the moment the
top was reached it evidently begged to
| be set down, and ran towards Meg,
| who advanced to meet them. i,
| Nelly came with her up to the cot
| tage-doOr, and was greeted affection
ately by the others; but they did not
! ask her in, nor invite her to share the
meal then preparing. It had been done
so often, and so invariably declined,
that it had ceased to be repeated.
"Your eyes look tired, my child"
said the dame; "you work too hard by
candle-light-you should give yourself
some rest" -
81 rest all tomorrow" said the
widow, in low voice, which was
strange, at first, to those who had
known Nelly Harrison, but had long
ceased to be so.
Sunday? yes, Of course, so we all
do" said Patty, quickly. ~
Mother and child were dressed in
deep mourning, of the cheapest mater
ial, but made and put on with taste
and neatness. .- r.
In that brief time what a change had
come upon her-once the beauty of
Sandcombe village!
| "What does she say?" asked Patty,
when the little girl, unmindful OF the
advance made by the other child, had
timidly approached her, and, touching
her hand, hsped out some infantnie
request. 49,
."She is asking you to sing,' said
Nelly, without a change of voice or
countenance. "She always. does to
any one she sees for the first time"
| Mother as she was, Patty was some
what taken aback by this request,
and at a loss how to reply; but Meg,
more accustomed, lifted the child in
her arms.
''Shall I sing to Idly? I can't sing
like mamma. but I'll. sing about the
robin, shall r." ~.
The child clapped it's little hands,
and faint blush stole out upon it's
| nj ENx-1Io hn
old favorite. SIX.
The song was sung; Nelly the while
looking on gratefully at the good
hearted performer. The child sat rapt
in silence, evidently drinking in the
sounds; it's head half turned aside, one
small arm laid around the singers
neck. There was no need to bid her
thank the good friend when the song
was ended. The kisses on the lips Of
the kind woman came from the little
affectionate heart. ~
Jay, how sorely she is changed!" ex-
claimed Patty, as they disappeared
from sight. "Think OF that being mer-
ny Nelly Hartsom!' -. +
"But she's very beautiful still" said
Meg.
ugh! I don't know; she made me
shiver like nigh a graveyard that
poor child! how awful! did you no.
tice?" ~.
"Yes-mother, did you see? just
coming as it was last year this time
Gay, it be a mystery, surely;i it wants
but ten days to the chlld's birthday"
"And it's two years since he was
lost?' asked Patty.
| eyes, Tomorrow.
"Well," said Patty, 1'it seems pity
she couldn't have settled again, and
made herself and that. poor child a
comfortable home. It would have
been better than pining their lives out
yonder alone"
The dame sighed. cay, I wish she
could ha' fancied my lad, poor DAM
he was right set upon her; and she'd
have made him q good wife, and he
would have stayed among us; but the
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