Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-12-23

i''JuNt lti 10 nave ncr leg Gu
Off"
Nora had at one time been Mrs
Peabody's favorito maid, aud she die
not hesitate about going to her a
once, although she knew the snow
so beautiful as a part of her window
, plctnre, was making most disa
grceablc Slush on tho streets.
When Mrs. Peabody and Annie
reached the tenement where More
lived, and were mounting the stairs
they heard strong melodiOus voice
singing to the strokes and clicks of 6
hatlron as it was used and placed and
replaced on metal stand:
lie not courtin of woes by lookin
'em up,
Just work and he merry and drink OF
your cup,
Not carln' about what o.morrow may
bring:
is to-day, my laddie that's havin' its
lling;
What good at all are you if you're al
For carin' it is that leads to des.
pairin'."
" wonder who that philosopher
Isl" said Mrs. Peabody.
"Thars Biddie Sullivan. She's
always singin' to keep them
cheered."
"She is NOra'S aunt isn't she?"
No, just friend from the old
country as always lives with them"
" And she supports them?"
" Yes, what else could she be doin'
| under thn pirputnStonnnSO
Mrs. Peabody found Nora not only
very i'll, but wholly determined not
to have her limb amputated. To all
that she could say Nora persistently
declared
"lt's me two legs ri he takin' to
Heaven wild me, mum. I'll never
be after carrying stump around
wild me-"
Don't be too sure" said Biddie
sullivan. at may be the bad place
you'll be taken the two legs of We.
1t was only last Sunday that Father
Maloney said quotin' the holy
Scriptures: If yer leg be bad cut
ii off and cast it from ye, for its bet
ter to be halted and manned than
f.. =. wv legs aii Iis:il 10 go to
hell.' EIt /. ~,,s all to no purpose.
Nora was obdurate.
Mrs. Peabody saw several physi-
clans and found that nothing but a
difficult operation which could not
be undertaken for less than $500
could save both the girls life and
limb and she determined if possible
to have it performed. To that end
she asked her husband if he thought
they could spare $500 to help some
one in great need, and he had re.
piled:
~ think not this year, my dear.
! never knew more trying times. |
have even withdrawn my subscrip-
ton from the Relief and Aid"
1t was but three days until Christ
mas. Mrs. Peabody had all her gifts
ready and everything seemed to
promise an unusually pleasant holi-
day season. But a cloud which con-
stantly obtruded itself on Mrs. Pea
body was the though of the little
household where Nora waited for
death, and brave, faithful Biddie
Sullivan was at her wash.tub and
ironing board, early and late, to
"rve decided to take you into my
confidence" said Mr.. Peabody,
and | think I'll do so before look
over the evening paper. AS the
worldly Mrs. Peabody has perfect
taste, | want to know what she
thinks of these as a Christmas gift
for my best girl? Will they suit
her? l've only taken them on ap-
provaI." and he handed her dainty
open case in which were a pair Of
brilliant and eXquisitely matched SOL
itaireS, from the very best house i'm
the city. This latter fact, the hall
mark" meant much to Mrs. Pea
body, for nothing but the best from
the best satisfied her fastidious taste.
How very beautiful! All, how
good you are, Erastus! " she ex-
claimed, her face glowing with
pleasure.
81 have wanted them so long.
You don't know how they suit me-"
she continued, as she adjusted the
beautiful gems and viewed her re-
tlected self with the utmost satisfac-
ton.
They do suit you," said Mr..
Peabody, regarding her admiringly.
Then suddenly the light went out of
Mrs. Peabody's face and she turned
from the mirror.
ErastuS," she said, "don't think
me rude, but will you tell me how
much you are to pay for my soli-
taires ?"
Certainly, Josephine, just an
even $1,000"
Erastus, will you take them back
and give me the price Of one," and
she explained that she proposed to
have the operation performed which
would restore Nora, land you take
the price of the other and renew
your subscription to the Relief and
Aid"
"But, my dear, you say you have
wanted pair of solitafres for long
time" said Mr.. Peabody.
And haven't / had them 2"
asked Mrs. Peabody.
But are you sure you are salts
fed to do this ?"
Entirely sure"
And this is the worldly Mrs. Pea
body" said the husband, putting his
arm about her.
'sYes, it is," she said throwing
back her head and smiling. 81 am
worldly. love the world, and l
was never happier in it than l am
just now"
I" 1t was for love of the world, )"
said Mr.. Peabody, softly, as he bent
and kissed his wife, that the Christ