The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1900-12-22

NIeu SHe WAS II Cullu. One never WONlu
have thought of wearing anything less
handsome than fine gems, and the
small, vacant p%unctures were an ever
present thornin the rose of her satisfac-
ton as she viewed herself costumed
and ornamented for the many functions
she was never weary of attending. She
would not have told just how it was
that desiring them so much she had al
ways missed having them, but so it was.
As she sat stitching she found herself
wondering if possibly the coveted
solitaires might not be among her
Christmas. gifts. She had confided to
an Intimate friend. with whom Mr..
Peabody invariably consulted when i4
gave her presents, how much She want
ed them. As she sal sewing ard think
ing there came a soft knock at the door
followed by the announcement:
1t is just Annie, Mrs. Peabody. It's
abcut Nora Pm after comm" she said
as she came in. ITS very bad she is,
mum. The doctor says she must have
a operation that costs a dale of money,
have her leg took off or die. Nora says
she will go to Heaven on the two legs of
her, but won't be livin' wild a stump.
Nora's sayin's are all gone. and Riddle
Sullivan's too, and all they have now
is Biddic's earnin's. Nara's mother,
poor old dame. can do no more than take
care of her. l thought. mum, if you
would see Nora you could be chance in
JUICE her to have herleg cut of"
Nora had at one time been Mrs. Pea
body's favorite maid, and she did not
hesitate about going TO her at once,
although she knew the snow. so beauti-
full as n part OF her window picture. was
making Il most disagrecable slush on
the streets.
When Mrs. Peabody and Annie
reached the tenement where Nora
lived.nnd were mounting the stairs,thcy
heard a strong %melodious voice singing
10 the strokes and clicks Of n fatiron
as it was used and placed and replaced
on a metal stand:
BE not courtin' of woes by loakin''em up,
Just work and be merry and drink of your
cup. 5a @
Not carin' about what tomorrow may
bring:
It's to-day, my laddie, that's havin' its
fling;
What good at all are you If you're always
a-carin'?
For carin' 1t is that leads to despairin'."
II wonder who that philosopher is?"
said Mrs. Peabody.
THAT'S Biddie Sullivan. She'snlways
asingin' to keep them cheered.n
She is Nora's aunt, isn't she%
"No, just a friend from the old coun-
try ms always lives with them"
"And she supports themw
sizes, what else could she be dom
under the circumstances"
Mrs. Peabody found Nora not only
very i'll, but wholly determined not to
have her limb a%mputated. To all that
she could say Nora persistently de.
clared:
ITS me two legs I'll be takin' to
Heaven wild me, mum. I'll never be
after carrying a stump around wild me-
Don't be too sure" said Biddie Sulli.
van. I'll may be to the had place You'll
be taken the two legs Of We. 1t wasonly
last Sunday that Fnther Maloney said,
quotin' the Holy Scriptures: If yer
leg be bad cut it off and east it from We,
for it's better. 10 be halted and manned
thnn havin' two legs all right to go to
HE'LL" But it was all to no purpose.
Nora was obdurate.
Mrs. Peabody saw several physicians
and found that nothing but n difficult
operation which could not be under-
taken for less than $500 could save both
the girls life and limb and she de-
termined IL possible to have it per
formed. To that end she asked her hus-
band if he thought they couldspare $500
to help some one in great need, and he
had replied:
81 think not this year, my fdear. /
never knew more trying times. ! have
even withdrawn my subscription from
the Relief and Aid"
It wa but three days until Christ
mas. The weather was cold, crisp and
fine. Mrs. Peabody had all her gifts
ready and everything %seeanetlto prom
Use an unusually pleasant holiday sea-
son.. But cloud which constantly OBJ
thought of the little household where
Nora waited for .death. %andfbrave. faith
full Biddie Sullivan WIS at her wash
tub and ironing board, carly and late,
to keep the wolf from the door.
.'I've decided to take youinto my cor
fdence,' said Mr.. Peabody, "and1thinls
III do SO before Hook over the evening
paper. rs the worldly Mrs. Peabodyhas
perfect taste, | want to know what she
thinks of these as a Christmas gift for
my best girl? viii they suit hers I've
only taken them on approval" and he
handed her a dainty open case in which
were a pair OF brilliant and exquisite
ly matched so,itaircs, from the very
best house in the city. This latter
fact, the .hallnlark,' meant much to
Mrs. Peabody. for nothing but the best
from the best satisfied her fastidious
taste.
"How very beautiful! All. how good
you are. Erastrs:s she exclaimed, her
face glowing with pleasure.
II have wanted them so long. You
don't know how they suit me- she
continued. as she adjusted. the bean
tifnl gems and viewed her reflected
self with the utmost satisfaction.
.They do suit you. said Mr.. Peabody,
regarding her ad%miringly. Then sud
denly the light went outsof Mrs. Pea
body's face and she turned from the
mirror.
..Erastus," she said, don't think me
rude. but will YOU fell me how much