Year: 1869

Ella


No mamma. I was only thinking of


that nice lemonade that father made for


me when was sick with the measles. 1t


was very foolish of me to think of it. she


continued as she heard an involuntary


sigh from her mother, but the water does


not taste good now / am sick


Again she slept, and the wearied moth


er resumed her needle. Tear after tear


stole down her cheek as she bent over her
task.


Poor child she murmered. sIt seems


hard that | must deny her so trifing lux


ury, but alas there are so many absolute


necessities to be provided Perhaps if l


work an hour or two longer, might COM


plete another garment before tomorrow
evening. and then should receive little


more than expect. | must buy coal if
possible, for it is so hard to make poor


Ella comfortable with the blocks the chill
dren pick up. Half bushel will do, and
then there must be bread and candles. |
promised the children bit of salt fish. but
/ will coax them to wait, and / will 90
without the tea which l hoped to have
bought. and the dear child have lemon
and little loaf sugar, as she did when she
had the measles. Poor thing How well
she remembered the lemonade which her
father made for her.


Animated with the hope of procuring
this little luxury for her suffering child,
the weary fingers moved still faster. and it
was not until busy sounds told the near
approach of morning, that the task was
relinquished, and the almost exhausted
woman threw herself upon the bed to seek
an hour or two of repose. Every leisure
moment during the following day was de-
voted to her needle, and early in the eve
ming the work was completed. Fatigue
was forgotten, and with cheerful counte-
nance she prepared to take the clothes to
her employer. In the fullness of her
heart,she could not help whispering to Ella
as she kissed her burning cheek. mother
will try to bring you lemon, dear;' and
though the unselfish child Immediately
assured her that she could do very well
without it. yet the frightening of the eye
and the look of gratitude only strengthen
ed her resolution.


A quick walk brought the mother to
the shop of her employer. The work was
examined approved and paid for With
a light heart she turned toward home,
holding in her hand the hardly earned sum
which was to procure SO many comforts.
To the coal yard first she went. Here ner
purchase was soon made, and an obliging
lad to whom she had formerly done
small favors, offered to carry the heavy
basket to her room. Some other nee
essaries were bought, and then the wo-
man paused and gazed thoughtfully at the
last piece of money which remained 1t |
was quarter.


i think | may make out the bit of fish |
for the children yet she said to herself,
but must make sure of the lemons and |
sugar first


She stepped into brightly lighted gro
Gerry.


Have you lemons p


Very fine ones was the reply, but
they are very high at present. Sixpence
apiece


Could you not let me have one or two
a little lower? They are for sickness.


Might let you have two for ten cents,
perhaps, but it will be dead loss to US.
Don't make cent profit on them.


The lemons and the crushed sugar were
laid aside, and the remaining pennies
would buy the bit of fish. Almost exul-
tingly the mother seized her treasures, and
laying the quarter upon the counter turn
ed to leave the shop. But her progress
was arrested by loud call of:


Stop woman, this piece Of money is
counterfeit.


Tremblingly she returned.


1t was just given me by Mr.. Stimson
in payment for work. she said. l will
leave my bundle here and go back with it
to him. No doubt he will change it.


should think so, was the reply, for
the perfect simplicity and openness with
which the woman spoke evinced her hon
ssty.


The delay was tedious, but it was una
and, as rapidly as possible, she
,etraced her steps, and before many min
ties again presented herself before Mr..
Stimson.


Well my good woman, what now ? 1
thought our business was settled for to-
hight
Yes sir, but, if you please, this is
quarter. | tried to pass it at |
he grocery, aud they refused to take it.
The gentleman examined it closely.
1t is counterfeit, certainly he replied. l
Are you sure thut | gave it to you? /
IN very careful what money take
l had none but what received from
,ou' /


A doubt was still expressed upon Mr.. t
Stimsons countenance.


After pause, he SAID coolly:
i did not pay you myself, but merely a
lirected the boy 20 give you SO much. | i
will ask him if this piece of money was
mong what he gave you i
| assure you | had no other urged the t
'oor woman with energy, but no attention
vas made to her remark. O
Here William t
The lad obeyed the summons, and the e
iece of money was laid before him


Did you give that counterfeit quarter =
o this woman about half an hour agoP .
OF course l did not, sir. l never pass :
ounterfeits or take them :
You see can do nothing for you,' re- !
umed the employer, turning to the wo- =
ian. The lad knows what he is about, =
nd he says he never gave it to you !,
But | tell you sir, that had no other a a
loney,' was the indignant reply. \
j have no proof of that, so now take : :
our quarter and 60 your way. You will Y Y
ass it easy enough /
But l will not pass it, sir. If I am +,
oor, thank God that am honest, and a a
ill not wrong another, even when l am q
ronped myself =