Year: 1872

fuses an uncomfortable chill throughout
the dwellings of the poor. On this par
ticular morning the sun threw his cheerful
rays through the windows of rich and
poor alike, as is his wont, and many II
different scene did the welcome light
shine upon.


We will follow bright sunbeam as it
enters a humble abode situated in the
center of the large town of N. Gay
ly the sunshine throws itself across the
uncarpeted floor, seeming to laugh cheer
lily, and bid the occupants of the room to
never despair. On the table very small
breakfast is placed, and three persons par
take of it with evident care lest each
should encroach on the rights of the 9TH
ers by eating more than her "share. I"
These three persons are mother and
her two little girls, the latter aged re-
spectively twelve and fourteen.


The mother, woman yet young, but
whose hair is sprnked with gray, looks
slight and worn with overwork, and has
an unmistakable air of responsibility.
The two girls resemble her, being chiefly
remarkable for traces of refinement not
often seen in those of their station in life.
The oldest girl has very beautiful dark
eyes, soft and sweet in expression, and
holding in their depths an almost saint
like look Of patience, pathetic in one SO
young. We see the reason for this, when,
the poor meal concluded, the three leave
the table. Then the younger sister rises,
and taking hold of the back of the others
chair, wheels her into the warmest, pleas
ATTEST corner of the room. The little
possessor of the touching brown eyes is II
cripple; she can never walk and skip
like other children. But many an old
person might take lesson in patience
from little Lucy Swan, whose small fin
gers are soon deity employed in making
elaborate tatting, which she sells, and so
endeavors to add her might to defray the
expenses of the household.


Mrs. Swan rises only to take up her
work, which happens this day to be n
dainty embroidered dress of blue, evil
IDENTIFY designed for girl about the size
of Jesse, her youngest daughter. Idle
ness was luxury unknown in this hum
Bile home, and Jessie busted herself with
clearing away the breakfast dishes, and
putting the table back in its place against
the wall. This done, she put on her hat
and shawl, and taking her books trudged
off to school, for Mrs. Swan, poor as she
was, gave Jessie every possible chance to
get an education, feeling that she could
do nothing else of much value. Jessie
loved books, and won the praise of her
teachers by her interest in all her studies,
and her gentle behavior. Let US follow
her and see what the experiences Of the
day will be. AS she passed down the
street met one of her classmates who
walked along with her. After n moment
her companion asked:


"Aren't you glad Thanksgiving comes
next week? | always have such good
time then that wish it would come oft
tener than once year. And Thanksgiv-
ing night, you know, Berta Howe has
her party, and, 0, am going TO have
such a pretty new dress to wear All
the girls will be there, but don't believe
any of them will have any nicer dress
than mine. Then we always have such
n nice dinner and company, too. My
Aunt Anna is coming from L., with
my cousins Joe and Carrie, and / like
them ever so much What are you GO
ing to do Thanksgiving Day, Jessie ?''


ell don't know" said Jesse, check
ing a sigh at will seem nice to be at
home all day with mother and Lucy,
and perhaps can help them on some
thing.


" You're going to the party, amt your"
asked the other, inquisitively. Didn't
you have an invitation?"


YES" returned Jessie, quickly; "but
| don't know as | shall CO."


Why not2'.


Thus pressed, Jessie knew not what to
say for she was proud, and did not like
to tell the truth that she had no better
dress to wear than the faded delaine she
had on, and for that reason her mother
thought she had better not go, fearing
that the sensitive child might be wounded
BY the difference between her attire and
that of her schoomates. But at that
moment another girl joined them, and
the attention Of the inquisitive Mabel was
turned in another direction.


At intermission, the girls could talk of
nothing else but Thanksgiving Day and
Berta Howe's party. Each one had
something to tell of what she should wear
and the good time she expected to have,
and Jessie, who could not join with them,
stole off to her seat with tears in her eyes,
for she had so longed TO 60 to this party,
and it was so hard to be left out, just be-
cause she mad no dress TO wear Abb
sorbed in their own pleasure, the others
did not notice her much, and when school
closed she ran home crying as she went.
But she did not wish her mother and sis
ter to know Of her grief. so she checked
her sobs as she came to the door.


The hours had passed away slowly,
and Mrs. Swan had sewed steadily on
until the dress she worked on was com
pleted under her fingers. Lucy, too, had
made long piece of fine lace-like tatting
when her sister made her appearance.