Year: 1873

As the gentlemen are trying to do some
thing for the pastor, we ladies intend to
get her dress among ourselves. Some
one reminded me to come to you; YOU
used to be SO liberal in your subscrip-
tons"


Nellie tried to read the well-known
names already on the paper, but film
seemed to come before her ewes. and she
felt the blood rushing to her cheeks.
She tried to smile, however, as she said:
81 really haven't any money by me to-
day, Miss Perkins-and I can't tell you
4 think you need not rely on me for
anything"


Miss Perkins gave little feminine
shrek ''There! therel now confess,
Mrs. Pomeroy; isn't it Just as I told you?
Can you married ladies have half the in
dependence that we single ones have?"
and she tried to look very knowing.


"Have 1 ever said but that 1 have
enough of everything?" asked Nellie,
with a little of the dignity that used to
subdue troublesome boys.


"Oh, no, of course not. Everybody
says you've got an ercellent husband /;
and am sure didn't mean anything.
You know it is my way to joke little
occasionally, and you remember our lit
tie talk about pin-money," and with
continued protestations, Miss Perkins
slid the paper into her pocket again and
took her departure. Then Nellie put
her head down on the table and had a
good cry. When Christmas came, she
thought of the pretty dressing gown she
had made for Chester the year before,
when she was only engaged" and wish
ed she could do as much again, "but
what would a present be worth, begged
from his own pocket?" said she.


Chesters gift to her was wringing
machine. The year before, it was a
book of poems; but then, the machine
was vastly more useful, and given with
an undiminished affection she knew,
only it was $50 practical"


Nellie did not ask for any more money
during the winter, although once she
made purchase while Chester leaned
over the counter to offer well-meant ad-
vice, and then afterward paid for it from
his own pocket.


Not but that he was willing to do this,
but she thought how much better it
would have seemed to count the money
from her own little purse, as she used to
do. It was very natural, under the cir
cumstances, for Nellie to wish that she
could do something in addition to her
daily duties that should bring the long
ed-for "pin-money." but not until the
following May was there an opportunity.
Then, as she was passing his house one
afternoon, old Mr.. Stanley accosted her
MRS. Pomeroy," said he, eff you was
not married woman, I should be after
you to teach our district school this
summer. We have got some good-sized
girls that would go, if could find the
right kind of teacher"


How much will you give me if will
take the SCHOOL," asked Nellie, trying
to conceal her delight at the proposition.


Wouldn't take it, would you now?"
said the old man. ''I'd give you well.
I'd give you fifty dollars. You'd board
to home, of course"


morrow morning, Mr.. Stanly, but please
don't mention that think of teaching" ?"


That night Chester was informed of
her splendid plan" "You see the
schoolhouse is so near us, and a nice
long time before and after each session
to do my work; and I am so strong.
Please say yes, Chester" she pleaded,
and so he at last consented, and the
school was engaged.


With unfaltering courage, and feel
ing of her old independence, Nellie COM
menced her work; busy from morning
until night, and happier than ever, until
at the end of the fourth week, Chester
fell from the beams of the barn and
broke his leg. Then she wanted to give
it up; but after few days interruption
he insisted upon her resuming it. Then,
poor fellow! he had nothing to do but
lie on the parlor sofa and watch the
road to the schoolhouse door, and the
snails pace, measuring off the time for
her return. Yes, he had his farm to
worry about, also; and the "help," and
Mr.. Goldthwait's next payment. He
knew that everything was being neglect
ed, and oh, how he longed for the use of
his helpless limb once morel But one
day, as he was trying to plan and calcu-
late for the payment, he happened to
think of Nellie's fifty dollars; and then
his mind was at rest, for he felt sure it
would be sufficient to make up all def
ciencies. The school was finished at
last, and Mr.. Stanly promptly gave Nell
lie the promised wages, saying as he did
so that she had earned double the sum,
which was sweet music in her ears.
Tears of gratitude filled her eyes, and as
she hurried home, she felt at least an
inch taller than usual. Chester began
to hobble about on crutches during the
harvest season, only to find, as he had
feared, that the farm had been neglect
ed, and was not going to meet his ex-
pectations of the spring. He could not
complain of Nellies work, however, for
she had not let the dairy suffer; so that
from that and the other sources, he
could nearly meet the five hundred dol
lar payment. "Nellies money would
lust make it out, think" said he to
himself. but although he limited again
and again of the lack, and her ability to
meet it. she was strangely slow to under
stand, and would innocently inquire,
"what can You do, Chester?'


He was too proud to ask her outright
for her hard-earned money, but he
thought half angrily, "Why doesn't she
offer it? she ought to know I need it. "
But he did not know how often she
longed to do it, only being restrained by
her determination that he should ask and
find ont how good it seemed.


One day peremptory note from Mr..
Goldthwait, saying that the payment
was due, and must be made before night,
brought matters to crisis.


Nellie saw the messenger who brought
the unwelcome note, and saw her hus-
band as he leaned against the garden
fence to read it. and pitied him SO much