The Wide, Wide World

shall be rich

come thus pl

kesp

h a sudden change, both without and within doors. The clouds had done their work for that time, and fled away before a strong northerly wind, leaving the sky bright and fair. And Mrs. Montgomery's deceitful disease took a turn, and f

s greatly pleased one morning, on opening her window as usual, to find the air and sky promising all that could be desired. It was one of those beautiful days in the end of September that somet

making constant fresh inspections of the weather and her mother's countenance alternately; and her eyes returning from the window on one of these excursions and meeting her mother's face, saw a smile there which said all she wanted. Breakfast went on more vigorously than ever. But after breakfast it seemed to Ellen that her father never would go away. He took the newspaper, an uncommon thing for him, and pored over it most per

could not have a better. But I must

afraid you oughtn't to go out to get these things for me. Pray don't, mamma, if

s much of a disappointment to me as to you not to go. We have a lovely day for it, and we will take our

beauty of the words and thoughts, as she went on, awed her into quiet, and her mother's manner at length turned her attention entirely from herself. Mrs. Montgomery was lying on the sofa, and for the most part listened in silence, with her eyes closed; but sometimes saying a word or two that made Ellen feel how deep was the interest her mother had in the things she read of, and how pure and strong the pleasur

washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neit

len felt that she could not read another word; to her great relief the door opened, and Dr. Green came in. His appearance changed the whole course of

l we go?" said Ellen. "You needn't stir, mamma; I'll bring all your things to you,

her stockings and shoes, arranged her hair, and did all that she could toward changing her dress, a

ou're going out again," said Ellen, putting her arms round her; "I do believe it will do you good. N

as no wind, there was no dust; the sun was not oppressive; and Mrs. Montgomery did feel ref

ntly forgotten in curiosity to know what her mother could possibly want there. She soon discovered that she had come to sell and not to buy. Mrs. Montgomery drew a ring from her finger,

, "wasn't that grandmamma's ring,

it, Ellen, but I

am very sorr

e merest nothings to me; and as for the rest, it doesn't matt

showed the sacrifice had cost her something; and there were

could have helped it. But set your heart quite at rest, Ellen; I assure you this use o

hand and glance into her

have recourse to other means to do what she had determined upon. Now that she was about to leave her little daughter, and it might be for ever, she had set her heart upon providing her with certain things which she thought important to her comfort and improvement, and which Ellen would go

of new books!" said Ellen, as they entered. "Mamma, if it wasn'

. Mrs. Montgomery was desiring the shopman to show her various kinds and sizes that she might choose from among them. Down went Ellen's book, and she flew to the place where a dozen different Bibles were pre

y, "look and choose; take your ti

ly; she was deep in what was to her the most important of business. She did not see the bystanders smile; she did not know there were any. To her mother's eye it was a most fair sight. Mrs. Montgomery gazed with rising emotions of pleasure and pain that struggled for the mastery, but pain at last got the better and rose very high. "How can I give thee up!" was the one thought of her heart. Unable to command herself, she rose and went to a distant part of the counter, where she seemed to be examining books; but tears, some of the bitterest she had ever shed, were falling thick upon the dusty floor, and she felt her heart like to break. Her little daug

let her take her way. Presently Ellen came over from the counter with a large royal octavo Bible, heavy enough to be a good li

age indeed; is this

don't know; wh

e. It is quite a weight upon my lap. I shouldn't like to carry it in

ing; "I believe you are right, mamma; I wonder I d

and then Ellen came to her mother with a beautiful miniature edition in two volumes

it a beauty? I could put it in my pocket, you kn

me," said Mrs. Montgomery, "inasmuch

ma? But I can re

if you will make up your mind to p

hope I shall never hav

o when your sight fails,

at-but you don't advise me the

elf; I think you

dare say you are right too; I won't take it,

implified the matter by putting aside all that were decidedly too large, or too small, or too fine print. There remained three, of moderate

ave the red one. I like that best, be

n. She paid for the red Bible, and directed it to b

in the way; we have sev

thought we only c

inking when I am away, that I have left you with everything necessary to the keeping up of good habits-everything that will make them pleasant and easy. I wish you to be always neat, and tidy, and industrious; depending upon others a

eak; she again looked up tearful

disappointed, love," re

ncy store. "What are we to

ns and paper in," sai

ver seen the inside of such a store; and the articles displayed on every side completely bewitched her. From one thing to anothe

ectly plain, but well supplied with everything a child could want in that line, she called Ellen from t

said Ellen; "but I never saw suc

ill do then?" s

good you are! But I know what is the best way to thank you, and

or you know I haven't got you the

laughing. "But do get me the plainest little th

other part of the store for the purpose. "Mamma," said Ellen, in a

holding writing materials," said her

n. "I can't thank you, mamma-I haven't any

weight of happiness. Words fai

roughly well made and finished, and very convenient and perfect in its internal arrangements. Ellen was speechless; occasional looks at her mother, and deep sighs, were a

ma; I know all

g really useful. Merely showy matters we can dispense with. Now let us see. Here is a great empt

at will do nicely," she said. "That large paper will be beautiful whenever I am writing to you, mamma, you know, and the other will do for o

e future time," replied her mother. "I hope I shall n

opes,

otten them. Envelopes o

write upon the fourth page of my letter, and I couldn't do it un

"what do you think of

written to, Ellen?" said

I don't now know, perhaps I shall by-and-by. Miss A

d your note-paper will keep quite safely in this nice little place provided fo

is!" said Ell

r must have envelopes to

pose so," said Ellen, smi

ant, I think," said Mrs. Montgomery; "the

were presented

king about in a trunk, and the ink would run out and spoil everything. It should be o

with a spring, and nothing can possibly come out

ms I should get on very ill without you to a

ink is gone? that inkstand wil

you, of course, my de

some of my own by

our desk without great danger to everythi

can be very conveniently carried about. You see, ma'am, there is a compartme

ely," said Ellen, "th

er square place opposite the i

ce for the box o

ort of

me how she used them. Hers were in a nice little box just like the inkstand on the outside; and there was a place to light the matches, and a place to set them in while they are bu

you have written it," said Mrs. Montg

t us have the pens. And

how to make a

ery much. Miss Pichegru says that every la

will try. Now here are steel points enough to last you a great while, and as many quill

on't you like this? I think that it is prettier than these t

the plainer the pretti

to make the pens,"

choose. That one won't do, my dear; it should have two blades-a large

you're very right; here's a n

ork of time, Mrs. Montgomery walked away to another part of the store. When sh

ed, mamma, it is so

prettiest of all,"

l have a stick of red on p

have the benefit of the other

t; I am afraid they will have to go to you. You must not mind, ma

," said Mrs. Montgomery. "But come, my dear, have we got

given me a se

e if you can find one that you like. By th

iling again; "that is another of

better have some waf

; also some drawing-pencils, indiarubber, and sheets of drawing paper. She took a sad pleasure in adding everything she could think of that might be for Ellen's future use or advantage; but as with her own hands she placed in the desk one thing after another, the thought

s. Montgomery; "I particularly wish to have t

gomery paid the bill, and s

a little way

nk you, mamma

Mrs. Montgomery, returning the pressure o

y at that moment in the heart

ow, mamma?" said Elle

you some merino and other things; but we have been detained so lon

said Ellen; "I am afraid I kept

ose to be kept. But I think I will go home now, and