^i/^- ^^u_^ D '1 WATCHING THE FISHING-BOATS. -Page 13. NELLIE NEWTON PATIEXCE AND PERSEYERAXCE. PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAX TRACT SOCIETY, 23 COnXIIILL, BOSTOX. Eeprinted from the London Religious Tract Society. KOCKWELL AND ROLLINS, I'KIXTURS AND STEREOTYPEKS, li'2 Washington St., Boston. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE . CHAPTER 11. The dra\^'i>'g of the Seine • ... 16 CHAPTER III. The Accident ...... 38 CHAPTER lY. Tatiexce ....... 50 CHAPTER Y. A NEW Friend ...... 59 2052926 , IV CONTEXTS. CHAPTER VI. PAGE A Night on the Cliffs .... 73 CILiPTER VII. Tnu Rescue 8G CHAPTER VIII. Old Job 97 CHAPTER IX. Nellie's Surprise ..... 108 CHAPTER X. The BiPvThday Gift ..... 128 Is^ELLIE XEWTOT^ CHAPTER I. STIiOXXALE. fF yeVe no thin' better to do, Xellie Xewton, may be j^e'd run down to the /^Y shore, and look out for the boats' % comin' in, and it's just as like as not I may find a dab or two for ye by and by," said a big, brawny woman, coming out of a cottage door, and speaking to a little girl who happened to be passing at the moment. "I've a sight o' shrimps an' prawns here must be seen to, so you let mc know time enough to go down, like a good lass." "I will, if mother don't want me, Mrs. Xeale, and tell you the very minute the G KELLIE NEWTON. boats come round the Head. I'll go and see, and if I can't be spared, I'll let you know," she called back, as she ran ofl'. Mrs. Xeale stood, with arms a-kimbo, looking after the child, until she saw her dart out of her mother's cottage again, as fast as she had entered it, and, pointing towards the beach, disappear down the rocky pathway which led to it. Nellie Newton's native place, which we will call Stronnale, was a small fishing hamlet, lying picturesquely between the hisfh chalk cliffs which stood out on either side of a sheltered bay, on the south-west coast of England. The chief trade of this little place, in days gone by, was car- ried on mainly l^y the smugglers, who made that rugged coast their stronghold, and of whose daring exploits and cunning stratagems there is many an exciting talc yet told in that country side. smoxxALE, 7 Stronnale Head is now surmounted, however, by the flag-staff of the coast- guard station, and the present inhabitants of the cottao-es are a noble race of men, not less hardy and brave than their fore- fathers, thou2'h en2:a£>'ed in a lawful and peaceable calling. A deep opening or cleft in the rocks formed a natui-al path upwards from the beach, which gradually widened out into a steep roadway, bounded on either side by rough pitching, with here and there a paving-stone, before the row of humble dwellings which formed the entire village. There was a rude quaint- ness and rough irregularity about the nar- row street upon which the gray, weather- beaten church tower had looked down for many a generation, which seemed to have imparted some of these characteristics to the manners and customs of the people who were born and bred there. A clear, 8 NELLIE KEWTOy. sparkling stream gurgled over the uneven stones of the channel which kept it within hounds, as, running doAvn one side of the street, and turning a mill-wheel on the cliff, it fell headlong over its rugged face, and, sinking into the shingle, mingled, at length, its fresh waters with the ocean. There could he no question as to the trade carried on at Stronnale, as more thai/ one sense could testify, for nets were liung outside the cottage doors, and split fish were dried upon nails fastened to the wall, and fisher lads lounged ahout in their blue guernsej^s, and, above all, the very air itself was fishy. In days gone by, the occupation of the women, which was tliat of lace-making, would doubtless have called forth the dis- approbation of many good people, for even George Herbert advised that girls should not be taught it, calling it a " vain trade ; " STTiOXXALE. 9 but no one finds any fault nowadays with the wives and daughters of the fishermen, who, while the boats are away upon the sea, sit in groups before their doors through the lono^ eveninirs, chattiu^* and laus^hinsr, as they work busily at the pillow on theii* knees. A few, however, like Mrs. Nealc, were fish-women, and made it their busi- ness to attend all the auctions on the beach, on the arrival of the boats, bargaining for the fish, which they afterwards carried in panniers on donkej'-back, for sale round the country for miles. One little shop was all Stronuale could boast, and a stranire medlev of articles could be obtained there, as might well be supposed; and though, it is true, the tal- low candles did not improve the taste of the bacon they hung by, nor did the tea become any the 1>etter for a mingled flavor of yellow soap and red herrings, imparled 10 IsELLIE NEWTON. to it by their close quarters, still *'tlie shop " had its convenient aspect as well, for there was no other within three miles at least. Good house-keepers, neverthe- less, generally managed to purchase their stores at Waterton, a thriving, bustling little town a few miles to eastward, on the coast. Nellie Newton's mother was a lace- worker, and though not a first-rate hand, still contrived to eke o ut a scanty living by her earnings, with the addition of a day's work now and then at one of the neigh- boring farm-houses, on any occasional em- ployment that offered. She was a widow, having lost her good, brave husband and two well-s^rown sons in one of the fearful storms which so often sweep our shores, carrying sorrow and death into many a poor fisherman's home. Five little ones were left to her, for whose daily bread she STltOXXALE. 11 toiled aud struggled, and hard work it was to fill so many hungry mouths ; hut though poor, all who knew her respected Mrs. Newton, and it was her great aim, with God's help, to bring up her children in right and honest w^ays. Xellie, the eldest girl, was not quite nine years old at the time our story begins ; but, thoughtful beyond her years, she already desired to become her mother's little helper, and longed for the time Aviien she would be able, by her own earnings, to add to the contents of the worn leather purse, which, as she well knew, was too often empty. We shall see in the course of the following pages, how far she was successful in surmountino' the difficulties that lay in her path, by " patient continu- ance in well-doing," in humble dependence on Him who has promised to make his strength perfect in his children's weakness. 12 NELLIE NEWTON. When Nellie reached the beach on Mrs. Nealc's errand, she found her brothers, Jacob and Bill, there before her, and, de- lighted to have their companionship, con- trived to make herself very happy in build- ing up roimd towers and castles with the smooth pebbles, vying with each other as to who should raise the highest in defiance of the advancing tide, until Jacob, in all the dignity of his eleven j^ears, getting tired of such child's play, clambered up into a boat, that he might keep better look- out upon the sea. The boy's great ambi- tion had lono' been to wear a blue «:uern- sey, and sou'-wester, and to be a fisher-lad like others of his own age in the village ; but his mother, remembering the two who already slept beneath the waves, would not hear of it ; and for the present, though sorely against his will, he remained at school. STnOXXALE. 13 "Here they be, Xcll ; here they be!" he cried at last, waviug his hand, and pointing out to seaward, in the direction of the Head. " You'd best run up and tell Mrs. Xealc right away, for she always likes to be the first when any thing's goin'." Xellie sped away like a bird with her tidings, while the boats came nearer and nearer, and dropped anchor one by one within the shelter of the little cove. Mrs. Xeale and one or two others were barely able to reach the shore before the brown sails had been all hauled in, and a small ])oat landed the lobster pots which the fii'st contained. One of the fishermen, all of whom were wearv enousrh after their nin^ht's toil, proceeded to spread out a well-worn Int of taipaulin upon the shingle ; and on this, in a few moments, some twenty or thirty lobsters and crabs, of all agjes and sL^es, were yainly clawing and struggling 14 NELLIE NEWTOy. against their untimely fate. Not the bright red lobsters of the fishmongers' shops, but speckled and dingy bluish-black fellows, with nippers opening and shutting in angry- defiance, and long antenn86 waving vicious- ly, enough to deter those from meddling with them who are unaccustomed to such hostile demonstrations. The sprawling crabs, too, made desperate but iucfi'ectiial efforts to turn over and slide slyly back into their native element, as the tide came curling in over the shingle, leaving bits of red sea-weed and wrack and bright wet stones not far from them. But alas for the poor captives when once Mrs. Neale's knowing glance rested upon them, or Nancy Bidgway's, or old John Cotter's, for in five minutes they were all disposed of, and safely stowed away to make room for the next lot the men were bringing up from the boats. STnOXXALE. 15 Mrs. Xcale, as good as her Tvord, found some fish for Xellie, who ran home with her prize, quite proud of having earned a dinner for that day at least ; and very soon after the beach was deserted by all, save the sea-gull which wheeled overhead, or found a resting-place in the lonely, weath- er-beaten cliiTs about the bay. CHAPTER n. THE DEAWIXG OF THE SEIXE. WOOT)ER, NelHc," said Mrs. Xew- ton one day, "if ye're fit to be trusted to go into the town, and do my mar- ^ keting. I've a deal to busy me to- day, and 'twould be a real help. But there, ye're sueh a child, I don't think I dare send you." "Oh do, do, mother!" cried Xcllie, with sparkling eyes ; "I'm sure I could go for you. Why, Rachel Enticott goes every week for her mother, and Hannah Gosling, and ever so many more ! " "Ay," said Mrs. Newton, "and what did I hear t'other day about Rachel Enti- IG THE DBA WING OF THE SEIXE. 17 cott, — that she lost a crown-piece for her mother; but there, I've uo crown-piece for you to lose, so take your bonnet, and the basket, and I'll send you this time ; but mind you don't forget any thing you'ye ii'one after." *'Xo, that. I won't, mother," cried the child, quite proud to be of some use ; "111 make haste, and be home again in no time, and bring every thing back safe, if you'll tell me what you want." So Xellie was despatched to ^Vaterton with sundry errands, and she set off as flist as her little legs could cany her, feeling a very impor- tant person indeed, with her mother's big marketing basket on her arm. She had not gone very flir, however, before Jacob met her. "Holloa ! " said he, " why, Xell, ^vhere are you off to ? " " I'm going to the town to do mother's shopping," said XcUic, posting on, for she remembered her promise not to loiter. 18 NELLIE NEWTON. " I say, stop a bit," said Jacol3 ; *^ what are you in such a hurry for ? I think I'll come too. I've got nothing better to do." " Yery well," said Nell, " but you mustn't hinder me ; " and the two went on together. Nellie was in high spirits, and when they neared Waterton, she began to count up her errands on her fingers, to make sure of forgetting none. The shopping took some time, but at last all was finished, and tea and sugar and butter, and a host of smaller packets, were stowed safely away in the basket, before they set out on their homeward trudge. "That's a good girl," said Mr. Gould, the grocer (w^ho was a good-natured man, and had a num- ber of little ones of his own) , as he helped her to pack them all in ; " now make haste liome to mother, and here's a handful of raisins for you and Jacob there." Nellie thanked him, with her best courtesy, and THE DUAiriXG OF THE SEIXE, 19 liiirriecl out to look for Jacob, who had ah'cady left the shop. She fouud hmi out- side, talking to a group of lads iu the street, and giving his sleeve a tug, dis- played her raisins. "I say, Xell, how did you come by 'em? " said he. "Mr. Gould gave 'em to me," saidXel- lie ; " but, Jacob, give me a hand with the basket ; it's a'most too heavy for me to carry." "Come along, then," said Jacob, for the raisins had coaxed him into an oblinins: humor ; " but, I say, look at 'em all a-run- ning down to the beach ! I do believe there's fish in the bay ; let's go down and see." " I'd a' like to," said Xellic, " but it's out of our way a good l)it, is it not ? " " Oh, never mind that," replied he ; " it'll be such fun, and 111 help you home with the things." 20 KELLIE XEWTOX. It certainly was a great attraction to a iishermaji's childrcu, and it always is a pleasant sight to see the liberal reward of dangerous toil. But Nellie had promised her mother not to loiter, and the thought of this crossed her mind ; but she said, "Sure, mother wouldn't mind their seeing the seine drawn ; and may be they'd get a few little fish, if the haul was good." So, forgetting how easily harm may hap- pen when one is not strictly careful, away went the children with the rest to the shore. True enough, the mackerel were in the bay, and a pretty sight it was. The long rays of the afternoon sun glinted across the sea, which was very smooth, and only betrayed the presence of the shoal by a peculiar ripple, which, though hardly to be noticed by a chance observer, every fisherman knows well. On the beach all was excitement and THE Dr.AjnSG OF THE SEiyE. 21 commotion, for already a crovrd had col- lected, awaiting the boats which were now returning to land, bringing in the seine, or large draw-net, which is used in shoal jQshing. To this very mode of fishing our blessed Saviour made reference in his par- able of the draw-net, which from its large size encircles the whole shoal within it, and gathers all kinds of fish, " both bad and good." This, when it was full, men drew to shore, and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away ; so now, as soon as our fishermen catch sight of the mackerel, they row out, dropping the net around them, which, beinsr weia'hted with lead, falls to the bot- tom of the sea, while on the surface it is supported with corks, and then the ends are dragged towards the shore, where it is soon hauled up by numbers of willing hands, each of vrhom claims a share of the 22 KELLIE XElFTOy. contents, in return for the assistance ren- dered. Sometimes the " takes " of fish in this way are very frequent and exceedingly large, but the season of which we speak had been an unusually bad one, and this was the first time the mackerel had appeared in the bay ; hence, on this occasion, there was even more interest manifested than usual. "Hurrah!" cried Jacob, "we're Justin time to see the seine drawn ; I thought as much. Oh, that's capital ! " Jacob only shared the general feeling of joy, for a good haul of mackerel or herrings is the fisherman's harvest, upon which ho depends for his daily bread, as much as the farmer does on the yellow sheaves of wheat and barley which ripen on our fields and up- lands ; nor must we forget that it is the same good hand of God, which has so abundantly replenished the waters for our THE DnAWING OF THE SEIXE. 23 use, that also clothes the earth iu its goldcu robe of harvest. Surely, we may well say, " O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! Iu wisdom hast thou made them all ; the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping iimumerable, both small and great." Groups of people were standing about near the point for which the boats were maldng, and as they were still a good way out, the children wandered some little dis- tance along the beach. The tide was com- ing in, and they went so close to the edge that the water splashed over their feet, when, to their surprise and delight, a stronger wave than usual threw up a quan- tity of tiny glittering fish, which quivered and leaped upon the shingle, as the retreat- ing wave left them, high and dry, out of their natural element; and at almost the 2* 24 NELLIE NEWTOX. same moment a silveiy line along the shore showed that numbers more had been stranded. Here, then, was the cause of the shoal of mackerel in the bay, a large portion of which was at that very time in- closed in the bag of the great net, which was fast being drawn in. They had ven- tured close in shore, driving the sprats before them into shallow water, which then fell an easy spoil to their stronger com- rades of the sea; and as the children scanned the water more narrowly, they could see the bright hues of the larger fish, mingled with the silvery whiteness of their tiny prey, which they pursued Avith the greatest eagerness, while they themselves were falling unwitting victims to their own voracity. "Oh, Jacob," — "Oh, Nell," cried both at once, "only see the sprats! What a lot we can pick up ; and won't mother bo glad!" THE DEA WIXG OF THE SEINE. 25 "Yes," said Nellie, as she gatlicred them into her pinafore, as fast as the little slip- pery fish would let her; "but wherever shall we put 'cm all ! I can't carry manj^ like this." "Didn't mother put a cloth in the basket," said Jacob, "that we could take? That would hold a good lot." "So she did," answered Nellie; "Td quite forgot ; " and setting the basket on the ground, she hastily pulled it out, and in doing so, displaced a good many of the packages. It took some minutes to re- arrange them, and by the time they had picked up enough of the sprats, which tempted them on further and further at every step, they had gone some way from Waterton. " Holloa ! " cried Jacob at last, looking in the direction of the town, "they've brought in the seine, and we'll be too late, if we don't hurry." 26 NELLIE NEWTON. "But, Jacob, whatever shall we do with the basket now ? It'll be too heavy to take it all the waj^ back, with the sjarats be- sides." In Xellie's secret heart there was a strug- gle going on between duty and inclination. She felt she ought to hasten home with her mother's goods, as she had promised; but then the seine and the mackerel and the auction, — how much she would miss if she did not return ; besides, Jacob woidd cer- tainly go without her ; and Duty's voice waxed fainter and fainter, as Inclination gained an easy victory. Jacob, meanwhile, looked puzzled, but he was only thinking how best to dispose of the basket. " I'll tell you what," said he, at length, as a bright idea struck him, "we'll hide it np there, mider the cliif ; there's no one a-passing, so that it'll be quite safe, while we run back and look at the haul." TRE DRAWIXG OF THE SEIXE. 27 It was uo sooner said than it was done ; and having managed to secure their treas- ures pretty efieetually amongst the bram- bles which trailed in wild luxuriance under the rocks, they hastened back to the town. The seine had been emptied, by basketful after basketful, of many-colored, glittering mackerel, and on the beach lay a goodly heap, which the fishermen were busily en- gaged in sorting from the John Dorys, red mullet, conger eels, and other fish, which, having been found in company with the hungry shoal, had been taken in the same net. The beautiful chanoinor tints of the fish were touched with a deeper glow by the last beams of the evening sun, liow rapidly sinking behind the clifi', which made their hues more lovely still, and lighted up the eager faces of the men and women who stood around, awaiting the sale by auction, which always takes place 28 NELLIE XEWTOy. Oil such occasions. The time passed quick- ly, as the children lingered amongst the crowd. " It's a famous haul, John Cotter," said a fish-woman, close to Nellie. " Ay, ay," said the old man ; "thousands, more or less, I'll be bound — and more where these come from. Holloa, young- sters," added he, suddenly spying Jacob and Nellie, " you here, this time of the day ? If ye take my advice, ye'll make the best o' your ways home, for it's gettin' late, and your mother '11 be on the lookout for 'ee." "All right," said Jacob. "Good even- ing, Mr. Cotter ; come along, Nell ; we may as well be going." They soon reached the spot where the basket was, and dragging it out of its hiding-place, trudged along the wearisome shingle towards home. The shortest way to Stronnale was Ijy a THE nnjiriycr of the setxe, 20 very steep ascent up the side of the clilT, which was much overgi'OTvn at this spot "with a tangled mass of scnibljy blackthorn and brambles ; then turning to the left, it wound along the coast-guard's path at. a giddy height above the sea, until a sudden dip brought the foot-passenger into the villas^e. It was hard work to climb with their load, and Jacob went first, holding one handle, while Nellie, with her bundle of sprats on her arm, came behind, trying hard to take her share of the weight. " Oh, what a bother the basket is ! " said Jacob, after they had gone a few steps ; "so heavy as it is, too ! Let's see if we can't carry it easier somehow," and he dived his hand into his pocket for a piece of strong twine. "There, I thou^rht I had somethinsc that would soon settle that business," add- ed he, brinninGT out a bit of old cord ; "so here goes." He tied it iirmlv to one handle. 80 KELLTE XEJFTOy. and lioistin^^ it over his shoulder, went on lip the cliff; but by this plan poor little Kellie had the worst of the bargain, for the greater part of the burden fell back upon her. She toiled manfully on, until at Icnirth her stren<2rth was fast failin*?. " Oh, Jacob, don't 'ee go on so fast, don't ! It's ever so much heavier for me now, and I can't keep up," said she, pant- ing for breath. " Oh, what a bother it is ! " said Jacob again, giving an impatient tug, when, all at once, snap went the cord, aAvay went sugar and butter and tea, bump, bump, bump doAvn the cliff, with the basket helter-skelter after them ; while poor Nel- lie, upset by the sudden shock, found her- self lodged m the middle jof a furze-bush, grovring close to the path, which probably saved her from a much worse tuml)lc. Jacob stood aghast witli open mouth at THE DUAJTIXG OF THE SEIXE, 31 lliG mischief he had caused, and Xelllo burst into tears as she picked herself up. "Oh! eTacob, Jacob, whatever shall we do ? The things are all tumbled out of the basket, and they'll all be spoilt. Oh ! dear, dear, what will mother say ? " "Pm sure I can't tell," said the boy; "but there, don't take on so, Xell ; let's see if we can pick 'em up again." "Oh, I w4sh you'd never a'thought on that nasty string, that I do ! " said she, sobbing. "Well," said Jacob, beginning to wdiim- per too, " I'm sure it an't my fault it broke. It's as much your doin's as mine, for you let go ; but there, what's the use o' cry- ing," — restraining his own tears with an efFoi-t, — "let's see what's to be done." "With heavy hearts they retraced their steps ; but, alas ! alas I the remains were scarcely worth picking up. The sugar was 82 . NELLIE NEWTOX. all scattered about, the tea was sown broad- cast over the cliff, and the butter they found at last in the middle of a clay pud- dle, at the foot of the rocks. The children looked at each other in mute dismay, and were so absorbed in their troubles, that they did not hear a light foot- step behind them, nor discover that they were not alone, until a hand was laid on Nellie's shoulder, and a kind voice asked, " What's the matter, my little gu'l ? You seem to be very unhappy." Nellie's tears broke out afresh, and the lady turned to Jacob for an explanation. He, in his turn, looked very sheepish, and began scraping the shingle with his foot. "Please, ma'am, weVe been and spilt mother's things." " But what were you doing, my boy ? " " Only a-going up the path," said Jacob. " "Was it an accident then, or how did it happen?" asked the lady. THE DRAWiya OF THE SEIXE. 33 "Please, ma'am," said Nellie, getting the better of her tears, " we were going home with mother's basket full of things, and Jacob tied a string to it — and it broke — and I fell amoni? the bushes — and it's all spoilt — and, oh dear ! " she added, with a fidtering voice, "whatever shall we do?" "And what is this you have here, my dear?" " It's sprats, ma'am, that we've just pick- ed up on the shore," and Nellie untied the cloth. "And so you were sent to do your mother's vshopping for her ? — but what is her name, for you have not told me?" " She's widow Newton, as lives at Stron- nale," said Jacob, taking courage. " Oh, indeed," said the lady ; " so you are Mrs. NcAvton's children, are you? Well my dear," added she, turning to Nellie, " I know your mother, and you may tell 34 KLLLIE XElVTOy. her that Miss Laiigton is coming to see her to-morrow ; but stay, I think I should like to have some of your sprats, if you will give me a few in this little basket." "Oh yes, ma'am," said IN^ellie, with a smile on her tearful face ; and putting some nice fresh grass at the bottom, she laid in the sprats, one by one, and quite at the top slipped in a small mackerel, which both the children had considered a prize a little while before. " Thank you," said Miss Langion. "Now will you carry this half-crown home safely to your mother, and tell her that I paid for the fish with it? and I hope," she added with a smile, as she wished the children good-by, "that you will meet no further mishaps by the way." They both thanked the kind lady as well as they could, and then hastened home. "Vv^ell," said Mrs. Newton, when she THE DnAWIXG OF THE SEIXE. o<} heard their story, "I cau't he angry with ye, for 'twas an accident, though ye had no business to loiter; but indeed, children, 'tis a loss I could ill a' borne ; and I'm very thankful to the lady for her kindness. Ay,"' she added, reverently, as a tear started to her eye, "and to the God of the fatherless and the widow, who put it into her heart to doit ; for evervirood s^ift comes from him. I do believe he'll never leave nor forsake them that put tlieir trust in him ; but, Xel- lie, let this be a caution to ye, my lass, to be doubly careful in the future ; for, mind, we can't expect always to meet with kind friends — leastways when it's our own wrong: doin's as brins; the trouble." "And oh ! mother," said Xellie, present- ly, "I did mean to be such a help to you, and now I'm afraid you'll never trust mo again." "Xay, child," replied Mrs. Xewtou, 36 KELLIE KEWTOy. "3^011 arc but young yet, and may bo tliis'll be a lesson to make ye more cautious for the time to come, as I said before. Any- how ye know now it an't always so easy to do right as it seems to be ; but you keep straight on in the good way, and, with God's help, I hope, one day ye'll be fit to be trusted- with greater things than my Saturday marketings." Jacob, who stood by, listening to her words, looked rather uncomfortable, for he remembered that he had induced Nellie to remain longer on the beach than she wished, and, moreover, that it was his impatient tug at the luckless cord which had really caused the disaster. "Mother," said he, hanging his head, — for thoughtless though he might be, he was neither imtruthful nor ungenerous, — "it wasn't Nell's fault, that it wasn't. 'Twas all along o' that old rope I tied to the THE DliAJVIXG OF THE SEISE. 37 basket to get it up the clifT, or 'twould never a' been." "Well, Jacob, I'm glad you're not the one to let the blame rest where it shouldn't ; but we'll all have to suffer for it, for 'tis but a poor supper we'll have to-night. But there, I'll cook some o' the sprats for ye, and w^e'll say no more about it." It was, perhaps, a trifling incident in it- self, but Xellie never forgot, when she was tempted to idle instead of patiently perse- vering in her appointed work, that even- ing's adventure with Jacob \\]} Stronnalo cM\ CHAPTER m. TIIE ACCIDENT. IISS LxlXGTOX kept her promise, and T\'hen she came next day, ^^^ Mrs. Xewton thanked her very gratefully for her kindness. " How have you been getting on since I saw 3'ou last, Mrs. ISTewton?" said she. "Well, ma'am, jiretty middling, at times, and then again it goes hard with us ; but I've no need to complain, for we've never yet wanted bread, and I trust the Lord vrill l^rovide." " And are you able to send the children to school regularly ? " "Jacob and the three little ones go, ma'am, but I'm forced to keep Nellie at 88 THE ACCJDLXT. oU home, for she's able to help me a good bit now, and it takes more nor I can spare to send 'cm all." "I supi^ose you can read, however, Xel- lie?" said uMiss Langton, turning to the child. ^' Yes, ma'am," answered Xellie. "AVell, then," said the lady, taking a little book out of the bag in her hand, "let me hear if you can read this." Xellie blushed very much, but did as she was told, and ]Miss Langton was so pleased that she gave her the book for her o\\ti. " Do you think you could spare your little girl to come to me twice a week for a les- son, Mrs. Xe^^i:on? I intend remaining here for some months, and it seems a pity she should forget all her schooling. Per- haps by that time you may be able to send her again." "I'm sure, maam, 3'ou're very kind : I 40 NELLIE NEWTON. could spare her well enough, if you're so good as to take the trouble," replied her mother. "Yerywell, then, Nellie, come up to- morrow morning, and I will see on what days I can have you most conveniently," and after a little more kind and pleasant conversation, Miss Langton took her leave. And so it came about that every Tuesday and Friday morning, for two or three sum- mers, Nellie trotted off to kind Miss Lang- ton's house, who taught her many useful things ; but above all, she read the Bible with her, and explained it so simply and clearly that she soon learned to like that part of her lesson best. Nellie Newton was an intelligent child, as Miss Langton quickly discovered. Her mother, being a superior woman for her station in life, had alwa3^s endeavored to train her children carefully, and to shield THE AC C IB EXT. 41 them as much as possible from evil influ- ences. They were all, therefore, more mannerly than most of their companions ; but it was iu Nellie that the effects of her care could be traced more particularly. Her kind friend was so pleased with her progress that, when she was about twelve years old, she had a scheme in her mind for placing her little scholar with Miss New- man, the school-mistress at Stronnale, as a pupil teacher, when she herself left the neighborhood that autumn, thinking that by this means Nellie might become iu time veiy useful and influential for good, as well as a great comfort and assistance to her mother. But it is much more easj' for us to make plans for the future than to carry them out ; for truly " we know not what a day," or even a single houi', "may bring forth." It was haying time, and one delicious 3* 42 K EL LIE XEWTOX. cvcnins;, T\'hcn half the yilla2:c had turned out into the fields, ]Mrs. Xewton gave Nel- lie leave to take the little ones — Esther, Mercy, and Bill — for a romp amongst the hay-cocks. Off went the children, as mer- rily as possible, and as they were passing farmer Trott's yard, they met Job Mutter, the carter, coming out vvith the empty wagon. " Oh, Job, do let us have a ride, do ! " cried the children, running up to him. Job was a good-natured old man, as one could see by the twinkle of his gray eye when he said, " Don't know as I shall : what can 3'oungsters like 3'ou want a ride for, I"d a like to know?" " Oh yes, you will. Job ; you know you always do ; " and sturdy little Bill caught hold of the tail-board of the Vv'agou, as though his feeble arm could check the great strong horses. THE AC C ID EXT. 43 "Xow tlieu, have a care little uu — well, I s'pose I must let 'ee this time," said Job, as he lifted them in. "There now, don't 'ee bother me any more, but bide still like good children." On went the wagon over the rough stones, past the church, up the lane into the field, while the sweet scent of the hay was Vv^afted to them on the evening ah'. Every thing seemed beautiful and bright and joyous, and the childi-en's voices sounded cheerful and pleasant as they shouted in their glee, when a crack of the whip caused the horses to turn too sharply up the steep hill-side, and in a moment, before Job could stop them, the wagon was upset. It might happen twenty times on those rugged hills, and little harm be done, and so Job hoped it might be now ; but when a moan of irreat sufierin" JMiss Lansfton's visit — Nel- lie was able to greet her with a bright, happy smile, which told of the peace with- in — the answer to her prayer. , J '"'^ ) CHxVPTER Y. A KEW FEIEXD. EYERAL years passed after Nel- lie's accideut, and brought with them few changes to the XewtoDS. ^ It was not now, however, such a struggle with them for daily bread ; for Nellie, who was fast growing up into womanhood, was able to earn something by her iace-making, and, in spite of her lameness, was her mother's right hand and greatest comfort. Jacob had regular em- ployment on board a Brixham fishing smack (for he had, at leng-th, gained his point with his mother), and only came home now and then. Esther had obtained a nm*sery-maid's place in a gentleman's 4* 59 CO NELLIE NEWTOX. flimily at Waiertpn, aud gave fair promise of doing well ; while Mercy and Bill still went to school every day, though, as their mother told them, it would soon be time for them to seek work as well as the rest. There was an air of greater comfort, too, about the cottage than formerly ; in short, by dint of good management and strict honesty, they all seemed to be working their way up towards prosperity. Miss Langton still came, year after year, to spend the summer months by the sea, and never lost the kind interest she had taken in the family from the time of their first acquaintance. Old Job jMutter was by this time getting on in years, and the infirmities of age were fast creeping upon him. It was but little he could do now in the way of work. " Ah ! " he would say in his south country dialect, " toime were when oi could do a day's turn v\^i' th' best A NEW FBIEND, 61 on *em; but, neow, measter, lio says oi beant worth a zaxpence a day, an' it do coom hard to oi, that it do — but there, moi ould b^Yuns do yeake so, I s'pose oi mun be gettin' past it loike — seame as ould Dobbin up in th' Barumead there I " Job lived all by himself, for he had neither kith nor kin in the place to care for him. From the time of the accident he seemed to attach himself particularly to jSTellie, who in her turn was able to do him many a little act of womanly kindness, Avhich helped to make his solitary life less lonely and cheerless. As soon as Nellie had sufficiently recov- ered from her illness, she had set herself diligently to work to learn lace-making. It was by no means the employment she would have chosen for herself, for formerly she had always been active, and fond of bustling about, even to restlessness, and 62 NELLIE KEWTOy. had disliked beyond measure any occnpa- tion, such as needle-work, which obliged her to keep still. Now that her infirmity made it necessary, she did not find it less irksome to be forced to sit quietly, bending over the fine threads which needed such careful handling and keen sight, until her eyes grew weary and her shoulders ached with her task. But Xellie felt it was to be her appointed work ; no other seemed to ofier, and she determined, with God's help, to overcome the aversion she felt to it, and to surmount, by patient labor, every diffi- culty in her path. Others were able to earn enough by the trade to add considera- bly to the comfort of their homes ; and she resolved that whatever her hand found to do, she would do it with her might. Very soon she excelled her mother, for Mrs. Newton had begun to learn later in life, when her fingers were too stifl:' easily to A xrir FLiEXD.. C3 acquire the nimble movements of a skillful lace-maker ; and before many months had passed, Xellie bade fair to become a first- rate hand, and understood all the mys- teries of the art, including the button-hole stitch or raised work, \Yhich is the most intricate, and most costlj when made. Greater likin^r for her work came with increased aptitude for it, and she wondered then how it could ever have been so dis- tasteful to her. It was much lousier before she could feel quite submissive vrith regard to the other aspect of her trial. How she longed, sometimes, when she saw other young people of her own age enjoying the free use of their limbs, to be able to fling aside her crutches, and join them in their walks and amusements. But that would never be again, and often rebellious thoughts would come into her heart, and repining 64 NELLIE NEWTON. words rise to her lips, until she remem- bered ichose hand bad sent that pai-ticular trial to her ; and tben she would pray for grace to bear in mind our Saviour's words, "In your patience possess ye your souls." Strength came in answer to her prayer, and Nellie Xewton learned the blessedness, at length, of having no other will in her affliction than the will of God. Patiently, therefore, she strove to take up her daily cross ; and the tune came when one could not have wished to see a more cheerful, contented expression than that which rested habitually on lame Nellie's gentle foce. In a year or two Nellie became a design- er of new patterns for her lace, as the more skillful workers often do. In this manner her natural taste developed itself; and while it rendered her labor more interest- ing, it gave her an object for seeking oat A NEW Fr.IEXD. 05 of doors the fern-leaves and wild flowers with which the beautiful Devonshire lanes and hedge-rows abound ; and by degi'ees she learned to see a wondrous beauty in God's book of nature, which she had never even suspected before. One summer day, when Kellie was in her fifteenth year, Stronnale was astonished by the somewhat unwonted sight of a gen- tleman walking do^^^l the steep village street. Little children playing in the road stopped to stare ; heads were thrust out of cottage doors, and all eyes followed the stranger, who little knew the excitement his presence had created. "What could bring him to Stronnale ? " was the question on every tongue. " May be 'tis fish he wants," thought Mrs. Xeale, as he saun- tered slowly on past her door ; whereupon she seized the chance of turning an honest penny, by rushing out upon him with tlie 66 NELLIE NEWTOy. query, "Any fish, to-day, sir? fine fresh turbot and lobsters , crabs or whiting ? I've a lot of prawns, fresh boiled, sir, as fine as any I've had this long "while : would ye please to look at them, sir?" "Not to-day, thank you," said the stranger, without stopping, much to her disappointment ; and w^alking on down the street, and turning ofi* to the right, he soon reached JNIrs. Newton's cottage, where Nellie was sitting at the door, busied as usual with her lace-pillow. "Ah," he said to himself as he made a pause by the gate, "this looks more like the kind of thing. Can you tell me, my good girl," added he, aloud, "if I could manage to get a clean bedroom any where about here, for a week or two ? " " Vr^on't you please to walk in , sir ? " said Nellie, rising ; " mother's indoors, and she'd MK. RIVEKSDALE. A XEJV rniEXD. 07 be able to tell you better tliau I can." The a'eutlemau followed her in, and ]Mrs. Xew- ton came forward, dusting a chair with her apron, as she said, ''Did you please to say ■\'ou wanted a room in the villai]^e, sir?" "Yes, if I can find a corner decently clean and tidy. I don't mind much what it's like, providing I'm not poisoned with the smell of fish from morning till night. You don't seem to be doing any thing in that line," said he, looking round the neat cottage ; " don't you think now you could put me up somewhere yourself? " Mrs. Newton shook her head. " 'Tis but a poor place for the likes o' you, sir ; but even if you could put up wi' it, I don't see as how we could spare the room." "Mother," said Xellie, who was standing In', " d'ye think old Job could let the gen- tleman have a room up at the Warren ? " "Ay, may be he might now," replied 68 NELLIE XEWT02T. Mrs. Ne\^i;on, "leastways, farmer Trott could, for Job's only put iu to keep the place like. Ye see, sir, there an't many rooms round here as would be fit for gen- tlefolks ; but before the land about these parts came mto his hands — farmer Trott^s, that is — the AYarren belonged to a gentle- man, and he had this little place built, so that, now and agen, when so be as he liked to come down for a day's shoo tin' or sea- fishin', he might have a roof to his head ; and many's the time he's spent days there, and nio-hts too for the matter o' that." o " And whereabouts is the AYarren ? " said Mr. Eiversdale ; " for it seems to be the very thing to suit me." " It's may be a quarter of a mile further on, over the cliff, sir ; but 'tis not what it used to be now ; I doubt if there he's a chair or a table in the place — but there, A XEW FniEXD. GO farmer Trott could let ye have all ye waut for a week or two, I dare say." "And where maj' farmer Trott be found ?" said Mr. Eiversdale ; " for I suppose he's the person to apply to in the first instance." "Xellie, you take your bonnet and show the gentleman the way, will jq, like a good lass," said her mother. " Yon're welcome, I'm sure, sir," added Mrs. Newton, as the gentleman apologized for the trouble he was giving. " 'Tis but a step, and the air'll do her good, poor lassie ! " Farmer Trott was perfectly willing to let the rooms, and Mr. Eiversdale, being quite satisfied with the survey he made of the place and its situation, soon concluded the bargain. A good-sized kitchen below, and the same space divided into two small rooms at the top of the narrow stairway, was all the accommodation the cottage could boast, 70 NELLIE XElVTOy. besides the "leau-to," occupied by old Job, at the back ; but a carpet for the stone floor, with a mat or two, and a curtain for the shutterless window, soon transformed the lower room into a very decent parlor ; while a few comforts of a like nature, in- cluding a small iron bedstead, conveyed up-stairs, made a very tolerable bedroom — airy and clean, if not very luxurious. It was arranged that Mrs. Newton should come up every day to put things straight, and to act as Mr. Riversdale's house-keeper, so that every difficulty in the way was smoothed over. Mrs. Newton and Nellie were not without their simple curiosit}^ in the matter ; for why could not the gentle- man have taken a room in Waterton, where gentlefolk often went, and where he might have been more suitably lodged? "But 'twas none of their business," as Mrs. New- ton very justly remarked ; and so Mr. A NEW FRIEXD. 71 Eiversdale quietly took up his quarters at the Warreu without further ado. "Aud so," said he oue day, soon after he came, ''you are Xellie Xewton, are you? Well, it is an odd thing I should have lighted upon you all down here, for I've heard Miss Langton speak about Stronnale and lame Xellie many a time, though it never struck mc till now." " Oh, sir !" cried Xellie, delighted, " do you know Miss Langton?" " Well, Xellie, I ought to know some- thing of her, seeing that she's my mother's only sister; and what's more, I'm called after her, too, for my name is Langton Eiversdale — and a kinder, better aunt, a fellow never had," he added, in his warm- hearted, off-hand way. We may be sure ]Mr. Eiversdale did not fare any the worse after this discovery, for Mrs. Xewton and X'ellie, and old Job himself, vied with each 72 NELLIE NEWTON. other to do honor to their kind friend's relative ; though, for the matter of that, they soon liked the stranger so much for his own sake, that little more was needed to insure him", at their hands, the best treatment they knew how to give. CHAPTER Yl. A KEGHT OX THE CLIFFS. (fTV^Pv. EH^ERSDALE was an artist; ,^i. 1^ and the lovely sea and island views <' of the neighborhood, and the cV^ picturesque characteristics of the village itself, were his great attractions to Stromiale. The cottage in which he lodged was situated in as sweet a nook as his heart could desire, for a thickly wooded dip, or opening in the cliff, led down to a pebbly beach, which, however, twice in every tweutj'-four hours disappeared entirely when the waves rolled in, higher and higher, upon the shingle, till they dashed over the foot of the rock itself. The flat ground at the top was a rocky, rugged bit 5 73 74 NELLIE NEWTOX. of moorland, where hiinclrecls of rabbits had for years found a habitation amongst furze and heather, and the low brush-wood which clothed the ftice of the cliff. Far down below, the restless sea murmured its .never-endins^ sono* in the resoundins: caves. Mr. Rivcrsdale loved his art, as all true painters do ; but that did not prevent his occasionally throwing aside his palette and his brushes, and exploring the country on foot. Very often, too, he went out in the boats on a fishing expedition, and not a fisherman in the place but soon learned to know and like the open-hearted, free- spoken stranger. In Xellie Newton he had an especial interest, for her sensible, yet childish ways, and gentle manner, added to her infirmity, won the good-will of all. " Why, Xellie," said Mr. Eiversdale, one day, when he found her tracing a border A KIGJIT OX THE CLIFFS. lo of her favorite fcru-lcaf pattern for her lace-workj "you are doiug something in uiy line ! Eeally this is very pretty, and quite artistic," he added, presently, after having carefully examined the design ; "what do you intend this to be?" "I can't tell yet, sir," said Xellie, blush- ing vrith pleasure at the praise ; " may be a handkerchief, or a flounce for a dress, more like — if ever I get one to make." A little sigh followed this speech, as if such a commission were quite beyond poor Xellie's reach. " Have you any more of these designs ? " asked Mr. Eiversdale. " Oh yes, sir," answered Xellie, eagerly ; " would you please to " and the girl stopped, ashamed of her presumption. "Would I please to — what, Xellie?" said he, laughing — " buy some of j^our lace, I suppose ? Well, I am afraid that's not 76 NELLIE NEWTOy. much in my way just uow, but I should like to see your designs, nevertheless." " That's what I meant, sir," said Nellie, quite pleased ; and taking her crutches, she went to the old-fashioned bureau at the other side of the cottage, and took out of a drawer a carefully folded blue paper, which contained all her treasures. Mr. Eivers- dale was much interested in the elegance and correct beauty of the sprigs, which she displayed with great pride against the blue ground, and gave Nellie some useful hints to help her in improving her patterns. "Dear me, Nellie, how heavy your lace- cushion is ! " said he, lifting it. "We call it a 'pilt,' sir," replied Nellie, smiling. " 'Tis no wonder it's heavy, for it's stuffed with a whole bundle of barley straw. For ' trawl work,' * such as I'm * Yard-lace, which is wound round and round the pillow until enough is made. A XIGHT OX THE CLIFFS. 77 about now, I couldn't use any other ; but for sprigs and the like, I have a smaller flat one." " Show the master the ' sticks ' as Jacob made for ye, Xcll, the last time he was home ; they're as pretty a set as ever I see," said Mrs. Newton. Nellie drew Mr. Riv- ersdale's attention to the carving of the little wooden reels on which her thread was wound. "The lads about here often make 'em for presents," continued Mrs. Newton, "and cut the name, or leastways, the first letters on 'em ; and Nellie thinks a deal of hers, for they're better than common." "And very pretty they are, too," said Mr. Eiversdale. "Well, Mrs. Newton," added he, at last, "I must be going now; but I hope some day we shall hear of Nel- lie's being a famous lace-maker, — and per- haps she may have an order for the royal 6* 78 NELLIE NEWTON: familyj who knows ? " Nellie laughecl, and shook her head ; but the few kind words the gentleman had said cheered the poor lame girl, and encouraged her to be iudus- ti"ious and persevering in her work. We little know, sometimes, how much good v/e may do to those about us by a kind w^ord or thoughtful action, trifling as it may seem in itself. The object of 'My. Eiversdale's visit to Mrs. Newton was to ask her to have his dinner ready by two o'clock, as he had some plan arranged for the afternoon which he particularly wished to carry out. Ac- cordingly, she wont up to the Warren, and had everj^ thing in readiness in good time, knowing that Mr. River sdale was very punctual in his habits . Two o'clock struck , however, and no Mr. Kiversdale came ; — an hour passed, and Mrs. Newton, finding she could vrait no longer, left full instruc- A NIGHT OX THE CLIFFS. id tions with old Job, and went home, prom- ising to come back later. Mrs. Xewton, as it happened, was detained, so she sent Xellie in her stead to make every thing comfortable as usual in the evening, — but still Mr. Eiversdale had not made his appearance. "Hasn't he been home to his dinner. Job?" saidXellie. " Xoa, but he an't far off now, I reckon,'' answered th'e old man. " Most like he's met wi' a friend and gone off wi' um or summat ; he'll be in soon, never fear." "AVell," said Xellie, "I'll put on the kettle then, and ye'll see to it. Job, won't ye ? for I can't wait." "Ay," said he ; "you just set the things all ready afore ye go, and I'll see to it." It was a still, calm evening, and Xellie paused to rest for a moment as she went home. Few sounds reached her, save the 80 NELLIE XEIFTOy. low plasli of the sea along the shore, and the cry of the gulls, as they skimmed . the blue water, or wheeled round the cliffs ou snowy wing. A light breeze seemed to spring up suddenly, and on it was wafted the clang of a distant church clock strik- ing seven ; and still Xellie lingered looking out over the sea. The tall chffs hid the little bay of Stronnale, but further off, she could see Waterton, with its white houses and flat beach, and the great red rocks ris- ing up beyond it ; and further away still on the distant horizon, she could dimly discern the hills of Portland, like a boat keel upwards, hardly distinguishable throuHi the eveninsf mist. A small fleet of fishing-boats standing out to sea, pre- paring to take up their stations for the night, and the sheep cropping the fine herbage of the cliff close at hand, with the low-wooded hills in the backgi'ound, com- A NIGHT OX THE CLIFFS. 81 pleted the picture. "All," thought Xellie, '' how thankful I should be that God did not take away my sight, instead of mak- ing: me lame, — what should I have done if I had been blind ? " Tears started to her eyes ; but presently she began to sing the familiar words of a h}Tnn she had learned in the Sunday school : — "Holy, lioly, holy, Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity ! " But hark ! — surely she heard a cry, as of some one calling for help ! She paused in her singing. Xo sound reached her now but the tinkhug of the sheep-bell, added to the murmur of the waves. Could it have been only her fancy ? She listened for some time, strainmg her ear to catch the faintest sound ; but no, — the evening 82 NELLIE xEirroy. breeze stirred her sun-bonnet, which had fiillen back upon her shoulders, but it bore upon it no call for aid. She moved on slowly, listening as she went, and once airain she thou2:ht she heard a distant "Halloo." "'Tis only the men on the beach, getting out the boats," she said to herself, as she hastened on towards home. "Well, Nellie, lass, have you put all to rights?" said Mrs. Newton; "and I hope you told master how it were I couldn't come up myself? " "Mr. Eiversdale an't a' come home yet, mother." "Not a' come home!" said Mrs. New- ton, in a tone of surprise; "well, now, that's strange, for he came back agen to tell me to be sure and have his dinner ready. What's kep' him, I wonder? It an't never likely he's got into any trouble, surely ? " A XIGHT OX THE CLIFFS. 83 In an instant Nellie tliouglit of the ciy she had heard. " Oh ! mother," she said, " d'je know I heard some one a' calling, I'm sure I did, as I come over the cliff, for I listened ever so long, and heard it twice, as plain as could be, only I thought most like 'twere the men on the shore. It couldn't be him a-shoutin' for help, could it? " "I'm sure I can't say, but I'm not easy about it, for I've known a many lose their lives on these cliffs, in my time." "What's best to be done, mother?" said Xellie. " Oh ! I do hope there's noth- ing wrong ! " "TVhy, child, don't ye shake so, — may be it's nothing after all, for there's no tell- ing what a young man like him might do, when he's a mind to; but there, — you get your supper, and I'll just step up to 84: NELLIE NEWTON. the Warren by and by, and sec if he's come in then." But Mr. Riversdale had not made his appearance ; his dinner remained still un- touched, and even old Job became restless and uneasy as the shades of evening deep- ened into night, and yet he did not come. "But there," he said, "I dunno' as there's any use to trouble about it, for there's no sayin' if he an't out in one o' th' bwoats, or summat." So Mrs. Newton returned home, though she could not feel quite sat- isfied; but then, what was to be done? The men of the village were almost all out, and Job's suggestion as to the cause of ]\Ir. Riversdale's absence was very probably the true one, and he would come in with one of the fishinof-boats in the mornino:. It seemed so likely that her mind at length became easier, and she went to rest, with few misgivings about his safety, after read- A NIGHT OX THE CLIFFS. 85 ing a chapter in the large old Bible with her children, as her custom was, and com- niittiuof herself and them to the care of their heavenly Father during the silent hours of darkness and sleep. CHAPTEE Vn. THE RESCUE. )0T so Nellie, however. She coalcl yi^ not forget Mr. Eiversclale's kincl- \^^ ness ; and anxiety lest he might possibly have come to some harm, kept her awake. The short summer night soon passed by, though to her it seemed long ; and with the earliest dawn she rose softly, not wishing to awake her mother, and went out into the dewy morning. It was still hardly light, when, taking the pathway along the top of the cliff, she went towards the Warren. JSTothing was stir- ring save the sea-birds, already busy in seeking food for their young; but the morning had not yet thoroughly aroused THE RESCUE. 87 the inlial3itants of the hedgerows and fields, for as she passed a low, tangled patch of furze, a blackbuTl, alarmed by the sound of her crutches, suddenly flew out, start- ling her with its loud, sharp cry, and im- mediately the twittering on every side denoted a general reawakening to the bus- iness and cares of the day. The cottage at the Warren was closed, and Xellie, looking in at the window of the lower room, saw every thing exactly as she had left it the evening before, and Mr. Eivei'sdale had evidently been absent all night. Sick at heart with fear lest their misgivings might be all too well founded, she turned away from the cot- tage, and wandered along the edge of the cliff. " Oh," she thought, « if I could but hear that cry now, may be I might find him. I wish we'd tried to look last night ; " for she could not dispossess her mind of 88 NELLIE NEWTON. the idea that it was Mr. Riversclale's voice after all that she had heard. On and on she walked, until almost exhausted, for the crutches always wearied her, and she was faint for want of food, and now was fain to sit down and rest. "It's no use," she said to herself. " I might a' thought I could do no good. Only if I could but hear him call again, may be I might get help." Every thing was wide awake now ; the wild flowers which hung their heads, crowned with the heavy dew, were begin- ning to look up again as the sunbeams kissed away the drops ; and the clover un- folded its triple leaves in the bright morn- ing light. Blue smoke curled up from many a distant farm-house and outlying hamlet, and busy sounds of life reached I^ellie as she sat on the bank, not caring to turn back after her fruitless walk, and equally uncertain about going further. " I THE JIESCUE. 89 suppose I'd best go home," she thought, at last ; and rising rather reluctantly, she went as near as she dared to the edge of the clilT, and looked over. The crags just at that spot were precipitous, rising almost perpendicularly from the shore ; and as she tried to look down, her head became dizzy, and she was obliged to tm*n Cjuickly away lest she might lose her balance, — when the sudden flutter of somethinsf white, midway up the rock, a few hundred yards further on, caught her eye. She was anxiously'trying to make out what this could be, when the wind lifted it again, and she could plainly distinguish a hand- kerchief tied to the lonfir trailins^ runner of a blackberry bush, and seemingly placed there intentionally. Her heart beat flist. "Was this Mr. Eiversdale's sisfnal of dis- tress? The rock seemed to be inacces- sible from above, and to look over even made her giddy. 90 NELLIE NEWTON. "Is any body there?" she cried, and her own voice sounded strangely weak and low. No answer came, but a faint echo. Again she raised her voice, and more loudly this time, and, oh ! joy, a reply came from below, and indeed it was Mr. Riversdale ! " Holloa, there !" he cried, "whoever you are, for pity's sake give me help, will you? Get a good strong rope, and a couple of men." " Oh, sir ! oh, Mr. Eiversdale ! " shout- ed Nellie, as loudly as she could, "is that you ? I'll go as fast as ever I can. 'Tis me, sir, — Nellie Newton." " You, Nellie ! " he returned ; " well, be as quick as you can, there's a good girl, and get some one to help me up." Nellie hobbled off to a farm-house, the nearest she could see. She did not know who lived there, but on hearing her tale, THE RESCUE. 91 tlicy came with all speed to Mr. Eivers- dale's assistance, though cveu then a good deal of delay was unavoidable ; and a man being let down over the cliff, by means of a rope, he by and by managed, not with- out difficulty, to help him, sadly cramped and benumbed, out of his perilous position. "Safe once more, thank God," said he, lifting his hat reverently when he stood on level ground. " I scarcely thought, at one time, I should have been able to hold on much lonsrer : and if I had once lost mv balance, it would have been all over with ^ me." " Ay," said the farmer, who had hastened to the spot at Nellie's urgent request, " them rocks an't the most cheery place to spend the night on. How did it come about, sir? but there, — I must ask 3^our pardon, for sure enough yc're not fit to tell a story, nor aught else, by the looks of yc ; and if 92 NELLIE XEWTOy. yell just step up to the house, and have a mouthful of summat to eat, may be 'twould put some strength into ye." " A very comfortable suggestion, which I shall be only too glad to accept, — and this lassie, too," said Mr. Eivcrsdale, sud- denly turning to the young girl, who stood quietly by, thankful for the support of her crutches, and with tears of joy in her eyes at the thought of having been of some use, — "why, Nellie, how came you here?" 1^ Nellie related in her simple way the events of the last few hours, not forget- ting to mention the shouts which had so strongly impressed her. "If it hadn't a' been for that, you know, . sir, I should never a' thought about it ; for mother, she made sure you'd gone out in one of the boats ; but somehow, I couldn't THE RESCUE. 93 sleep for tliinking of those cries, — and oh, sh', thank God you're safe at last ! " "It was God who sent you to my help, I can not but think, Xellie ; for though I shouted and shouted again, no one seemed to hear ; and I waved my handkerchief as well, for a long time, in hope one of the boats might see it from out at sea." " But how did you get there, sir ? " asked Xellie. "Why, Xellie, I carelessly allowed my- self to be surrounded by the tide, as I Avas strolling along the shore, and not being willing to wait several hours, until I could get round the Head again, I thought I would try to scale the rocks, and managed to scramble half-way up tolerably well ; but, at last, it became too steep for me, and I found I could neither get higher up, nor even clamber down ; so there I was on a little ledge of the cliff, where there was 94 NELLIE NEWTOy. scarcely standing room, and very little to hold on by I A most unpleasant position, I can assnre you, to keep for nearly eight- een hours ; for had I made the least false movement, it would certainly have been at the risk of being dashed to pieces on the shingle below ! " Xellie shuddered. " Oh ! sir, how thankful I am I got up and came along the cliff this morning I " "Yes, N"ellie, and I hope it has taught me a lesson of deeper thankfulness to the Great Keeper of his people, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, while he watches over our going out and coming in, and has so mercifully preserved me from this danger." By this time they had reached the farm, and Mr. Hockey, the farmer, who had hur- ried on to make preparations for breakfast, came out to meet them, followed by his THE RESCUE. \)o good wife, from -syhom they received a hearty welcome. By the time they left the form it was quite eight o'clock; and Mrs. Xewton, who had been fidgeting iu and out many times, looking for Xellie, at length went up to the ^Varren. What was her sur- prise, when she saw Mr. Riversdale him- self driving Xellie up to the cottage in the former's light cart, which he had insisted on placijig at his disposal. " Oh ! sir," she exclaimed, as she ran out, "what has been the matter? We've been in such a taking about ye ! " " And might have been for a good long time, perhaps, Mrs. Xewton, if it had not been for Xellie here," said Mr. Eivers- dale, — and then the whole story had to be gone over again. " Well, to be sure ! " said Mrs. Xewton ; "to think of you having been (Uit all night 6* 06 NELLIE NEWTON. ou the rocks ! But God be praised you are safe at last, for it's not the first time I have heard tell of terrible things happen- ing amongst these cliffs about here." This little incident was quite an event in Nellie's quiet life ; and we shall find that it was the means, under Providence, of changing the tenor of her whole future history. '-^ CHAPTEE Yin. OLD JOB. )Pv. RIYERSDxVLE did not remain much longer at Stronnale, and all regretted his departure. A week 'i^'^ or two after he had left, a letter came for Xellie Xewton, — an event so unwonted, she could scarcely believe that it was true ; indeed, I am not sure if it were not the very first she had ever received in her life. She read the addi'css again and again, and examined the stamp, then turned it over and looked at the post- mark, and wondered who could have sent it, until at last, it occurred to her that she must open it before she could find out. " What can the postman want Avith our 97 98 NELLIE NEWTOX. Nell?" said Bill, who was getting ready for school. " Why, mother, she's got a letter, do just look ! " and both the chil- dren ran out to the gate in eager haste. "Who is it from?" said Mrs. Newton, as Nellie put it into her hand ; " why, it's for you, child ! — well, let's see what it's all about." It proved to be from their kind friend, ]\Iiss Langton ; and who can describe Nel- lie's delight w^hen she found it contained, — what do you think? — an order for a bridal veil of the finest work and most beautiful pattern she could design ! It was to be a gift, as the letter informed her, and must be completed before the end of the year ; consequently she Vv^ould have to work very hard to get it ready in time. And thus, at last, one of Nellie's dearest wishes was to be fuliilled, and she vras really to undertake a piece of vrork, the OLD JOB. 99 payiiient for which would enable lier to be of very great assistance to her mother. "Oh," she exclaimed, "I am so thank- ful ! Xow we'll be able to get a good thick blanket or two before this Avinter sets in, — don't you remember how we wanted them last Christmas? and a warm shawl for you, motlier, and may be a frock and a pair of strong boots for Mercy and Bill. I do believe God has put it into her heart to give us the order, clear, kind lady ! for you know 'tvv^as only last Aveek we were saying how hard 'twould be to get through this winter, when every thing is so dear." "Ay, lass, he'll never let the widow and the orphan want who put their trust in him," said Mrs. Xewton ; " but, mind you, there's many a w^eary hour afore the last stitch is done, and you'll have to work hard not to disappoint the lady." It was by no means the hrst order for 100 NELLIE NEWTON. lace-TTork ^hich Nellie had received, let the reader understand. But the secret of the difference to her was this ; when lace had been bespoken by the dealer, in those days, the payment was generally made in orders on certain shops, where even then they would receive such articles only as the shop-keeper chose, and, too often, un- principled tradesmen would compel the poor lace-workers to take such goods off their hands as were either damaged, or of bad quality, or otherwise unsalable. The lace-women constantly complained of this great hardship, but in vain, for by no other possible means could those who lived in secluded parts of the country get a sale at all for their wares. Doubtless the easier conveyance of goods by means of the railway has been the chief cause of the gradual decline of the many evils of the " truck " system which used to oppress OLD JOB. 101 SO many of the poor ; but Xellic aud her mother had often sighed over the parcel they had brought home from the linen- draper's, in payment for many a weary day's work, when, perhaps, they sorely needed flour from the mill for their daily bread, or money in hand to pay the rent which was already overdue. It was this, therefore, that gave Kellie additional pleas- ure in receiving an order direct from pri- vate hands, and she resolved to do her very best, not only for the sake of her grateful attachment to Miss Langton, but also that she might give such satisfliction to her kind employer as might lead her, possibly, to recommend her vrork to others. The lace was so fine that it was little Mrs. Xewton could do in the way of helping Nellie, for her eyes were failing, and she had never been a very expert worker. "XeFlic, lass," she would say, "I Avish I 102 NELLIE XEWTOX. could be o' more help to ye, but I expect 'twould be more of a hindrance than aught else if I tried." And Xellie would answer, with one of her cheerful smiles, "Never you mind, mother ; you know 'tis all I can do now, so 'tis just as it should be." But, truth to tell, Nellie did often get weary, and longed to throw aside her " pilt ; " for day after day brought with it the same sprigs to make, and the same work to do, over and over again. But Nellie had already begun to learn another lesson in the school of life, — that of per- severance in labor, without which great talents and abilities have been too often wasted. Little by little her work grew under her diligent hand; and as it pro- gressed, her mother sometimes began to fear lest her application to it might be too close for her health, and would often per- suade her to go up to the Warren on some OLD JOB. 103 kind errand to old Job, upon whom the infirmities of age were pressing somewhat heavily. The poor old man delighted in her visits, and would often ask her to take "the Book," as he always called the large- print Bible his clergyman, ]Mr. Morton, had given him, that she might read him one of his favorite chapters. He had never been "much of a scholar," as he used to say ; and now that his eyes were dim, Xellie's clear young voice sounded very sweet to him, as she read* aloud the holy words which he could hardly distin- guish for himself. For a long time a work of grace, silent but none the less real, had been going on in the old man's heart, dat- ing from the hour when XelHe's patient submission to the will of God, under se- vere pain and trial, had impressed itself so deeply on his mind ; and he, too, longed to possess a religion which conld thus sap- 104 NELLIE NEWTON. port and comforf the true believer under sorrow and suflcring. Little by little ho learned to see, as he watched Nellie's daily life, that humble faith in a crucified Ee- deemer was the mainspring of all her actions ; and though far from being per- fect, he felt that there was a reality in the religion which influenced all her conduct. Her words on the subject were very few and simple, but they were such as old Job could easily understand ; and through her gentle and child-like teaching, all unknown to herself, she had been made the instru- ment in God's hand of leading the old man to a knowled^'c of his lost and sinful state by nature, and of the only refuge for the weary and heavy laden with the burden of sin, even Jesus Christ the Eighteous. He had realized the preciousness of that truth that Christ is able to save to the utter- most, and of that word of promise, " Him OLD JOB. 105 that Cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." "Ah, Nellie, lass," he said, one autmnu day, as she sat on a low scat by his side, looking out upon the calm, gray sea, "ye have been an old man's blessing and com- fort this many a day, and God Avill reward ye for it, though I can't. Ye've been more to me than ye think, for if it hadn't a' been for 3'ou I should never have known what a miserable old sinner I've been all my days. Ay," he went on, as the tears rolled down his wrinkled face, " true enough I've gone astray like a lost sheep, but I humbly trust that the Good Shepherd has found me wandering, and led me into his fold, and that he'll guide me safe home at last. 'Twon't be long now, lassie ; and thank the Lord I hope I'm ready to go when he calls me ; but 'tis all of his goodness and mercy if I be." 106 NELLIE NEWTOX. "Yes," said Xellie, "that's what we must all say, — * being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.' It's only the precious blood of Jesus that can cleanse us from all sin ; for you know the Bible says, * There is no difference; for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.' " " Ay," returned the old man, " the Book says so ; and so it is, though I sometimes sit and think how wonderful it be that there's but one way for young and old, rich and poor ; and that 'tis a free gift to all, — to as many as will take it. But there," he added, with the simple faith of a little child, " 'tis not for the like of me to wonder at the Lord's doings, except it be that he has had mercy on a poor old sinner who has never loved nor served him all through a long life as he ought to a' done, — but who humbly trusts that he'll OLD JOB. 107 be accepted, even at the eleventh hour, for the sake of Him who died on the cross, — the Lord Jesus Christ." Nellie had not many more talks with her old friend, for very soon after this J oh was taken to his rest ; but as she stood by the newly-made grave, she felt she could not grieve as for one whom she could have no hope of meeting again ; for she was sure that the foith which had brii^htened his declining years was true and sincere, and that he would be one amongst that great multitude who will hereafter sing the new song of praise and honor and glory to Him who giveth us the victor}^, — even to the "Lamb of God," vdio was slain to "take away the sin of the world." CHAPTER IX. Nellie's surprise. FTER many a weary stitch, as Mrs. Newton had said, at length the 'PpSjy veil was finished ; and every one '^Q^ who saw it pronounced it a most beautiful piece of workmanship. There still remained a week to the time which Miss Langton had fixed ; and with the greatest care Nellie packed it up in the flat card-board box she had procured on purpose, and despatched it to its destina- tion. " Oh, mother," she said, "I do hope it'll go all right. I'll be in such a way till I know that Miss Lans^ton has Cfot it." But several days passed, and no tidmgs came, which made Nellie restless and un- 108 XELLIE'S SURPRISE. 109 easy, lest any harm should have happened to the precious box. It was drawing towards Christmas time, and the weather was cold and boisterous, so that thej could no longer sit with open doors and windows, when one afternoon, just as they had put on the kettle for their tea, and Xelb'e had given up all hopes of hearing any tidings of the veil for that day, a knock came at the door. " Does Xellie Xewton live here ? " said a cheerful voice, as jN'ellie opened it ; andou being invited in, a pleasant-looking young woman, with a small milliner's basket in her hand, entered. "I've brought a mes- saii'e from Miss Lano'tonfor vou," she said, as she took the chair by the fireside which ]Mrs. Xewton had offered her. "Is it about the veil?" asked Xellie, whose heart began to beat quite tast. " Yes ; I was bid to say that she was 7 110 NELLIE NEWTOX. very well pleased with it, and that it reached her quite safely. But it's not alto- gether that I've come about, either," said the young woman. " I wonder, now, if you'd be able to guess ? " "Something else?" said Nellie, in sur- prise. " I don't know that I expected to hear about any thing else, exce^Dt, may be " she stopped, not liking to appear so impatient to be paid for her work. "Nor I don't believe you'd ever guess, neither," said the young woman, laughing, "if I gave you from now till bed-time. Why, it's just this : Miss Langton wants you to come to Thornecliffe to see the wed- ding that is to be. "hlj mistress is going to drive over in her own carriage, and as I wait onher, I'm going too ; and Miss Lang- ton has asked jMrs. Scaforth to let you go along with me, — leastways, if you like to come, that's to say; and I don't suppose you'll bo one to refuse." NELLIE'S sunpniSE. Ill "Me go to see the wedding I " said poor Xellie, who had never been more than live miles out of Stronnale in her life, quite bewildered at the news. " You can't mean it, surely?" " Why, child, ye've got nothing fit to go in along wi' this young woman," said Mrs. Newton, thinking with dismay of poor Nellie's wardrobe, and surveying their vis- itor—who was dressed, in her estimation, "like a lady " — from top to toe, through her spectacles. "I expect Miss Langton's thought of that, too," said Nancy IMorris, for that was the girl's name. " See here what I have brought with me," and she opened the basket and took out a bonnet and shawl and a neat stufl' dress, all ready for Nellie to wear on the eventful occasion. It was surprise upon surprise ! "All these for me?" said she, looking 112 jriLLIE NEWTOy. quite puzzled, and half afraid to examine the treasures which Nancy declared were hero. "Why, yes, to be sure. You don't zhink I'd have come all the way from Wa- tertou to bring them to you if they hadn't been?" returned she, amused at Nellie's doubts. "But now, if you'll let me have a cup of tea I shall be glad of it, before I start home again; for it is cold walking over the cliff I can tell you, with this wind blowins^ in one's teeth." Mrs. Newton, meanwhile, had slipped an extra spoonful of tea into the pot, and was quite ready to press Nancy to join their meal, who rattled on about the grand doings they would see at Thornecliffe, and the fine company, until Nellie felt quite abashed. At last, however, she got up to go. "It's to be on Wednesday, and we're KELLIE'S SURPniSE. 113 going on Tuesday, for ThorncclilTe's twenty miles away from here ; so be sure you're all ready, Nellie Xewton. By the way, my mistress bid me say that the carriage would pass the top of the lane up there beyond the church ; so if you'll be there by half-past twelve, we'll stop and pick you up. I'd most forgot to tell you, I declare ! " and so saying, Nancy took her leave. "Well, Nellie, who'd a' thought it?'* said Mrs. Newi:on, quite delighted at her lame gii'l's good fortune. " X\\ these nice clothes and an outing beside. Why, child, you'll be quite set up, — it'll do you good, that it will." " Isn't it kind of Miss Langton, mother? To think of her sending me all these I It's just like her goodness; and, do look, if there a'nt a pair of gloves besides ! " "Oh, Nell," said Mercy, "how I wish I 7* 114 KELLJE KEWTOir. was going too ! I should so like to see all the company, and the pretty dresses ; oh ! and the veil, — you'll see how that looks, and all, — for the lady's to wear it, an't she, mother?" "Ah, but I'd like to sit up beside the coachman, and see the horses, I would," said Bill. " What a jolly time you'll have, Nell ! an't you in luck, that's all." But nobody grudged Nellie her expedi- tion, for she was such a good daughter, and kind, loving sister, that they all re- joiced in her happiness ; and besides, they remembered how few pleasures the poor lame girl could enjoy in comparison with others. Tuesday came at length, and Nellie was carefully dressed by her mother's loving- hands in Miss Langton's kind present. It was wonderful the change it made in her appearance; for though every thing was NELLIE'S sunrniSE. 115 plain, and suitable to her station in life, still she had never before possessed a whole new suit, and her mother's eyes fliirly brimmed over as she looked at her child. When tTTclvc o'clock came, ^Irs. Xewton walked with her up to the top of the hill. All in good time Mrs. Seaforth's carriage made its appearance, and Xellie was helped up to a seat beside Xancy Morris, who was in the rumble behind. She had only time for a wave of the hand to her mother be- fore the carriage rolled away again, and Mrs. Xewton was left standing alone, look- ing after it, until a turn in the road hid her daughter from her sight. All was new to Xellie, and greatly she enjoyed the drive, though she felt a little timid sometimes, until Xancy's merry chat- ter put her quite at her ease. Oddly enough, she had never yet heard whoso wedding she was going to see, and it never 116 NELLIE NEWTOX. occurred to hor simple miud to be curious about the matter. She only remembered the great pleasure that was in store for her, of meeting her kind friend, Miss Langton, again, mingled with anxiety, which was but natural, to see the effect of the work of her own hands. As for the rest, she felt rather nervous at being brought into the company of so many strangers in the servants' hall at Thornecliffe, which Xancy described with such lively interest and delight. After a very long drive, the lodge-gates at Thornecliffe Hall at last opened to re- ceive them, and the carriaofc rolled alon«: the smooth drive until it came to a stand before the porch, where Mrs. Seaforth and another lady who was with her got out, and then John, the coachman, drove round to the stables. Here Nancy alighted, and Nellie being lifted down, they were ush- NELLIE'S sunrnisE. 117 erecl into the large kitchen, where a num- ber of servants were assembled. After a while, the house-keeper, who was a very grand ladj indeed, Xellie thought, in her black silk dress, came for her, and she was shown the vray to a small room, which she liked much better than the great servants' hall, where a bright fire was burning, with the kettle singing on the hob, and tea was ready set upon the table. " This is my own room, my dear," said Mrs. Koper, who was a kind, motherlj^ person ; " and as Miss Langton asked me to have a special care of you, I thought very likely you'd as soon come in here and have your tea with me, as be with that noisy set in the hall. So sit you down there by the fii'e, and make yourself com- fortable, while I pour out the tea." jS"ellie soon got over her shjmess, and she thought she had never tasted any thing 118 NELLIE NEWTON: SO good as the uice cake and preserve which Mrs. Roper gave her, for her long drive had made her hungry. She could not help wishing that her mother and ail of them were there to enjoy her visit with her ; but that could not be, and she felt a little frisrhtened as she thousfht how far away she was from every one she kncAV. She had seen nothing yet of Miss Langton, and, summonins: ni) courasje at last, she asked if "she were well, and whether she might see her by and by ? " "Oh, yes," said Mrs. Roper, " she's quite well, but there's a deal of company in the house, and she can't see you until the dressing-bell rings, and then you're to go up to her room ; but that won't be yet awhile, so you must just make yourself at home here in the mean time." This Nellie contrived to do sooner than she expected, for Mrs. Roper trJked to her NELLIE'S SULPmSE. UQ SO pleasantly, and asked so many questions about her lace-work, that before long she found herself chatting away as if she had known her all her life ; and when the great bell on the top of the house began to ring, she was astonished to find how quickly the time had passed. "I'm sure, ma'am, it's very kind of you to let me be here with you instead of along with the rest, for I began to feel quite afraid, wlien I saw what a many there was in the great room yonder," said Xellie, as she followed Mrs. Eoper up stau's to Miss Langton's room. "Here's Kellie Xewton, ma'am," said she, in ansv.'er to Miss Langton's gentle " Come in," after her knock ; and opening the door, she ushered Xellie in, and left her with her kind friend, whom she was overjo^'ed to see again. "^Veil, Xellie," said Miss Langtou, after the iir^t greetings vrcre over, '' I h-jpe ycni 120 NELLIE NEWTON, are pleased with our little plan for you. I thought it would be a treat to you to see how your own work looked, for indeed you have done it most skillfully." "You're very kind, ma'am," said Nellie ; " I'm sure I don't know how to thank you enough, and for all these beautiful thhigs you sent me, too ! Mother bid me give you her duty, and tell you how grateful we are for all ^^ou've done for us." "But you must remember, Nellie, you have done something for us, too. My nephew told me how you had been the means of getting him out of a sad difficul- ty, in the summer, — perhaps even of sav- ing his life, — so that we are in your debt now." " Oh ! ma'am, I'm sure 'twas nothing I did. ]Mr. Rivcrsdale was always so kind, and — and — oh ! ma'am, I'd always do any thing I could for any one that belonged NELLIE'S sunrnisE. 121 to you. I can never forget all you've done for me ; " and Xellie fairly broke down in her eagerness. " Well," said Miss Langton, "at any rate I owe you for six months' work, ^N'ellic, and that will amount to a good deal. But we will see about that before you leave Thornecliff. In the mean time, I hope they make you comfortable down-stairs ? " "Oh, yes, ma'am; Mrs. Roper gave me my tea in her own room, and she says I may stay there if I like, instead of going into the large hall with the others." "xVh, that's right. I dare say you do like it better, and I feel sure ^Irs. Roper will be kind to you," said Miss Langton. The morrow came, — a bright frosty da}', and not too cold. Every one was up betimes, and such a bustle and running to and fro, and giving of orders here, and ringing of bells there, Xcllic ne^cr hjard 122 KELLIE NEIVTOX. iu her life iDcfore. About half-past ten Nancy came for her, and bade her pat on her bonnet and shawl, for it was time for them to go to the church. "But stay," said she, " have you seen the breakfast- room 3'et?" "No," said Nellie, thinking in her own mmd it was rather late to be talking of breakfast. " Come along, then," said Nancy, " and we'll just peep in before we go." Such a sight as it was to Nellie, with the great white wedding-cake in the center, encir- cled with a beautiful ATreath ; and flowers in full bloom cyery here and there down the long table, scattenng their sweet per- fume over the whole room ; and numbers of bright and glittering things of which Nellie did not even know the use. " There, — I expect you never saw any thing like that in your life before ! " said Nancy, THE WEDDING SITPER. NELLIE'S sun PELS E. 123 with not a little pride at her ovni superior knowledge, and a slight dash of contempt for Nellie's ignorance, as she noticed her amazed look at so much finery ; " but we shall be late at the wedding, if we don't make haste." The pretty country church was deco- rated with evergreens, for it was close upon Christmas time ; and the red holly- berries shone brightly out of the dark foliage. Xellie was taken to a place which had been kept for her ; a great many ladies and gentlemen were there, and Xellie won- dered whether the bride could be among them or no, but she looked in vain for the veil, which she felt sure she Avould know at once ; and besides, all seemed waiting for some one else to arrive. At leni^ih Xancy whispered, "Here she comes!" and then Xellie saw a sweet-looldng young lady, dressed all in white, and half-hiddeu 124 NELLIE KEWTOX. by the veil, — her veil, every stitch of which Nellie seemed to remember, — walking up the aisle, leaning on the arm of a tall old gentleman. "That's her father," said Nancy; but Nellie had no eyes for any one but the bride, in the delicate lace which she, Nel- lie, had made with her own hands. She watched her all the way up the church, and then somebody stepped forwaixl to meet her. Surely Nellie must be dreaming, — but no, it was indeed Mr. Eiversdale who placed himself by the young lady's side ! Could she believe her eyes ? Nellie caught hold of Nancy's sleeve. " "Who's she go- ing to be married to ? " she whispered, in ffreat excitement. " Why, Mr. Eiversdale, to be sure ; don't you see him standing there ? " "To ^Ir. Eiversdale!" said Nellie: NELLIE'S sunmiSE. 125 " why they never told me, and I've been working all this while for " "Hush," said JN'ancy, and then^immedi- ately the service began. But Nellie could not get over her surprise ; every thing had acquired a new interest to her within the last few minutes ; and now, as she looked at Mr. Eiversdale and his fair young- bride, she thought how truly kind IMiss Langton had been, to give her such a pleas- ure as this. Little did she then imagine that it was Mr. Eiversdale himself who had planned it all, and who had given the order for the veil himself moreover, through his aunt, who might never have thought of it but for his suggestion. But now the ceremony was over, and a little table was brousrht down from the ves- try, which was an old-fashioned room, up a steep, dark stairway, very inconvenient to go up or dovrn ; and the registers were 126 NELLIE NEWTON. opened and the names were signed, and then every one came forward to congratu- late Mr. 'and Mrs. Eiversdale. Presently he turned and whispered a few words to his bride, and they both crossed over, and spoke to Nell, who stood up covered with blushes at being so publicly noticed. "Well, Nellie," said Mr. Eiversdale, laughing, " don't you think your workman- ship is Avell bestowed ? But my wife has come to thank you for having looked after me so well that summer mornins: amon2:st the rocks. I assure you, Margaret," he added, in a low tone, "I might never have seen this happy day, if it had not been for Nellie Newton, through God's mercy." "Indeed," said Mrs. Eiversdale, with tears in her eyes, " I have been wishing to see you for a long time, to thank you m}^- self ; and I am so glad to think that you NELLIE'S SCJirHLb'E. 127 were able to make my veil for me, for it will always be a pleasant meraor)\" Nellie's heart was too full to allow her to reply; but years after, she spoke of that moment as oue of the proudest aud happiest she had ever kuowu iu her life. CHAPTER X. THE BIRTHDAY GIFT, )ELLIE did not see Miss Langton again that day, for she was too much occupied with the guests as- sembled at ThornecliiFe to attend to She was very happy, however, in Eoper's snug little room, who showed her many things she had never seen in her life before. But Nellie enjoyed going into the large green-house, full of beautiful and bright flowering plants, most of all; and the gardener was so pleased with her expressions of delight that he gave her a little plant in a pot to take home with her next day, telling her at the same time how to tend it properly, which she 128 THE BIRTHDAY GIFT. 129 promised to do. The effect of tae kindly notice taken of Nellie by Mr. and ]Mrs. Eiversdale on Nancy's demeanor ^vas won- derful to behold. Question followed ques- tion, until at length she succeeded in learn- ing the whole story, when her patronizing air grew qnite respectful. Indeed, Xellio was made so much of by ^Irs. Roper and some of the older servants, that had she not accidentally overheard some thought- less and rather nnkind remarks about her lameness, her poor little head might havo been almost turned. She felt it keenly ; but if the medicine was bitter, it did her good, and helped to keep her from being too much elated by her good fortune. Next day Miss Langton sent for her to her own room, and talked to her for some time with so much real interest in her wel- fare, that Nellie thought it was the most pleasant part of her visit to Thornecliffe, 130 NELLIE XEWTOX, for it recalled the bappy clays when she used to be taught by her kind friend. "And now," said Miss Langton, at length, as she put into Nellie's hands a purse, containing ample payment for her many hours of toil, bending over her lace- pillow, " do you remember a talk we had lonsr a£:o tosfether about the future? I recollect you were very much cast down because you thought you would never be able to help your good mother, as you had hoped, by active service ; and I reminded you then how God oftentimes used the very means we fancied most unfavorable to bring about his own good purpose towards us. Now, I think, you find that * all things Aare worked together' for your good, do you not, my dear? Probably you would never have been able to earn so much in service as I hope you vrill now do ; and besides this, Nellie, I trust that far better THE LinrnDAY GIFT. 131 blessings than mere eai-tlily ones have been added unto you, — even the * peace and joy in believing,' which our heavenly Father intends to be the fruit of the trials he sends to his children." Very soon after, Mrs. Scaforth's car- riage came to the door, and Xellie bade farewell to Miss Langton and Mrs. Roper, vrho had been so kind to her, with regret ; but she longed, nevertheless, to be once more in her own home, and was eager to recount all the doings of the past two daj's to her dear mother, as well as to place in her hand the first fruits of her own Libor. Years passed quickly on, and during the interval great changes had taken place in almost every direction, bnt still Stronnale remained, in all its main features, the same quiet fishing-viilage as of yore. Xo 8* 132 NELLIE newton: railway as yet peuctrated into its immedi- ate neighborhood, though each year brought it nearer and nearer to the lonely hamlet mider the cUfF. Old and young had been added to the number of the silent dwellers in the churchyard, but others had taken their places, and the same brown houses were, for the most part, occupied by those who bore the same names, and followed the same handicrafts as their fathers had before them. As time crept on, it had brought some changes to the Newtons, but they could still thank God that death had caused no blank by their fireside, and that their flim- ily circle, although it was now seldom com- plete around it, was yet unbroken. Nel- lie was, of course, her mother's constant companion, and was very often the only one at home. Esther was happily mar- ried, and lived not far off. Jacob was now THE mnrnDAY gift. 133 master of a fishing-smack, and had taken Bill on hoard to train him also to a sea-far- ing life, rather to his mother's discontent, which, however, was overruled vrhen she saw his evident fitness and liking for it. jMercy had gone into ]\Irs. Eiversdalo's service while still quite 3'oung, and now held a position of some responsibility in the household, where she was respected and esteemed by her master and mistress, and loved by their children. Xellie's work had increased so rapidly after the making of the veil, that at length it was suggested to her that it might be useful to her neighbors, as well as an ad- vantage to herself, if she established a school for lace-making. Accordingly, the phm was carried out, and had proved so successful, that Nellie was never to be seen in vrorkins: hours otherwise than surround- cd by a busy group of girls, whom she 134 KrLLir keiftox. first of all taught, and afterwards employed in the execution of her orders. Some of these "were engaged, therefore, in making delicate sprigs, others in joining old frag- ments of lace, which looked like old rags, until b}^ careful skill they vrere so put to- gether and fitted in with new work, that the whole became an elegant flounce, or tunic, or handkerchief, such as one can see any day in the shop windows in London. Others, again, who were only beginners, learned the m^^steries of "single-stitch," *^ no-pin stitch," " diamond cut," or " raised- work," according to their various attain- ments and capabilities. Nellie Newton was no longer in the first bloom of her j^outh, but she still found that patience and perseverance in her appoint- ed work were as needful, if not even more so than in her younger days ; and it was, perhaps, this feature in her character which THE BIRTHDAY GIFT. 135 enabled her to be so useful to the young people whom she superintended. Thej all loved Xellie, whose Christian example and gentle admonitions were not lost upon them; and many were able, in after life, to trace back their first serious impressions, and their fii*st steps in a right direction, to her counsels and kindly interest in their welfare, Xellie might also be found every Sunday in the school, endeavoring to lead the little ones there to that Saviour whom she her- self knew to be the only refuge from the storms and tempests of sin and trouble. In short, her gentle influence for good was a real blessing to those about her in the villa2:e where she lived. It was her Gfreat aim to brius: relij^ion into all the minor concerns of daily life, thus commending it to all around her. lYith one more little incident in Xcllio 136 NELLIE NEWTON. Newton's quiet life, we must bring our story to a close, trusting that it may not entirely fail in its oljject of teaching, how- ever imperfectly, that God's blessing will surely follow patient submission to his holy ■will, and diligent perseverance in our ap- pointed work, whatever it may be. In the summer of 18 — , a few of Nellie's scholars discovered by chance that the 20th of July was their beloved teacher's birth- day, and they resolved, on that occasion, to give her some little token of their grate- ful attachment. IMiss Langton had inter- ested herself very much in Nellie's under- taking, and had never failed to visit her school when she came into the neighbor- hood. To lier, therefore, as she was iu Waterton, they determined to appl}^ — begging the kind-hearted lady to advise them in the choice of a gift, and entrusting her with its purchase. The sum collected THE BIRTHDAY GIFT. 137 amou2:st them was far from beiiiG: a laro:e one, for it bacl.loeen saved out of hard-won earnings ; but it would be sufficient, Miss Lan!]:ton thouirbt, with some little addition from her own purse, to buy a neat clock, of which they had often felt the want in their work-room. All were delighted with the su2:2:c3tion. It was arranged beforehand that Xellie should take a holiday on that day; and, quite unconscious of any surprise in store for her, she determined to invite such of her scholars as liked to come, to drink tea with her mother and herself. The girls were charmed, for this suited their plans admiriibly. It was to be a family gather- ing as well ; for Jacob and Bill, now line young men, were able to be at home ; and Esther, with her husband and children, had promised to join them. It was as much as they could do to 138 NELLIE NEWTON. squeeze into so small a room, but somehow or other it was managed; and it would have been diiScult to find a happier party than the one assembled that summer after- noon in Mrs. Newton's best parlor, enjoy- ing the strawberries and cream which Miss Langton's kind forethought had provided for them. The clock, their birthday gift, had been secretly conveyed earlier in the day to a neighbor's cottage, that when Miss Langton made her appearance, as she was expected to do towards evening, it might be close at hand. It had been a pleasant day altogether to Nellie Newton, and her heart was filled with deep but silent thankfulness to her Father in heaven, for the many mercies he bad bestowed upon her. Her mother, though getting on in years, was yet hale and hearty, and Nellie felt happy in the thought that she was now able by her own THE BIRTHDAY GIFT. 139 exertions to suiTound her with many com- forts, unknown to them in former days. As she looked round, too, on the bright young faces of the lace girls, lighted up with eager expectancy (for IMiss Langton surely would soon arrive) , she was glad to knoAV that one and all loved her, and that, vrith God's help, her inuuence over them might be for good. The crutches were novr no trial at all ; and as she called to mind how different her position might have been, had no accident befallen her, and she had been left to carry out her cherished plan of domestic service, she inwardly exclaimed. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forsfct not all his benefits." Lookins: across the sea towards TTater- ton, as she stood in the doorway chatting with one of the girls, she noticed a rowing boat making for Stronnale bay. It came nearer and nearer, and at length the party 140 NELLIE yEfFTOy. landed, and Nellie Newton uttered an exclamation of pleasure as she saw that it was Miss Langton accompanied by IMr. and Mrs. Eiversdale, who were coming up from the beach towards their cottage. Silver threads w^ere now visible here and there in [Miss Langton's dark hair Avhich w^ere not there wdien we first became acquainted with her, but the same gentle expression rested on her kind face. Time had dealt tender- ly, too, with Mr. and Mrs. Eiversdale, though, as v>^ith Nellie herself, the flush of youth had past with each of them. Kindly greetings and mutual inquiries were ex- changed, and half an hour passed quickly away, when one of the 3^0 ung people, at a sign from Miss Langton, brought in the gift, to present which was to be the event of the evening. "Well, Nellie," said Miss Langton, un- doing the wrappers, "it was not altogether THE LimnDAY GIFT. 141 on our owtI account that \;g came across the bay this evening, for I must tell you that I have still a duty to perform, and a very pleasant one it is. In the name of your scholars I have been asked to present you with this birthday gift, as a token of their affection, and with every good wish for your welfare ; and if you have only half as much pleasure in accepting it, as they have had in making the purchase for you, I am sure they will feel amply re- paid." "And," continued Mr. Ers'ersdale, "as we thought it would be more useful placed in your work-room, w^here it seems that time flies so quickly that you are some- times at loss to know how it goes, we hope you will like the stand ]Mrs. Riversdale and I have added to make the clock more com- plete." Poor Xe}lie was quite overcome ; and 142 NELLIE KEJVTOy. Mrs. Newton, who had been as innocent of any knowledge of the affair as her daughter was, looked from one to the other in perfect bewilderment. " I'm sure I can not thank you all as I ought," said Xellie, at last; "it's taken me so by sur- prise — but I know I shall value it as long as I live, as a precious token of your kind- ness." "And now," said Mr. Riversdale, think- ing it much better to cut the matter short and spare Xellie's feelings, "what do you say to my winding it up, and setting it going ; for you'll all allow a silent clock is about as useless an article as well can be. Dear me, auntie," added he, looking at his watch, " do you know that we shall be benis^hted if we don't make haste ? " A few minutes later they took their leave, while Xellie and the girls eagerly gathered round the clock and its pedestal THE niUTHDAT GIFT. l-iS to examine its quality and workmansliip. The case was of walnut wood, plain but handsome, and not unsuita])lc to the rest of the furnitm*e of their work-room ; while on a neat silver plate in front was this in- scription : — TO ELEA^^OR XEWTOX, FROM II EP. GKATEFUL AXD AFFECTIOXATE SCHOLARS, THE LACE OniLS OF STEOX>'ALE, JULY COxn, IS — Soon after the party separated ; and the Newtons before they retired to rest that night, all joined with heart and voice in sinaini? the errand old Doxoloiry, — " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below ; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host ; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." It was long before Xcllio could sleep, for thoughts of the past and good resolu- 1-14 KELLTE NEWTOy, tions for the future, mingled with the pleas- ant but unwonted " tick, tick " of the birth- day gift, combined to make her wakeful ; but when at last she fell asleep, it was the calm, unbroken rest of one whose heart was with God, in Christ Jesus, and whose life was spent in striving to do her Lord's work patiently and humbly on earth, wait- ing until she heard her Master's summons : "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful in a few things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." THE END. B 000 002 387 9 I