Page:Female Prose Writers of America.djvu/254

 was more delicacy of personal appearance than when she left them, and also more softness of manner; for constant collision with so many young females had worn off the little asperities which had marked her conduct while at home.

“Well, Abby, how many silk gowns have you got?” said her father, as she opened a large new trunk.

“Not one, father,” said she, and she fixed her dark eyes upon him with an expression which told all. “But here are some little books for the children, and a new calico dress for mother; and here is a nice black silk handkerchief for you to wear around your neck on Sundays. Accept it, dear father, it is your daughter’s first gift.”

“You had better have bought me a pair of spectacles, for I am sure I cannot see anything.” There were tears in the rough farmer’s eyes, but he tried to laugh and joke, that they might not be perceived. “But what did you do with all your money?”

“I thought I had better leave it there,” said Abby, and she placed her bank-book in her father’s hand. Mr. Atkins looked a moment, and the forced smile faded away. The surprise had been too great, and tears fell thick and fast from the father’s eyes.

“It is but a little,” said Abby.

“But it was all you could save,” replied her father, “and I am proud of you, Abby; yes, proud that I am the father of such a girl. It is not this paltry sum which pleases me so much, but the prudence, self-command, and real affection for us which you have displayed. But was it not sometimes hard to resist temptation?”

“Yes, father, you can never know how hard; but it was the thought of this night which sustained me through it all. I knew how you would smile, and what my mother would say and feel; and though there have been moments, yes, hours, that have seen me wretched enough, yet this one evening will repay for all. There is but one thing now to mar my happiness, and that is the thought that this little fellow has quite forgotten me,” and she drew Charley to her side. But the new picture-book had already effected wonders, and in a few moments he was in her lap, with his arms around her