This was agreed on; and, being fortunately invested, it amounted in a few years to a hundred dollars; the income from it was seven a year, and this little Sum gave to our frugal and liberal Charlotte more of the real enjoyment of property than is often derived from productive thousands. She had the luxury of giving, and the tranquillizing feeling that she had something in reserve for a wet day.
CHAPTER VI.
SHOWERS AND SUNSHINE.
We pass over several years in the annals of our young friends. The current of their lives had flowed smoothly on. Charlotte, living in rigid obedience to the laws of health, as laid down and expounded by Dr. ——, and to the laws of heaven, as applied by her faithful conscience, had enjoyed a degree of health and comfort that she had not anticipated. Susan, at nineteen, was an accomplished tailoress; and, what is most rare, her health and sunny cheerfulness had been in nowise impaired by her confinement to her needle. She was a singular union of sweet temper and efficiency; and the only seamstress we ever heard of, that, for year after year, so far resisted the effects of sedentary employment as to sing at her work.
"What is the reason, Susan May," said an acquaintance to her, "that you are always so well
