The door of our sleeping apartments were always open into
the hall, in case of sickness or accident, and for some reason I could
not go to sleep. As I lay there I heard father and mother planning
some problem. I could not hear all, but I understood there was some
money needed. In the morning, after all the work was done and I was
sitting by my sister's side sewing with her, I told her what I had
heard before I went to sleep. "Yes," she said, "Father has still
something to pay and he feels he cannot take any more from the family
allowance, for there are so many of us." "Oh," I replied, "He can have
my slug. I wonder why he did not tell me he needed it." I soon had the
precious money in my hand and sister and I found a box to put it into.
The following little letter had to go with it: "My dear father and
mother: I am so glad I was able, with my sister Mary's help, to make
the pretty flag and so get this fine piece of gold to help pay on the
dear home which Mary, Jane, Sallie and I helped to buy for you with
the day's work with our boarders. It was a happy and cheerful task to
help you in building the first dwelling house in our dear Stockton.
Now it will all be yours as long as you live. I willingly give you my
flag money, so you will not have to fret any more over the debt of
the house. Always, your laughing, happy girl, Rosana Margaret."
The box and letter were put at father's place on the dinner table and
after he was seated he noticed it.
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