The Home Journal

A Brussels Love Story. There is a pretty story in connection with the introduction of the manufacture of fine lace into Brussels. A poor young girl, named Gertrude, was dying for love of a young man, whose wealth precluded all hopes of marriage. One night, as she sat weeping, a lady entered her cottage, and without saying a word, placed in her lap a cushion, with its bobbins filled with thread. The lady then, with perfect silence, showed her how to work the bobbins, and how to make all kinds of delicate patterns and complicated stitches. As daylight approached the maiden had learned the art, and the mysterious visitor disappeared. The price of the maiden's lace soon made her rich on account of its valuable patterns, and she was able to marry the object of her love. Many years after, while living in luxury with her numerous family about her, she was startled by the mysterious lady entering her comfortable house—this time not silent but looking stern. She said: "Here you enjoy peace and comfort, while without are famine and trouble. I helped you: you have not helped your neighbor. The angels weep for you and turn away their faces." So the next day Gertrude went forth with her cushion and bobbin in hand, and going from cottage to cottage, she offered to teach the art she had so mysteriously learned. So they all became rich, and their country also.