Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-04-04
The Forg ,tten Promise.

i" But will you ertainly Gomez"
"Certain, sure !" was the emphatic
response. " Fa ther said I might have
the carryall all the afternoon, and
would rather take you to ride than go
anywhere by myself. Are you sure you
can go?" 90
ayes. Mother likes me to go out
on Saturday afternoon, even if it is
cold"
=" I'll call for you then at three
o'clock. Be all ready-the afternoons
are short"
Mary nodded an answer, and went
homeward at brisk pace, thinking of
the pleasure of her promised drive, for
country girl as she was, it was not a fre-
quent one. Her mother was poor, a
widow, who earned her bread by her
needle, and Mary was housemaid, cook,
and worker in general for the small
household. By early rising and hard
work the little girl managed to gain
time to attend the school in the village,
cheerfully walking two miles each way
in the most severe weather. Her cho-
sen companion and friend, Susy Graves,
was the daughter of farmer living on
the other side of the village, and quite
frequently the girls of the school were
treated to drives in the farmers carry
all, with Susy for a driver. The horse
was rather heavy and slow, to be sure,
but what cared they for that, as they
travelled through long, delicious coun-
try roads, and filed their baskets with
flowers, fruits, or nuts? Dobbin would
stand still for any amount OF berry
hunting or frolicking, and Susy's popu-
larity was great among her companions.
She was a careless, light hearted girl,
quite contrast to her friend Mary, but
good-natured and anxious to please
every one.
Mary's mother met her at the door, as
she hurried home on the Saturday fore
noon from school. Her face was anxi-
GUS, and she greeted the child with
quick words.
" Mary, dear, you'll have to take
the shirts over to Mrs. Dernpster's for
me. Your Aunt Jane is very i'll, and
has sent for me to come over"
How fortunateI Susy Graves has
promised me ride, and she can take
me over to Dempster's. There is four
mile walk saved. Shall you stay at
Aunt James all night?"
"If she is very bad, if am not home
by dark, go to Mrs. Jones's to sleep !;
or, if you like, you may go home with
Susy, and I'll meet you in church.
Wear your best things, if you do that.
But be sure you take the Shirts"
"I'll take them"
1t was hurried work for Mary to fin
ish the housework her mother left, and
dress by three o'clock; but the hour
had not struck when she sat watching
the road for the carryall. It was cold
| and dull, but little girls, well wrapped
up, would not mind that, and Mary was
| very sure she would rather have Dobbin
carry the bundle of shirts than herself.
But at halfpast three there was no car
ryall, no Dobbin, or Susy before the
widows cottage.
at will never do to wait any
longer" Mary thought. az have made
all safe for the night; so I'll run over to
Mrs. Jones's with the key, and tell he1
not to worry if am not back. 1 may
meet Susy before get to the village. II
had known l must walk 1 would have
started two hours ago, it is SO far to
Dempster's.
1t was useless to think OF that now.
She had relied upon Susy's promise,
| but that failing, she must take the
| long, cold walk. 1t was already dusk
when she reached the store, delivered
| her bundle, and received her mothers
hard,earned money. She felt little
hurt at Susy's neglect, and turned her
| face homeward, resolving to go to
Mrs. Jones's, if her mother did not re-
turn. Her steps were fastened by
finding the snow falling, and the village
was not passed before the fakes fell
thick and fast, and the dusk became
darkness. The child hurried on, bat
J tling the wind and snow, and wonder