The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-03-25


"What does this mean, girl? | thought
you were out there with the rest of them,
singing like q whole hock Of nightingales.
What are you here fors'
"I'll tell you how it was" said master Har.
ry, "they didn't want her because she works
for u.s." and the little one gave his own yer.
sion the conversation he had heard.
"You see," said Ina, with Il faint attempt
at a jest, "that my occupation debars me from
genteel society,""
"Gentecl society be hanged exclaimed Mr..
Robinson angriy. "Do you suppose that
would have any but a respectable girl about
my house, and will they dare to tell me that
living in my family and doing the same kind
of work that IS done by my wife and daughter
makes her less worthy? There are good rea-
sons why some persons cannot treat persons
in their employ upon equal terms. 1t is BE-
cause their course of action has been such AS
to drive respectable people from their service,
but when employ equals they shall be treat
ed as such. You have not forfeited your self
respect, Ina, and earning your Owr way, and
padding your own canoe will be a feather in
your cap that other girls will have pointed
out to them when you stand upon the emf.
nence that they will never attain. AS for
Amanda, III teach her different lesson for
tomorrow night"
"Pleasc don't say anything about 1t, Mr..
Robinson" said Ina, "you know l could MT
70 IL they invited me because they were
obliged to-"
When the boat touched the shore Mr.. Rob.
inson was there. "Come again tomorrow
night" he said, enjoy your rides while the
moon is bright, there is nothing that gives
me more happiness than providing innocent
pleasure for the young. Keep setishness
from your midst and memory will perpe,uate
your enjoyment"
And when Herbert Allen stopped just a
moment to say, "don't disappoint US to-mOr.
row night, Ina, for the enjoyment of the even.
ing is gone when you are away" half her I'M
happiness had vanished.
On the iollowiny eveHing as the moon again
gilded the waters the boating party prepared
to embark. Amanda had been detained in
house by her mother, and Mr., Robinson babe
the boys TO row once or twice across the lake
and come back for her.
"You may stay and mend stockings tonight,
Amanda said Mr. Robinson as he again en-.
tered the house.
Amanda looked up in surprise and disap-
pointment What do you keep me for, faith
~" she asked, while her lips qulvered and
her eyes filled with tears and disappointment.
ITO let you know how 1t seems" answered
the father, quietly taking paper and draw
ing near the light.
Just then the notes of the flute and the
words of the well known song.
Come over the lake with me my love,
Come ever the lake with me.
came floating back on the evening breeze,
and unable to control her feelings another
moment Amanda leaned her head against
the easement and sobbed passioHstely.
go don't, Mr. Robinson, do not feel badly
about ii now, and don't want her punished
for having sighted me- pleaded Ina.
81 knew that it would be no satisfaction to
you, but it is for her own sake that she is
punished" replied the father.
"But it was not her own idea, 1t was anoth'
er who suggested it," continued Ina.
at is not my duty to eradicate the selfish
ness from the hearts of other peoples daugh.
tiers, but am responsible for the training OF
my own" answered the father firmly, and
both girls felt that farther words were useless,
and for time there was silence broken oHly
by Amanda's passionate sobs and the lake
"Forgivs mo, Ina said Amanda, at length,
~ didn't feel right about il any OF the time,
and il spoiled my own enjoyment rs well as
yours"
"If you sec your conduct IN its proper light
II Is all l want Amanda said the father,
"and when they come to this side again you
can 60 If Ina goes with you
Ina begged TO be excused but when half an
hour later, he, tor whose opinion she most
cared, appeared and Joined his entrcties with
Amandas, she consented to go.
Two weeks later Ina occupied the position,
which she so much coveted, only that of q
pupil In an excellent school Although she
might not wear costly dresses, there was an
I'D ,k.l>1 -. 49, 10 .x.xl
fresh from the rural districts, artless and IN
art could supply, and the simple calico of her
own earning, and the modest ribbon that
bound her sunny tresses were in a far greater
harmony with her tastes and character than
costlier material which her father would have
been taxed TO pay for.
"You will make your mark IN the world,
Ina" were farmer Robinsons parting words.
"Only keep clear conscience, do your duty
and leave the rest to the Great Ruler Of des-
times"
OF course such girl was .avorite with
her teachers. She made them her friends and
they were interested In her welfare The fall
vacation was occupied as the spring had been,
in earning money 10 supply her necessities
for the coming winter. This was the last
time tina, sho found il necessary 10 enter the
IoSA'iSc vi ilstu
| 1t. And let me say TO every young person
who may be dependent upon his own ener-
gies, do not hesitate to engage in any honest
occupation that may present itself If you
are really above II, trust my word for IL that
you will rise above it and in no way can you
rise more rapidly than by faithfully PERFORM
ing even the most trivial duties of your occu
patton.
Through the Influence of her teacher Ina
obtained situation in one of the primary
departments where she received ample com.
pensation and found time TO attend 10 her
most important studies.
Four years passed away, and in all tina,
constitutes equality in our country, she was
the peer OF any lady in the land. She had
won iaurels and fresh tokens Of esteem at
every step, and at the grand exhibition at the
close of the last term, when she stepped upon
the stage and took her seat at the organ and
sent its tones rolling, echoing, vibrating
through every part OF the spacious building.
until Il seemed as though the hearts of the
audience were held In trance by the von