River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-06-14
GODS OPPORTUNITY.

Mrs Delafield looked out of the window
as she clipped her thread, and the scis-
sors fell from her hand
"Oh. Maudie, / sec Mr. Brompton
coming. | haven't five dollars in the
world. What shall we dor"
Maudie was a cripple. All her brief
life had been spent in that low easy-chair
save when Tom rolled her under the
naples, in her small wagon, for her morn
ing airing. She looked up from her en-
broidery with great. wistful eyes.
Poor mamma. How | wish | could
help your
MY love, you do. You help me great
deal, cried the mothera as she fastened TO
tho door. "Walk in, Mr. Brompton."
Mr.. Brompton walked in. 4 portly,
handsome gentleman, wearing fur-lined
overcoat, and carrying a gold-headed
cane.
"How do you do, Mrs. Delafield: How
do you do! All. my little peti'
He smiled benignly, shook the widows
hand, and patted Maudie's head.
bad day this, Mrs. Deaield," ac-
cepting the chair she offered him. Bit
ter cold. I'm out, nevertheless, making
my collecting tour. Mrs. Dclatield.
make it a point never to break an estab-
lishcd rule, as you may have observed,
Mrs. Delafield. BE punctual with your
tenants, and your tenants will learn to be
punctual with you. That's motto of
mine and i find il works admirably, Mrs.
Delatield.n
Mrs. Delaficld sat quite composed,
not feature of her face bctraying the
flutter at her heart.
!, I
Mrs. Delafield,' proceeded the landlord
taking out notebook and pencil. Last
month, owing to your extreme illness,
contrary to my fixed principles, ! suffered
it to run on. Wen square up in full to-
day, if you please my dear madam
Mrs. Delatield caught her breath, and
pressed her hand hard upon the table.
She was too proud to bctray herself by a
single tremor.
Really, Mr.. Brompton, wish l could.
But, owing TO my illness, I've done very
little sewing. The few bills due me |
tried to collect yesterday, and failed.
However, shall get the money soon, and
therell be enough to pay the rent. If
you'll have the kindness to wait week or
two longer, Mr.. Brompton--"
+" / could wait, Mrs. Delaheld. Oh! to
be sure | couldl could make you deed
of gift of the cottage, for that matter. I'm
fully able to do it. But you SEQ"
The widow rose to her feet.
You have said enough, sir! haven t
the money TO pay the rent to-day, and if
you wish to turn me and my children into
the street, you can do So"
A queen could not have made haugh-
tier answer. The landlords fiOrid face
darkened.
You will have to leave, madam.
told you as much as a month ago. You
remember my saying that you couldn't
stay unless the rent was forthcoming
Very well; you've had legal warning, and
tomorrow morning you go.
"Very well, sir.
"Good day, Mrs. Delafeld. am sor
~ to lie forced
MAKE no excuses. Mr.. Brompton.
None arc needed bid you good even
ing"
Her soft eyes flashed. her voice rang
like bugle; hut the instant the door
was closed. she sunk down by Maudie's
chair.
"Oh, Maudie. Poor little Maudie ,
What shall we do."
The child put aside her silks, and laid
her soft cheek against her mothers.
Toms hand was ON the latch; and
feeling that her tears would not be forced
back, Mrs. Delafied jumped up, and
rushed into the next room, closing the
door after her
"Hush. Tom said Maudie, as he
came whistling in, with his satchel on
his shoulder. Poor mammals in great
trouble"
Toms merry eyes saddened.
"Whats up now, Maudie? No dinner
and no money to buy it with, i spose;
and a fellow hungry enough to nibble his
own fingers, this bitter weather.
Maudies soft eyes looked up at him
full of tears.
"Oh! Tom. the landlords been here;
and he talked terribly to poor mamma
did hcl Wish I'd been at home
"Hush. Tom What could you have
done. What can any of us do now!
We're to go out of the cottage tomorrow
morning"
"Whatl Why, we ca3tf 90 The snow
will be foot deep by morning. 'Twould
be the death of you, Msudic. Now, |
shouldn't mind it one bit: but you and
mamma Oh, it isn't to be thought of.
| must prevent it somehow"
Maudie's eyes frightened. Tom was
the hero of her lonely life.
"What shall we do. Tom, She asked.
Cant tell. Let me think bit, he
answered. seating himself, boy fashion,
astride a chair. IF there was anything
that could be sold, now; but poor mamma
has let everything go, to keep us in bread
and butter Dear me! wish ! was
man, or mamma would let me leave
school and go to work !"
"Tom, I've few bits Of needle work,
that might be sold"
"Oh, bother. Maudic. Girls work
never amounts to anything. What help
would that be?'
/ Maudie answered not d word, but her
sensitive lip quivered. Tom saw, and
Redeemed to the roots of his curling hair.
4 "There, Maudie, / didn't mean that.
was vexed. and spoke without thinking.
I I'm ashamed of myself You help Us ever
so much, with your dear, patient little fin
gers"
Maudie's brown eyes shone hike gold
stone.
| 1--WE hit il = suddenly cried Tom. III
sell that box of instruments that belonged
TO papa. | don't like TO; but if ever I'm
surgeon I'll manage 10 get more. III
. VIII mamma like it, Tom" said
.Naudie doubtfully. She never would
part with anything that belonged to