Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-08-29
The Hole in the Floor.

The life-object of Seth Grower and
Susan, his wife, was to amass property.
1t had been their aim since their welded
existence, which now counted fifteen
years, and was still cherished as the dear
est wish of their hearts. No change was
made except it would hasten the desired
consummation Of This long nutured hope;
no outlay was ventured upon unless 1t
promised existence in the boarding of
money. Not days respite had the one
from unceasing application to business;
not an hour passed that the other was not
planning some new way to save dollars
and cents.
In such an atmosphere of eager grasp
for property, it would be strange had
their children escaped the infection.
Their little faces frightened at the sight
of penny, not that it would procure
sweetmeats, but because 1t would add an
other TO their store OF coins; and the
small hand grasped it With as Instructive
and keen a pleasure as an aged miser
clutches his gold.I The oft.repeated pa
rental injunction "a penny saved is a
penny earned" fell upon the childish
ears, but childish wisdom applied the
maxim; the confectioner and frult-vend-
Ell were rarely called upon by the young
Grovners-the seed was taking root.
Mr.. and Mrs. Grower had nothing to
give away. Poverty was rudely repulsed;
misfortune, in the garb of dependency,
met with rebuke instead of sympathy:
sorrow, in the persons of mourning
widows and fatherless children, vainly
sought words of consolation and help
ing hand; The kindly voice of pity, and
the whisperings of charity, were unheard
by ears inaccessible save to the hints of
frugality, the suggestions of economy, or
the promptings of prudence. All, little
do the unfortunate gain from those MAX
ing haste to be rich!
Reading, the cheapest Of Injuries, Mr..
Grower thought too expensive to be en-
couragcd. Books cost money, and news
papers couldn't be had for nothing, even
if there wasn't any postage on them.
When be was rich he would have a IL
brary worth showing. His wife had no
social intercourse with her friends and
neighbors, visits took time, and if she at
tended parties, she would be expected to
give them. That would not do: so she
remained at home, mind and body ab-
sorbed in the one paramount idea. Did
either feel lingering de>ire to listen to
the notes of some lauded singer, or the
eloquence of distinguished lecturer, the
price of tickets of admission softened
disappointment and made the sacrifice
seem less.
The Grower children were never per-
mitted to leave the dusty, crowded city
for dav in the woods with their COM
panions. The fare back and forth was
L, i
OF this nature was inevitably attended
with more or less torn clothes. Money
was always the mothers inducement; q
promise of three or four cents each made
the little men bear the privation heroic
ally. All, nature is a better teacher than
mother whose idol is gold! One opens
the heart to kindly Influence, makes il
more susceptible TO genial impressions
quickens brotherly love, and brings the
creature nearer the Creator; the Other
blunts the sensibjIities, cnokes the
springs of benevolenee, clogs the aspir.
ing spirit, making it insensible to loft.
Ter sentiment than the love OF gain. Are
there no other Mrs. Grovners9
None of the family attended cburrh
for pew-rent was an item, and minister!
tax not an unimportant consideration. L
preaching and good example cost moth
ing, they would have availed themselves
of their benefits, but as it was, parents
and children were ''a law unto them
selves" Their living was of the PLANES
possible kin t. q and ddandty was studied
as closely as quality. None of she Grow
ners were afflicted with govt or dyspepsia
if their palates were never RECALLED By
dainty dishes.
Mr.. Seth and Mrs. Susan were threat
ened with dire calamity, in the shape .
a visit from an elderly relative wEt
had troubled them but once since thei
marriage. A letter-had been received
avowing his intention to become bette
acquainted with his nephew and niece
They knew little about him, save that b
was childless old man, rather odd in hi
WAYS, and burdened with but a small pol
ton of this worlds goods. Yet this muc
was certain: his stay with them would b
attended with great Inconvenience, an
expensive-and the last reflection was tn
most annoying of all.
His appearance was not an event of re
joicing on the part of the host and hostes:
the espectable-looking old gentlema
missed the hearty welcome he had prom
ised himself They were polite, but nc
cordial, attentive, but cold and distan
meeting his familiar advances with tina
indifferent reserve so chilling and dis
couraging. The children had been ser
off to bed as Soon as tea was over, and ii
three sat stif1y about the cold stove, Mr.
Grower glancing now and then to tt
clock on the mantlepiec.
"Perhaps your uncle would like to r.
tire,n she observed to Mr.. Seth.
Conversation had tagged for some mil
utes;it was hard doing all the talkinl
and Uncle Abel approved the suggestion
though it was scarcely eight o'clock.
81 must confess to fatigue" he sal
ID "I'in not young as I was once, and exc
ton tires me. I've been accustomed /
sleeping In warm room. IF it won't
too much trouble, I'd like fire kindle
for me; old blood feels the chilly nights
he added, apologetically.
49, Mr.. Seth said, Oh, MOP and MR.. s.
san said, Certainly notl" but any boo
could see that their thoughts widely d
verged from their words.