Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-05-16
CARRIES ANSWER.

Please bring IN the wood ana water as
soon as you can, and put on the kettle
for me. Pm hurrying tc get my iron
ing done before night, so as not to have
il round again tomorrow.
1t was not very much that Walter
had to do for his kind sister, who for
two years had done all in her power to
fill their mothers place. The family
were not really poor, but their means
would hardly admit their hiring a girl,
and except the washing, Carrie did the
work. Walter did not mean to be un-
kind; but though he really loved his
sister he was not always thoughtful for
her comfort, and Just then he wanted
to 90 coasting with his schoolmates.
The afternoons were short, and with q
very sober face he glanced at the west
ern sky, where the clouds were already
beginning to wear tinge of pink, and
answered shortly:
g | wish you'd wait on yourself. It's
pretty tough for chap that has to go
to school and dig over stupid books, to
have to work at home and wait on
folks. had errands to do this morn
ing, and by the time father comes home
he'll think Of some more, most likely
he usually does" -
Walters hasty words had hardly
passed his lips when he felt half sorry,
and would have been glad to recall
them; but he was too proud to say so,
and heal the hurt he had made.
Carrie said not a word but he saw
the sudden tears as she bent over her
ironing table ironing, as he could not
help noticing, one of his own shirts;
and he remembered how nicely she al
ways did this work, how smooth and
shining his collars and bosoms were.
He remembered, too, an invitation to
tea the next afternoon; and be knew
everything would be in readiness for
him, without even q thought on his
part. .f
Walter could work fast when he
chose; and he had more than half an
hours coasting before tea, after doing
all his sister asked. Then, as it was a
bright moonlight evening, the boys
agreed to meet at seven, and coast an
hour or two. Most of them had les
son to learn, or look over, for the
next day. Walter took his book di-
IGGllN ulBcL BCds anu blACA W LA Ills
mind on the lesson. But it was not an
easy one, and he soon wanted his sis
ter's help. She had washed and put
away the tea-things, and was sitting in
her little rocking chair by the table,
with new book lying in her lap. Car
rie was very fond of reading and study;
she had left school with keen regret
when her mothers place was made va
cant in the household; and ever since
had used whatever scanty opportunities
she had to increase her store of men
tai wealth. Walter knew she would
read when too tired to do anything
else, and knew just how she must have
longed all day for that book. She had
begun it the previous evening, andhad
read little more than the opening chap
tsrs.
at would be too shabby to ask her
to help me" he thought, ''even if I'd
been as good as pie to her; and as it is,
I'm ashamed of myself"
% Walter, why couldn't you say SOP
Why would you let your pride, the
"shabbiest'' part of the matter after
al, keep you from ssylng, 81 I'm sorry,
Carrie p when you knew that would
make all right sgain in an instantly
Walter foundered on among the
breakers Of a chapter of natural phi
losophy, for this study was always a
hard one to him, while to Carrie it was
g smooth sailing on a summer sea." !"
He was nervously anxious, too, lest he
should be late. But as his sister
turned toward the lamp and opened
her book, she saw the perplexed look
on his face, and she instantly came
around to his side, and asked, kindly:
''What is the trouble, WalterP"
In ten minutes It was all plain to
him, and before seven the lesson was
thoroughly learned. Walter deposited
his book on the mantel with rather
more force than was needed, and a
hearty devastating Rid of you till
morning, anyway, old thing, and
went to the entry for overcoat, cap and
scarf. As he passed Carrie he pulled
her dress slightly, and met her eyes.
She understood, and followed him. He
said it then-What he ought to have
said two hours earlier:
" Carrie, Pm sorry; was downright
mean and you're Just as kind and good
as if you didn't know it. I'm ashamed
Of myself
Carrie answered with a kiss and re-
turned to her book. With what keen
interest and pleasure she readl-an in
terest and pleasure enhanced ten-fold
by the consciousness that she had won
the victory in q real, though silent,
conflict with herself, and exerted holy
influence over her brother. Carrie
was not by natuFs 6 plant, yielding,
easy-tempered girl. Still less was she
weak. No: she was strong of will and
purpose. brave and high-spirited. Had
she acted from her impulses, she would
have spoken very severely to Walter,
and as she could see in this quiet hour,
would only have reused angry feelings
il bis heart, and lessened bis affection
for her. But By her self-control and
forbeaTance she had stFepgthened her
influence over him for good, and good
only, and bound him still closer By tfcs
Of brotherly love.
Or SISTERS end brothers, remember