The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-06-20

oh, Walter! I'm so glad you've
come. Please bring in the wood and
water as soon as you can, and put on
the kettle for me. I'm hurrying to get
my ironing done before night, so as
not to have it round again to-mor-
row."
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 altogether thoughtful
for her comfort, and just then he want
ed to go 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:
=" l wish you'd wait on yourself. It's
pretty tough for chap that has to 60 to
school and dig over stupid books, to
have to work at home and wait on folks.
L had errands to do this morning, and
by the time father comes home he'll
think of some more, most hkely-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 q word, butt he saw
the sudden tears as she bent over her
ironing 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 he knew
that everything would be in readiness
for him, without a thought on his
part.
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
bright, moonlight evening, the boys
agreed to meet at 7, and coast an hour
or two. Most of them had lesson to
learn or look over for the next day.
Walter took his book directly after tea,
and tried to fix his mind on the lesson.
But it was not an easy one, and he soon
wanted his sisters help. She had
washed and put away the a-things,
and was sitting in her little rocking
chair by the table with a new book "
ing in her lap. Carrie was very fond of
reading and study; she had left school
with keen regret when her mothers
place was made vacant in the house
hold, and ever since had used whatever
scanty opportunities she had to in.
crease her store of mental 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, and had read little
more than the opening chapters.
1T 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
of myself"
ooh, Walter why couldn't you saw
so? Why would you let your pride,
the "shabbiest" part of the matter after
all, keep you from saying, "Tm sorry,
Carrie" when you knew that would
make all right again in an instantly
Walter foundered on among the
breakers of a chapter of natural philoso-
ply, for this study was always a very
hard one to him, while to Carrie it was
9 smooth sailing on 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, Walter?"
In ten minutes it was all plain to him,
and before the lessen was thor
oughly learned. Walter deposited his |
book on the mantel with rather more |
force than was needed, and hearty leave !