The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-10-08
TRUE GENTLEMANLINEss

TRUE GENTLEMANLINEss
40, Harry, do wait a little I'm so
tired !"
"Pshawl you're always tired nOwa-
DAYS" said Harry Long, imPatlently'
Il wish you were like Jenny Dent: she's
the kind of a girl 1 ike-no whining or
fretting about her
Edith's pale face flushed, and picking
up her bag of books she started again,
saying wistfully, I suppose l am trou-
bic to such bright, healthy fellow as
you, Harry. How I wish we had a little
pony-wagOn, 50 you could drive me to
school p
Her gentle answer made her brother
ashamed of his words. Here, give me
your bag, Edie," he said more kindly
q If you re not as strong as Jenny, you're
a deal better natured. heard her scold
Tom and Rob awfully yesterday"
But though Edith bore the unkind
words so sweetly, they made a deep i'm
preston upon her Z" 1 musn 'tcomplain, y
she said to herself, "no matter if l do
get tired, for Harry will grow weary Of
me and want him to love me dearly.
So day after day she walked the mile to
school and back, never asking to rest or
in any way complaining Harry, never
thinking she was tired, would walk fast,
run races, or go home by roundabout
way. One morning Edith had started
on before her brother, that she might
walk more slowly and Harry, as he ran
down the lane, heard the servant calling.
What is it?" he cried.
Come back and get Ediths rubbers
and umbrella; it's going to rain.
Nonsense 1t won't rain. Besides,
she's not made of salt, said Harry to
himself as he ran on. He caught up to
Edith, and the two heard each others les
sons as they walked on, Harry never once
thinking of the rain. But they had hard
ly started for home when storm came
on, and the two were thoroughly wet be-
fore they reached the house.
al say, Edie, get in the back way If
you can, for mother sent Bridget after
me with your rubbers and umbrella, and
1 didn't go back for them. If she sees
you so wet I'll be punished.
Edith always ready to shield her broth
er, went quietly up to her room, chang
ed her clothing hurriedly, not taking the
precaution to rub herself, and went down
stairs chilled and tired. Harry was lit
tie anxious but never had Edith's cheeks
been so red or her eyes so bright,
I'm so glad you didn't take cold! he
whispered and Edith did not tell him
her throat was sore and her head aching.
But by midnight the poor girl was SO i'll
that her father went in haste for the doc
tor and for days she lay almost uncon-
scious.
"The wetting finished the business, ="
said the doctor; but the girl has been
going beyond her strength for some time. ="
Harry heard his words, and thought with
shame and dismay of his earelessness.
a leased her again and again about
her tired ways, and so she's kept up, and
maybe she'll die.
But Edith grew slowly better, and af-
ter she was out of danger, Harry had to
90 back to school. Jenny Dent was very
willing to run races and carry on" with
him, but he longed for Edith's gentle
sympathy and forgiveness. Now that
he was without her he felt how much
better she was than many stronger girls.
Dear sister Edie ?" he thought, II ought
to take care of her and save her from ia
tigue. o, if only she gets well, III show
her what a good brother is"
But Harry was not easy until he had
told his father of his impatient ways,
and asked him if he could think Of any
thing he could do to make it easier for
Edith to get to school.
Gould you pull her in little wagon p
20 yes, indeed part way, anyhow"
well, I'll buy four strong wheels,
and you can make box for the wagon. "
So for several afternoons Harry worked
hard in the barn, and when Edith grew
strong enough to go to school she was IN
vited to get into her new little carriage,
which was painted dark blue, with "Sls-
tel" in white letters in front.
There, Edie I'll never tease you
about getting tired any more, but draw
you more than halfway to school, at
least. I'd rather have you than any
other sister in the world"
Years after people used to say, What
true gentleman Harry Long is He is
so careful of anyone who is weak OF
ailing. What makes him so different
from most men?'
And Edith, grown into strong, beau