Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-06-06

! burden OF those more fortunate, anC
thanked God fervently for this gift :,
yonder two, who sang and sang away
long after aunty and I had gone to disl
up the evening meal. The potatoes
we're so mealy, the ham and eggs 81
crisp and inviting; Daisy had made {
wonderful pudding; l took heart o.
grace, and grew content once more.
Let's leave it all to God, DEAR"
whispered to Tom. "He who cares
for the fall of a sparrow will not see u'
want"
num-yes," said Tom, raising hi:
eyebrows and Struggling his shoulder,
tricks he had learned from the for
eigners about us-"yes; but God helps
them that help themselves; and while
we're on the Scriptures, Prudy, dom
you forget that nice little parable about
the fellow who came TO grief through
hiding his talent in napkin. We must
do the best we can with whatever ac.
complishments we may have; eh,
PrueP"
"rm sure I've always striven-"
began, for the words of the boy hurt
me.
"Now, Prudy," he broke in, "whc
sald you didn'tP I'm only alluding to
Others"
'Well, as for you" began again
but he.cut me short by declaring that
he had been a second Hercules. "Who,
then, do you meanP" l said, wonder
ingly; for what could peor old aunty
do more than she did. and Daisy was
but a child as yet-barely twenty the
coming June.
Nous UerrOnS," said Tom, who in
terlarded his conversation in this poly.
glot way.
From that time out Tom really did
work like heather Hercules. Every
night he went back to the office, and
worked there till close on to midnight.
had no idea that in the insurance
business people could be so hurried,
and, indeed, had heard of considerable
depression in all the mercantile
branches; but Tom assured me that the
rush in his line of business was remark
able; that people stood in line and
waited till their turn came around, and
there seemed to be no diminution of the
rush as yet. He hoped it would last till
the summer, and begin again with re-
newed zeal with the gales of autumn.
"Life and property are so uncertain, :"
l said, mournfully. "But I'm afraid
you'll be worn out, Tom"
"Not at ALL" he cried; al rather
enjoy it. It's good fun, you know, to
see people so excited and enthusiastic.
I'm going to take Daisy down there to-
night, Prue. She's crazy to go, and
what on earth harm can there be-?
Now you know l love her better than
my life; and do you suppose I'd risk
hurting a hair of her lovely headP But
l believe there's more in her than any
body fancies. I'm going to see, any.
how. And don't look as if you'd seen
a ghost, Prue. I'll be there to look
after her."
"But what can the child do thereP"
"Do!" he cried. "Der Liebe Him
melT' Tom gasped and shook his head
as if the subject was too much for him.
Then he added, more soberly: "She
can do lots of things, Prudy-sorting
out pens and paper, and-and lots of
things. You've no objection to her
going any where under my protection,
have youP"
"N-no," stammered; but didn't
half like it, and couldn't understand it.
"If she must do something, why can't
| get her situation in the store with
meP"
"Pah! Never!" said Tom. "Good
gracious! l should think not! That
would be another case of hiding ones
light under bushels; and such bushel!
Now just leave it to me, Prue."
| was silent, but not convinced.
Aunty was more easily won over. Tom
was her oracle. She never appealed
from Tom.
So Daisy went, with much shyness
and confusion and trembling, from
which | augured that this experiment
would soon spend itself. What was my
chagrin when, several days after, Daisy,
with burst of tears, threw herself
upon my neck, and declared that here
after she could bear her share of the
family expenses; that her venture was
a success, and she was engaged.
1 looked from her to Tom, my thin
slow blood beginning to quicken.
"Engagedh' l repeated.
eyes" said Tom, glibly, "she made
a hit; l told you she would. 1t was
splendid. She carried everything be-
lore her. l never was so proud of any
hing in my life"
"HowP" | said, soberiy. .
"HowP" repeated Tom, also some
what soberly. "Why-why-a-you
lon't know the routine, you see, Prue.
It's difficult to explain; pens and paper
and dstamps-particularly stamps. She's
engaged in the stamp department,
Prue."
Daisy said not word, but looked so
glad and radiant, poor child, had no
further heart to hinder their Joy; but |
help saying that had no idea
they had ladies at the office. Tom had
never mentioned it.
Ladies'! God bless you, Prue, they're
everywhere. The whole government
will be administered by the fair sex
one of these days, and quite right, too.
Now don't you worry about Daisy. I'll
take care of her."
But | did worry, nevertheless. To
have Daisy employed at that extra
made me nervous and un-
In vain they assured me
-he work was light and easy and profit
able; in vain Daisy pointed out to me
he advantage of being able to stay at
nome with aunty, who was growing
Did and incapable of domestic duties;
n vain Tom counted, out of the mock
the crisp notes for the rent;
n vain Daisy bought for me the pretty
tinted engraving | had so long coveted;
hat a bright carpet covered the old
'arlor floor, and little graceful knick-
lnacks made their way into the empty
Did corners, and aunty rojoiced in a
ioft fine cashmere robe that clung COM
ortingly to her poor shrinking form.
N vain-in vain. 1 was miserable,
most miserable. Rather the humble
ecurity and safety-far rather. My
lays were passed in tormenting, doubt
al revere; my nights were haunted
~ melancholy dreams, so that l started
Up in bed, and was never satisfied until
had gone to look at Daisy, and bend
. il. Il. 4