Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-09-03

den of which you have SO often com
planned
Good radiance" vas Aunt Nora S
first petulant exclamation, on reading
this letter. But she WAS not long i'll
finding out that Becky had been, after
all. less burden than u help.
When the dishes were to be washed
or errands to be done, the good woman
scolded well, because she missed the
services of her little drudge. Finally,
however; seeing every day how proud
and ungrateful her own daughters We're
she began to cherish very tender, re-
gretfu thoughts of poor Becky, and TO
hold her up az a pattern to Josephine
and Laura.
Becky never would have answered
me in that way" she would say; or,
Becky would have been kinder to her
aunt than you are to your own mother
why didn't you treat her dccently
then, and keep her, if she was 80 love
VI" the young ladies would retort.
1t was to make ladies of you that
made slave of her, and this is all the
thanks get for it," was the usual re,
ply winding up with sob.
Years passed; and never word did
the aunt hear from the lost one. Mean
while, the world did Lot prosper with
/ the poor woman. Tom turned out a
spendthrift; when in want he would al
WAYS come back to his mother, just as
be was always sure to desert her again
when she was most in need of him.
Josephine, too, forsook her, but after.
wards came home to die in her forgiv.
ing arms. Laura married an actor, and
finally accompanied him to California,
leaving two young children to be cared
for by her mother.
Fortunately, Aunt Nora owned the
house she lived in, and by letting every
part Of it except two small rooms, she
managed to live, though in miserable
way. But at last, to help Tom out OF
one of his scrapes, and save him from
prison, she had to raise money by
mortgaging her house.
This money the scapegrace promised
to work for faithfully ana repay; but, of
course, he never did. 1t is not easy for
young man to change bad habits
formed in boyhood. Tom could not.
Perhaps he had not character enough
left even to try. For that is the most
terrible punishment of wrong doing;
one loses the power, often oven the
wish, to do right.
The end was what the neighbors
foresaw. The interest on the mortgage
could not be paid, and the house was
advertised to be sold.
The day of the auction arrived.
Aunt Nora had no shavings. nor any
thing else, to kindle fire with that
morning; and she, and the little ones
Laura had left with her, would have
Jared badly, had not the neighbors
kindly sent in something for them to
eat. The poor woman was sick and in
despair. She was no longer able even
to take care of herself, and in few
hours she would be without home.
She sat moaning in her chair, rock
ing sadly to and fro. The children
were at play in the court. The doors
were open, for it was pleasant summer
weather. Suddenly Aunt Nora heard O
voice, and looked up.
A young lady, tall and we'll dressed,
stool on the doorstep, bearing in her
hand an object which presented the
strangest contrast to her cultivated
manners and fashionable attire.
"Aunt Nora, may I come ins' she
said pleasantly. I've brought the
basket of shavingsv'
" Beckyl" the poor woman shrieked,
starting to her feet. "No, it can't be.
1t can't be my little Becky"
1T is Becky, but not your little
Becky, any longer" said the lady SET
ting down her basket. and supporting
the form that tottered towards her. ~
am married, and have happy home,
and IL thought would come and see
you. But, a. wasn't ever to enter
your house again without"
20 child, child! cried Amt Nora,
weeping passionately, lyon do right to
remind me; I pas cruel to you. But
didn't know it at the time-enly since
my. own children-dearl dear!' she
went on brokenly. hope you have
forgiven mel"
"Desr aunt. I haze forgiven you, long
ago" said Becky, making the poor
woman sit down again, but still hold.
ing her hand sffectionately. "And do
you know I think it was truly prov
idential thing for both of us that left
you as I did. am able to do for you
now what I fear I never could have
done, If had always staid with YOU"
81 heard of your condition only
few days ago. My husband is oat here
in the carriage; would you like to see
him? He went into carpenters shop
as We we're passing, and got the
shavings; but see, Aunt Nora, there is
something else in the basket--some-
thing for you and the children. And
my huaband will buy the house for you
this afternoon"
Aunt Nora could hardly speak
word, 80 great was her gratitude and
Joy. The child her unkindness had
driven from her had returned like an
angel of mercy. her home was still pre-
served, and she could still keep Laura's
children.
"Dear, dear! is it all dream 2" she
asked.
"Oh no." laughed Becky. L" am
really /; and this is really my hus-
band; and, don't you see, there are the
shayings Youth's C0mponjon.
HONESTY. A Quaker shopkeeper
once met Quaker customer Of his