Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-11-18
ways wanted TO study herself

how" said the old gentleman, stroking the
colts neck TO hide his feelings.
"Ies, father, and you shall have me.
can work hard, and come home TO spend
every vacation; and won't you be glad to see
me p
Mr.. Rivers led the colt away, and did no,
answer.
"Why not?" he said to himself; "why
shouldn', she have a fair chance? | sup
pose | might sell off the meadow to old
Storm. and send my only girl away in good
shape; but il will spoil the farm. and hate
to-"
He could not think Of the house without
her; he dreaded the long winter evenings,
and the warm summer days, without his
darling and a, last he sat down in one corn
er Of the barn on an old grindstone, which
Sallic had often turned for him. He sa,
there a long time, trying TO overcome his
selfishness ana at last, as he heard the
girls ringing voice calling him TO supper.
be rose up, saving. "She's my only girl I;
and she shall have a chance. come what
will"
The boys were delighted. They were
proud of Sallic. and quite sure she would
do herself and the family credit To be
sure. Toms pride was hurt when he heard
she was TO work in the mill al Glenmcrc /;
but the new house which Tom had urged
his father TO build had cost more than they
expected. and every wear some new machin-
cry mus, be purchased. liwas twenty miles
TO Glenmerc.-twenty miles from home
love. care and comfort; but Sallic did not
falter. To be sure. il was a trial 10 leave
them all. hard thing to select from her lit,
tie store of girls belongings, and small
room in a boarding house would never afford
the delight that her own large sunny cham
bcr did. SalIc felt a thousand tears, but
did not shed one. although her mother and
Huldah wept profusely as the carriage drove
away. with Sallie's father on the back seat
with her. and Jacob Storm in front with
Sallie's brother Dixie.
Dixie was younger than his sister. and in
deep grief at her loss. |; did not comfort
him to be told that she would not board
among strangers. but become a member OF
Mr.. Mora's family He did no; choose 10
listen when Jacob Storm told him that Sal
lie was too wise and too good TO remain
buried in Pu,neyyile bike was sixteen.
and at tha, age a boy considers everything a
burning shame" which inierfercs with his
pleasure.
Il wish had her chance" said Jacob. as
the father and daughter talked in low tones
on the back seat
Great chance" said Dixie. 'to 20 down
there and work among all sorts. and never
have any music evenings, or any home, or"
Dixie paused his feelings were too much
for him. and yet he would not let Jake Storm
SCI tear IN his eyes.
"l,s chance to make yourself something
better than a drudge chance To see and
know what is going on in the great world.
Reading Is good, Dixie, but seeing is a mil
lion times better.
Jacob read early and late. he thought and
studied; but after all. he knew that the dis
eipline which Tom and Joe River, were hay-
lug would bc a grea, blessing TO him. His
one dread vas that Sallie might consider him
inferior TO her ..She shall not get before
uc II die irving" be said
Salllc's room was not so bad after all :
Mrs. Mora had done her best TO please her
old friend Mrs Rivers When Sallie's
books were unpaeked. and her piano vas in
one corner. and her pet bird GLORY hung up.
the place was quite delightful Sallic could
not live in 4 dingy. dull hole sunshine was
necessary 90 her existence. Her first week
IN the mill left her pale and weary. but a
stout heart and strong will KEEP, her up.
Al night she was very busy. her music
and studies occupied every moment. Mrs.
Mora tried TO Interest, her In the games and
sport of her fellow boarSiess, but Sallie po-
lItely declined.
A roommate vas impossible as she de-
sired TO spend all her spare moments in
preparation for her future work. About
this time she wrote to Tom: 1T is a hard
grind, dear old boy; and sometimes, when
nv head whiIls about with the noise, or the
association. ,ex me feel like running
awa, to China or Japan; but don't. only
go home when am free. and take good
dose OF Chopin or beethoven; they tone me
up. BY careful management. shall be able
to save some money. There is a little
French girl here, who is anxious to study
English ever, week give her lesson for
a lesson; speak and read French with her !;
then, two of Mrs. Mora's children take le,
sons on the piano, and my board bill is
light. Who do you think comes here every
Sunday Why, Jacob Storm. His father
Will not let him go to college, and he walks
down here after work is done on Saturday.
and returns Sunday night. He is grea,
friend Of John Mora's and have 10 be
teased about him, but ! don't mind that
Jake seems like one of you and every week
he questions me about my lessons.
Sometimes his father allows him 10 drive
down, and then YOU may be sure We have
good breath Of country air He said one
DAY. in his slow. deliberate fashion, If my
coming annoys YOU, Sallie, just say so but
it seemed to me that YOU might not feel so
far away if YOU saw a home face once a
week"
Sometimes be brings a few flowers, or
some chickweed for Glory, sometimes
piece of new cheese m a dainty box, and
generally a note or message from mother or
Dixie. When he drives down, Dixie comes
with him; and | can work harder all the
week after seeing his rosy face.
Jake gets books from the library here,
and leaves them for me TO read first then
We talk them over afterward, and Dixie is
getting quite Interested
Brave little Sallie, The days and weeks
flew by, and found her at her post, She
only saw the hard daily toll, only felt the
bonds which kept her close until she could join
the girls who quietly and easily walked the
paths of knowledge.
She did not know that her example gave
Joe new courage, and kept Tom from many
college lark" she never dreamed that
Jacob Storm was making man of himself
for her sake; she could not see the power
she exercised over Dixie, who was inclined
to be little wayward; she never guessed
that her devotion TO self-culiure and study
had stimulated some Of her associates to 90
and do likewise. She only felt the pressure
nf tho daily Yait only lnpaad Sor tho d.v