The Red Cloud chief., 1880-06-03

.h. began TO cherish very tender. re.
gretfui thoughts Of poor Becky. and to
hold her up as 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 10 yourown mother.
why didn't you treat her decently
then. and keep her. il she was so love-
lyr' the young lsdies would retort.
"It was 10 make ladies Of you that
/ made \ slave Of her, aud this 10 all
the thanks / get for it," was the usual
reply. winding up with a sob.
Years passed. and a word did
the aunt hear from the lost one.
Meanwhile. the world did not prosper
with the poor woman. Tom turned
out a spendthrift; when in want he
would always come back To his mother,
just a. nc was always sure 10 desert
her again when she was most in need
Of him. Josephine. too. for-OOk her.
but atterward came home Ia die in her
forgiying 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 il except two small rooms.
she managed to live, though in a mis-
cradle way. But al last, 10 teip Tom
out Of one Of his scrapes, and save him
from prison, she had 10 raise money
by mortgaging her house.
This money the scapegrace promised
10 work faithfully for and repay; but, Of
course, he never did. IL is not EASY
for a 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;
n loses the power, often ven the
wish, TO do right.
The end was what the neighbors fore
saw. The interest on the mortgage could
not be paid, and the house was advcr-
tised 10 be sold.
The day of the auction arrived. Aunt
Nora had 10 shavings. o anything
else, TO kindle a fire with that morn
ing; and she, and the little ones Laura
had left with her, would have Jared
badly. had moi the n~eighbnrs kindly
sent in something for them 10 eat. The
poor woman was sick and in despair.
She was no longer able even to take care
of herself; and in a few hours she would
be without "A 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 wealth
er. Suddenly Aunt Nora heard a voice,
and looked up.
A young lady, tall and well dressed,
stood on the doorstep, bearing In her
hand an object which presented the
strangest contrast TO her cultivated man
ners and fashionable attire.
AUNT Nora, may leone in?" she said
pleasantly. i've brought the basket
of shavings!'
Becky" the poor woman shrieked,
starting TO her feet. mo, it can't be.
1t can't be my little Becky"
alt is Becky, but not your httie Becky,
any longer" said the lady, setting down
her basket, and supporting the form
that tottered toward her. IL am mar
ried. and have a happy home. and l.
| thought | would come and see you.
But, as wasn't ever to enter your house
again without
so child, child.", cried Aunt Nora,
weeping passionately. "you do right to
remind me; | Was cruel To you. But l
didn't know it at the time-only since
my own children-dear! dearr' she
went on brokenly. Il hope YOU have
forgiven me-
Dear aunt, | hare forgiven YOU, long
ago." said Becky, making the poor
woman sit down again, but still holding
her hand affectionately. And do you
know? | think it was a truly providen-
tial thing for both of us that | left YOU
as | did. am able to do for you now
what | fear " could have zone il
| had always staid with you.
Il heard of your condition only a few
DAYS ago. My husband is out here in
the carriage; would you like to see him?
He went into a carpenters shop as we
were passing, and got the shavings; but
see. Aunt Nora. there is something else
in the basket-something for you and
the children. And my husband will
buy the house for you this afternoon"
Aunt Nora could hardly speak a word,
so 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 preserved,
and she could still keep Laura's chill
dren.
dear, dear! is it all a dream?" she
asked.
"Oh no." laughed Becky. 81 am
really L; and this is really my husband;
and, don't you see, there are the shay
ingsr'-J j. 7~roWbridge, IN Youths
Companion.