The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-01-20
THE CHILDREN'S HOME.

If it had not been for feather you might
never have heard of Beulah Sharpe.
1t was just dusk, and two girls were 60
inc home from their work in the MILL
II tell you, ten dollars week isn't bad,
now, is it," the older, course looking girl,
was saying.
II never made that in week before. -
replied her companion. Il hardly know
how to spend it. .
pooh, you goose, I never have any
trouble. I'm bound there shan't be a girl
in Lincoln, not even Judge Perry's grand
daughter, shall have nicer things than I do.
Say, paid eighty dollars for that new black
silk of mine.'
why, Joanna Baker,
''True as preachin'. I'm going to have
as fine things and good times as anybody,
you believe. Do you pay anything for
board?"
"No; father said when left school, if I'd
earn my clothes might have my board: but
was eighteen last week, and expect he'll
think might help some."
You look after the children; that's
enough, tell him. See here; want you
to see this"
They had come out on the principal
street of their busy little town now, and
were in front of the largest milliner's shop.
Here, in one square window, every conceiv-
able tint that could be worn from the seven
prismatic colors hung in the brilliant light
in forms Of feather, flower or ribbon, and
in the center and brightest of all was long
blue plume with silvery floating tips, a
lovely miracle of art, not nature.
isn't that beauty, Beulah Sharpe?
And its just what YOU want to go with your
L
for once in your life. I'm going to order a
black one. It's only ten dollars"
"Only ten dollars!" echoed Beulah.
mo, and it looks good for twenty. Go
in and see."
But Buelah hung back. I'LL think of
it,"
'Pshaw! it'll be gone; get while you can,
is my motto
II never had anything half so lovely, p"
hesitatingly.
''Don't stand at that window getting
tempted to foolishness, Beulah Sharpe,
but come home with me-" said a
strong, clear voice behind them "Its saw
ing the pence that piles up the pounds in
the pocket"
Why didn't you speak to Johanna, too,
Betsey?" asked Beulah, as they walked on.
t'There's no use seeking to draw water
,
''But you've sense when you bring it to
the fore, and We mind we'll where it is said
in the Holy Writ. HE that gathereth in the
summer is a wise son. and the other is
a fool, mind ye that, Beulah Sharpe"
''Well, good night" said the other,
running up the stairs to her own room
Hasn't father come yet, Agnes?" she
asked of a slender girl of fourteen ''No,
I wish he would; the potatoes are half spoil
ed now, was the fretful reply.
It was very plain but not cheerless
picture, that little second-story home, with
the clean floor, it's few pictures on the
white washed walls, and its petunia in full
bloom in the window seat. The bright fire
was very welcome after the evening chill,
and the song Of the teakettle and the aroma
OF baked potatoes very suggestive after a
tin-pail dinner. On the old fashioned set
tee young girl of seven or eight was cut
ting paper dolls and stroking the cat. Be-
yond the stove two doors opened into two
small bedrooms.
Agnes is tired and cross Tonight" came
presently from the young miss on the
lounge
81 guess you'd be if you'd done what I
have to-day" spoke the sister quickly
''The washing was dreadful; 1 never
stopped minute till just now. Everybody
does get their clothes so dirty
Beulah looked at her young sister with q
pang of self-reproach. At her age she was
in school, full of plans of being a teacher,
or great scholar or even writer. One new
er knows what girls may turn out, least of
all themselves. Then two years later, came
hermother's long sickness. and Beulah, fired
by new ambition, went into factory to
earn money. Then the mother died and now
ha1o no ho1
we see it to- night, with the girl-house-k keep
er. It twas hard. And Just then Mr. Sharpe
and Davy, year older than Agnes, came in,
and the family were at home. "Your hand
trembles, father" Beulah said, as he took
his second cup of tea from her.
yes, I'm growing DID,, " said the father,
patiently.
Father ought not to work so evenings;
it's enough for him to drive nails and plane
all day." said Davy.
Il wish you wouldn't, father" said
Beulah.
Mr.. Sharpe did not reply to that, but af.
ter moment asked, ibid the coal come,
Agnes?"
did he ask for the money!" ="
Eyes, sir; told him what you said"
There was little sigh as Mr.. Sharpe sci
down his cup.
''The rent mans been here, too," volun.
teered Ida.
t'You gave him that money, Agnes?''
eyes, SIR"
Nine dollars month seems good dea
to pay for three upstairs rooms" remarked
Davy."
Get me the Bible, Ida, said her father
as they pushed back from the table; II an
late tonight"