The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-02-05
CARA'S MISTAKE.

When Mrs. Donald took her sisters
second daughter to brig up amidst the
luxuries of her wealthy home. she felt
complacently sure that she was doing a
very kind and charitable act. Mrs.
Norris was Woodworking farmers
wife, with house full OF children, and
with very scanty means to supply their
wants. Her wealthy widowed sister
had been on short visit to her, and the
night before she left said
Il think, Mary, you better let me
take Cara tc educate. Grace is fourteen
years old, and she can help you with the
boys. Cara doesn't sc EN- to be of much
use anyway, for / notice she's terrible
little shirk when there's any Homework
to be done. She's very pretty, though,
and she'll | e prettier when she's grown,
and, ofcourse, l want the pret.iest. I'll
DO as well by her while live as though
she was my own child, but do not
wish to promise to leave her anything
when die. My son will inherit all
have, you know. But I'll educate her,
and be q mother to her."
Poor overworked Mrs. Norris gasped
for breath at the idea of parting with
her pretty. useless Cara; but her con-
sent and that of her husband was soon
gained. Mr.. Norris, however, though a
plain farmer and with little education,
had deal of hard practi al sense, and
he at first demurred.
81 do not think it will do the girl any
good to bring her up above her own
station in life, Mrs Donald. She'll be
taught extravagant habits, and I'd like
to know what good such habits will do
her when she is left without means to
crafty them. You cannot leave her any
property, you say, and you don't look
overly strong yourself, ma'am. Any
day she may come back upon US with
her head full of fighty notions, and
perhaps scornin' the home-folks and
home ways. No, ma'am; thank you,
for your kind offer, but I'd rather keep
my daughter at home"
The lady thought to herself, 'Ee's a
rude boor," but she had a point to gain,
so she smiled sweetly as she said:
You're certainly a strange man, Mr.
Norris. Don't you believe in education,
and wouldn't you be pleased to have
your daughter SO well taught and so
highly accomplished that she could
make good living if anything happens
70 me? Don't calculate upon my speedy
death, either, for I'm not in i'll health if
l do look delicate. Do take the matter
into favorable consideration.
81 don't need any consideration
wqs his blunt answer, so see what's
best for the child, and for all OF u.s."
"Well, then. put it in this way: Do
you think you are justified in refusing
this offer, which would make Cars
she studies, independent OF you, Or OF
any oneP If every per on thought as
you do, there wo I'D be no progress in
the world"
But Mr.. Norris was not convinced.
Cara bates her books" he said. "Is
Grace didn't help her, and push her along,
she'd wear the dunce-cap all the time at
school. l cont think she'll do anything
to help the progress of the world, Mrs.
Donald"
But with his wife eager for the plan
and Cara coaxing and crying, like the
willful child she was, Mr.. Norris was
at last conquered.
So Cara was transplanted to the fairy
land of wealthy home, ana at Goodale
farm life went on in the old way. Not
exactly in the old way, either, for though
there was always hard work for the