The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-09-28
CARRIES REOOMPENSR.

There! there! don't cry, dear
Things will mend again. see if they
don't when Phil gets better; see how
much improved he Is already by the
ceuntxy air and freedom. If only we
bad Ettle more moneyl-but that will
come IN ame. and when you are well
OF and prosperous sgain. all this time
R worry and trouble will only seem like
. bad dream. So don't worry and fret
any more, dear, or spoil your eyes with
crying"
And Carrie Benson drew her sister,
in-}sw's head on her shoulder, and
stzoked the fair brown hair with cares
ding touch, as she murmured sympa-
thisingly In her ear.
Only . yeer ago how different things
bad been with them Then Carrie was
an art pupil ut the South Kensington
Museum. and Philip. her brother, was
head cashier to an old established bank
when he married Clara Meredith,-a
tor little while all had prospered. But
one sad day, Philip Benson was sent
homo In carriage, with pale face and
blood STAINED lips,
~ broken blood-vessel," said the
| doctor. who was too much used to that
sort OF thing to attach much Importance
TO 10 Diseased lungs. Constitution
all run down, no longer desk-work. but
country air-exercise--new nilk-fresh
eggs-all that sort of thingr'
80 Carrie and Clara took grave coun-
gel together over this sad necessity.
Philip was always fond of garden
ing,' said the young wife, wistfuIly. 'If
r1p4 ~efn n~,l IsAkJ
country cottage somewhere"
We'll buy one," said Carrie. ''Look
here. Clara. Twas reading only yester-
day the advertisement In the paper of
little place In the Isle of Thanet, close
BY new watering-place that has sprung
up there. Two Hundred pounds down,
the rest on mortgage! Now, I have my
grandmother's legacy untouched.
That's two hundred and fifty pounds,
you know. We viii pay down two hun
dred and keep tho other fifty towards an
outfit And wen turn farmers"
"What business woman you are,
Carrie" said she. How did you find
out about mortgages and all that sort of
thingFn
While Philips eyes ghstened.
If You are really willing to make
this sacrifice for me, Carrie" said he,
II believe that it would be new lease
of life for me-"
'But how Is the balance to be paidp"
said Clara wistfully.
The farm must be made to pay for
hself.n said Phil.
'NOf course it must" said Carrie
Small fruits, poultry, and garden vege-
tables can't fail to be o success close to
o new place full Of visitors, and so near
Margate and Ramsgate, too"
SO they bought the farm and went
there to live.
At the years end, however, the farm
hadn't paid for itself. In fact, 1t had so
far disappointed all the principles of
political economy as to run up . neat
little schedule Of debt
And It was Just about that time that
Carrie had surprised her poor, worn-out
little sister-in-law in tears.
.'How is one to help cryingp' said
Clara, tearfully. with the grocer's
bill coming in, and the taxes and the
horrid lawyers clerk making such to
do about the interest-for 1t seems that
the mortgage has been transferred to
some new man who is buying deal OF
property down here
''Pshawr' said Carrie, giving her Sis
ter-in-law defiant kiss. Tell 'om all
to wait I've planr'
''But plans won't pay the bills, Car
rie.''
'How do you know that they won't
in timer" saucily demsnded Carrie.
"Are you aware that the field next to
our orchard is full of the most deli
cious, dewy. delightful crimson straw
berries as large as a plum-almostP"
mo" said Clara, sadly. ''And even
If it is, Carrie, one can't live on straw
berries"
mo, but one can sell them," said tri-
umphant Carrie. "And we can gather
them ourselves, and sell them 20 the
landlord Of the new hotel"
Yes" said Clara, dejectedly, ''thas
is an excellent plan for meeting current
expenses. But the iIterest-the awful
interest! You couldn't write TO Mr.. AL
fyn. ! suppose. and ask him 70 lend US
NO" cried Carrie, with mantling
cheeks. "Please-please, Clara, don't
ask such thing as that of me-"
But he is rich," urged Clara "And,
after all, it would only be loan; and
Phil was almost sure he liked you when
~
"And that Is the very reason that l
cannot ask him." said Carrie, with
downcast eyes. IF he had really cared
for me, Clara, don't you think he would
have said so before nowp Nonsense! A
bouquet, or so-e book-one or two
evening calls-what do they signifyp A
man might extend those little courtesies
to any woman. and never think twice of
it."
Mrs. Benson sighed softly. perhaps
you are right" said she.
And Carrie picked a moss basket full
OF the perfumed crimson fruit, and
hravely carried it down to the Sea View
Hotel the very next day.
Il wish TO see the manager" she said,
to q white-chokered servant.
I'm the Office, miss" said the man.
Carrie, who both by nature and neces-
sity was ''home-body," had never
seen the new hotel, and the modern
beauty of its marble-paved floor, its fres-
coed walls and exquisite hardwood fin
ish, struck agreeably ON her eye. But
she knew that her courage would fail II
she paused single second; so, walking
boldly up TO the plate-glass shielded
mahogany desk, she set down the basket
II wish to make contract to sell
strawberries here" said she, resolutely.
80 many quarts day. At the market
price"
miss Bensonp'
It vas Hugh Allyn himself, who, put
ting the clerk gently aside. stepped for
ward. Carrie colored to the very tips
OF her fingers. but she never f1inched.
"Are you the owner of this new build
ing. Mr.. Allynp" said she. 'But you
see that we can't all be as successful as
you are. My brother has bought