Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-04-15
Seleet Stpry.
d GOOD INVESTMENT.

Father, can you spare me little
money 2"
Hetty Merton spoke in depre'
eating, pleading tone, as if asking 8
wonderful boon. 1t was at least ar
unusual request. for farmer Merton
laid down his paper, and looked a,
her in amazement over the rim of hi
spectocles."
Money! he replied; what for p
"Yes," her lips quivering in spite
of all her assumed bravery, "to buy
a new dress, l have nothing really
decent, and I wanted it for cousin
Jennie's party. will get something
serviceable, please, father"
"Hum 1 need all my money to buy
bread and meat and necessaries new
frocks for parties are not down in the
list" and he took up his hat and
strobe away.
"Oh, dear | Mother it is just toe
bad. My old dress is SO shabby, and
and am I never to have anything
new like other girls ?" and again she
buried her face in her gingham apron
and sobbed bitterly.
Couldn't you alter my grey silk
so it would answer ?"
"Your grey silk with a look of
disgust land besides it's the only
respectable dress you possess i
Mother" with red cheeks and bright,
indignant eyes, "are we so poverty.
stricken as father pretends ?"
"Well-I don't know" said loyal,
tender hearted Mrs. Merton. "Thsre's 8
that bill of Rogers due this summer,
and the crops last year, father says,
weren't over good"
Nonsense The crops were fine,
and the bill of Rogers is by no means
any reason why we should be shah
billy dressed the remainder Of our
natural lives. It's what you call
fathers "thrift," but what our neigh
boris name sting;ness. However, I
suppose I'll have to give up the party.
Oh, dear If 1 only had some way
of eal ming tie money myself"
"Hetty" said her mother, in a
serious voice, "there are the straw
berries, that father says don't pay to
gather, and refuses to do anything
with them this year. We cannot
possibly use them all; if you can sell
them you are welcome to them, dear
and Tom can help You gather and
dispose of them."
"Oh, mother the very thing How
fortunate you thought of them"
And pretty little Hetty hastily
put on light print dress, tied or a
neat white sun-bonnet and called to
her fourteen.y year-old brother, who
was wedding in tho garden, and re-
yealed her plan to him and asked his
assistance.
"Goed for you, sis |" he explained, {,
tossing stone after refractory
chicken. "Yes, I'll help, and Isay
why not sell them to the squire ?"
Hetty started, the sweet rose color
deepening in her cheeks. The squire
was rich new landlord of Clover
deem, the finest place in all that coun.
try round, and said to be very hand
some and immensely wealthy, and
foolish little Hetty had cherished
some romantic notions in regard to
him although they had never met
but Toms advice put them all to
fight.
"Yes," she thought. closing her
read lips firmly, why need care
His money will be as good as any
ones"
1t was a very beautiful mansion
that she paused before and regarded
with doubtful trembling heart, yet
passed on up the graveled carriage
way, wise enough to go to the back
door.
A portly-looking lady, in black.
silk and gold earrings. looking up from
an account book SHE was glsncing over
the maid ushered her into the house.
keeper sroom.
"Well," said that lady interroga
lively.
Give have some fine straw wberriel
to sell. Do you care to buy any ?"
And the upshot Of the matter was