Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1882-02-23
HELEN,S I)ISUO INTENT
nut D bright little grit

fair curls Of Helen, Mrs. Hanmond's little
girl. That was myself " $ias
I liked Mrs. Merchmotlt. She was q
beautiful woman, intellectual cultivated
and refined. And i was pleased that She
noticed me and liked me. 4 III III ss
MY father was not @ rich man, not at al
well to do, n'as the phrase goes. Ny
mother had to do. her own Homework, and
latterly had kept me home from school to-
help her; needing that help very much
with three children younger than myself
The circumstance troubled me. / wanted
TO possess advantages like other girls whose
parents were better off than mine. Then
Mrs. MarchmOnt came on some errand to
get references concerning q housekespe or, I
belieye--and noticed me in the Way Z have
recorded VI ~ 3$46$ M s% 81
"Does she attend school n IS
No, my mother said and explained the
reason, expressing her regret, ct The same
time, beca11se / was SO fond Of study. And
she would have liked to give me a good ed
rcation III 8a
aLet her come to my house some day, and
look at the books in the library, q said Mrs.
Marchmont. SHE may bring home any Of
them that she likes.
My mother thanked her cordially. And
how happy Twas! s55 \: III a. II
She came again after tn t, and took me-
80 spend the day with her. ! cannot tell
bow much enjoyed my. visit saw such
o number Of beautiful things pictures,
statues, hundred lovely ana curious OBJ
jeets from far off countries. And brought
home q book. .l s{5
went there quite frequently after that
Not often to stay, but always Welcomed
kindly, and always bringing home q
book. .G
In three years, Ada, the sister next in age
to myself was fifteen. Now Mrs. March
mont persuaded my mother to send me to a
first class academy, for q year OF. two She
herself would bear the expense, end Ada
would take my place 5 8.
After some denlur my parents consented,
thanking her earn estly for her ininessl as
did. And went.
Isuppose there were few girls happier
than I during the two years I was at school.
[ studied TO my hearts content, and made
excellent progress At the end Of two
years came home finished, as the saying
is. went to Mrs. Marchmont's. L was
eighteen now, rather pretty, and with my
ideas little elevated beyond my position in
life. ! took note of the black servant at
the door; tho height and grandeur Of Mrs.
Marohnaont's room; the elegance and rob
mel my gaze. My kind friend was delight
cd to see inc, made a thousand inquiries
concerning my attainments, and showed
altogether an Interest ia me that pleased and
1atterod noe. BY
Nov you must come often and see me, y
she said. u shall be glad to see you.''
went home pleased but yet discontinued
L had seen just enough Of the ease and en-
ioyment Of life, and the desirableness Of
riches to make me dissatisfied with my own
hu1nblo fortune and surroundings. 4 I
looked at tho plain, small house i lived in
at the small, low rooms and their plain
snd we'll worn furniture, with 4 secret Feel I
ing of heart sickness.
What is the matter, Helan?" asked my
mother. ri n.
Nothing, ma1ama; s was my answer.
She did not press her inquiries then
She was q wise as we'll as q good woman. \
But know sne watched mo, ana guessed
the cause OF lny serious looks.
But the next day she said, ~ am glad
your father is getting along in business
better than be used to, Helen, so that he
need notsend you out 10 earn your own
living in the world. was afraid. q year or
swo ago. that should have to- You do
not know wat q relief it is to me that i
can keep you at hosne.''
Her words conveyed to me, as i think
she mean5 they should, an idea of how
much harder my life might have bean than
I now found il. I thought about the mat 4
ter. and honestly tried to feel how CON !
paratiyeiy well off was Busih was hard
after ati. our little dwelling did not grow
any larger, the rooms were quite as low
and small as ever. the furniture no less
plain and old fashioned, Yes, was glad
that was not forced to gat my own living
in the world; but for al that I was discon-
tented a.
Mother" \ overheard Ada saying one
day, Helen isat hapr think, because
We are not rich, Ike Mrs. Marohmont. " |l
Are you happy with your humble cir
cumstances, my ,t!ear, asked my mother.
why, would like to be rich, Of COURSE "
said Ada: Shut we can't be rich, you know;
each other, and q really pleasant home; and
yes, ruarnmn, j am hapgy, I'm sure.
Only feel sorry for Helen, n"
could not help feeling rebuked. And
ut night, when my father came home, more
tired than usual, he put on his slippers and
stretched his weary limbs, saying. s sai.i3 "
~ have had such busy day, Mary. and
itseems good TO get home Is you and the
children. giE$G EN- ~ .
NE kissed her tenderly, and took little
Johnny on his knee; his fsoe wearing such
agoed smile, such q look Of rest and con-
tentment. Il ~ IA &
Come, " he5said, after supper, let us
sing I%#5$ 4
We had no piano, butwe got our hymn
books. and sang together w my fathsr had al
beautiful voices ard Ada s was, "a correct
and musical alto; and the music and the
ft,saf
TED my heart. thought what if that 10y &
ing little choir were broken! j And real
4 lied that We were indeed happy; that the
-linea had falIen tons in nleaaant nlaGaR !: