Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-08-16
tFor the EoKTHwEsT.l
EULA'S SACRIFICE.
A True Story.
BY MAMIE FREEMIN.

By MAMIE FREKMIN.
80. Eula, do think you are 20 foolish
10 90 home now. Besides the loss of our
society on that long talked Of trip, you
miss Nellie Hartnett's reception, which Is
expected 10 bel the most brilliant affair Of
the season. Can You not walt just one
week longerf"
Thus esyly spoke, or rather importuped
Ursula Manning. the friend Of our little
heroine. ,ursuls's request was, repeated
by several young ladies and gentlemen on
hoard the elegant steamer Hiawaths, until
Eula beseechingly placed her hands on her
ears and begged for silence, "fou are
very good" she answered, "to come 10 say
good by, but do not make the parting
hour one Of reproaches. My departure can
not he delayed longer"
A murmer Of dissent and objection fol-
lowed this announcement, for all loved
Eula Dennis and knew how much she
would be missed from their daily jaunts.
rides, or excursions. They wondered
Why she should leave the fashionable re-
sort now, Just at the height Of the sea-
son. One only knew the real object OF her
going. Euls had spent some months In
the beautiful city Of D. where her lovely
girlish beauty and graceful manners had
captured society by storm. But her visit
was to be finished sooner than she sntici-
pated. On the eve of her departure from
home, her mother had said, "Eula, before
going to d. have a request to make, it's
fulfillment may not be ofpleasure to you,
but 1t will please me, and may bring COM
fort tn another. Do you remember when
we lived in E--street?"
"Pertectly well mother" was Eula's an
swer."
"What circumstances or people come
most vividly to you thoughts Eula,
as this neighborhood Is brought to your
memOry?"
"Of the former, there is one shall never
forget, the cruel fire, dear mother, at which
papa received the injuries which cost him
his life. or the neighbors, can l ever for
get those in whose home we found shelter
on that terrible night Mother were we
not very poor then?"
"Yes, Eula, we were, and almost friend
less, but an uncle of mine died shortly af-
ter, leaving his immense fortune to us, his
only surviving relatives. But it is not OF
this now speak. 1t is rather of those
neighhors whose kind hospitality should
never be forgotten. That family has long
since been broken up, and now l think
there are none left but the kind old mother
and one son."
"Is he the one, the brave boy who res
cued me from the flames when papa be-
came disabled and powerless to save me,
1 was only five years old, but remember
it as il it were but yesterday" exclaimed
Eula.
mo, Eula, believe that son, Daniel by
name, was killed in the late war. They
moved from this city shortly before the
war and for some years had lost track of
their whereabouts. Recently, however,
heard that Mrs. Halpin was living in d.
with her only surviving son, an invalid,
and fear not in very good circumstances.
Will you try to find her? know it will
| please her and"
eyes, indeed mother, my first duty will
| be to find her. Just think, owe my life
under Gods protection to her sons
bravery. "Oh, mother" continued Euls,
"what grand thing that legacy seems
now, how happy will be in relieving dis
tress and in this way show them their
kindness was never forgotten"
In accordance with this request and her
own eager resolution, Eula's first mission
before entering the gay society in which
her aunt moved, was to hunt up and call
upon the Halpines. Her mother was right
| in her surmises oitheir circumstances and
the effect of a call from Eula. 1t brought
comfort in more ways than one to the al
most heart broken old lady. BY Eula's
kind though transformations charity, many
necessities, and even luxuries were pro-
cured for the sick man, but they came too
late, and Eula found herself within two
months after her arrival, trying to console
the now truly afflicted mother.
We will pass over the weary weary Wis.,
its Eula made daily to the poor old crea-
would have appealed to far sterner heart
than this young girls. At times, Eula
thought her task was too great, she could
bring no comfort, though her own heart
ached and her tears of sympathy united
with those OF the sorrow stricken mother.
Many pang ofsorrow darted through her
heart, even in the gay ballroom as her
thoughts reverted to the humble house
she had just visited, or as she compared
her aunt's gay happy life with that of that
poor lonely woman. She wondered, as
others have done, why some should have
all that makes life dear. home, friends,
wealth and influence, others nothing but
lonliness, poverty, bitterness.
Poor child she was beginning to oquestion
the truth of the poets words, Unto each
life some rain must fall" and she shud-
dered as she thought, when in my life will
the bitter come. She did not know that
the widows one prayer was, that Eula
Dennis should never know want or misery,
that her days might never be dark or cold
or dreary.
At last Eula suggested change, would
Mrs. Halpin not like to 60 to her former
home, there to visit the graves other hus-
band and children. To her pleasant surprise
the change vas just what Mrs. Halpin was
anxious for, but she disliked the journey
alone.
Eula's generous nature at once prompted
her to accompany the old lady, but the
thoughts Of foregoing the pleasure of a
lown associates deferred her from making
the proposition. What was she to do?
Mrs. H. was desIrous of going and im.ne-
diately, but could not 60 alone. ~ will
60 with you, and we will 60 at once," cheer
fully said Eula. The one look Of peace
and happiness she saw on Mrs. Halpin's g
face as she hastily exclaimed, "God bless
you child" more than repaid her the pain
she felt at the sacrifice she had made.
This was Eula's reason for leaving now,
to the wonder and CONSERVATION of all her
friends. She did not explain, she could
not, knowing that no one in that gay cir
Gle would understand, even if they knew
all the circumstances. So amid many
pressing invitations tor a speedy return,
regrets at her departure, injunctions to
write soon and the Thousand and one mes
sages that make the parting hour. The last
gong, the signal of departure was sounded
and Eula had time to think it all over.
For some time she remained thinking of
the scenes ofpleasure and gayety she had
just left, and of the friends she had made.
1t is no wonder doubt rose in her mind,
was she not foolish to give up so much
for astranger?-'No's she answered to her,
cn1 ON MT hay xrysoh IN