The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-08-10

&QrSHStUHk0Eb AEG,
q Aunt Phoebe remarked that her fami-
" dined at noon, whereupon Mrs Her
bert, In what appeared to me ysry III
taste, descanted at conside cradle ienvth.
upon the improper and unwholesome
practice New York people adopted. OF
eating their. heartiest meal at niphtfafl:g
to alllof which the young lady assented.
with we'll bred acquiescence.
The next day was spent by our state
~ visitor in unpacking. She had ex.
planned 3hat the reason of her coming
to N-without her parents, was because
they we're unable to leave the CITY for
two months longer, and Uncle Eben of.
fering his escort, it was thought best to
send her this early, where she could
breathe good country air, Later in the
I season her parents hoped to join her.
Well, it was not in the nature ofthinps
fer two Young ladies of about the same
age to occupy adjoining rooms without
Deco: ming somewhat familiar. Yet had
stood aloof, really admiring this beauti-
full girl, but determined she should new.
er have cause to feel contempt for me
for forcing myself upon her notice in
any way. But she was mighty fascin.
alton: It frequently happened she
would ask me some question which
would result in my stayin. into her
room while she was dressing for the
afternoon. And what pleasure and at
traction it was to watch the completion
of her toilet. With shapely white fin.
| gers shewould deity plant jaunty bow.
| or sweet tuft of flowers, in the midst of
mass of crimps over her smooth brow.
AMI it would look as if there, both bow
anf crirfps, without being placed BY
hands, 80 perfectly graceful and unstud-
led would be the entire arrangement,
Her elegantly Numbered lnuslins, or
crisp silks, fitted her iaultless figure to
charm, and even the ribbon or flower
was as dainty nestled among the laces at
| her throat as though placed by fairy
fingers. She became to me beautiful
study by her rich attire, and finished
manners, although probably brought
UP in bal! room," as Mrs. Herbert had
rather spitefuly remarked. l used to
pray God to convert and save the love.
~ girl, for reared as l mad been,
feared that there must be much of sim
fulness ard danger lurking beneath so
much of tasteful display.
A few afternoons after her arrival,
Mr.. Spencer, the talented young minis
ter of N, had called. and while sat
confusedly wishing knew just what to
say, Rosa swept. noislessly into the
room Oh, the ease and grace with
which sine received and conversed with
him! can see now the perfect attitude
she assumed, all unconscious apparent
ly of the faultless adjustment, as seating
herself sideways on the sofa, so ay to
face him az he sat in his arm chair, her
long trail laid in ample folds along the
floor.
To my surprise some question which
Mr.. Spencer asked revealed the fact that
Rosa Taught large class of boys in the
Howard mission Sunday school.
"Whs" l. said afterward, edo you
teach in the Sunday SCHOOL,"
Certainly" she replied; II couldn't
we'll get along without my poor dear
boys; ma sometimes worries about me
ling 30 often to their wretched homes,
but it is one Of my chief pleasures to try
to comfort them now and thenW
Aha! here was new phase in this
dressy beauty's character. That was
more than had ever done in my life.
had prayed for the poor, but most peo-
Pile in our village were comfortably off,
SO knew little about wretched homes
OF poverty, but.the New York poor of
others'
1t is true Rosa used frequently to ride
with fashionable acquaintance at the
hotel and spent more or less time in gay
company, but sweeter or more agree
able manners had never seen, although
remarks and innuendoes continually
thrown out by Aunt Phoebe and Mrs.
Herbert, made me always somewhat re-
served III her presence, but often she
would seem lonely, and on one occa-
sion standing before me exquisitely got
ten up as usual-she said lovingly:
"You are so bright and pretty, Mag.
gle dear: but think-I imaglne-vou
don't just fancy me. l coult love you
dearly too"
l longed to throw my arms around her
white neck; and bury my lips in her
dlmpled cheek; but thought of the al
lusions so constantly made as warnings,
concerning her sinful worldliness, and
sat still. Silly dolt that was.
One evening just as we had finished
supper, on Of the neighbours boys burst
eXcitedly into the dining room, with the
unpleasant intelligence that one of the
Glen boys chad been run over" and DR.,
Gray doubted if he could live through
the night.
The "Glen boys" belonged to a very
poor but respectable family, who lived
about mile from Aunt Pnmbe's, and
although every one expressed surprise
and curiosity, no one seemed to take
very deeply to heart the fact that a
.'.Iother's boy" was suffering great bod
lily pain and n danger of speedy death.
A few moments later, to my surprise,
| met Rosa in the hall, plainly dressed
ina short cambric-ofa remarkably pref
ty pattern-and with her gypsy and
gloves, saw she was equipped for a
walk
"Why, it is almost dark" said, "are
Won eoino ont a ouo2D
II am going to poor Mrs. Glen's," she
replied simply, "she must need help, or
at least sympathy, this long, painful |
"Oh let me 60 too! do" pleaded for
she hesitated to reply.
Certainly, if your aunt is willing; but |
I c1ay stay until morning.
Aunt Phebe's face would indeed have
been ga picture for painter" when |
told her where I wished to 20, and |
with whom.
Law, yes" when her surprise en-
abled her to find utterance, "and for
mercy's sake notice what she does for |
all things!"-But I waited to hear no
more, and another moment we were off. |
But the lesson I learned that night |
was how fair, jeweled hand could soothe |
bruised and fevered brow; how low,
cultured tones could breathe consolation
into the ear of a lowly but stricken |
mother; how an ample purse, in gener-
Gus hands could provide for some of the |
necessities Of the suffering poor. Dear,
blessed girl Child of fashion she might !
be. but what harm after all, could the |
tine vesture prove, with such a true
heart beating beneath!
And ifyou can believe it! When I
told from full heart, the next day.