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

to poor me, oh dearl Aunt Phoebe
would never consent in; the world.
felt sure she wouldn't. But to my sur
prise: and JOY, my worldly wise auntie
consented; with some show of reluc.
lance 1t Is true, and / believe she was q
truly religious woman, but Rosa paid
good board, and had BY no, means
proved the Objectionable person as to
her manners that Aunt Phoebe had an
ticipated she would, besides; later in
the season her parents were expected
as boarders, 80 she, quieting her con-
science with the observation that "if il
was to be in the house she wouldn't
consent for anything" she allowed me
to 60. suppose the inference was, that
to dance on Gods carpet was not q quar-
ter part the sin it would be were it one
made by wicked man. She need of felt
no fear on, my account, however, for as
Christian 1 never danced, although not
disposed at all to condemn others who
might differ from me in the matter.
At the table, Mrs. Herbert, who had
been rather testy all day, turned sud-
denly toward Rosa and observed,
tartly:
$50 you are going to dance, tonight?
understood you were a church mem
her, and my church manual forbids such
.xcesses on the part of protesting Chris
tians." y
Now Rosa had as much spirit as it is
proper for any young lady to possess;
she made no reply. ! only noticed that
her neck curved little more to the
right, and the naturally lofty pose of
her stately head became trifle more
apparent. 1t was this same curve and
pose of neck and head, I think, which
made Aunt Phoebe SO pronounced as to
"her aristocratic WAYS"
But God has 80 ordained that some
members of his exquisitcly nodded lily
family so carry and sway their graceful
might imagine they fancied themselves
no prlde IN the neert OF MY; 1t curves
and waves and displays its matchless
charms, just as God made it to.
But there was to be no dance for
either of us that night. As Mrs. Herbert
was sweeping sullenly from the dining
room she paused at window in pass
ing, and the next instant with more
alarm than elegance:
"Ob. my goodness gracious! what
does this mean 1 wonder?"
All hurried to the window, and at first
could only discern a motley crowd ap-
preaching the house, but a moment
more and it became apparent that some
one WAS being borne along on some kind
of a pallet. An instant later it was only
too plain, Poor Mr.. Herbert, like many
another luckless sportsman, had himself
proved the game of his intended pleas
ure.
need not describe the excitement
and hustle which followed. For one
thing we were all thankful enough. The
pleasant, easy going man was still alive.
The doctor entered the house at the
same time Mr.. Herbert was brought in
dlsfgured, soiled and bleeding. He
sharply ordered "bandages. plenty of
them; quick, tool" Mrs. Herbert was of
no assistance whatever, she could only
wiring her hands in real anguish, and inn
plore every one to save him, her "dear,
good, kind husband, oh save him!"
Aunt Phoebe ran for old linen. and
quick as flash saw Rosa tear her del
handed it to the doctor, who tightly
bound it about the bleeding wrist. All
that night, Aunt Phoebe. Rosa and
watched and bathed, and carefully ten
ded the poor unconscious sufferer.
The next day, however, other board
ers arrived, and Aunt Phoebe could not
spend many moments in the sick room.
It WAS impossible to find a trustworthy
nurse in the town, and for whole long
sitting hot week, Rosa and shared the
vigils Of the wonderfully softened wom-
an, who watched by the bedside of her
dearly loved husband.
One day witnessed scene which
sent me rushing to my room, 10 give
way to irrepressible sobs. The dector
had pronounced Mr.. Herbert out OF
danger, adding to his wife, "and you
can greatly thank your young friends
here, who have rendered you such Won
ierful good assistance in this time of
need, particularly that young princess,
who has. stood by you day and night.
She needs rest now. Her eyes are
heavy with something besides their own
'pendor." Happening to go to Rosa's
room on some trif1ing errand, I saw
Mrs. Herb. rt standing before her, and
Ill at once she threw her arms around
Rosa's neck exclaiming:
"Oh, you lovely Christian! I've :.
'purned you because thought you dres-
'ed too much; I've ridiculed tile idea of
your protesting religion, because being
young and beautiful you have adhered
With natural pleasure to customs of the
fashionable society in which you have
shown me that it is by their fruits his
children are to be known, and you
ire one of the Lords own. On, forgive
me, dear child"
But l could wait to hear no more, I
'nly rushed away as have described;
out all barriers we're swept away that
summer night. l had my own little con-
esslon to make, not only to Rosa. but
o my own heart; and the lesson /
earned from contact with this beautiful
!irf was most wholesome one. 1 4
know now, It does not follow that the
'ich and fashionable are necessarily
proud or ungodly. Neither are they the
leartless creatures we are too prone to
imagine them.
Il was surprised, must own, when, at
The end of the season. our "talerted
young minister" begged Of Rosa's par
ents the privilege of offering his love to
heir beautiful daughter. She turned
rom the proffered gold which wealthier
'uitors ardently urged unon her accept
lnce, and took the pure love of good
Mr.. Spencer.
She has hecn one of us for years now:
or spent my summers still with Aunt
Phoebe, and mine. 1t is true she is al
ways faultlessly attired; it is her nature
o be, and believe it is one reason why
The is so invariably fresh and attractive
o all admiriug eyes. Her lovely face is
.reatly beloved by "her people," And
what wonder! No home so lowly but |
Ter daintily shod feet can enter most
willingly. No one sunk so low in vice or
rhine, but she can stretch out her soft,
white hand to render. good assistance in
Helping to lift them up. No child SO
DOOR or small, but she could bend her
Iueenly head to bestow the expected
:aress. And even Aunt Phoebe has long
ince ceased to mention, even if still