The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1883-08-02
WHY PAY BILLS WHEN DUE.
Aunt Grace's story.

Aunt Grace's Story.
ooh, dear!'' said Rose Howard as
she looked at the paper which the serv-
ant handed her. THAT wretched girl
is in desperate hurry to send in her
bill for embroidery. Twenty dollars!
just what l had saved to pay for the
bonnet and gloves which l must have if
go to Mrs. Lorimer' s reception. I did
not expect this bill till had my next
months allowance. Well, she must
wait, that's all. :"
Il would not make her wait, if /
were you, Rose" said Miss Grace Row
an, looking up from her sewing.
''Why, it is only ten days, "said Rose.
Papa always gives me my allowance
on the first day of the month, and to-
day is the twenty-frst.'
Nevertheless I would pay her bill
to-day" said Miss Rowan, earnestly.
elf it will be of any use to you would
much rather lend you the money. l
can probably do without it better than
she can"
THANK you, Aunt Grace, but that
would not do at all said Rose.
'.When papa consented to give me a
regular allowance it was on condition
that l should never borrow penny of
any one. But why are you SO anxious
that the bill should be paid at once? Do
you know anything about this girl that
you are so sure she is in need of the
money!
Mo- said Miss Rowan, 81 know
nothing about her. 1t is only on gen
eral principles that l am speaking. Not
exactly, either. If you choose viii tell
you why / never delay day in paying
bill sent in by poor person, above
all by poor young girl.
"A story said Rose, gayly. ooh
that is delightful. l am as fond of stO-
ries now as l was at ten years old. 1t
just comes at the right time, too, for
mamma wants me to finish this table
cloth, and | do get so tired of these
conventional borders, just the same
thing over and over, but n story will
make me forget it. Do 60 on, aunty.'
Rose settled herself comfortably in
her low sewing-chair, and dropped her
dark lashes over her pretty blue eyes.
Aunt Grace smiled little at her eager
ness, then sighed family and began her
tale
cit is a story of the days when 1 was
an elderly young girl, living at home
with my parents" she said. ''And
the heroine of the story-you remem-
Der those flowcr-paintings which you
have so often admired at my home,
RoseP"
Remember themP OF course I do.
Those great velvety pansies with the
dewdrops standing upon their purple
petals. And the sweet peas, with rings
of dainty flush over tremulOus white,
looking as if a breath would blow them
away. And, oh auntyl those exquisite
maple-buds and catkins, the soft, furry
white pussies, mingled with the bright
scarlet of the bursting buds. 1t is like
q dream of early spring. But how do
they come into your story, aunty?''
asked Rose, lifting wide eyes of interest
to her aunt's face.
"Only because the painter of those
pictures is the heroine of il" said Aunt
Grace. Cara Hastings was her name
She was much younger than I, an or
phan, fighting her way sngle-handed
with the world. PrettyP Well, rather
pretty, not very. She had slight,
graceful figure, dark, wistful eyes SET
in a small, pale face, flexible, tremulou.
lips and profusion of soft, dark, wavy
hair, which framed her broad forehead
like cloud.
Il met her first at the studio of s
friend, and, in spite of the two years
difference in our ages, we took a mutua
fancy to each other. After that l wa.
often at her studio, poor little bare place
that it was! One room served for every
thinT-kitchen, parlor, studio, bed
room, yes, and reception room for he
pupils. A broad lounge served for he
bed by night, and one corner of tn,
room was curtained off to conceal he
toilet apparatus. Her cooking, such a.
it was, was accomplished upon a small
kerosene stove, which, when not in use
she kept in her closet. A poor littl,
place, rs l said, but Cara was yer,
hnv IN ho hrrs
she had one of those bright, happy dis
positions which make their own sun
Shine. She often talked to nfe of he
pupils, but the one of whom she spolu
ofteuest was Maud Y. / knew the nam
well, for the father of this Maud wa
one of the most prominent clergymel
i'm the city where we both lived. Ever
one respected him, irrespective of de
nomination He was not only an elo
quent preacher and a profound scholar
of fervid piety and blameless life; h
was also a philanthropiSt, reformer
prominent in everything that was goo,
and noble. Cara often spoke of hin
with enthusiasm.
1t is not only that Maud is such
darling, she said, but feel it such Al
honor to be associated in any way witt
the family of such a mani
All this was in the winter SDrin!
came. and everybody was leaving town
l did not go, although all my famil
did, simply because l did not care to
There is such a pleasant feeling ant
sense of solitude in a large city through
July and August that meant to'put OF
my outing unit I late September. Car
did not go away, either, and we saw
GOOD deal OF each other. 1t was not al
unalloyed Joy to me, though, for. watch
ing her. ] saw that day by day he
check grew palor and thinner, her stel
slower her eye more feYer.shly bright
What i tIle matter With sou