The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-09-25
A VACATION EXPERIMENT.

dom-freedom from careless, uninter-
esting children, and the sight of a
dreary, dusty school room. Not an ex-
ercise to correct, nor a copy to set, nor
. naughty child to keep after school
when she longed to be out in the sweet
ness and freshness OF the long June
afternoons.
There was no mistaking the air of re-
lief with which Alice Disbro laid aside
hS hat and drew off her gloves, as she
seated herself in Aunt Msrgaret's mod
est parlor.
But the appearance of satisfaction
soon gave way to a little expression of
anxiety, as she leaned back comfort
ably in the little cane rocker.
Yes, very pleasant to think about,
but the next thing is how are you going
to spend those two monthsp OF course
you would take a trunkfull of pretty
dresses, and money enough to go to the
mountains or seashore." There were
the Burtons, who had invited her for a
month at Old Orchard, and her sister
Mary would be quite willing that she
should come down to Newport for her
entire vacation, for there were the
children and. 'sAlice, you know has SO
much influence with the boys"
But neither of these prospects seemed
to please Alice Disbro. The Burtons
were very kind and pleasant, but a
mental inventory of her wardrobe con-
WINGED her that the contrast between
herself and the Burton girls would be
too marked for her own peace of mind.
1t she had not given Uncle Edward that
hundred dollars when one of his best
horses died and he did not know how
to replace it-she might have had at
least two new dresses. But she had,
and she was not sorry either.
As for Mary, she was probably as
kind a elder sisters usually are, but
having been married when Alice was
only ten. they had been separated toe
long to know much about each other.
Besides a certain little circumstance Of
her visit to Newport the previous sum.
NOR would render her presence there 9
trihing embarrassing.
At last a sudden thought dawned
upon her, and exclaiming aI'n try it, ,
she went for her writing materials.
She had heard of a certain summer
resort in the Adirondacks where nearly
all the Mattresses in the hotel were
school teachers, and she would try that
for q chsnge she must have.
But Mary! she would probably faint
at the idea of a Disbro doing such
thing. Not that Alice meant to &C
quaint her with her plans, but the mere
thought of it sent a CLEAN of merri
ment into her eyes.
While she pens her letter of applica.
ton let me tell you a little about her
Stephen Disbro had been a successful
business man judged from the stand
point of a rather non-progressive east
ern city. If he had been content witt
his well-earned prosperity, all woult
have been well, but t.nothing that we
have or are a satisfy us for more thai
q moment" and soft came to pass tina
the letters of a friend, a stock-broke
in New York. induced him to NOV,
with his family to that city. Here hi
old success followed him, and in q few
years he became an important factor il
the money market.
His wife, a very clever and decided
ambitious woman, was from the first
marked favorite in society, and the Dis
bro mansion was soon renowned for tn
elegance of its entertainments. Mar
Disbro was at this time a very prett
brunette, of eighteen, and during he
second season she c~aptivated the hear
of a man much older, but of such a
a~ristocratic family that her parent
were delighted and made no objectio
to a speedy marriage.
comparatively little. She was a rattle
shy, awkward girl whose place was il
the school-room, and she only kne,
that she had everything she wanted
except freedom to romp and enjoy hel
self as in her old home.
Then came several years of life in
fashionable boarding school, and on
day she was called home by the new
that her father had lost every dollar
and was SO broken down by his troubl
that his life vas in danger.
His death was q very bitter blow I
Alice, who loved him in her strong
quiet way, and although she took th
tenderest care of her pretty, fra
mother, she never felt that sense {
sympathy and fellowship she ha
known for her father.
For two years the mother and daugl
Vol AtfOu quiOoiJ niiu OOhiioIIduly, SUI
ported by the generous aid of Mr.. Ho
den, Mary's husband, and then Mr.
Disbro died, and Alice found herself
twenty with no claim upon any n bl
her sister.
Of course her brother-in-law offere
her his home, but Alice knew she woul
not be happy to occupy a dependel
position even where she would be in I
sense a burden.
She had, however. an aunt living in
country village, and securing the pos
tion of teacher in the district school, 81
became a member of Aunt Margaret
family and it is here our story flint
her.
The letter 70 the proprietor of tt
e. House was sent and an answ,
duly received, stating that they were
naed Of mora helm in thu dininC roo