Morris tribune., 1884-05-21
OPENING THEIR EYES.

OPENING THEIR EYES.
just think, maj said Lura John
son, suddenly looking up from the book
with which she had been absorbed;
MARY Bertram has twelve hundred
dollars in the Post Office Department
where she is employed; mustn't it be
splendid to be able to earn so much
money!"
Yes, it certainly must" was the
quiet reply.
Now, how convenient it would be-"
Lura continued, IF l could only OBJ
tain such q position as that few years
hence, and perhaps might; poor
father had so many influential friends,
that with their help 1 might stand a
fair chance of doing quite as we'll as
Mary"
Yes, you might" was again the
quiet rejoinder.
At that moment the door opened.
and fne-looking boy of about fifteen
years entered the room. He began
speaking somewhat excitedly:
What do you think, Lu! I've been
talking with Wallace Benton, and he
goes to New York tonight, to assist in
experimenting in great laboratory OF
some kind; they are going to pay him
hundred dollars q month for the first
year, and then increase his pay accord
inc to the value of his services; how is
that for young fellow of only twenty
two?"
s.Pretty good, I should think; and as
YOU came in 1 was telling ma about
Mary Bertram, who happens to receive
the same salary at Washington. Oh,
dear, if l was only few years older,
and you too, what helps we might be!
Ma wouldn't have to cut and contrive
as she does now, to make both ends
meet"
That's exactly what 1 was think
ing" said Walter.
Although these remarks were evil
IDENTITY Intended for her ears, Mrs.
johnson said nothing. She was a.
widow with these two children to sup
port,-Walter of fifteen, Lura of four
teen wears. Very hard she found it, J
as Lura had limited, to provide proper
food, clothing and schooling, with the J
slender income which seemed to dimin-;
ish rather than increase, as the years;
rolled on. !
The children knew this, and longed
for the time when they could help her.
But sufficient schooling the mother wasl
determined they should have, at what;
ever possible sacrifice on her part. :
It was early in the evening, and!
presently Lura went back to her book,
and Walter took up newspaper, but;
in a moment he laid it down, exclaim-
"Oh. bother! there's that old lesson
in chemistry! l haven't looked at it
yet. Do you know, mother" he added,
II think chemistry is an everlasting
bore? Some of the fellows are going
to drop it at the beginning of the next
term, and if you have no objections
believe will too"
ooh, there! and that reminds me,
chimed in Lura, Il just hate French,
and Miss De Dresses says perhaps I'd
better drop that, too, it irritates me SO.
Have you any objections?" and she
looked appealingly at the patient,
pretty lady who sat industrious1y sew
ing at the table close by.
Mrs. johnson did not reply for q
moment; then she said slowly and
thoughtfully:
'I've been thinking how it would re-
lieve me not to sew any more. Sewing
always did tire me, and it would help
me greatly to drop it entirely"
'sBut what should we do for clothing
in that case?" asked Lura, with a
puzzled look.
s.Well, but it is such a BORE" said
Mrs. johnson; sand after all, what
good does it do?"
Lura looked anxious as she replied:
ooh, come, ma, don't get discouraged;
I'll help you all can, indeed will. !"
'sAnd you can always count on me
to do my share when the chance comes
in," said Walter, kindly.
"No;" said Mrs. johnson, dejectedly,
'sthere is where the chief cause of dis
enlargement lies; I can't depend on
nv dear children to do their best to
help me-" .
s'Now, ma, what do you mean?"
asked Lura, half crying.
..WeI, I'll tell YOU" and laying down
her sewing, Mrs. johnson began: Il
have earnestly hoped and confidently
believed, dear children, ever since your
father died, that you meant to assist
me all you could; but of late have
had reason to doubt either your ability
or good intentions in this respect, and
it has greatly disheartened me.
perhaps you fail to understand my
meaning, but l think my dear boy
Walter is unconscious of the fact that
tonight he has expressed himself fol
the third time as having to drop some
important study, simply because it ap'
pears distasteful to him at the outset.
And I observe with pain and regret
that Lura, whom have taken great
pains to assist in different studies, had
far rather occupy herself with a story.
book than pursue the useful branches
of knowledge I have striven hard to
have her interested in.
s.Now happen to know that neither
Wallace Benton nor Mary Bertram
could occupy the positions they do to-
night but for the very studies you have
each expressed wish to abandon al
the earliest opportunity. Wallace
Benton is thoroughly trained chem
list; he has made unusual proficiency
for young man of his years; but Pro
lessor Cassen told me, during recent
conversation [ had with him, that Wal.
lace's perseverance and application has
loo, corootbipn rnoct com Ynaud able