The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-05-10
OPENING THEIR EYES.


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
quot reply. -.
Now. how convenient it would be, y
Lura continued, Iii | could only OBJ
tain such position as that Il few years
hence, and perhaps might; poor
father had so many influential friends,
that with their help | might stand
fair chance Of doing quite as well rs
Mary
yes. YOU might was again the
quiet rejoinder.
Al that moment the door opened
and hnc-lookin- boy of about fifteen
years entered the room. lie began
speaking somewhat eXcitcdly:
what do you think, Lu! I've been
talking with Wallace b anton, and he
goes TO New York tonight, to assist in
superintending IN great laboratory OF
some kind; they are Going 10 pay him
a hundred dollars a 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?'
Pretty good | should think; and as
you came in | was telling ma about
Mary Bertram, who happens to receive
the same salary at Washington. Oh,
dear, if | was only n 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
NEE"
That's exactly what | was think
ing said Walter
Although these remarks were evil
IDENTITY intended for her ears, Mrs.
johnson said nothing. She was
widow with these two children 10 sup
port, Walter of fifteen, Lura of four
teen years Very hard she found it,
as Lura had limited, TO provide proper
food, clothing and schooling, with the
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 was
determined they should have, at what
ever possible sacrifice on her part.
1t was early in the evening. and
presently Lura went back to her book,
and Walter took up a newspaper, but
in moment he laid il down, eXclaim-
ing pettishly;
"Oh, bother! there's that old lesson
In chemistry! haven't looked at it
yet. Do you know. mother" he added,
II think chemistry is an everlasting
Dor? Some of the fellows are going
to drop 1t at the beginning of the next
term, and il you have no objections |
believe will too"
'Oh, 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 dustriously sew
ing at the table close by.
Mrs. johnson did not reply for a
moment; then she said slowly and
thoughtfully:
I've been thinking how it would re-
heye me not TO sew any more. Sewing
always did tire me- and it would help
me greatly to drop it entirely"
But what should we do for clothing
in that caseP" asked Lura, with a
puzzled look.
"Well, but it is such BORE said
Mrs. Johnson; land after all, what
good does it do?'
Lura looked anxious as she replied:
''Oh. come, ma, don't get discouraged;
Ell help you all can, indeed | will. +"
'And you can always count ON me
10 do my share when the chance comes
In, said Walter, kindly.
mo-" said Mrs. Johnson, dejectedly,
there is where the chief cause of dis
couragement lies; | can't depend on
my dear children to do their best to
help me-"
Now. ma, what do you meanp"
asked Lura. half crying.
swell, Pntell you;" and laying down
her sewing, Mrs. johnson began: Il