The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-11-06

smiled again, "who would like to do
business with me in Just that wav.1
But isn't this different p said
MARI You've had nothing to do with
!nelr speoulations; you're gained moth
ing by them"
And you're mistaken" replied his
father, If you think I drove = hard
bargain with Townsend. Iaereed to
give him tor building the block al I
believed it would be worth TO me. He
took all risks. II the times had been
favorable, he would have made some
thing. As it is, he loses. That's all
there is about it."
Mark was staggered for . moment.
Then he exclaimed earnestly, ~
"Oh no, father; that isn't
all. II there had been any or
binary gain or loss, what you say might
be Just. But he is building block of
houses for you; and I am sure YOU
won't insist on his doing it for what he
agreed, If it will ruin him-make his
family poor! I could never bear the
thought of that!"
MIR. Kingdom answered, after pause.
in quiet but firm voice,
You've kind heart, my son-Tm
glad of that-but you don't know any.
thing about business. And it isn't for
you to tell me what I ought to do.
You may be sure that shall do onlv
what seems to me to be right"
de adjusted his glasses and took up
his paper. Mark was not satisfied, but
there seemed to be nothing more for
him to say.
He hoped that his father would re-
lease Mr.. Townsend from the ruinous
contract. And when tire final crash
came, and it was known that the Town
sends had actually lost everything,
Mark felt even worse about it, I an,
bound to say, than Rhoda did.
The Townsend family were obliged
to move into a smaller house, where
livir g was less expensive and Mark lost
sight of them. But the great wrong
they had suffered ranked in his heart.
Often when his parents made him =
costly present, he would say to him
self,-
II wonder If this was bought with
some of the money wrung out of poor
Townsend!"
MIR. Townsend began business again,
and worked hard to support and
educate his family. But circum-
stances seemed always to be against
hmm. He couldn't get ahead. He con-
tinued the struggle manfully for few
years, then lost health and hope, and
died poor man.
He had had his life insured for mod
crate sum; and that was all that was
left to his family. A widow with six
children, and only the interest on three
thousand dollars to provide for their
wants! That was Mrs. Townsend's sit
uation.
But since the change in their fortunes
Rhoda had proved herself "glorious
girl" as everybody said who knew
them. She had given up the Injuries
Of life, and the pleasures of society, to
devote herself to the family. House
work, needlework, teaching her sisters
the MISUNDERSTANDING or drass-
making-whatever the task. she brought
to it willing heart and skillful hands.
II don't know what I should have
DONE" Mrs. Townsend used to say,
IF it hadn't been for Rhoda her tact for
keeping us all looking respectable on
nothing, is just wonderful! And she
makes lis all happy by her good spir-
it's"
But now, after her fathers death,
something besides even Rhoda's helpful
hands were needed to keep the family
along. The interest on his life insur-
ance money was only about two hundred
dollars year. That would not pay
house-rent where they were.
One evening Mrs. Townsend and Rho
da sat talking over their prospects.
II thought we we're poor before, ="
said the widow, with thoroughly dis
couraged air. "But our poverty was
nothing to this. What shall we dor
Rhoda was now in her twentieth year,
| and wise little head she had for girl
Of her age. She had thought the mat
ter over
II can answer for myself first," she
said. II shall take in dress making.
I will order little sign painted to-mor-
row. 1 can certainly bring some money
into the family that way"
"But it will he long time before
you can earn much!" said the disheart-
ened widow.
I'm the meantime" Rhoda went on,
"others must help. Maria is good at
figures; she must find q place in a
store. Lucy must give up her music
for the present, and assist you. TIL omas
will have to leave school--that's the
hardest thing to decide upon-for he
ought to go to college; we always
meant that he should. But he must be
earning some money, if We are to keep
the family together. James and Julia
must continue in school. at any rate
they are not old enough for anything
else."
''But, can we get along, if we do all
this?" poor Mrs. Townsend inquired.
eyes, but there is still another thing.
We must NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS." said
Rhoda.
"Ohlhaven't we pinchcd all we could,
for years?"
':Oh, dear, no, mother! We can pinch
q great deal more"
And Rhoda gave little laugh.
! "Why do you think we CAM" asked
her mother.
"For the best reason in the world
because we shall have tot No family
lives on so little that it might not live
on less"
Again Rhoda laughed lightly. But
all the while her brave heart was full of
regrets and forebodings.
Terribly gloomy days followed. No
dress-making came into the house ];
though lshoda managed to get little
by going out to do it. After long and
discouraging search. place in small
fancy store was found for Maria, where
she had to stand on her feet oil day,
and bear a great deal of abuse from her
employer, for q mere pittance. Thomas
could not find as much as that.
The family was in debt. Their rent
was unpaid. They had been warned to
leave the house. Mrs. Townsend was
worn out, and even Rhoda was losing
spirit, with her youth and bloom.
! Ono ovon;pov tho or;rl woo ~,o;,,o. bo,,o