The Monitor., 1885-09-25

Granting that woman begins life in
girlhood on this plane, and in her welded
life she does not lower her standard, she
stronger, better equipped. and every way
more charming in middle life than she was
in the crudeness of her immaturity. If.
starting from her own home, she fulfills
every obligation there, blithely and fully,
not like grudge, but gaily, she gradually
widens the circle of her influence. She
will, by degrees, become a social power.
This has come to pass in the case Of my
friend. | happened into her home one
Thursday evening, lately, and as | was adj
mtted | heard the hum of fresh, girlish
voices, and saw the table in the sitting
room covered with pretty bits of feminine
work. "Lottie's Sunday-school class" l
said to myself, and presently was in the
midst of the bright circle. No it was not
her class; not, at least the class | was ac-
customed to seeing around her, with eyes
intent and heads bent eagerly forward
while she unfolded the lesson.
She presented me to the young ladies,
and | gathered, not from anything in her
manner nor in theirs, but from scraps in the
conversation, that they were saleswomen
in the neighborimg stores, just around the
corner from Lottie's quiet home, and three
or four worked in factories down town.
They were much interested in some stitches
she was teaching them, and when by and
by she went to the piano, played and sang,
they ceased talking and listened in we'll
bred silence, and with what looked like in
telligent pleasure.
After awhile they had little treat of
cake and fruit, and at ten o'clock they said
good night to their hostess and each other,
and went home.
'Iottie Dean, will you explain this pro-
ceeding - said gravely.
There is nothing to explain dear. It's
only happening. was shopping in Rs
one day, and couldn't help seeing how
pale and tagged out those poor girls were.
made acquaintance with one or two
asked them here, and they invited the
Others The thing has grown. 1t does
not trouble Tom, for have them only on
evenings when he has TO be out, and | am
making my pretty house of use to girls
who haven't anything very pleasant to go
home to at night. And pursued Lottie,
shyly, but with brave uplifting of the
eyes, 'you know always did think it was
at least as Christian work to keep young
girls from temptation as to save the poor
remnant of their ruined lives when once
they had fallen
With which sentiment fully agree.
ssMrs. Dean cannot be induced to take
part in our temperance work." had been
said to me of Lottie only few days earlier,
and had replied that, perhaps though she
took no large share in such a reform, she
was in reality doing her part knew that
Tom would be annoyed to have his wife in
any way prominent or conspicuous before
the public, and that Lottie was wise enough
to respect his feelings in this matter.
But here she was, very unobtrusively do
ing much truer and more efficient service
than many woman eloquent in speech and
gifted in prayer. Saying nothing about
it, either. 1t was not Lottie's way to sound
a trumpet before her.
Altogether, when | think of the sick
beds by which this little woman sits, the
heartaches she soothes, the condolences of
which she is the trusted recipient, the
happy home life which is hers, and the
good she is doing silently, am quite sure
her one talent is bearing interest for the
Master.-Margaret z. lSangster, IN Chris
tian Union.