Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-08-21
ny advantages have fitted me for.
should like to knowpn

~ adVantages have fitted me for. II
should like to know"
Dertna had never been able quite tn
make up her mind what her adyan-
eages had fitted herfor, but seemed un.
fortunately to be continually beset nv
uutles 9 rwhich she felt fully persuaded
snev had not fitted her. She had never
found her share in the sweet home
cares and obligations during all the
happy years in which she had pursued
VERY complete course of study in the
,Ths IN the town in which they lived.
an discovery came after her proud
aau loving parents had strained every
Snort and practiced every self-denial
~ order to send her for two years to a
scnool IN a distant city; and at the end
" shat period she had made a long Wis
~ IN the luxurious home of one Of her
schoo friends, where she had contract
ed tastes and habits which had ef-
iectually destroyed such fitness for a
ne IN her w modest home. and the
duties there d~evolving upon her, as the
fashionable school had left.
Dat in the garden Bertha made a few
iistless attempts to amuse the restless
paoy, and then drew from her pocket a
letter she had recently received from
her dear friend. Its glowing picture
OF the delights of an endless round of
parties, operas and other pleasures,
with its warm expressions of sympathy
for herself in being condemned to en-
dure the trials Of an ssuncongen,al
home. drew tears of self-pity from
Bertha's eyes, and did not serve to in
crease her store of patience with her
little brother.
As time went on she still quietly but
perslstently avoided interesting herself
n the concerns of her home. She
moped and pinned for gayeties of which
she had found a slight taste so delight
full.
"Why don't you go out more with
Helen Mayne?" asked her mother one
day, anxious to interest her in some
thing.
81 tried that once. you know" said
Bertha. ''and that was enough to show
me that our tastes differ entirely"
Mrs. March could not help mentally
agreeing with her daughter, but did
not speak.
Yes" went on Bertha, .'what a
dance she did lead me that day! 1 saw
enough sick, Disconnected poor people
TO last me for some time. She left me
to attend to one of her pets while she
went somewhere else. I had to wiring
out hot cloths to put on Susan Browns
sprained ankle-worked over her and
bore with all her whims and complaihts
till l was completely tired out, and
whenI wishedher goodbye she thanked
me, but told me | did not seem to have
a knack of taking hold with sick
people as Helen had. I told Helen l
would not mind going a little among
the poor if it were not that they were
all 30 dirty and so whiny, and never
satisfied whatever you do. And what
do you think she said?"
"Wel]. whatP"
"That if I could only be placed in a
community Of healthy, happy, wealthy
poor, [ might do a great and good
work among them; but that 1 was not
likely to do much for the Lords poor
as they really are"
Her mother laughed at Helen's sar.
casm, then sighed at the realization OF
Bertha's utter failure in fulfilling the
sweet hopes she had built upon the an.
t5cipation of what her womanhood
might be. How different she was from
the bright, CHEEKY, loving, helpful
girl, always, ever in the pressure OF
school duties, making time for carr
and thought for mother and the
younger ones-finding full satisfaction
in the blessed m~inistrat;ons of home
life.
Il have been thinking, mother
continued Bertha. 'that if my health
was better l should take more interest
in things"
"Why, r you not well, dear?''
asked her mother, in quick solicitude;
II don't believe l am. Ny head
troubles me a good deal, and my back,
too. l think | am running down, and
a change would do me good"
"What kind of a change, Bertha?"
"Well, if I could 60 for a few weeks
to Mrs. Dr.. Groves Sanitarium, for
instance"
Mrs. March looked a little startled.
It had not occurred to her that Bertha
was in poor health; but in her always
readiness to be anxious about her chill
dren, she was quite prepared to re-
proach herself with having failed to
perceive the real cause of Bertha's lack
of energy. Still, it would be a great
undertaking to send her to Mrs. DR..
Groves.
81 will speak to DR.. Deane about
you, Bertha. He might give you 9
tonic"
..Oh, please don't, mother. He is
such an old fogy be would be sure tc
say it was all fancy. When I spoke tc
him one day of the condit on of m!
nerves he told me all [ wanted was
plenty of good, lively exercise, anc
that if l had to earn my living at 8
washtub I'd be well enough. Coarse
old fellow!"
81 have sometimes thought myself
Bertha. that you would be better if yor
took more exercise"
''Yes. l know you have" said Ber:
tina, a little disdainfully, ''but I dom
think homo exercise suits me. They
!. ride horseback and exercise in a gym
t nasium at the Sanitarium. Do thinl
, of it, mother" she said, imploringly
81 know it would do me good, and
shou]d come home better ablc to hell