Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-05-30
LEARNED A LESSON.


The July sun was beating down like
. rain Of molten fire on the little farm
house roof, and the branches Of the
trees hardly stirred Ia the breezeless
air, as Mrs. Lathrop came in from her
blackbe1ying expedition, her basket
filed with the sparkling jetty treasures,
and her face scarlet with the fatigue
and heat.
She threw herself down In o chair
without q word Of CHEEKY greeting for
the three healthy prattling little ones
who swarmed around her with thou
sand and one eager questions.
mamma, did you ever see such q
nice doll as Tom has made for me ont
Of an old piece Of wood2 Look, ii has
got black beads for eyes and real hair.
And"
'sMe tisB mamma; me sit on mammals
lap" boldly announced three-year-old
Josie, commencing to climb into the
desired citadel.
But Mrs. Lathrop pushed them all
peevishly away.
"Don't talk so loud, Tom. Take the
ugly wooden fright away, Nell. Josie,
Il you don't go and sit down peaceabIy
I'll box your ears. Don't you know
I've got to carry these berries up TO the
Grange yet, and aren't you willing to
leave me one solitary moment of peace ~
Tommy Withdrew sulkily. Nelly
looked distastefully at the doll, which
had been so beautiful in her eyes but q
moment ago.. Josie began to whimper
under his breath. But they were quiet
that one point, at least, was gained.
Mrs. Llathrop's meditations were not
over pleasant that morning, as she
slowly and toilsomely climbed the weary
hill which uplifted its hemlock- fringed
crest between her own little farmhouse
nest and the terraced lawns and closely
shorn greensward Of Ellsworth Grange.
Emmeline Lathrop was poor, and
somehow the yoke of poverty had never
pressed so heavily on her shoulders as il
did on this especial morning.
The Ellisworths had just bought the
Grange and come there to live during
the summer months, and Mary Ellis
worth had been Emmeline's schoolmate
ten years ago.
They had sat side by side on the
wooden benches In the old red school
house, IN their calico gowns, eating ap-
pies and gingerbread out Of the same
lunch-basket; and now she was the wife
Of 3 Woodworking farmer, with three
little ones to mend, and make, and con.
trive for, and Mary, no whit prettier or
more attractive than herself, had mar
ried wealthy merchant. and had her
maid, and her carriage with its Inverted
goodman, and her diamonds.
Emmeline was thinking Of eli these
things IS she trudged slowly along with
the heavy basket Of berries weighing
down her arm.
Why were the gall and the honey OF
this life so unequaIly distributeda Why
should she toll, and slave, and eat the
bread Of labor, rising up early and lying
down late, while Mrs. Ellsworth. her
superior in no one particular, sit in silk
and jewels, with servants ct her beck
and cali
Why had she been such fool IS to
marry George Lathrop. who had only
his farm and his own strong right hand,
when. by waiting 3 year or two. she
might have done as well for herself as
had Mary Wyndham
It was wrong it was unjust; and Mrs.
Lathrop repined bitterly within herself
IS she walked slowly along the broad
gravelled drive with bloaaoming shrubs
On either side. and glimpses Of foun-
taina, marble atatuary. and parterres q
De rainbow-hued flowers beyond.
Nor did her envious pangs grow less
ns she approached the house, Il was
stately structure Of eray-stone, with
Venetian awnings At all the windows, and
en- octagonal tower rising up IN the
middle. with mimic battIements, and ,
Dag floating out n the summer ar.
while on either side Of the fight Of
broad stone steps . sculptursd vase was
Eilled with flowers and trailing plants
nTrs. Lathop stood hesitating where
to 20. She had not met 1EFs Ellsworth
since the family bad come down TO the
Grange. and she hardly knew whetheE
her old schoolmate would receive her
as friend, q merely a. the farmers
vie who had contracted With Mrs
Danlson. the houseksepaE. g supply the
Grange family with berries and cream
during Tie season.
But kha question was soon decided.
alnanE 1l,n YA.al.f.. ...snr.nnslla II HlailaalL.