The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-14
THE COST OF A FAVOR.
BY FLORENCE B. HALLowELL.

You know I am always willing to
oblige you when can, Cora, but dom
think 1 ought to oblige you in this"
"Just because it is something wan
very much, l suppose"
"No; because am sure such Ions
walk would use me up completely.
wouldn't be fit to sit up tonight after it
l know. 1t is hard enough to keeI
awake as it is. Somehow or other,
can't get used to turning night into
day."
"But you have had your nap, Andy
and it is only two o'clock. I don't be-
lieve you'd feel the walk at all, and you
could easily get back by supper time"
"Yee, suppose I could if walked
FAST
"And you know very well that 1 cant
go to the picnic tomorrow if don't have
that dress. 1 won't wear my old blue
muslin, no matter what Jane says. I've
worn it to every picnic I've gone to for
the last four years.
You had much better wear it than
make Andy walk to Densboro after the
other" said Jane Hopper, who was IRON
ing in the kitchen, and had listened with
clouded brow and an expression of an
noyance to the conversation between her
younger sister and brother. 81 wonder
at your selfshness, Cora. It is one OF
the hottest days we have had yet, and it
is nearly four miles to Densboro."
"Of course you don't want him to go,
grumbled Cora. "Neither of you care
a particle how I look. You'd be willing
to see me dressed in rags, do believe"
Jane smiled.
Were not quite so stony hearted as
that" she said. "Dont talk nonsense,
Cora. Mrs. Conrad may send your dress.
She knows that you want to wear it TO-
morrow"
"She may be sick" said Cora.
Well, whatever may be the cause OF
her failure to bring the dress, l think
you ought to be ashamed to ask Andy to
go after it. AS he says, it would unfit
him to sit up tonight. Suppose he
should fall asleep, and Mr.. Grigsby
should find it out? He would be dis
charged at once, and you would never
forgive yourself. You know Mr.. Grigsby
hesitated long time before he gave him
the place. No one as young as Andy
ever held it before, and he wants to do
we'll. if only on that account"
"Let him stay at home, then, and idle
around all the afternoon said Cora, sui
lenly. at needn't go to the picnic, L sup
pose" and with her eyes full of angry
tears she brushed past her brother and
ran Up stairs.
Andy was sitting on the shaded door
step fondIing his little black dog, and for
some time after Cora left he remained
silent, evidently thinking deeply. Then
he rose, and going into the kitchen, took
his straw hat from peg on the pantry
door.
"You're surely not going after that
dress, Andy?" and Jane paused In her
ironing and looked inquiringly at her
brother.
eyes. | think I will. / don't want
Cora to stay away from the picnic she's
been counting on it for so long. 1t does
look mean for me to refuse to do her a
favor. 1t isn't often / have a chance to
do anything to please her, what with
sleeping nearly all day and sitting up in
the factory all night
"She is very selfish to ask any such
favor as this" said Jane. "And Mrs.
Conrad may send the dress after all"
"And she may not" returned Andy.
81 think I'd better go. can take my
time to it," and whistling to the dog, he
walked out.
Jane watched him until he turned the
corner Of the next street, and then went
on with her ironing, her smooth brow
ruffled by frown. She had long Deen
greatly troubled by Cora's grave faults
of character. but did not know how to
correct them. She wondered If she had
been too mdulgent and too ready to
make excuses for her sister. She had had
the care of Andy and Cora since they
we're little things of five and seven years
of age, and perhaps she had not dealt
wisely with them. Andy had grown up
generous, frank, and sincere, boy of