The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-06-12
DAISY'S DEBT.

How 1t Was Incurred, and the Lesson 1t
Taught
Daisy button was a great favorite in
school. She was always ready to help
friend, whether it was to find an OBJ
scare town, in the heart of Russia, on
the map, which is 50 certain to hide
the obscure places, to lend her history
to the girl who had left hers at home,
to assist a perpleXed student with
difficult problem or a tangled sentence,
or to straighten out misunderstood
ing; for Daisy was born helper and
peacemaker.
All the older girls paid her the sort
of respect which younger girls enjoy re-
ceiving from their seniors. They never
snubbed her, never lowered their tones
or suspended their conversation at her
approach; they treated her, in fact, as
though she was one of their own set.
The little girls, on the other hand,
adored her. She always had time to
talk to them, to comfort them if they
were in trouble, to tell them story, or
to be a leader in their little plays.
OF the girls about Daisy's own age,
she was their acknowledged queen.
They considered her the prettiest,
sweetest, best girl in the world. Her
teachers shared this opinion; for they
could rely on Daisy's honor, on her
faithfulness and her punctuality. She
never disappointed one of them, and
while not especially brilliant, she did
good work in all her classes.
Perhaps the greatest charm about
Daisy Dutton was her unfailing good
nature. She was perfect sunbeam.
Always happy, never moping, she car
ried charm in her laughing eyes and
her merry mouth; and, as her father
said, it made you CHEEKY just to hear
her glad good-mOrning.
For some weeks, at the time my
story begins, a change had been OBJ
served in Daisy. She was not like
herself at all. Her mother noticed her
heavy eyes and tagging steps, and
thought she must be studying too hard.
The girls could not understand why
she summed their company, and liked
to be alone. Fanny Mott, who was
her most intimate friend, vainly tried
to discover what secret was weighing
on Daisy's mind.
81 should think, Daisy dear, you
would tell mel" she said, coaxingly,
But Daisy only sighed, and turned
away. Poor Daisy! Six weeks ago
she had been the happiest girl in
Thompsonville, without a feather S
weight of care on her heart; and now
hat heart was like stone for heavi-
ness.
Daisy's mother had always given her
a monthly allowance which had been
ample for all her requirements. She
was expected to keep an account OF
her expenditures, whieh her mother
looked over and counted up, saw that
the receipts and expenses balanced
and then signed with her name. After
this, DR.. Dutton looked at it, and near
ly always dropped into his daughter
hand shining gold-piece as reward
of merit for having been so good lit
tie woman of business. The only rul'
on which DIR. and Mrs. Dutton insisted
was that Daisy should never incur
,, debt.
Butin an evil hour, Daisy sether affec
: tons on a certain rosewood desk,
stood in the stationer's window, carved
) | polished, satin-hned, filled with daint
, treasures of note-paper, and provide
with every requisite for elegant CORE
. spondence. Daisy was very fond c
, having beautiful things in the way c
stationery She was fastidious aboT
her pens, her paper, her envelopes
For two years at least she had yearne
: for desk, and this one was all ths
= her heart could wish.
> at would be no HARM though
! Daisy, 'just to step in and look at
4 more closely. Perhaps it would /
= possible to save up for it." Daisy Q
y the instant began to think what 81
could do without, how she might ad
. to h'r funds. The rosewood desk 81
mLS have.
= When the polite salesman, who kne'
q DR.. buttons daughter by sight, sal
= chat the price of the desk was "only te
- dollars" and, observing the sudde
fall of the eager face, remarked tn;
- there was no need to pay for 1t thi
10 day, any time in the next three montl
II would do; might he not send it hon
y for herP Daisy was tempted,
y Children. if temptation be resiste
- at once it is easily put to flight. b
= admit it to your mind, think over
u excuse to yourself something whiC
le you know to be wrong, and you a.
!. very likely to do that which yoa vi