The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-06-09
Mothers Idea.
ISt. Nicholas. I

Mr.. Anterior has been the master of the
Centerville Academy ever since can re-
member. A few months ago, however, he
was offered better position in the city, and
he decided TO leave Centreville. We were
very sorry, for we all liked him; and now
that he has left, it really seems as if a part
Of the building itself had been taken away.
We were to have public examination dur
ing the last two days of his stay, and
Florence Grantly had thought of a beautiful
project She always has good ideas though
4 must say they are generally rather expen-
sive. But then her father is rich, and l sup
pose she never has to think twice before
spending dollar, as some of US are obliged
to do Her plan was to buy an album, put
all our pictures in il, and present it to Mr..
Anterior before the company after he had
closed the school. The girls wished me to
make the presentation address. Of
course / vas enthusiastic about il, and went
home thinking over what / should say and
should wear and all that. There are fifteen
girls in our class, and Florence said she knew
OF lovely album, one we wouldn't be
ashamed 10 give him 1t would cost only
eleven dollars and seventy five cents; and
that you see, would be only seventy-five
cents apiece. / went in TO dinner full Of the
new project, and began 10 talk about it at
the table
But Father vetoed it at once. He aid he
didn't believe in the idea at all. 1t would
be too expensive for some of us, aud he did
not wish to hear another word about it.
When Father takes that tone, of course
there's no more to be said am too old to
cry before everybody, but | didn't wish any
more dinner, and as soon as possible | went
up TO my room and had good cry.
Mother came upstails as quickly as she
could. j knew she would. Mother is born
comforter. Oh, what do girls do who have
no mother? She told me must Der
how bard Father had to work for every dol
lar, and that although what he said some
times sounded harsh it was only because
his business troubles made him worry, and
1t added TO them to have us wish for things
he felt he couldn't afford Dear Mother /
wonder If she ever wishes for things she
doesn't get.
Then told Mother all about it; that it
was not merely that one plan, but that 1
could never join in any project that came
up. All tie other girls Had birthday parties
and wen, but never gave one in return.
fOf course ! don't expect that" SAID ], feel-
ing a little conscience-stricken, as / saw the
look on Epther's face. Birthdays are so
common i this family, of course we can't
notice The f,; but thought this time we had
found son thing Father could sympathize
with. He-rO often speaks of Mr. Anterior,
and the res .,ect he has for him-but of course
that's all o. er now. IL / can't, | can't; it
does seem hard though never to do as the
Others do"
II know it, child" Mother said, softly
touching my hair. MANY things are hard.
You are old enough now TO know a little of
the life Of your elders" she went on; land
you must remember that il is absolute
necessity, and not lack of sympathy, that
forces Papa TO say no. as be sometimes does"
s.Well. if be would only soften it a little.n
couldn't help saying. "a blunt no is a
great deal harder 70 bear"