The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-11-06
BARBARA'S LESSON.

How Little Girl Was Taught That She
Should Care for Her Aged Grandpar-
ents.
"Barbara!'' The little rosy-cheeked
owner of that name was lying on the
lounge in the sittingroom, very much
interested in reading "Dotty Dimple."
81 s'pose grandpa's. lost his cane
most likely" she said to herself. at
seems as if he is the most forgctfulcst
man ever saw. Imost believe he hides
his hat and cane when he comes in SOS
to have me hunt 'em up. May be he
don't, but it seems so."
"Barbara!'' called again grandpa's
quivering voice.
"rm coming" said Barbara, just to
quiet her conscience, for she knew very
we'll grandpa could not hear her.
II just want to finish this chapter,
and besides, grandma thinks you go
out too much" added the naughty
girl to herself.
Then she went on with her reading,
but she did not enjoy it any more, SO
she put it away, and went to see what
was wanted of her.
"Grandpa called you to go down to
the store with him." said grandma,
He wanted some pep'mint drops for
his cold, but he's SO forgetful don't
like to trust him alone, and had to let
him take q ten-dollar bill because there
wasn't any change. do hope he
won't lose it! You didn't hear him
call, did you, BarbaraP"
"I-O grandma, just see that robin
| A,xl
grandpa all rigbt!''
"Idon't know" said Grandma Grey.
going to the door. 'He looks as if he
was in trouble, or something"
30 grandpa" faltered Barbara.
''what is the matterP"
"You haven't lost the money,
hope" added grandma. anxiously.
But the old man did not answer. He
dropped down on the nearest chair,
and began to turn his pockets inside
out nervously. "( don't know, moth
en-" he said, with a hopeless look.
"I'm afraid can't seem to remem-
ber, but I'm pretty sure put it in my
pocket when I paid for the things. Yes.
I'm pretty sure, but 'tisn't here"
''Well," said grandma, wiping her
eyes on her apron, you are too old to
go to the store alone. / don't know
how we can spare the money, but there
will be some way. Don't feel bad,
father. We don't need many things"
and the dear old lady smiled through
her tears, and took up her knitting.
Poor Barbara! She felt as if sho
could never be happy again. For. not
withstanding her needless ways, she
had tender heart. and dearly loved
her grandparents, who had taken her,
feeble baby, from her dying mothers
arms, and been to her all that father
and mother could be. How much she
owed them! She knew very well the
ten-dollar bill could not be spared
without sacrifice.
She slipped quietly out of the house,
and went down the village street, look
ing carefully as she went; but she saw
nothing of the money, and her heart
grew heavier every moment, and the
hot tears dropped on the bright leaves
at her feet. She reached the grocery
where grandpa went to trade, and
went in, asking, in trembling tone:
20, Mr.. Cummings, did Grandpa
Grey''--
Before she could finish her question
the grocer answered: Eyes, he left his
cHdnSe uH tnc Couulcr, dilu Hc gov 0ut
of sight before l could call him. Here
it is, Barbara, but he is too old-your
grandpa is-to go about alone"
'Iknow 1t; it was all my fault" said
the little girl. "Ill never let him go
again. Thank you, dear Mr.. Cum
mings, for keeping the change" and
Barbara hurried home with the money
held firmly in her hand, and, wiping
the tears from her eyes, she cried:
"It's all right, grandpa! I've got ID
here in my hand-don't you sees
heard you calling me all the time. too.
and pretended not to hear; but I'll
|, never in all my life be SO naughty
; again, if you'll only forgive me-"
..You are good little girl. Barbara. !"
said grandpa.
But Grandma Grey took off her spec
tacles and wiped them carefully; then
she bent down and kissed the little
: girls flushed, penitent face, and said:
81 hope II will be a lesson to you. my
dear child, for grandpa and grandma
: are growing old, and you will have to
take care Of them now.-Julia d, Peck.
IN Youths Companion.