The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-04-23
ESTHER TALBOT.
A Lancashire Story.

Bic as even the sun shone onl"
ayes, she is very bonnie"
$50 merry and witty, too! Why,
she has almost a genius forrelating an
anecdote. My daughters are fairly in
love with her. They call her a Ian
cashire Rose and would like to have
her at the Rectory as much as posi-
ble."
Here the conversation was inter
rupted by the entrance OF another par
ishioner, much to Mr.. Newton's reli4f. |
He was an uncle of the Lancashire
Rose" and for reasons he could not
give, was unable to join in Mrs. Law
son's-the clergyman's wife-praise OF
his niece.
Mr.. Lawson had but lately been APP
pointed to Brenton church, and so was
not very intimately acquainted with
his interesting parishioner. He had
come to Brenton, u busy, populous
town III Lancashire, from a quiet,
sleepy country parish in Cheshire.
Amongst the most refined and we'll
TODD OF his new parishioners was the
Talbot family, They lived in the
widest, most respectable street in the
township, and rented one of the large
family pews, which they filled every
Sabbath.
Mrs. Talbot was a gentle, indulgent,
self-sacriticing woman, wholly devoted
to her husband, children and home.
But she was not strong, and often had
days of distress when she wasunable
to leave her room. One bright warm
afternoon in May, about two weeks
before the great Lancashire holiday,
Whitsuntide or Whit-week, as it is
more commonly called, Mrs. Talbot
was busy ironing, when u sudden
faintness, followed 10y a severe head
ache, obliged her to give up her work.
Esther was in the sitting-room, fin
ishing y bonnet she had been making
for herself, and which was almost a
marvel OF simplicity and good taste.
The shapo OF the bonnet vas a la mode,
but the style of trimming was original
though not singular, and many Il fash
ionable lady would willingly have Civ
en- for it as many sovereigns as it had
cost shillings.
"My dear, I4lave q severe headache.
am going upstairs to lie down. Will
you finish the ironing fol me-? And
keep the children quiet when they
come home from school,"
Esther did not lift her head, or look
at her mother, who stood waiting for
a reply. It seemed q long time before
any response came, and the mother
stood there, with a panied, anxious
expression on her face. Then Esther
threw down the bonnet abruptly, say
ing
81 suppose l must, if you say so,
but you know | hate ironing. never
can have haff an hour for myself"
Her mother did not remind her that
she had been sewing at least two
hours, but pale and grieved, she went
slowly up stairs.
When the children cameron school
the ironing was finished, and the bon
net also, the latter laid carefully
away not to be worn until the event
full Whit-Monday.
Several times Esther's betternaturt
prompted her to take her mother {
cup OF tea, but she put away thu
thought, saying to herself
"She will be down to tea whenfa the
ome home"
She busted herself getting the chill
dren their supper, and treating then
to many n sharp word, Of which the.
| took but little heed, only saying tt
each other, when Esther left theroom
"Oh, she's in one of her tantrum
again!"
When they had finished their tea
Maggie, a sweet, thoughtful littl
maiden, next in age to Esther, wen
softly upstairs, and gently o%peningth
door to her mothers room, looked If
and seeing her laying on the bed, az
parently asleep, went quietly ava
again.
But her mother saw her, as shenois'
lessly closed the door, and q please
look came into her face, while she mu1
INJURED, "My blessed little Maggie.
Esther We're as loving and thoughtful
what q comfort she would be-"
1t was the Saturday night befor
Whit-Sunday, and hundreds OF tire
mothers IN Lancashire had gone
rest, glad that the time so long locke
forward to by the children, and fe
which they had been preparing, We
so near at hand. Esther Talbot, to-
had been unusually busy, helping HI
ilCSlCI SCo VIC liz
clothes in readiness.
She had noticed, with some uneas
ness, that her mother seemed wearie
and looked pale, and coughed a goc
deal, and she began to fear lest som
thing might occur to keepher at hon
on the eventful Whit Monday.
The day came at last, and such
lovely Whit-Monday morning had n
-. ~ ~ ,,,, fo,, ,-nnyJ SnND oft
seven o'clock the streets were ali
with br,ghtfaced, happy-looking oh
dren, dressed in their new frocks az
hats. Here and there were knots
proud, happy mothers, w~atch'ngthe
children go up the street, and tn,
they waited in groups in the princip
street to see them come in processit
with the other members OF the va
Gus schools.
Very early on this never-to.be-fc
gotten morning Mr.. Talbot went
Esther, who vas still in a SCUM
healthy sleep, and said, "My def
your mother is very i'll. You mt
wash and dress the children, and c
them ready Tor the procession. "
call, on my way othe office, and lea
a message for Dr.. Roberts,
Then he hurried downstairs. Estf
sprang from her bed, and drew asi
the window curtain. When she ST
what a lovely morning it was, she
lowed a perfect storm Of anger a
disappointment to rage within h
There was noe the slightest feeling
sympathy for the indulgent moth
who had never allowed her to m
n innocent pleasure upon which s
had set her heart. and who, even tn