Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-08-18
Bert's Reward.


And Bert's boyish face wore a look of
sulky determination; and he looked
out of the window with all his might,
so that the sight of Bessie's tear-stained,
pleading face might not weaken his res
olution.
"Oh, Bert, I've been counting on it
so all the week." entreated Bessie.
Cant you go with the boys some other
day just as well, and show me how to
skate to-day? I've never had my new
skates on even once, and L could never
wait another week"
"Well, it isn't likely the boys will
again." answered Bert; land L can't
give up that fun just to watch girl
tumble around on skates. You won't
like it, anyhow, Bess. You'll fall down
about twenty-five times and hurt your
self, and your feet will get cold,
and"
"Well, I won't say a word about it if
they do" said Bessie, eagerly, some
what encouraged to hope for her prom
ised lesson in skating since Bert con-
descended to argue with her. 80, Bert,
in the world for you"
1t was pretty hard work for Bert to
resist his sisters eager entreaty, espe-
cially when he knew how she had been
looking forward all the week to Satur-
day morning, when he had promised to
show her how to use her birthday
skates; but he was the only one of the
boys in his class who had been invited
to accompany the seniors in the long
trip they were going to make, and he
felt as if he could not relinquish that
honor for the sake of pleasing Bessie.
"Theres no use teasing about it," he
said, gruffly, pushing Bessies clinging
arms away. I've said l won't, and L
mean it, so there! I'll take you some
other time, but there's no use making
fuss about it, for | won't go with
you this morning. want to go with
the other fellows, and not be tied to q
girls apron-string.
He walked out of the room after this
emphatic declaration, in what he
thought was a very manly and digni-
fed way, and began to make prepare
tons for his skating expedition.
DOInellOW ne COllllt HOU leel very
comfortable, as through the closed
door he caught the mufflcd sound of
Bessie's sobs. He tried to harden his
heart, and assure himself that none of
the other boys would stay at home to
please their sisters, bat he could not
succeed very we'll in quieting his I'M
easy conscience.
"You promised her you would go,
and you have no right to break your
PROMISE" something whispered, as he
pulled on his boots.
Bessie would not have disappointed
him in that way to CRAFTY her own
pleasure, he knew very well, and as he
remembered what loving, obliging
little sister she was, he began to wish
that he could in some way fulfill his
promise to her, and yet go with the
boys.
Everything seemed, strangely enough,
to remind him of Bessie's kindness to
him. The pretty skatebag, with its
silken initials, that all the boys envied,
had been her Christmas gift to him, the
prettily embroidered hat-band had
been her patient work, and the red tip
pet that he wound about his neck had
taken all her pennies and spare minutes
for long time.
Then another thought came to him.
This was Lent, the season when he had
been taught to follow our blessed Lords
example of self-denial; and was not
this golden opportunity to give up his
own pleasure for that of his sister?
1t cost hard struggle between sell
and his desire to do right; but at last
he won the victory, and, throwing open
the sitting-room door, he called:
"Come on, Bess. I'll take you. Hur.
ry up and put your things on, and I'll
make a fine skater out of you before
dinner-time.
The bright look that flashed over the
tear-stained face almost repaid him fol
his self-sacrifice; and he submitted pa
tiently to the hearty hug and kiss that
Bessie could not resist giving him, as
she rushed into the hall to get ready
for her outdoor fun.
No one would have known that Bert's
thoughts followed half wistfully the
merry party who were skating up the
river, if they could have heard tn,
shouts of laughter which mingled with
Bessie's silvery peals, as she vainly
essayed to initiate her teacher. H,
would not spoil his self-sacrifice by ,
| grudging, reluctant manner; and Bessi,
| thought 10 herself that none of he
schoolmates had such kind, patient
| brother.
Old Don seemed to enjoy the sport
as much as the children; and, wher
Bessie found her treacherous skates
slipping from beneath her, she would
grasp his curly coat to save herself
from falling.
80, Bessie, Pve got splendid ideap
| cried Bert, his brown eyes sparkling
with delight. Lets harness Don, and
make him pull US over the ice. Wont
that be fun, though? Come here, old
fellow" And he proceeded to bring
out n varied assortment of strings from
the depths of his pockets.