Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-15
A SPOILED CHILD.

A SPOILED CHILD.
Mary Sylvester was a beautiful girl,
the fairest type of blonde, and as
amiable as she was lovely. Born in
opulence, reared by indulgent parents,
without a wish ungratifed, it is not
wonderful that, with all her natural
| charms of manner, she was supremely
selfish.
She was an only child, heiress in
prospect to considerable property, SO
her suitors were numerous.
''Mother, do you think father will
let me have an extra twenty to-day?"
said Mary, as she sat at her eleven
o'clock breakfast.
"Twenty pounds more, Mary? Why,
he gave you forty yesterday, my
child"
whats forty, mother? Why, it
was all gone before night for knick-
knacks."
''It wouldn't be much, it is true,
daughter, if you had to clothe your
self out of such remittances; but for
'pin-money' it is great deal for your
father to spare out of his business so
often. What do you want to purchase
now?"
ga point-lace handkerchief at Lord
and Taylor's; there were but two of
| this style and pattern, and Grace
| Wells has bought the other. The
clerk has put it by for me, so you see
/ must have the money, mamma
darling{'
''You have always had your way,
Mary, and always will, | suppose ,
said the foolish, indulgent mother,
"but you have elegant handkerchiefs
in abundance, and as for Grace Wells,
| her father is a millionaire"
''Let me stop your mouth with kisses,
sweet mother mine," said the amiable
Mary. you know papa will give me
the money, and as much more if I
want it, so what is the use of wasting
| words about itp''
Sure enough, what was the use of
wasting words in that weak way? The
money was forthcoming; TIE handker-
chief bought, duly admired, and then
put away to swell the pile of light and
airy ''nothings'' that had cost so much
heavy cash, as well as pang of heart
ache in the soft-hearted old man who
had pampered his daughter until she
hung like weight about his neck.
81 could not deny my darling child
anything-my only one!" he would say
feebly. ''She might be taken away
from me, and then should never for
| give myself"
Mistaken affection! that units the
| beloved one to battle with the world in
all its aspects; that pampers to appe-
titles that may one day destroy the
happiness of life.
Sylvester & Co. had just at the COM
mencement of our story, taken into
partnership one James Harding, a
young man of some property, and of
| fine address.
Not many months elapsed before
Harding Ca frequent visitor at the
| house of Sylvester, the senior in the
firm) became enamored of the fair
Mary. His love was returned, and as
he was considered 'sgood catch" by
anxious mammas and waiting daugh-
tiers, the doting parents gave their con-
sent that the marriage should take
place at an early date.
The spring following, James Hard
ing led to the altar the fair blonde;
and finer bridegroom and more
charming bride never graced the church
wherein they were married.
Two years pass, and bring us into
the disastrous year of 1874, when the
| country was shaken from centre to cir
| conference by the shock of financial
| failures.
Sylvester and Co. went down with
the rest, saving nothing, comparatively,
from the general wreck.
Sylvester, feeble old man at best,
never survived the shock, but within
three months was '.laid with his
fathers
James Harding, who had put his
''little all'' into the firm, came out a
poor man. He had a brave heart,
though, and willing hands. youth, and
good name, to aid him in his struggle
to gain a foothold among businessmen,
but it would take years to rise to an in
dependent position.
If Mary only kept up" he would
say with sigh, 81 could be hopeful
and even cheerful, but she mourns SO
much over our loss, regrets parting
with her fashionable friends, her in,
ability to dress as she has been &C.
customed to, and other grievances too
numerous to mention, that it utterly
diSheartenS me.
One look into that miserable home
and the heart sickened!
A brave man struggling with adverse
circumstances, and a weak spoiled
woman heaping reproaches upon his
devoted head!
. 81 will not move into that mean
, cottage in the suburbs, and leave my
beautiful city home! If you carry me
cried the hysterical wife.
''Mary, my dear, do try and calm
Yourself. for nv sake and the baby