Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-05-12
"BERTHA'S FARM"
A Daughters Investment and
What Came of 1t.

Bertha had been painting all the
afternoon. In one corner Of the room,
by the window, stood her table laden
with oils, paints, brushes, powders,
palettes and the numerous articles used
in painting. She had laid down her
brush, and now sat staring at the card
before her. The near-5ightcd eyes
were just a little misty, for on this
card were based many hopes.
Several years before this time Mr..
Searlcs had failed in business, and be-
ing forced to give up the little country
house in which all but the youngest of
his children had been born, they came
to the city, some forty miles from the
former home. Here they had lived
since. Business was fair now, and all
seemed happy and contented. A COM
Portable home, plenty to eat and to
wear, pleasing children, friends and
health. What more could a family
desire?
But Bertha did choose more. While
attending school and enjoying all the
frolics and diversions of schoolgirl
life, she had been contented with only
an occasional longing look back to the
old home. But she had a deep, true
love of country life, and when her
school days were ended she began to
realize her loss. Busy, practical girl
that she was, she did dream of the
time when she should live in the coun-
try again, and every plan for the future
was made with reference to this hope.
AT school she had been bright and
studious, but the few lessons she had
taken in painting since leaving school
had shown her talent to lie in that
direction. She was passionately fond
OF the art, and spent all her leisure in
designing and copying. Heretofore
she bad used her exquisite taste and
hkillful touch on souvenirs for family
and friends; but now she had answered
the call for Christmas cards, hoping to
win one of the prizes offered.
She waited a day or two for the card
TO become thoroughly dry, then with
many misgiyings sent it off.
1t was hard to wait for an answer,
but Bertha proved herself equal to the
occasion, telling no one her secret.
But how shall ! tell of the great JOY
when at last the answer came! She
had won the prize for one thousand
dollars.
''My dear daughter, how proud ]
ami exclaimed her father.
at isn't a bit more than you de-
serve said her mother, smiling fond
ly upon the girl who always had been
good daughter TO her.
ooh! let me see it!' cried her sister
Ella. 81 knew you'd do something
great one of these days.
The girl stood with shining eyes and
red checks, receiving the congratula.
tions of her family. 1t was good tc
feel that she had done something tc
make them proud of her.
"What wiU you do with so much
money!" asked Ella; but her sister was
not prepared to tell. She knew very
well that the only plan she yet had
formed would not be looked upon ia.
vorably. She was by nature independ.
ent, but it was like facing a battery tc
60 before her family, tell her plans
and know that they thought her TO
mantle or ridiculous.
"Well, Bertha said her father, on,
evening, laying down the paper, "hay'
you decided how to invest your for
tune?n
ayes, father, bnt I'm afraid you'll
not approve" answered Bertha, hest.
tatingly, while Mrs. Searlcs looked "
from her sewing, and Ella from he
book.
Bertha made a grand effort. IL wan
to buy NJ old place back" and he
voice trembled slightly.
"Are you crazy, Bertha!" exclaime,
her father, Amusement in every line Q
his face.
"What on earth!' gasped Mr.,
Searles; while Ella closed her book i
rash disregard o fmarks on the MORO,
for u%nprepared lessons. This was su
prcmely more interesting than Latin G
physics.
a want to take it up while | hay
the chance" continued Bertha. 1t
unoccupied now, and needs rcpairin.
but no one can tell when land may b,
gin to boom there, and it may 90 0
out of my reach"
'But, Bertha, what do you want {
itP To what use can you possibly pu
itpn
''Live there. I've longcd for it eve
since we came away. You, yoursel
say that ] am not S % well since leavir
school, and it's only because I'm n
out Of doors enough. Some Peep
don't need the country; do"
81 think it a very, very selfish plan
said Mrs. Searlcs. decidedly. az
idea Of spending all that money on
old country house that will do you
us no good. nor anybody, for that mt
ter"
''Let us hear what you have to 81
in favor Of ii" and Mr.. Scarles lean
back with a resigned expression.
II can't expect any Of you to ayr
with me-" said Bertha, looking a
feeling hurt; ''but II is not my fault
God has given me so strong u love
the country that ! shall never be hap
out Of It And ] deny that IL IL self
for n Of my pet plans Is to hay'
lovely place where you and the cl
drsn could come and stay any leni