New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-04-04
a CRUEL LESSON.
ROW Aunt Ellen Was Punished for
Negiecting Promise,

Oalsy Gordon was fond of procras.
tlnatlon, and her Aunt, Ellen, in order
TO cure her of it, told her how she her
. sell had received a bitter lesson with
regard to the same bad habit in her
girlhood. She said:
81 was eighteen then, Daisy, as hap
Ply and careless as you are to-day, as
apt to procrastinate or to find pleas
IRE more attractive than duty. But
during thaty year therecame to Easton
a new clegyman-Ray Halford-a Sec
ond cousin OF my mothers, who nat
urally visited frequently and upon the
mo st cordial terms at our house.
HE was a young man, twenty-six
or seven, and very handsome; a thor
ough Christian gentleman, whose heart
was IN MS work. Little by little, by
gentle counsel and mild exhortations,
he reused me from girlish frivolties to
take a more active interest in the du-
dies OF life, the duties that I, the
daughter of man ofwealth, with am
pie means and leisure at my disposal,
owed to the poor around me, and to
the neighbours on all sides.
After trying various self-impo sed
plans for doing some good in the
world, I finally concentrated my ener-
gies upon the hospital, and became
quite skilled in the preparation OF
strengthening broths and appetizing
custards, iellies and other dainties.
Il thought, dear, that my heart was
In my work, not realizing how much
OF my devotion was caused by the de-
sire to win my cousin Ray Halford's
smile OF appreciation, or word of gen
tie enco uragement. Prasie he seldom
gave, regarding all self-denial as
positive d uty.
Gone Of my favorite contributions
to the hospital was q basket of choice
fruit, for at that time we had the only
hot house, as well as the largest Or
chard, III Easton, and was allowed
perfect freedom in selecting and pluck
ing what I wanted for my favorite
patients.
For I made that mistake from the
first, Daisy. l had favorites who had
the choice OF my contributions, while
forgot that suffering gave to each
and all an equal right.
Gone of those who did not hold a
special place in my favor was Mari
anne Doyle, who had been injured in
the machinery Of one OF the factories,
and lay in crowded ward, growing
slowly but surely worse every day.
Her injuries had disfgured her shock
ingly, and I, III my heartless love OF
beauty, avoided the sight OF her lace
as something loathsome, and was in
the habit Of hurrying past Marianne's
cot, though | often saw her sad, pa
tient eyes follow my basket longingly.
Zone day, early in the fall. | was
carrying the first ripe grapes from the
dollhouse to the hospital. when met
Ray Halford, who turned to join me.
'"I was going this afternoon he
said, pleasantly, but I can as well go
now
HE admired my grapes, arranged
in a shallow basket upon fresh green
leaves, but would not be persuaded to
touch one.
'"They will refresh so many fevered
lips he said, that I should hate to
take even one, but | will call to-mor-
row, if nothing prevents, and gather
some for myself
II think he knew [ was glad to hear
this, for we were something more than
friends at that time, although there
had been no spoken word of love
between us.
''At the hospital my basket was
soon emptied, and | fingered by the
cots, reading to one, chatting with
another, jotting down wants to be
supplied; busy and happy, though full
OF sympathy, when Ray, who had
graver and more painful dutiee TO
perform, joined me.
4 am sorry your grapes are all
gone said he, as he glanced at my
empty basket. 4 wanted one bunch
for a patient whose needs will be very
few in this life she is fast leaving.
"'Who is it?' / asked.
Marianne Doyle, the most patient
of sufferers; whose lips make no COM
plant over the greatest agony
81 was ashamed to linger as he
moved toward the bed evidently ex-
pecting me to follow him. The poorgirl
looked surprised to see me voluntarily
coming toward her; but ! spoke gen
thy.
''I am sorry that my grapes are all
gone, / said; but | can bring you
some, if you would like them this aft
ernoon.'
"Her poor, patient eyes frightened
with feverish longing.
"'You are SO kind she said, I
should like some so much
't'You shall have them this after
noon I said, and after a few more
words / left her.
cray walked home with me, and
never had he been so gentle and ten.
der, never had j seen the love of his
heart in his eyes so clearly as saw it
that day, for the last time. We part
ed at the door, and had just time to
lay aside my hat, when was sum-
moned to dinner.