The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-04-05

N4-L4 NA44Lk llC U4SnWAter was
hot, she explained. Il forgot to put
IL on till after dinner" -.....a
Yes, that's always the way You
never think Of nuthin' whom your
nose is stuck in book. II I'd a
know'd what 1 do now. I'd never q
sent you 10 school day"
Lucy made no reply TO this TRADE;
but her sensitive lips quivered and her
eyes filed with tears which she strove
in vain 10 rcpress.
Scenes like this were Of daily occur
renee in the Ross family; for tho
mothers natural irritability had been
greatly increased by years Of hard
work and ilI-health, and Lucy pro-
vOked her beyond measure by the
growing listlessuess with which she
went about her household duties. The
truth Is that Lucy had become en-
crossed, heart and soul. in the pur-
suit Of knOwledgc-it being the fixed
purpose o. her life 70 rise above the
station OF a mere toiling machine.
Mrs. Ross, incapable Of mental labor
herself, was equally incapable of form
ing any conception of it. Drudgery
h E-s
then, that she mistook Lucy's preoc-
cupation for iudOlence, and that she
lost no opportunity in rating her
sOundly for il.
When the dishes had been washed
and put away Lucy returned TO where
she had left her book, but TO her sur
prise 1t was gone. She was not slow
to conjecture what had happened. One
of the children had hidden il to tease
her. Hardly n day passed that she
was not made the victim of one or
more of their pranks. Tim, the Oldest,
was four years her junior; and added
10 this difference in age was n vet
greater difference in disposition. Lucy
had, consequently, retired more and
moro within herself, and had grad
ually come to regard her brothers and
sisters rs so many necessary evils.
They, on their part, looked on her
quiet, studious manners rs indications
Of dullncss and stupidity, and thought
1t fine sport to anger her, or "wake
her up rs they termed it.
On this occasion she was too much
concerned for the fate of her missing
book TO feel angry.
Mother" she called, as she
searched aimlessly about the room.
make the children give me back my
physiology. They will get it soiled or
torn, and then what viii Kitty say?''
Mrs. Ross usually sided with the
children against Lucy in their diff
culties, but tho knowledge that the
book in question was Il gift from Kitty
Olwirt made her equally anxious for
its safe restoration. Accordingly, she
summoned the children, and tried first
TO persuade and then to frighten the
guilty one into revealing its where
nbouts- But all stoutly protested that
they knew nothing about it; and coax
ing. threats and hogging proved alike
unavailiug.
I'm not going to Kitty's this even-
ing without itr' declared Lucy. tear
fully. 49,
Kitty was her one friend and sympa-
thizer. The only being in the world
who truly understood and appreciated
her 4 warm intimacy had existed
between them ever since, as children,
they had played together at school.
But Lucy's school days ended as
soon rs she grew old enough to be use-
ful at home. She struggled bravely on
in her studies, however. finding little
benefactress in Kitty, who supplied her
with books and assisted her in every
possible way. -
Tho two friends met regularly three
times n week to discuss Lucy's self
assigned lessons. and the hours thus
spent were the hapPiest OF Lucy's
life
The poor girl was almost beside
herself over the disappearance of her
cherished physiology. 1t was pitiful
TO see her that afternoon, vainly peer
ing again and again into every crack
and corner of the house and yard.
where it seemed possible for book to
30 secreted. -.--
When four o'clock came. which was
the time appointed for a meeting with
Kitty, she sought the children at their
play, and, With tears in her eyes and
voice. promised to do any thing in her
power for the one who would tell her
where her book was --
Her entreaties ELECTED n derisiye
laugh from Tim, in which the others
Joined, and with the words: Cry
baby! cry-baby," ringing in her cars,