The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-04-19

WIS. 4AOlU. A Clllu JluC Has ITO
value, you know. And, utter all, l
can't go. l remembered just after
they'd gone down stairs that /
promised my dressmaker this en-
broidered vest tomorrow. She can't
have my dress done by Sunday UNI
less she has the vest early tomorrow,
and there is good deal to do on it
yet. How do you like it?"
ut is lovely. You elnbroider beau
tifully," said Mrs. Delwyn. ':3ut
can't you get up an hour earlier to-
morrow, and work on it before break
fast, Lucy? The children will he SO
much disappointed if you don't take
them to that sociable tonight"
"That won't hurt them. 1t will
he good discipline for them. They
will have plenty of Gisappointments
in the years to come"
Before Mrs. Dclwyn could reply the
door opened and the three children
rushed in.
"Oh, mamma" cried BERTHE, look
OF dismay coming upon his face as
he saw that his mother was still in
her wrapper, "aren't you going to
take us to the sociable? All the 9TH
er children will be there"
"No, l can't go tonight. I'm too
tired, and I've too much to do. Now
for mercy sake don't make a fuss.
There'll be plenty of other sociables
just as nice us this one. Come here,
Jessie, and let me take off your cloak
and hat. Boys, you must either
change your clothes or go to bed. l
can't have YOU playing around in
your best things"
The boys gave evidence to their
anger and disappointment only by
flinging themselves about the room
and muttering. But Jessie began
to wall at once. and was promptly
punished, undressed and sent to bed,
where she cried herself to sleep.
Mrs. Dclwyn went back to the par
Tor, butshecoultlnot fix her thoughts
upon her book again.
what respect will they have for
her word III the years to Gomez" she
thought. "They will soon lose all
confidence in her, and she will have
cause for the most bitter regret"
When Mrs. Holt came downstairs
little later, her embroidery in her
hand, to take Al seat by the parlor
centre-table. Mrs. Delwynlonged to
utter few words OF friendly advice,
but feared to snap asumder the DELI
cate strands of friendship which
bound them to each other.
"If something would only make
her see,' she thought, signing.
Something did.
The next day was the last day of
Mrs. Delwyn's stay, and Mr.. Holt
said at breakfast that he would send
a carriage in the afternoon that she
and Mrs. Holt might take a drive
about the city.
"Send carriage that will hold
four, and Jessie and BERTHE can go
with u.s." said his wife. at is not
often they get ia chance to take a
drive"
Cant l go too?" asked Charlie.
''No, there will not be room," ans
wered his mother, and the boys brow
was Swallowed ut once by a sullen
frown.
When the carriage was announced
at two o'clock, Mrs. Holt and Mrs.
Delwyn were engaged in the parlor
with two ladies' who had called to
make the acquaintance of the latter.
As they rose to leave, Mrs. Holt
asked them if they we're going down
town, and offered them seats in the
carriage.
81 can take you both as well as
not" she said, cordially, evidently
considering it ofno moment what
ever that this arrangement would
deprive BERTHE and Jessie of the prom
Used treat. But the ladies declined
the offer.
AS soon as they left, Mrs. Delwyn
and Mrs. Holt went upstairs to put
on their bonnets. In going to their
rooms they were Obliged to pass the
nursery, and as they drew near it
they heard Charlie say in IL loud
voice:
"You might as well take off your
hat, Jessie, and not sit there all
pinked up, fine as n fiddle. You and
BERTHE won'tgoritling this afternoon,
that is sure. Mrs. Scott and Mrs.
Ellis IRE in thepnrlor, and youknow
well enough mammals going to give
'em that other seat in the carriage"
ooh, but she promised she'd take
us; you know she did, cried Jessie,
in n voice that promised teurs at
short notice.
promised! Much she cared for
that. She don't think promises to
us children amount to anything.
You know that as well us do. SHE
don't mean to keep 'em when she
makes 'em."
Mrs. Hollis face grew scarlet with
anger, and she started forward, with
an angry exclamation. But Mrs.
Delwyn laid u restraining hand ON
her arm.
"Wait," she whispered, "wait un-
til you are cool. Come with me-"
and she drew her into IL small room
at the head of the stairs.
"Beforc you speak to Charlie" she
said, TASK yoursclfif there is not
some truthin what he has just stated.
Have you kept your promises to
your children always?"
One moment Mrs. Holt stood 81
lently gazing at her friend; then she
covered her face with her hands, and
sinking into n chair, burst into tears.
The time had come when Mrs Del
wynn dared speak, and she spoke so
effectively that the mothers eyes
were opened to the sin Of which she
had been guilty.
Charlie was right" she confessed.
II never thought that promises to
children amounted to anything 1
have kept them when convenient to
do SO, but otherwise have broken
them without colnpunction. But,
heaven helping ne, they shall never
have cause tocomplain ofmcagain."
And they never did. The truth
brought home thus roughlyfrom the
lips of her own child opened her eyes
to the sin other past conduct. as
no advice or counsel. however kindly,
could have .lone.-The Standard.
A Wild Engine.
Al