St. Landry democrat., 1890-06-21
ELSIE'S TRIAL OF PATIENCE.

Sigamund. The long line OF elms on
either side of Main street bent their great
arms in the strong, cold wind which was
sweeping up and down it's length.
In striking contrast to the slow, falter-
ing steps of old Ezra Kilrain, the lamp
lighter, Ned Cameron, lad of twelve
years, ran swiftly down the street. He
nodded pleasantly to the scotchman as he
passed him, and ran on, evidently anxious
to get home with the letter he held in his
hand Unmindful of muddy boots, he
ting 4sn room: ~ :. .x.,.,nsa ..hers 10 .
letter from Boston for papa, and Pm al
most sure that it's from Aunt Ruth. Isn't
papa at home YETI I do want to hear
what she says
Ned Cameron, don't be so noisy Just
look at your boots You have brought in
mud all the way. Won't you ever learn
to be careful 3'-this from a young girl
who was busily engaged in mending stock
ings.
rebuke, went out again to await his
fathers coming.
Eevidently the young lady was not in an
enyiable frame of mind, for, breathing
sigh of relief, she exclaimed:
MThere, mother, that tiresome mending
is dore, though did think never should
finish it, and now. it is nearly time for
supper H: !. .,. continual aRon and Kitty
grow more and more careless. Kitties
aprons and dresses are always in dilapi-
dated condition in spite of all can DO,
| and Rob-well, do not believe that there
| is another boy in town who wears out so
many stockings. I am heartily tired OF
mending, and wish that might never do
another stitch"
"Why, Elsie, child, what is the trouble
| this afternoonf You are not usually as
| impatient as you seem to be to-day. he
member that Rob and Kittie are yet but
children-good and loving, If little care.
less. Talk about your blessings, and let
the trials CO."
mothers gentle remonstrance, but hurried
from the room and went upstairs.
She was the daughter of country doc
tor. whose practice, though extensive, had
never been remunerative Sigamund was
q factory town, and consequently large
portion of the small population were poo
people. If, as was often the case, fam
| ily were too poor to paw for the services
| Of a physician, he never reminded them Of
their bill, choosing to settle all such &C.
counts with his Lord.
; Three years before the time OF which
; write, Mrs Cameron had been thrown
from her carriage, receiving INJURIES from
which she might never fully recover.
Elsie had been obliged to give up hel
, long cherished plan for college educa'
tion and remain at home, tenderlY minis
: tering to the sick one and caring for tn
children. How great the trial had beef
) ! to cheerfully relinquish all her desires N
> one knew but her Elder Brother.
It was great trial to Mrs. Cameron
Q see her husband troubled. and she ha
? | worried much over her utter inability t.
Q do ANYTHING in the household. But Elsie
T she had said many times, was q goo
3 daughter and knew almost as much abou
9 housekeeping as she did, and SO gradual
t the care Of the home was left to the youn
q girl. who was generally such "brav
= little woman" as her father said.
q A shade of perplexity rested for mt
. ment upon Mrs. Cameron's face after Els
- had left the room, s'The dear child neee
= o rest and change" she thought, "but
)" too unselfsh to think of 1t. must spea
to her father about it at once"
Meanwhile Elsie in her room was strui
Cling to keep back the tears which SCENE
d determined to come. She was tired, for
TO had been peculiarly trying day. AS 81
I'd thought of it all, she drew from her pock
10 a letter she had received that mornin
xt which had been the innocent cause OF mu'
le of her discomfort. It was from Cous
/: Alice. in Boston, and contained 8 glowil
account of the pleasant life she was leae
!" ing in the midst of wealth and friends.
It. Sand now, Elsie," she concluded,
he have a plan. Aunt Ruth has been stayil
with us for some time, you remember, o
is now going away for few months to ca
up for a sick friend, and it will leave us gu
IS lonely. Now, dear, we all know how mu
Oh YOU wished to go to college, and som
Z thing Of what it cost you to give it
=. Boston has many opportunities for ieal
ay ing which know you cannot get az non
70, Mother and have been thinking OF ,
We and have decided that the best thing
US Won to do is to come and spend the win
with us. | know that you would dew
much of your time to study, but have
:. mind many sources of entertainment WIN
no know will prove profitable to both OF
rs am confident that itimay be arranged
~ YOU will but consent to our plan.
- Az Elsie finished the letter, the tel
: > 30 long constrained filed her eyes,
= covering her face with her hands she W
bitterlya
ont Could she give up so pleasant prosp
I She had thought hope buried, but all
d long she bad found herself thinking OF
y" letter, and longing, Q, so earnestly,