St. Landry democrat., 1890-07-12
MARY WALLACE'S THANK
OFFERING.

day while washing dishes. an old china
cup slipped out of my fingers and fell in
pieces on the floor.
In q moment Mrs. Miller strobe angrily
toward me, and heavy blow descended
upon NV shoulder.
Her tongue seemed sharp as steel; hel
hand seemed heavy as a sledge hammer
as,she struck me three times more
OIL didn't mean to break the cup
it was cracked half through" / faltered
out.
''Not sign of crack in it. You need
not try lying with me; go on with your
work, lazy girl -
went upstairs. made the beds, swept
the rooms, and was busy ironing the rest
of the forenoon. 1t was not till after din
ner that could get any time to myself.
The sun was departing in the midst of
gold and purple in the Western sky, when
| went down wide shady road, and took
seat on fat rock under large elm tree
My heart was very hot and full of trouble
and big tears fell down my cheeks
Soon Mary Wallace came out of large
fine house and walked slowly over the
road, often putting her handkerchief to
her face. She wore beautiful ruff1ed
dress, with wide pink sash tied behind
at her waist. When she saw me she
stopped and inquired, "What makes you
cry, Ellen Lee Z"
"Oh, I have dreadful life Father
and mother are dead want to die. too, :"
in hoarse voice.
"Don't talk so; DON'T" entreated Mary,
gently.
cit will be great deal better to live in
heaven with them and Jesus than to live
Nth Mrc MiIlor and OF Snal6incrc
and beatings. This morning l broke an
old china cup that had great crack In it,
and she struck me four times. Yesterday
she accused me Of stealing FIVE cents she
had laid out to buy an extra quart of milk.
hadn't touched it, but it is real hard to
get blamed and punished so often for
nothing"
While was yet talking Mary's eyes
filed with tears again, and low, smoth
cred cry of agony escaped her.
] could scarcely comprehend how this
favored girl, with loving parents and a
home of beauty and comfort, could have
any affection nearly as hard to bear as my
own hopeless, weary existence.
"Mother-my dear mother-is going to
die" she faltered out. "She has terri
BILE fever heard Dr.. Bell tell father,
there is no hope"
A torrent Of weeping followed these
words. My own sorrows were forgotten
In listening to poor Mary's trials, and /
strove to comfort her.
"I am very sorry" said, "but maybe
God will save her; He knows mere than
all the doctors in the world. Ask Him to
help her to get well.
"Tm afraid He won't pay any attention
to me, Ellen, because Inever pray when all
goes WELL" doubtfully.
'"That won't make any difference Jesus
comes near to every one in trouble. I've
been king for month for better home.
don't see any good time coming, but I
feel it. ! will ask Him, too, If your
mother may live"
ooh, do, Ellen"
Mary threw her arms around me, and
kissed me sgain and again. We were
slightly acquainted. but our sad hearts
had been quickly united by heavy trials.
/ forgot to pray for myself that night.
My whole entreaty was that "the life of
Mary Wallace's mother might be spared"
The next afternoon / walked down the
road again toward Mr.. Wallace's house
Mary came running to meet me.
"Mother is living she is little bet
ter !" were her Joyful words. s.Dr Bell
says Ii she can get through one day more
he shall have great hope"
'sShe will live" responded, fervently.
etWhat makes you SO sure?'
because, when l told Jesus about it
something seemed to say, The prayer of
faith shall save the SICK"
Chow love you, Ellen Lee !" exclaimed
Mary.
For the first time in months was really
happy. There svas something wonderfully
sweet and soothing in the word Glove"
hads not heard it applied to myself since
my mother died.
Mrs. Wallace continued to improve, at
first very slowly, then quite rapidly.
The gold and scarlet tints of autumn
soon crowned all nature with gorgeous
beauty.
One morning note of invitation was
left for me to pass the afternoon and take
supper with the Wallace family. Mrs.
Miller gave reluctant consent.
put ON my best dress, blue plaid
gingham, and started off. Mary stood upon
the piazza when reached the house. She
led me into richly furnished parlor,
where tall, dignifed woman, handsomely
dressed, was sitting.
seThis Is Ellen Lee, mother, was Mary's
introduction.
Twas awkward and nervous, but Mrs.
Wallace greeted me so very kindly that /
soon felt at ease. She had been selfish,
worldly woman, living wholly for pleasure,
but since she had stood almost at deaths
door her mind had been turned into an.
other, higher and purer channel. Said
she in sweet, winning voice.
"My daughter has told me much of you,
w e..I1-
bear your trials. Mary has two hundred
dollars in the bank, which was left her by
her aunt, and she has begged her father
and me to allow it to be used for your
education
'For mel'' repeated, astonished and
dazzled by this unexpected announcement.
eyes, for you, " exclaimed Mary eagerly.
"That money is doing nothing Father has
has written to Mrs. Lathrop, asking her to
from me, Ellen, is my thank offering to
God for making mother we'll"
How my poor starved soul was flooded
with inexpressible light and joy. At first
] had no words to give utterance to my
thanks and gratitude. At last spoke
reverently:
ooh, how I thank you God has heard
me. / knew He would answer and help
me-"
entered. school the next week and re-
manned a year. Then another gift of
money was received to pay for second
year. Time carried me on, bringing choice
blessings.
have now large school of City pupils,
and my life is happy and useful. The
strong affection between Mary Wallace and
me has never declined One day said to
her gratefully, e.The foundation OF all my
r,rnsTar;tv haa cnyDa from ynu my dear