The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-07-23
HELEN'S SACRIFICE.
How She Was Amply Repaid for
Her Self-Denial.

Helen Howard stood on the piazza,
watching the cloud Of dust following In
the rear of Dr. Hastings carriage, as II
whirled rapidly down the street Her
face wore a troubled look, which deep
ened as she caught sight Of her father
coming up the sidewalk. AS he drew
near he coughed slightly, and she no.
ticed with pain that he was pale and
thin, and that his hair had grown gray
very fast of late.
"What is DR.. Hastings verdict?" he
asked, anxiously.
"He orders rest, freedom from all care,
and all kinds Of delicacies to tempt the
appetite. He says the two months at the
sea-shore would accomplish wonders"
"He might as we'll order trip to the
moon and diet Of greenbacks; one
could be accomplished about as easily
as the other" said Mr.. Howard, bitterly,
as he passed into the house.
Helen looked after him in astonish.
speak bitterly or harshly. For the first
time she seemed fully to realize what 1t
meant to be poor.
The tinkle OF piano came from tho
open, lace-curtained window across tho
way, and Helen forgot her troubles for
moment as she listened to the merry
tune. Helen was passionately fond Of
music, and the one absorbing ambition
other life had been to have piano and
TO receive a course OF thorough instruc-
tion in the one art for which she felt in
her soul she had special talent. Her
father was book-keeper in the factory at
the other side Of the town; he received
a liberal salary, but with a family of
SIX 10 be fed and clothed there was lit
tile margin for extras. lie had given
her the advantages OF a three years
course at Elmville Seminary, from
which she had graduated with honors;
but he had never seen his way clear to
crafty the desire Of her heart. She had
been employed as teacher in that same
seminary for the past two years, and al
though she had supplied tho family
with many little luxuries she had
economical closely on her own account
shat she might save oyery penny toward
her cherished schome. She was near
the realization Of her hopes, for she had
been engaged for another year at the
seminary, and had deposited so large
sum in the bank that she felt that It
would be safe to purchase, although she
could not pay down the entire amount.
SO 1t is not strange that she was inter
iested in the music across the way, and
wondered II she would ever be able TO
play like Carrie Kimble, and II her
piano would have so fine tone.
A spray Of pale roses hung temptingly
near, and as Helen turned to enter the
house she picked them from their stem.
pale lady reclincd upon sofa in the
sitting-room; Helen placed the roses In
her hand, shook up tho FIR pillow, gave
the thin checks loving caress, and, bid
ding her to "try and sSep," she coaxed
the children to her favorite retreat, a
pine grove behind the house. She kept
Them there for nearly two hours, and
when she returned to the house was
pleased 10 find that the invalid bad Just
awakened from most refreshing nap.
Her father had long ago returned 10 his
Office. Helen brought her mother sau-
Ger Of Strawberries, slice OF bread and
acup Of tea, daintily arranged upon
tray.
"Ah, Helen, you are always my good
fairy. Whatever could ! do without
you? ! feel quite rested, thanks TO
your fir pillow and the perfume Of your
roses"
This step-mother Of Holen's was only
ten years older than herself, and al
though devotedly attached to her, she
seemed more like an elder sister than
mother. 0ver-work and tho care OF
three little children had reduced Mrs.
Howard to her present state OF nervous
exhaustion.
Helen went about two or three days
In brown study. Her mother noticed
her unusually quiet manner and she
said to her ono day:
"You are working too hard, / fear; It
Is too bad, and in your vacation, when
you ought to have rest 1t seems very
hard to lie hero 80 helpless when am
needed 50 much. / feel very anxious
about your father, too. Have you no.
ticed how poorly he is looking2"
"The hot weather We have had OF late
Is very exhausting. OF course IT affects
father; he ought to have q vacation. 1t
is shame that Forest &c Wakem do not
give him one, after he has worked for
them so long-and-I- am going to tell
them 80 this very minute" sho ex-
claimed, hastily leaving the room.
That evening, after the children had
gono TO bed, she spoke suddenly:
"Well, father, we'll, Alice, whom will
you be ready for your trip to the sea-
shore?"
"Trip to the seashorel" they, OK
claimed, simultaneously. ''What arc
you talking aboutP" iF II
II moan that Forest & wakem have
made arrangements 10 give father q six
weeks vacation, and that in Difference
10 his long service his pay Is To
continue as usual. have planned that
Tou and Alice are TO start next Tuesday