Wichita eagle., 1890-02-06
ONE SUBSCRIBER.

Phoebe Nur1ford came down to break
fast one morning in very low spirits.
There seemed no doubt that the mortgage
would be foreclosed at last. Her fathers
mind failed niosr and more. Everything
was forloYn and wretched. She had been
gazing as rose colored picture of the
past to which distance lent enchantment.
She saw her buxom, comfortable, loving
mother; her young aunts, who petted
her: kind though grave father; lover,
Billy Barton, who adored her. and went
away to sea and who had not been heard
of since. There was a little misunder-
standing that she was too proud to ex-
plain. Now how gray and dull was life!
The dear mother gone, and though
doubtless she watched over her daugh-
ter, human eyes cannot see those loving
angels. The aunts married; one in Cali
fornia, one in Colorado, one in Canada,
with families of their own. The father
changed, since the terrible illness that
followed his wifes sudden death, to a
trembling, querulous shadow, who re-
Quilted all her love and tenderness by
finding fault with her for her having
been born a girl
eff l had a son." he used to say,
"things wouldn't go to rack and ruin
while I'm poorly. It's the only fault
ever found with your good mother, that
she had girl instead Of boy"
Poor father! he used to be SO differ
ent," Phoebe would say to herself; land
it is shame that am not a young man. :"
But still, when woman finds herself
unappreciated, her heart must ache.
A son never would have made the
feeble old man so comfortable, waited on
him SO patiently, spared him so much.
The "bound girl" little Hannah Jane,
from the poor house, was bright and
tractahle, but there was still much to do;
all woman'S work. though; nothing that
could keep the heavy mortgage from fore
closing. or the man who farmed what
land there was left ION shares" from
cheating them numerically; nothing
that brought money in.
Phoebe felt that, and it panied her
more than the thought that her thirtieth
woman ever lived who did not shrink
from that thought with a shiver of
horror.
Wiping the tears away, Miss Phoebe
left the table and took up the newspaper
"a big New York paper full OF politics,
which she read to her father every day
and which was almost his only pleasure.
She glanced down the column of deaths
and marriages, and saw there no name
that she knew. She read an account of
the appearance of the sea serpent at the
shore near a certain hotel, and of a
frightful murder that made her blood
run cold. She read the wise words of
the weather prophet, who predicted
rising barometer, and glanced over the
dvertlsementS. ''SpinkinS' electric col
lar button. warranted to cure every
thing" offered testimonials from kings
and warriors, and tempted her to go
down and buy one for pa-or would, had
she had the money to throw away on a
cruel imposture.
DOBBS CO. on receipt of ten cents and a
stamped and directed envelope Will send to anv
lady or gentleman directions how to make for
tune at their own homes
She was not much impressed by this
magnificent offer. But here was some
thing:
WANTED in our Office, lady of education and
refinement. e good talker, who has read d great
deal Salary $50 per week Apply at once in
person. Church member preferred
COZZIN & co,
No street.
Dear mer' cried Phoebe to herself.
fifty dollars weekl | think l am re-
fined. l certainly have had a good edu-
cation. l read everything can get to
read. | am a church member. If l
could get the place, l could go to busi-
ness regularly like a man, give pa
most of the fifty dollars a week, save
the place, perhaps, and certainly buy
the electric collar button
Visions Of her father restored to health
and vigorous old age; of the mortgage
paid off; of herself kneeling at her
fathers feet while his hands rested on
her head and said: My daughter, no
longer regret that God never gave me
n son, since he sent me YOU" rushed
through her mind. She slipped from
the big horse hair covered arm chair.
and, kneeling before it. hid her face in
its great dimpled back. and with her
to her eyes. prayed to be
helped. And when she arose it seemed
TO her that a strong, unseen hand led
her; that there could be nothing to fear
or dread; nothing before her but success.
She gave her father his breakfast with
many smiles. and faily laughed when he
said: Now. if you were 4 boy you could
just so along with me to the polls and
vote for Pufiingham. want that man
to be elected; he's got the right views
about property. But you're girl, poor
thing-a girl"
Little he knew what was in her mind.
She read the political articles through |
and had just time TO catch the train, |
giving Hannah Jane directions for the |
dinner.
IF get the place, old Mrs. Williams |
must come and live here" she said to
herself, as she walked. I'D feel per
fectly safe then, and she'd be glad to
have the spare room and her board"
a fresh color was on her cheek, and a
bright sparkle in her eye as she stepped
into the car. She wore her very best
things-precious and well sayed-b,t