The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-02-19
THE BETTER WAY.
Transformation, and One Hundred
Dollars for the Poor.

"What strange woman MRS Darlo"
was!' exclaimed Mrs. johnson, as she
met Mrs. Gerhsrt on the street.
"Was! Surely Mrs. Barlow is not
dcad9"
"Yes, she died about two hours ago.
| was just going for you; for Adela said
It was her mothers request that you
should be there to assist the girls in
their last services. They would not let
me help them"
81 was Just going there. told her
last evening l would como around this
morning. | had no idea she would go
so soon. She seemed better yesterday
and Adela was going to sit up with her
last night"
"Yes, she did, and the children were
all alone with her when sho breathed
her last. Adela said she had barely
time TO call the children up. 1t was
sudden at last"
"Wen, must hasten, for l shall be
needed. Poor woman, her sufferings
are over, but what will tho children do
now?" said Mrs. johnson.
"Their mother has made every ar
rangement for their future. She knew
that it was her last illness"
Mrs. Gerhart passed on; she was a
very dear friend OF the deceased, and
felt the loss Of her deeply. She knew
how much Mrs. Barlow had suffered for
long years, and whom the husband and
father was killed in drunken ARRAY,
some ten years before, she was the ono
person who had comforted and assisted
the widow and orphans in their desola-
Iruon. Since then she had been a sister
10 the lonely woman, and when by the
death OF distant relative Mrs. Barlow
was placed in position OF independ-
ence, and was surrounded by all the
comforts and luxuries that wealth could
procure, she did not forget the friend
in need" who had helped lift the bur-
dens OF want and sorrow from her
slender frame, but cherished her, and
before her last sickness had prostrated
her had claimed her promise that, when
she was gone, Mrs. Gerhart (who was a
childless widow would come and live
With her children, and keep the family
circle unbroken. She had passed most
of her time with the sick woman, and
only left her the evening before. by her
particular request, so that she might OBJ
tain good nights rest. She deeply re-
GREETED her absence, for she knew 1t
must be heartrending scene for the
children to pass through. She was met
at the door by all tho children, who
gladly welcomed their mothers friend.
"You are to be my mother now," said
little Annie, mother said so last
night, and she hid her face on Mrs.
Gerhart's shoulder.
"Yes, my little one, promised your
mother would stay with you as long AZ
you needed me-"
"That will be always" said Adela, a
beautiful girl Of sixteen; then came
Elsie Of fourteen years; after her were
the two boys, then another girl, before
Annie, who came TO comfort her mother
in her lonely widowhood some three
months after Mr.. Barlow's death.
Il was great responsibility TO take
upon oneself, but the mother was q
wise woman, and she knew that the
trust would not be broken. They went
together TO the chamber Of death and
wept over the silent sleeper; then Mrs
Gerhart and Adela performed the las
sad offices OF affection, and the children
gathered flowers TO brighten the silent
chamber. The undertaken came TO per
form the functions Of his Office, and
neighbors came In 10 offer their services
but these were declined.
ssLet the coffin be perfectly plain; nj
needless expense. II will not be on ex
hibition," said Mrs. Gerhart. "Mrs
Barlow made every arrangement her
self, and we shall follow them out TO thu
letter, she disliked display and parade.
"why, she was very wealthy, under
stood. / supposed you would have fin'
funeral" !" he said.
sTt was not her wish, and we shall d.
iust as she desired. She always dis
liked ostentation," replied Mrs. Ger
hart, as she closed the door OF the cham
ber, Just as Mrs. johnson and two othe
ladies' were ascending the stairs.
1--WE have come 10 assist you; ther,
must be great deal 10 be done, Mrs
Barlow was sick 30 long, and we coul'
help on the sewing" said Mrs. johnson
as she tried 10 open the door.
There is no extra sewing TO be done
the family arc not going to put OF
mourning"
mot to 90 in mourning for thei
motherl'' exclaimed she, ''only think Q
| II, Mrs. Brown; and she 30 rich, toe
What will people thinkl"
: ''It matters very little what peopi
.h'rk, Mrs johnson. Mrs. Barlo'