The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-12-18
EBENSBURG FRIDAY DECEMi ER Is. 1891

-Nt1lN WIS a bstifN oit litt biNeA7sN -
Lopcr had dreamed ont her future as
helpful Christian wife and mother
Her aims for the children were
changed now. Bob was kept away
from school to practice Il part in
tableauX and private theatricals. in
which he appeared IL a Directoire cos
tune of velvet and lace. Nelly soon
learned that the object of her life scas
to dance, To sing, To- appear in pretty
new gowns. to make herself conspicu-
Gus among the other children. in the
hope that Irene Smalley would invite
her To her Christmas ball.
Their father made feeble protest.
Our whole motive of life is
changed. Sarah.'' he said ''The minds
of the children are filled with trifies.
Our home life is gone, and instead
there is a constant buzz and tumult
about dress and balls or some other
folly
II do not consider the social position
of my children a trifle or folly" she re-
piled, sharply.
Il only know" he answered that
You once hoped to fit them To be G,.d's
servants in this world and the xt-
Now your highest hope is To fit ...em
for the Smalley set
She did not reply. The subject was
never broached between them again.
Mr.. Lopcr'S death a yea later left her
"A wealthy widow with no restraint
upon her social ambition. She sue
ceeded in gaining a foothoId in the
fashionable circle. IL was not secure.
and she was perpetnally forced to cur
ry their favor by mean little arts for
which She despiSed herself Bob. much
To her delight, became the Intimate
friend of Jem Smalley. 1t was wh.s-
pered in Pottstown that Sma ley u rs
corrupting the boy. and would make : IN
as profiIgatc as himself. But MS mon
cr, when she saw her boy driving or
riding with the leader of fashion. lid
not ask what lesson of life he was
learning from him
Nelly gave her mother many a heart
ache. She hal formed an attachment II
4 poor Young clerk who had no capital
but industry and energy When DIR.
Soames began To pay her attention.
her mother compelled her To encourage
him
lie i old enough to be my grand
father" the girl protested. ''iic has
been a lifelong drunkard / cannot
even respect him and love another
ihotAti-
''Hc has reformed urged Mrs
Loper. "Eou ought to respect him. He
is Mrs. Smalley's cousin. He can give
you as good position as hers in Potts
town. As for your fancy of love,
every girl has some such silly affair
before she takes up life in earnest
Nelly was timid and weak. She
yielded and married a man whom at
heart she despised.
A few months after her marriage
Mrs. Loper became seriously i'll Death
came slowly to her, so slowly that she
had time to look back At her life and
iudge coolly of the value of her sue
cesses-
Her son would look in sometimes at
her for moment with n bioated face
and red eyes. bid her cheer up" and
vanish to be seen no more for a day or
two.
He does not waste a minute on his
dying mother" she moaned once
Where il he going, Ncliy?n
ITO the races. | believe. He and
Smalley own a horse together.
a faint smile crossed Mrs. Loper's
gaunt face. ''Bob keeps good com
panv." she murmured- Then she
scanned NcIly's thin face and painted
cheeks and heavy, hopeless eyes The
girl wore Partisan gown. She was the
leader of fashion in Pottstown- But
even that thought did not seem to give
her mother satisfaction as she lay
there with death coming nearer, nearer.
Did she see in her child's face the
dumb accusation of lost life-a soul
tainted and ruined?
As the day crept into night she lay
silent and motionless, summing up Ter
lifes triumph, it may be, to comfort
herself withal.
Mother" Nelly said once. ''would
you like me to send for minister? Or
shall read n Psalm to you?'
Mrs. Loper knitted her brows trying
to think distinctly. Nelly talked of
such unfamiliar things-she scarcely
was acquainted with the minister, and
as for the Psalms. she used TO read
them long ago, long ago.
Il can't attend to that sort of thing
lust now dear. When get vell-Nelly.
what is gong on tonight? The car
riages-and hear a band"
Mrs. Smalley has a reception,
mother Everybody is going"
"And they knOw-they know that 1
am-dying."
She put her hand over her eyes to
shut out the life which had become so
paltry and base.
Some one said to Mrs. Smalley that
! night: Your friend, Mrs Loper, has
! Just died, / hear"
"Ah, indeed! I'm very sorry! We
were scarcely friends however. Mere
| " acquaintanccs. y clever woman
though n good deal of a snob. Do take
/ Miss Price out for this waltz, to oblige
| me-"
Mrs. Smalley stood smiling as she
/ watched the walters; the music rang
out gay and sweet. Mrs. Loper lay
] dead. Her ambition was gratitied.
| She was one of the fashionable set in
! -Congregationalist.