Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-03-19
For the Ellsworth Americ.nl
Coralie's Easter Anthem.
NINIFRED FORREST

WINIFRED FORREST.
Where is Coralie:" says my Aunt Es
ther, coming quickly into the room ano
sitting down by the fire AS she begins tC
knit briskly.
Gone 10 the church to practice" an
swers poor, pale mamma without looking
up. She has been at work all day" she
adds apologetically, feeling, rather than
seeing, the look of dlspleasure on my
aunl's face.
"P,haw." she bursts forth 1T seems
to ME that she had better be doing some.
thing of more advantage than singing to
herself"
THERE'S no answer, only patient sigh
from mamma and silence once more falls
upon our little group.
There are only four of Us in the family
mamma. Aunt Esther, sweet, seventeen
year,-old Coraiie, and myself, plain Mil
dred Corthell-a cripple and helpless
burden upon the others They Will never
! allow me 10 say however, and " hen
get gloomy every one pets IN. back to good
nature again. | was not always lame-it
was caused by an accident W hen we were
rich and happy, before papa died, he had
taken me to ride with him. My horse was
spirited one which he had just purchased
| for me and papa was very proud of me in
/ those days and thought me a wonderful
/ horsewoman, but that ride was my last.
| The horse took fright and | was taken
/ home stunned and bleeding and when
/ opened my eyes u reason again six weeks
| later. they told me that | could never
walk again. | rebelled Al first. for it was
for papa's sake, when | saw how badly he
| felt, blaming himself for it all and beg
ging ME to forgive him for spelling my
life. 1t has been four years now and am
growing accustomed to my invalid sofa
and am trying to feel that it is for the best
But | am strayiug from my story.
Aunt Esther was really the head of our
family after papa Died. for poor. dear
mamma never dared TO speak word in
opposition TO her. but only sighed quietly
ard let her 90 on.
Corale was our beauly-a slender, blue
eyed, golden-haired child, who WOE every
body's heart with her sweet ways and pref,
ty face.
But the worst of all was-we were poor
yes, wretchedy poor. When papa was
here we had servants aud fine clothes and
horses and everything else but now all
the servants had been dismissed except
Susie. a poor, friendle>s girl, who staid
because we We're kind to her and be-
cause She had no other home. The old
home was gone. the horses had been sold
and nothing was left to Us except little
cottage in the village, not far from the
city, which papa had bought little while
before, not dreaming of the use it would
have and a few hundred dollars which were
fast melting away and there was no possi-
Bile chance of getting any more.
Coralie had more than once vowed her
intention of going into the mill at the vii
age to work, hut Aunt Esther promptly
put an end TO that, by declaring that mo
Corthell ever became factory hand yet
and should not if she could prevent it,"
We all bowed in humble submission TO
Aunt Esthers will and Coralie ceased at
last to speak of the mill. but we all watch
ed with anxious eyes our fast decreasing
stock of money. Coralie did what she
! could; she had class in music and gave
vocal instruction to few pupils, for she
had wonderful voice and no pains or
money had been spared in its cultivation
in the old, happy days.
could only lie still and helpless and
| plan frutless plans until my head reeled,
for how could | do anything to help?
To be sure | had once been called a
wonderful genius in painting, but that
was long ago and when my brush and my
talent had lain idle for four years, found,
when tried again. wide difference and
there was no money for instruction or ma
terials; so | laid my brushes and easel
aside with few secret tears and gave up
the idea of ever becoming famous by art
The clock licked the moments away un-
til the hour hand pointed to tour and Co
ralie came running up the steps and
through the hall, bursting into the room
like a young whirlwind, gave mamma q
hug and kiss and dropped, painting an6
breathless, upon the sofa by my side.
"How rough and unladylike," calculated
our estimable aunt, picking up the knit
ting from the floor where she had drop
horror at the entrance of her niece. Bu
Coralie paid no attentiOn-she was use(
to snch remarks. "Onlv think, mamma =
she exclaimed as soon as she could speak
"Mr. Wesley has offered me hundred
dollars to sing the Easter anthem in churcl
in the city next Easter evening. He say
he will pay all expenses and take me tt
the church and bring me home again. 4
hundred dollars, mamma, dear!"
Mamma had drawn her bright-eyed dar
ling to her and was crying softly. will
her face buried in Coralie's golden hair
partly with joy at the welcome news O
money, but more that papa's daughte
should be Obliged to sell her beautiful
voice for the comfort of her mother.
But Aunt Esther had dropped her knit
ting in good earnest this time and SO ex
cited was she that her sharp eyes for ono
did not see that the kitten had seized upol
the ball and was making sad havoc of tn
yarn.
Charlotte Winchester Corthell." sh
I exploded at last. '.Have you taken leav
i of your senses? Corthell singing fo
money like paltry beggar! That shoul
| ever see this day"
Aunt Esther" replied Coralie, looking
squarely at her. sis it more honorable TO
Corthell or anybody else to starve, thai
to earn her living in any honest way?
II tell you it shall never be done
screamed my aunt rising up until she fair