The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-06-06
HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER.
Noble Sacrifice Godfrey Owen
Made for the One He Loved.

1t was when Alma Bentley was only
six years old that her father wrote to
me, asking me to come to Starfeld and
take the place Of goYerness to his
motherless girl. Amos Bentley was a
far-away cousin of @g own, and he had
heard of my recent widowhood, my
anxiety to find some employment. And
out of the goodness of his heart he
offered me position in his own luxuri-
GUS home that gladly accepted. was
received like a sister, and, indeed,
Alma has always called me Aunt Susie.
As she grew older, masters in music,
drawing and languages assisted me in
her education, until, at eighteen, it was
decided that she was to spend winter
in New York with her aunt Mrs. Win
ship, and be introduced TO society.
1t was natural that girl OF eighteen
should be excited and eager over such a
prospect, but Alma dreaded it with a
strange fear for one so young. Had size
been a French girl of two centuries
earlier, she would, most assuredly,
have been "a nun, and often told her
so in Jest. Yet, in most serious earnest,
L hlCN JllGiG 4 lldNl htNtI DCCI VI hGdINl
of girl in this bustling, busy age of
ours so pure of heart, so deeply devout,
SO modest and tender as Alma Bentley.
She was very fair, rather pale than
rosy, yet not siclfly-loolsing, with wav-
ing hair of light brown, and large blue
eyes, slight in figure, and with look
of perfect serenity and peace.
allie looks like a saint" her father
said to me. ''She seems to have none
of the brightness of girlhood Is she
happy?"
Yes. l think she is happy, as far
as such pitying nature can be. But
the sorrow of others, the crime, the
misery. the poverty she sees press upon
her"
"Why need she see?" he asked quick.
ly. You do not let her go into the vii
lage?"
"She goes every day think the mil
hands look upon her Rs upon an actua
angel"
Mr.. Bentley frowned heavily, walk
ing up and down the long drawing
room,
something ought to be done" hC
said. But what? What can be done,
When Mr.. Rogers built the mills anC
houses for the hands he was a ricl
man with every prospect of success
before him. For nearly ten years tn,
mills prospered, but when he failed i
was utterly, hopelessly. No one els'
took the place; the mills were closed
and here are some six hundred fami
lies too poor to get away, out of work
their savings spent, sickness every
where! 1t is terrible give all that
can, but am not rich enough to supper
a whole colony"
''Your name is in every prayer the,
utter" l said, emphatically. "Alli
goes where there is sicltness-wher
poverty presses hardest As you say
you cannot support a colony, bu
Allie gives sympathy, tenderness, time
advice, and puts her hand to every
thing. She makes soup and tea TO
the sick; she washes and dresses tn
babes whose mothers are i'll; sh
speaks words of comfort and hope il
her sweet, tender voice, and sh
takes flowers to put in the humbl
coffins."
1 quote the conversation TO shoy
what Alma Bentley's claim to saintli
ness consisted in. Not that she mad
any such claim, for she was as modes
and shy as she was good but the chan
acter was given TO her by all who kne'
her
1t had been decided to rake her away
for several months, from her poor, sui
fering charges, to go to the city t
dance, 10 sing, to enter society, wea
fine dresses and give herself up to fash
ionable frivolity. Mr. Bentley, a mos
indulgent father, was resoiute abou
this.
''She will be an old woman at TWEEN
ty, If she stays here" he said to me
4'I wish ber TO go to her Aunt Harriet.
was TO remain at home, having TO
many years been housekeeper, as wei
rs goyerness, and needed in py owl