Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1891-07-27
MRS. RICHARDS OPPORTUNITY

why, Mrs. Richards, how in the
world did you get that girl? She work
ed for the Pembertons, and they had
to dismiss her because she stole some
money!" said Mrs. Parker. She was
calling on Mrs. Richards, and caught
a glimpse of Nora passing through the
hall.
Mrs. Richards changed color, partly
with annoyance that her friend had
spoken so distinctly that Nora must
heard, and partly with dismay. They
had had such a time, and Nora had
seemed so like a godsend!
Rick, Bobby and Jennie had all been
sick with measles, and right in the
very midst of it Bridget had coolly
announced her intention of leaving
the house at once. That very night
Nora had stopped at the door to in
quire for work. Mrs. Richards had
hesitated; she did not like taking a
stranger SO, but what could she do?
The girl told sad story; she was left
alone in the world, and must do some
thing; homework was all she could
do; wouldn't the lady just try her?
There was tired, discouraged look
in her face that touched Mrs. Richards
tender heart, and she took her with
out any more questions.
She had proved such vast improve
ment upon her predecessor that Mrs.
Richards had been only too thankful
that Bridget had thus OPPORTUNITY
taken herself out of the way.
''But it is too lovely to last, "she had
said at the breakfast table that morn
ing.
''Then 1 should certainly take solid
comfort while it did last" said her
brother Jack. ''Will you kindly pass
the mullins again? I thought I was
sufficiently supplied; but if we are
likely to return to Bridget's leaden
bill of fare, I'll improve the moments
and these delicious mullins as they
pass"
Mrs. Richards laughed and sighed
in the same breath.
81 wish it could last, but it won't;
something will turn up before long"
And sure enough here it was. Her
first impulse after her caller was gone
was to dismiss Nora at once; then
something within pleaded for the girl
''What will she do if you send her
adrift? Won't she very likely lose her
heart and courage? Perhaps she has
been sorry for that sin, and might be-
come honest if she had a little helpn
''But how disagreeable to be on the
watch all the time. MOL cannot both
er with her; she must go.''
Just then, however, Mrs. Richards
eyes fell on one of Rick's cards on the
table:
Look up and not down,
Look out and not in,
Look forward and not back,
And lend hand"
"And lend a hand" Was that what
she was doing, lending hand up or
down?
You're confined at home with the
children; you cannot get out to do
much outside work. You were regret
ting only the other day that it was SO;
into your very hands? Here is a poor
tempted, erring fellow-creature be-
side you; will you push her aside to
fail lower, or will you help her up?
She is one for whom Christ died; will
you refuse to help her the little YOU
camp
No, Mrs. Richards dared not do that:
so after much thought she decided
that Nora should stay and all should
be as though she had heard nothing.
But much to her surprise Nora her
self had something to say
Just before tea she came to the
door, her eyes swollen and tear stain
ed
81 should like, ma'am, to go before
tea, if you please"
$50 whereof asked Mrs. Richards.
not thinking for a moment what she
could mean.
81 don't know, Pm sure, ma'am. !
have no place anywhere; but 1 heard
what the lady said. l couldn't help it.
she spoke SO clear; and of course you
will be after sending me away now
I'd like to go before dark, if l could. y
Mrs. Richards eyes filled with tears
as she looked up into Morals hopeless
face.
''My dear girl" she said very kind
ly, 81 am not going to send you away
You have been very faithful to me; il
you did wrong in the past you are
sorry for it, are you not, and will try
never to do SO again?'
Then Nora broke down completely
''Oh, indeed, ma'am, and will, anC
I'm trying that hard now that L dom
see how can try any harder. 1 nev