The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-02
EDlTH'S EASTER OFFERING.

were having talk in the twilight about
Easter. and Edith was in her mothers
lap with one arm around her mothers
neck. Mrs. Faxon had been telling her
little daughter the story of the dear old
many. many years.
Almost two thousand" said Edith.
Ibid they always give Easter eggs,
mamma. just as we do?"
Not exactly as we do. dear but they
had a custom Of helping the sick and
poor on Easter Day"
Wasn't that nice way to do?" said
Edith.
IF ! had some money. mamma.
know just what l would do" Edith
hesitated
well. my child"
I'D buy that little Kennard girl that
goes to our school Il new pair of shoes.
Hers are dreadful. mamma. so big and
all full Of holes, and she cries when
some of the girls make fun. And new
shawl. too. @ mamma, wouldn't it be
niceo
Very nice, Edith"
I'D ike to buy Jenny kennard some
shoes. mamma. How pleased she
would be-
why don't you, Edith"
20 mamma. dear. VIZ you give me
the money!"
II Gun not do that. dear child" said
Mrs. Faxon, but ! think you have
money enough of your own"
Edith's face turned very red. and her
eyes filled with quick. hot tears.
Il know what you mean. mamma :
cried she. but can't take that. Uncle
Win gave it to me to buy Easter tokens
for my party. and I've told all the girls
was going to, and they've said what
they wanted. 1t would look SO mean,
mammal
Christ taught se'f-denial. Edith,
said Mrs. Faxon. ''IIe denied HIMSELF
The lights came in at that moment,
and Edith took her flushed. troubled
face across the room and buried it in
the sofa-pillow. She felt so grieved
hurt. almost angry--angry with mann.
ma for thinking she rouM give up that
precious, boarded five-dollar gold-piecc.
Oh dear. how hard it seemed!
Il edn't." she thought. with a stifled
sob. Il don't like Jenny kennard.
She might wear her old shoes /. oh
needn't say l am: I'm going to give
every mite of ii away. III buy big
china egg full of 'fumery for Gussie
Peters. and "A lovely card all fringed
round for Mamie Alden. OF course it's
better to make IA whole lot happy than
tbs one-just only one. And Uncle
Win gave it to me TO buy tokens. and
I've told the girls, and how dis'pointed
they'll be if don't. On dear. ! don't
see what folks have to he poor for. and
wear horrid things. But can't. ran't.
And her shawl's patched all up. too"
Poor little sorrowful. wavering heart
Next day at school it was no better
it did seem as though the toes of Jenny
kennard's shoes capped worse than ever
The shoes were all soaked with snow
water. too, and left wet prints on the
floor when Jenny walked. As for Jenny
her thin little face looked sorrier thar
usual. which is saying a good deal. ant
She sat all recess time with her heat
ON her desk instead of going out to pla,
with the rest. She hardly ever did e
out. anyway. Edith guessed it was be
cause of those old shoes.
Everything went wrong with Edit
that day. Miss Kelly didn't help mat
tiers one bit when she read at prayers
1.-The Lord lovcth cheerful giver.
Edith was sure she meant her
and SO she couldn't help thinking
about it. and she felt cross an.
didn'. pay attention in her classes. ant
she missed in spelling and lost her place
and at last got reprimand. and rep
rimand from gentle Miss Kelly was
dreadful thing. Edith couldn't he'll
crying . little about it.
/ But she felt better when she foun,
herself walking home with Gussie he
tiers after school. Gussie was Edith
dearest friend, and they stopped wit
their arms around each others waists t
look i'm at the shop. windows gay will
all sorts Of beautiful Easter gifts.
] .'Oh, isn't that egg lovely?" erie
Gussie. pointing. The one in tina
carved stand, Edith. It's SO clear an
pink. Isn't 1t sweet.
Edith smiled knowingly, thinking G
certain gold-piece in her velvet-purs
at home. but before she could speal
there was soft, plodding step alonI
the walk. Edith and Gussic turne,
at the same instant, and there wa
Jenny Kennard, old wet shoes. patche
shawl. timid. wistful little face
and all. Oh dear. Edith couldn't spea
for minute. She gulped down a bi
sob bravely. though it made the tear
start, and she smiled at Jenny and Dire,
her arm around Gussie.
.iussie," said she. Il don't believ
III have any Easter tokens for IN
party
Gussie stared in great surprise.
wasn't bit like Edith Faxon to bac
out of anything"
"Why, Edith, what for?'
But Edith wouldn't tell the reason
"It's secret" she said. But we
have real splendid time without then
Gussie. There's going to be all kline
of ices. real nice"
why, yes said Gussie." But.
you're so funny, Edith
!. Edith went right to her mother in Il
back parlor the instant she got HON
She felt great deal better now. thong
, there was little sorry feeling in h
heart. too, and her voice trembled
! spite of her trying to keep it steady al
|. brave.
I'D like to do both, mamma" sa
she, but, of course, l know can
Im-I'In going to buy some shoes fl
Jenny kennard, mamma, and shaw
and don't want the girls to know WI
] don't give the tokens, because the
might say something and make her fe
/ bad. Q mamma, am a cheerful give
!. I'm trying to be one, mamma, just ,
D hard as can-truly."
Mrs. Faxon kissed her little daught'
T. very fondly.
, my dear little girl" said she. Al
neithe, she nor Edith heard q fail