The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-06-11
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 Startled and
take the place of governess to his
motherless girl. Amos Bentley was
PARKWAY cousin of my own, and he had
heard of my recent widowhood, my
anxiety to find some employment. And
ont of the goodness of his heart he
offered me a position in his own luxuri-
Gus home that gladly accepted. was
received like 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. VIM
ship, and be introduced to society
1t was natural that a 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 she
been French girl of two centuries
earlier, she would, most assnrcGly,
have been Ill nun, and l often told her
SO in jest. Yet, in most serious earnest,
/ knew that | had never seen or heard
Of a girl in this bustlng, busy age of
ours SO pure of heart, SO deeply devout,
50 modest and tender rs Alma Bentley.
She was very fair, rather pale than
rosy. yet not sickly-looking. with way-
ing hair Of light brown, and large blue
eyes, slight in figure, and with look
OF perfect serenity and peace.
Allie looks like saint" her father
said to me. ..She seems to have none
of the brightness of girlhood. Is she
happy"
Yes. think she is happy, as fal
As such plying nature can be. But
the sorrow of others. the crime, the
misery, the poverty she sees press upor
her"
why need she see?' he asked quick
ly. lyon do not let her go into the vii
lagea'
''Shc goes every day. l think the mil
hands look upon her as upon an actua
angel
Mr.. Bentley frowned heavily, walk
ing up and down the long drawing
room.
something ought to be DONE" h,
said. But what? What can be done
When Mr.. Rogers built the mills ant
houses for the hands he was ricl
man with every prospect of success
before him. For nearly ten years tn,
mills prospercd, 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 co lony."
Your name is in every prayer the,
.,tter,' | said, emphatically. "Alli,
goes where there is sickness--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 fol
the sick: she washes and dresses the
babes whose mothers are i'll; sht
speaks words of comfort and hope il
her sweet, tender voice. and sht
takes flowers to put in the humbl.
collins
| quote the &c lversation to show
what Alma Bent,ey'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 char
acter was given to her by all who knew
her.
1t had been decided to take her away
for several months, from her poor. sui
fering charges, to go to the city t.
dance, to sing, to enter society. wea
fine dresses and give herself up TO fash
ionable frivolity. Mr.. bentley. u mos
'ndulgent father, was resolute abou
snis.
''ehe will he an old woman at TWEEN
ty, if she stays here" he said to ne
Il wish her to 60 to her Aunt Harriet.
was to remain at home, having TO
many years been housekecper. as wei
as goycrneas, and needed in my owl
place. 1t was the first time Alma an,
! had been separated for twelve years
but she was good correspondent, an
letters came frequently: letters tina
We're like conversations, they were 81
full of every detail of her new life. II
my surprise, she entered into ever,
pleasure heartily, her desire to pleas
her father being the duty that sus
.ained her. Alma must have a duty t.
make every act of her life pleasant t.
her. and SO for filial obedience she sub
nittcd to deck her fair. delicate beauty
N dainty fabrics, to 60 TO society,
gatherings and win a position there b,
Aer gentle sweetness, Is sure Us shs