Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-06-23
CHATTER XIII.
GET HAPIDYAEsT.

CHAPTER XIII.
GET EMPLOYMENT.
My mothers cousin, Mrs. Laura Ber-
nard, was stately dame with strongly
marked aristocratic tendencies. Her
husband was prosperous business man,
rcputcd very wealthy, and his house
was the costlicst one in the town. Mrs.
Bernard no doubt realized the advan-
tlges she possessed on account Of being
the wife OF such husband, and the
mistress Of such home, and perhaps
she was not TO blame for availing her
self Of them and holding her head as
high rs they would permit. Certain IL
Is that she assumed an air Of superior
ity that was intended 10 lift her de-
gree or two above the rest Of the world
and place her entirely out OF reach OF
the common run Of humanity
Mrs. Bernard, though nristocratlc and
proud, was charitable after Il fashion.
With her charity was a fad, and she
gave 20 the poor not for the sake OF
helping them, but because II afforded
her au opportunity to contrast her posi-
ton with theirs and thus make more
apparent the wide gulf that lay be.
tween her and them. She was careful,
too, 10 impress her bcnchciarics, by her
manner Of giving, with the fact that she
was OF higher caste than ordinary
human clay, and that she stood between
Heaven and earth, receiving Gods
blessings, which were lntrustcd 10 her
hands for distribution among the poor
She enjoyed alms-giving because IL af-
fordcd her such magnificent oppor-
tunity To make the recipient feel how
small, unimportant, and generally UNI
worthy of existence he wns.
When reached the presence OF my
relative was received not altogether
rncnrdially, but sufficiently 80 TO cause
mc IL feel very uncomfortable and i'll at
ea'e. She welcomed me TO her home,
but did IL In u way TO make me feel
completely unwclcome; and she ac-
knowlcdgcd our relationship, but at the
same time erected barrier between us
which kept mo at chilling distance
from her.
$50" she said, unconcerncdly, when
! made myself known to her, "you are
Margaret Owens child. Well, I'm very
glad TO meet you, I'm sure. am very
glad you have come"
That was all she said, and those few
words were uttered without tho least
feeling. She did not rise nor offer her
hand, but simply motioned me 10 seat.
Ircalizcd the necessity Of informing her
why ! was there, so that, knowing my
situation, she could act toward me as
she thought proper. hut her manner
was so cold and unfeeling that my
courage sank out OF sight and for a
timo | had not the heart To utter n
word. Finally, however, recovered
sufficient strength TO begin an account
of myself and in some way stumbled
through TO tho end. Mrs. BERNARD
listened respectfully TO the long recital,
but II my words had any effect on her
she did not show II either by speech or
action. watched her as | proceeded
and ! saw no change In her manner,
her features retaining the same cold,
unruiiied appearance, and her eyes the
same careless, indifferent look. She
showed no sympathy, no pity, no feel
ing whatever, but sat there as calm
and collected as the veriest flint.
"Well," she said, after long silence,
addressing herself, seemingly, to the
wall above my head, ''you want home
In this house and OF course YOU can
have II. | never turn the poor and
needy away from my door empty, even
though | cannot understand wherein
they have claims on me. am very
sorry for You, and am very glad have
1t In my power 10 give you home. 1t
Is indeed n pleasant thing 10 be able TO
show charity to the unfortunate and
needy"
As she spoke she reached forth her
hand and touched bell, and directly n
servant entered the room.
SARAH" Mrs. Bernard continued,
fixing her gaze above the servants
head and addressing the wall again,
take Miss Owens TO room and see
that she has what she desires. She Is to
live here"
The lady, having delivered these In
structions, gave me a cursory glance,
and taking up book affected TO read.
| The servant bowed to me and started
out of the room, and arose 20 follow,
but before reached the door my
/ "''hA'A HAAAe aooolAth ieoVAAf anu NhA
ing TO Mrs. BERNARD, l exclaimed;
81 am truly grateful, madam, for
your kindness in offering inc shelter,
for am well aware have no claims
on your generosity and have no right 70
expect charity from your hands, shall
try while | remain here to make my
presence as unburdensome as possible,
and ] trust you win not hesitate 10
point out 20 me ways In which can be
useful TO you. II is my intention "a
share your charity as short time as !
eau, for hope TO be able soon to bear
my own way"
Mrs. Bernard removed her eyes from
her book and fixed them above my head
while was speaking, then when had
finished, removed them, made me q
slight bow and resumed her reading, ]
followed the servant TO my room, and
being left alone, threw myself on the
bed and burst into az OF weeping.
was very miserable, indeed, for the
thought Of being dependent on such
cold, unfeeling charity ranked In my
sheart and stirred my proud nature &c
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