St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-01-09

i ouA IWAv0Vc Iue0tt1C3I0S II
which he appeared in q Directoire COS
tame OF velvet and lace. Nelly 600
learned that the object of her life va
TO dance. to sing, to appear In prett
new gowns, to make herself conspicu
ous among the other children. IN tn
hope that Irene Smalley would invit
her to her Christmas ball.
Their father made feeble protest
sour whole motive of life
changed, Sarah," he said. ''The mind
Of the children are filed with trifles
Our home life is gone. and insteaG
there is q constant buzz and tumul
about dress and balls or some othel
folly"
II do not consider the social position
of my children trifie or folly" she re
piled, sharply.
81 only know" he answered, sthat
you once hoped to iit them to be God'l
servants in this world and the next
Now your highest hope is to st them
for the Smalley set"
She did not reply. The subject VA
never broached between them again
Mr.. Loper's death gear later left her
. wealthy widow with no restraint
upon her social ambition. She sue.
ceeded in gaining . foothold in the
fashionable circle. 1t was not secure,
and she was perpetually forced to cur
ry their favor by mean little arts for
which she despised herself Bob. much
to her delight, became the Intimate
friend OF Jem Smalley. It was whis-
pered in Pottstown that Smalley was
corrupting the boy. and would make him
as profigate As himself But his moth
er. when she saw her boy driving or
riding with the leader of fashion, did
not ask what lesson of life he was
learning from him.
Nelly gave her mother many . heart
ache. She had formed an attachment to
poor young clerk who had no capital
but industry and energy. When DR..
Soames began to pay her attention,
her mother compelled her to encourage
him
"He is old enough to be my grand
father" the girl protested. HE has
been lifelong drunkard. / cannot
even respect him and-I love another
man, mother.
''Hc has reformed" urged Mrs
Loper. "You ought to respect him. He
is Mrs Smalley's cousin. He can give
you as good . position rs hers in Potts
town. As for your fancy of love,
every girl has some such silly affair
before she takes up life in earnest"
Nelly was timid and weak. She
yielded and married = man whom at
heart she despised.
A few months after her marriage
Mrs. Loper became seriously ILL., eDeath
came slowly to her. 50 slowly that she
had time to look back At her life and
judge coolly of the value Of her sue.
cessea
Her son would look in sometimes at
her for moment with a bioated face
and red eyes, bid her ''chee, up" aud
vanish to be seen NO more FOR day or
two
HE does not waste . minute on his
dying mother" she moaned once.
"Where is he going. Nelly?"
ITO the races, I believe. He and
Smalley own horse together"
A faint smile crossed Mra Loper's
gaunt face. bob keeps good com.
pany," she murmured. Then she
Nelly's thin face AID painted
cheeks and heavy, hopeless eyes. The
girl wore . Partisan gown. She was the
leader of fashion in Pottstown. But
even that thought did not seem to give
her mother satisfaction xs she Law
there with death coming nearer, nearer.
Did she see in her child's face the
dumb accusation of lost life-a soul
tainted and ruined?
As the day crept into night she lay
silent and motionless, summing mp her
ife's triumph, it may be. to comfort
herself withal.
Mother" Nelly said once, would
ron like me to send for . minister? Or
shall read . Psalm to your
Mrs Loper knitted her brows trying
o think distinctly. Nelly talked of
'uch unfamiliar things-she scarcely
vas acquainted with the minister, and
IS for the Psalms. she used to read
hem long ago, long ago.
81 can't attend to that sort of thing
ust now, dear. When get well-Nelly.
vhat is going on tonight? The car
iages-and hear . band"
Mrs Smalley has . reception.
mother. Everybody is going"
"And they know-they know that I
She put her hand over her eyes to
hut out the life which had become 50 /
altry and base.
Some one said to Mrs Smalley that |
light: ''Your friend, Mrs. Loper. has
nst died, I hear.
'.Ah. indeed! I'm very sorry! We
'ere scarcely friends, however. Mere
: acquaintancc& A clever woman
hough a good deal of snoh Do take
Iiss Price out for this waltz, to oblige
ae."
Mrs Smalley stood smiling as she
'atched the walters; the music rang
ut gay and sweet Mr& L0per lay
cad. Her ambition was gratified
he was one of the fashionable set in
'ottstown.-Congregationalist