The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-05-27
SARA'S ROMANCE.
The Reward of a Girl Who Over
came False Pride.

Dearest mamma, couldn't have
it?''
Mrs Aubrey sat by the half-light of
the dim fire-coals were by far too
dear for a reckless blaze to be permit
tcd-with the curtain yet uudrawn, $50
that the tender yellow light OF the
February sunset shonc in, and the
angles of the room were filed with
shadows
y pretty little room it seemed now,
although it would hardly have borne
the brilliant, incorporating light
OF uoonday, for the carpet was darucI
and IRended ii many Il plaza and neatly
fashioned rag rugs had been laid skill
fully down TO hide the spots which
were past all redemption. The table
cover was faded by many washing;
the curtains were arranged in folds
which should not betray the rags, and
the very mantcl ornaments we're mend
ed with cement.
To keep up the outward show anc
dignity OF 4 lady upon an income which
would have been insufficient for 4 serv-
ant, is trying to the most coura geouS
nature; yet this had been Mrs Aubrcys
task ever since her husband died, leav-
ing her with little Sara. q child OF nine
summers. She had economized in the
most painful degree; she had worn her
shabby dresses until they were ready
to drop of; she had patched her clothes
until there was scarcely a shred left of
the original material; she had cut OFF
this luxury and that condimont from
her poor table until her diet became
literally bread and water; and even
then debts grew upon her life like
Ia -9..4r, h~I loft
her trifle, but this was carefully re-
served for the expenses of her little
Sara However she might pinch and
save and starvc, Sara was always com
fortably clad, and had plenty of good,
wholesome food to eat. But there are
a score of shabby-genteel devices 10y
which reduced ladies can earn a few
dollars, and Mrs Aubrey solicited
copying from the village lawyer, sat
up long after Sara's pretty eyes were
scaled in slumbcr to embrOider fine
work for the stores, and even rejOiced
to get plain sewing to do, at n rate
which was pitifully meager!
II had been seven years of famine,
but the end of the long ordeal was APP
preaching at last Sara was being
trained for teacher, and the gradua-
ton day was near at hand-Sara, who
had grown into = tall, lovely girl, like
Il white lily; with deep violet eyes,
rcddish-brown hair, all interviewer
with threads of gold, and checks OF
velvety pink: and Mr.. Mitchell, the
principal, had promised To use his very
best efforts to obtain a situation for
Sara when she had graduated; and all
seemed couleur de rose.
And in the winter twilight Sara had
rushed into the room, bringing with
her a breath of frozen, piuc-scented
air, and told her mother hovv the grad
uating class were all TO be dressed in
white merino and white silk shirred
overskirts and broad white ribbon
SaShcS-
Not a bit of color about us, mann
ma, - the girl breathlessIy added. .'ex-
cept the little knots of blue violets we
are TO wear at our belts
Mrs Aubrey looked aghast
white merino, dear, With white
silk shirred overskirts! Indeed, in
deed, Sara, as far as you are con-
cerned, it is quite out of the question:
Mamma cried out the girl.
My darling, it would cost twenty
five dollars at the very least" urged
Mrs Aubrey.
NO, mamma, pleaded sara, only
twenty. Helen Hazelton says we can
buy the material all in one piece and
get a considerable reduction on it; and
you know, mamma, darling, you are
such a skillful needlewoman that my
dressmaker's bill Will be nothing
But even then, dearest" said Mrs.
Aubrey, where are we to get the
twenty dollars?"
Sor, hurst int
My darling, don't! pleaded the
mother, in whose heart every spark
ling drop was like the acute prick of a
dagger Don't break my heart, Sara.
| should like to see you as elegantly
dressed as any girl in the school, but
you know how poor we are"
And then, with her tear-wet face hid
den on her mothers shoulder, Sara
Sobbed out: -,
Couldn't l have it, mamma' On,
darling mamma, couldn't -"
Il will do up your old muslin, dear,
sobbed the mother. And L think we
can afford some fresh blonde and the
new ribbon sash and"
''Oh, mamma" interrupted poor
Sara, must i wear that old, tattered,
shrunIen thing, when all the other
girls are in merino and white shlrred
SiIlyon