The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-06-09

Dearest mamma, couldn't | have
it?"
Mrs. Aubrey sat by the haIf-ight OF
the dim tire-coals were by far too
dear for a reckless blaze to be permit
ted-with the curtain yet undrawn, SO
that the tender yellow light of the Feb
ruary sunset shone in, and the angles
of the room were filled with shadows.
a pretty little room it seemed now,
although it would hardly have borne
the brilliant, uncompromising light OF
monday. for the carpet was darned
and mgnded in many a place. and
neatly-fashioned rugs had been laid
skillfuily down to hide the spots which
We're past all redemption. The table
cover was faded by many a washing;
the curtains were arranged in folds
which should not betray the rags, and
the very mantel ornaments were mend
ed with cement.
To keep up the outward show and
dignity Of a lady upon an income which
would lave been insufficient for sery-
ant, IS trying to the most courageous
nature; yet this had been Mrs. Au-
brcy's task ever since her husband
died, leaving her with Sara. a child of
nine summers. She had economical
in the most painful degree; She had
worn her shabby dresses until they
were ready 10 drop of; she had patch
ed her clothes until there was scarce
~ Il thread left of the original material;
she had cut OF this luxury and that
condimcnt from her poor table until
her diet bccames literally bread and
wafer: aud nvon tl..., .io',tr ts,,s.,,- p,
her like hideOus fungi. Her husband
had left her trifle. but this was care
fully reserved for the expenses of her
little Sara. However she might pinch
and scrape and staTve. Sara was al
WAYS comfortably clad and had plenty
of good. wholesome food TO eat. But
there arc q score OF shabby gcntceI de-
vices by which reduced ladies can earn
few dollars, and Mrs. Aubrey solicit
ed copying from the village lawyer, sat
up long after Sara's pretty eyes were
sealed in slumber, to embroiter fine
work for the stores, aMl even rejoiced
to get plain sewing to do At 4 rate
which was pitifully mcager.
1t had been seven Years Of famine,
but the end cf the long ordeal was APP
preaching mt last. Sara was being
trained for teacher and the gIadu-
alton day was near al hand Sara. who
had grown into . tall. lovely girl. like
a white lily, with deep violet eyes,
reddish-brown hair, all interviewer
with threads of gold. and cheeks OF
velvetv pink. and Mr. Mitchell, the
principal, had promised touse his very
best efforts to obtain n situation for
Sara when she had graduated, and al
seemed couleur de rose.
And in the winter twilight Sara had
rushed into the room, bringing with hel
a breath of frozen. pine-scented air
and told her mother how the gradu'
atinr class were all to be dressed II
white merino and white silk shirret
overskirts and broad white ribbon
sashes.
Not a bit Of color about us, mann
ma" the girl breathlessly added, eek
cept the little knots of blue violets VIC
| 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 concerned
/ it is quite out Of the question.
Mammal" cried out the girl.
MY darling, it would cost $25 at tht
very least" urged Mrs. Aubrey.
No. mamma" pleaded Sara, '"only
$40. Helen Hazleton says we can buy
the material all in one piece and get
considerable reduction on it, and yol
know. mamma, darling. You are sucl
4 skillful needlewOman that my dress
makers bill will be nothing"
But even then, dearest" said Mrs
Aubrey, where are we to get the 500?
Pretty Sara burst into tears.
My darling. don't" pleaded tn
mother. in the whose heart ever.
sparkling drop was like the acut
prick of dagger. Don't break m.
heart, Sara. | should like to see yol
as elegantly dressed as any girl in III
school, but you know how poor "
are"
And then. with her dear wet fac
hidden on her mothers shoulder, Sar
sobbed out:
Couldn't have it. mamma? Oh
darling mamma. couldn't l?'
I will do up your old muslin, dear.
sobbed the mother. And | think "
can afford some fresh blonde and tn
new ribbon sash and"
"Oh, mamma" interrupted poo
Sara. must | wear that old. tattereo
shrunken thing, when all the othe
girls are in merino and white shire
silk?"
"Dearest. what else can we do?"
Mrs. Aubrey could almost have erie
with Sara had she dared to give wa
to her feelings.
How wretched it is to be poor,
sobbej Sara sitting down on tn
hearth-rug. with her face in her motl
er's lap. Mamma, what have W
done that we should be so crampe
and ground down, so fettered wit
poverty?"
1t viii not be so always, dear" el
: couraged her mother.
No" said Sara, sadly; = shall be