The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-01-06
Selected Storp.
"Her Own Brother"

the novelty vi OnC . hioO "'sPf
said Eleanor Morris in an eager voice,
as she displayed the five double gold
eagles that had been awarded her by |
the Board of Danville Female Seminary.
~ am glad you won the prize,
Eleanor" replied Minute Quay, her
room mate, looking admiringly into the
flushed face of The young girl by her
side. And surely if there is any
merit in three years close application
to ones lessons, you deserve the recrea.
ton that hundred dollars will give you,
"I did not study for the prize alone,"
returned Eleanor quickly. My one
desire from the very first was to receive
an education that would fit me for mes
duties, and you know, Minnie, knowl-
edge is only gained by throwing ones
whole heart and soul into the work"
"Stil you do not object to the money
that will make it possible for you to
spend a few weeks in getting hack the
roses to your cheeks?" urged Minnie.
Most certainly notl You girls who
do not know what it is to be scarce OF
money, whose everv wish is antlcl-
pated, can never realize what God
send these gold pieces seem to me.
Though it is no disgrace to be poor, 1t
is dreadfully inconvenient, and you may
rest assured that not dollar OF my
little fortune will be squandered. IL is
the first money / have ever earned,
and | mean to get its full worth out of
it before it passes into other-less
misery hands" said Eleanor, slipping
her treasure, piece by piece, into her
dainty purse.
Eleanor belonged TO the Kings
Daughters -" The Lend a Hand
1'-and before she left the sem
inary it was arranged that they should
have reunion at Chautauqua, and that
they should enjoy the literary treat
there prepared together.
Eleanor had been close student
during her three years at the seminary,
and none of the dear home folks
objected to the outing she had planned.
They were all proud of her, and no
matter how much comfort that hundred
dollars might have purchased for the
entire family, if wisely distributed, they
all agreed that Eleanor needed recre-
alton, and as she had earned the money,
were perfectly satisfied to have her ex-
pend the whole amount upon herself.
What did it matter if the weary
mother had toiled, and pinched, and
economical in order to give this elder
daughter the advantages of an educa-
ton that she did not possess herself?
What did it matter if she must go on
doing double service and wearing faded
garments, providing her cultured daugh-
ter could seek the rest and relaxation
she had so richly earned, and so much
needed?
Eleanor had never been considered
selfish girl, but she had become so ac-
customed to accepting the sacrifice OF
others as a matter of course, that she
did not realize how very thoughtless
her decision was, and perhaps she
never would have found out had she
not accidentally overheard converse
ton that took place between her
brother Ben and Stephen Laurence,
her pleasure trips
Ben was two years her senior, and
once had been considered model boy,
but lately he had fallen in with ques--
tionable company, and, as he expressed
it himself, twas going to the dogs"
Stephen Laurence was a good, honest
soul, who in his homely way was
always ready to extend helping hand
where he saw there was need. On this
particular evening, of which l write,
he was trying to persuade Ben against
making associates of two young men in
whose company he had been seen quite
frequently "I know they are worth
less, good for-nothing fellows" adj
mitted Ben, "but one must have a
little recreation somehow, and as | am
shut out from our SET | must not be
too choice of my company. The even
ings are desperately long without a
congenia chap by your side with whom
you can exchange greetings"
81 should think the evenings would
not be drag, especially now, since
your sister is at home to help enliven
the family.circle," insisted Stephen.
"You mean Eleanor, presume, but
when you come to know her as well as
do, you will find out she is not much
of an entertainer where her own folks
are concerned" Ben said bitterly.
81 have always found her remarkably
pleasant and companionable," urged
Stephen.
'''But you see you are not her own
brother. and that makes all the differ
ence in the world" Ben answered
sneeringly.
81 do not see how that is to change
things in the least" said Stephen.
60, it is just this way with Eleanor
Stephen, she is all smiles and sunshine
when other girls brothers are around
but when it comes to her own-any
thing is good enough for him. Our
Eleanor is Kings Daughter, you mus
know, genuine princess, and you ough
to see the airs she can put on. She be
longs TO the Lend-a- Hand Ten and i
is wonderful the number of hands sh'
has to lend to folks who have no claim
upon her. She won the hundred dol
lar prize for best scholarship when sh'
graduated, you know, and now she il
off tomorrow to spend it, having goo'
jolly time among her friends at Chau
tauaua. She does not seem to notice
how old and thin mother has grown
toiling and saving to educate her
neither does she appear to realize tina
the dear woman wears very shabb
garments, considering she is the mothe
~ q nrinppas-an ont and out queen