Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-02-24

"Dear, dearP and some sympatnetlc
tears stood in Mollie's soft brown
eyes.
well, l had very delightful time,
for Miss Phelps was cordial and friend
ly, and being dressed very plainly the
contrast was not as glaring as L had
feared. Once or twice after this, L
called to return books she had kindly
lent me, and saw her no more until the
beginning of my second year.
THAT vacation l worked for an uncle
on farm, boarding up every penny
earned, and usin-, every leisure mo-
ment for study. Perhaps L do not
need to tell you that / often found mj-
self thinking of Miss Phelps; and re-
solved that she should have no occa-
sion to be ashamed of me the coming
year."
..But she hadn't been," interrupted
Mollie warmly.
"No; but l fooIishly thought she was
Just little, you know, or at least that
she would enjoy my company more If
l was better dressed. Then L wanted
the boys to look up to me. So in
vested some of my scanty, hard-earned
wages in real nice suit of clothes,
some ten dollars nicer than l could
afford, got q half-dozen white shirts,
fine shoes and stylish hat, together
with the many other ct ceterds of
genteel outfit l also resolved that l
would not 'chore it any longer, though
much to my chagrin [ saw that | must
continue to BOARD myself. However,
| wisely chucked my old clothes into my
trunk, in case of an emergency"
"And did it Gomez" was the deeply
interested inquiry.
"Oh, yes, and before the year was a
quarter gone; for, you see, the boys
finding the rust pretty we'll rubbed
off, became very agreeable; and in my
assumed role of 'genteel,' 'well-to-do
fellow there was no end to the de-
mands on my slender purse. l was
'bled TO death Then, too, L felt that
might now become more attentive to
Miss Phelps, and the concerts and lect-
ures we're thick and expensive, with
reserved seats, bus fares, ETC."
| Mollie's face, poor girl, now began
to redden, her eyes dropped, but her
father, without appearing to notice 1t,
continued
"Of course 1 soon grounded; then
for the first time, shame to my COM
on at this rate. l became anxious and
uneasy, could scarcely study, and
heartily wished / was a poor boy
again." smiling, "but could not beat
a retreat now-I had not the mora
courage so / wrote my uncle for 6
loan of 800 to help me out. l at once
received a check for 80, an out-and
out present to me, and half sheet Of
lal- frQt or a
vice that a young man ever got-alsC
gratis" the pastors eyes twInkilng al
the remembrance.
"But weren't you angry?" put IL
Mollie.
"Why, yes; 1 felt Just that impor
tant that actually put the check in al
envelope to return 1t, when my eyes
fell on nv livery and laundry bills
that this would only little more thai
cover. That settled that matter, but
not the main question of what 1 should
do.
That evening L was to take You
mother to lecture. l know l was no
very agreeable company. L was mood.
and restless. She noticed 1t and triet
to fathom the cause. l finally told he
l was seriously thinking of giving VI
shocked and insisted upon knowing tn
reason; but my replies we're very evas
i've. How could L make a truthfu
confession after all the style had bee
putting on?
But thank. to your mothers quicl
discernment and promptness to act
she said to me as we were riding hom
lin carriage, mind you), MIR. Bar
\ oil WI
, you|
"' why, yes replied, though not
, little startled.
land will you try not to think m
forward or meddlesomeY quaver L
! her sweet voice.
81 am sure L cannot, L said, IN vle'
of your past record.
"'Well, l can but feel, she then con
timed, that L am to blame for this III
fortunate state of things
'In vain l protested-your mother
. you know, does not take ground sh
: cannot maintain"-a facetious smll
7 lighting up the pastors fine features
"a few more simple, Straightforward
but kindly words, and l was convince
she thoroughly comprehended the sit
uation.
, "I have been,very weak, yes, guilty
= she continued, sin allowing you {
l take me to so many entertainm ents an
spend so much upon me In other way
I never could see why custom d.
: mands so much from young man whe
, visiting upon young lady, but hav
l not been brave enough to say so, bu
led you on to the verge of ruin, he
voice getting husky.
"'Oh, no. 1 stammered, not so ba
7 as this. but wishing with all my heal
: that an earthquake would swallow m
n up
q d" Well, what does giving up you
course of study and preparation for tn
ministry mean, but the ruin of you
: aims and prospects, was her earnest
convincing reply.
' 81 feit5 my cheeks redden with sham
4 and was glad the street lamps were fe'
| and far between. 1 said nothing q
r this and for some moments there wa
|. to me a deep and awful silence, broke
s only by the rum ole of the carriage owe
the pavement
: MolIie laughed outright and hid he
Iblushing face in her hands as she asked
d "And did you retreat, papa?'
S '1 did, my daughter, and look bac
S to that act, costing more resolutio
: and humiliation than any one will eve
Be-. know, as one of the bravest an
lnoblest acts of my life. 1t was a crisil
T a turning point in my course. Still
4 can claim scarcely particle of credi
e it was your mothers good sense an
) unfaltering championship through
# all that saved me.
y "But tell me Just how you did
i item1ze," persisted Mollie, with an il
;, terest very gratifying to her father.
d "Well, your mother was the first
/. break the silence, by saying in HI
d sweet, earnest way, And now, M
It Barrows, I am sure you will not thin
i hard of me if L refuse your company
a entertainments after this; or, rathe
IS ask you not to invite me unless yC
O will allow me to pay my own way,
! LJ;1ohath Cadv Stanton Saws her faith,