The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-01-08
BERTHA,s LESSON,


A frown came over her face as she sat
Gown to the table. The damask was
soiled, the steak burned, and the cocoa
i'll prepared Mrs. Ainslee came in,
anxious and nervous, I'm SO sorry,
dear" she SAID, 81 am afraid there is
nothing you can eat. l meant to pre-
pare your breakfast myself, but could
not find time. Susan left for her vaca-
ton yesterday, and Mary is very busy.
The woman, with whom she has been
boarding her little girl, has died. The
child is not we'll and it seemed cruel to
put her into strangers hands, so told
Mary she might bring her here until
some other arrangement could be made"
"Uh, spare mel" cried Bertha, Don't
make me confdant of your domestic
troubles. You know it always gives me
headache. But, really, mamma, | dis
approve of your bringing that child here.
see no reason why our home should be
converted into a hospital"
"But Mary has been so faithful here"
said Mr.. Ainslee.
~ suppose you pay her wages" said
Bertha, cOldly. II do not think such
people have any further claim on us"
Mrs. AinSlee sighed and resently
turned the conversation by saying
"Where were you last night, Bertha P'
The listless expression vanished, and
Bertha's face grew animated. II was
rehearsing at the hall. We are to have a
church fair. two weeks from to-day, and
our cantata comes in the evening""
"What is the object ?" said Mrs. Aims
lee.
"The proceeds are to go toward pur-
'hasing stained windows for our church.
am to have flower table at the fair.
And oh, mamma, Mr.. Butler has prom
Used me a bushel of flowers from his
conservatory. The cantata is Esther,
and am she. have just purchased the
materials for my costume. l shall spend
great deal of time in the study of
Oriental dress. Mine must be fault
less"
Mrs. Ainslee gazed at her daughter
with pride, and murmured to herself,
How can expect the dear child to be
interested in the common details of the
kitchen when she is SO burdened with
church work." Bertha was, indeed, de-
voted to her church. She contributed
generously toward its support, was pres
ent at all services, and her exquisite
taste and helpfulness made her foremost
on every occasion, like the present. Her
pastor and friends regarded her as a
model of youthful piety. Bertha had
been so praised that she had come to be-
lieve that there were few Christian vir-
tues which she had yet to strive after,
and if Mrs. Ainslee sometimes wished
that Bertha would give little of her
time and sympathy to home trials, she
regarded the wish as proof of her own
seItishn sss, and did penance by greater
care and tenderness for her daughter
The day of the fair arrived Bertha
was going in the morning 80 the hall, to
Superintend its final arrangements. She
came out of her room wrapped in her
4ong. fur cloak, with basket of flowers
in her hand. She had just arranged it,
creamy callas and blood red geraniums,
nestled among rich green leaves. AS
she was closing the door, Bertha thought
of something else which she had wished
to take, and setting the basket down,
went back to her room. When she came
out, a little girl, with face unchild-like
IN its thinness and pallor, was kleeling
beside the flowers. Her hands were
clasped behind her, as if she were afraid
of being tempted to take one, and she
was drinking in their beauty as if en-.
tranced. The presence of the child
startled Bertha, until she remembered
what her mother had said of Mary's lit.
tie girl. AS Bertha took up the basket,
the child started up with cry, and held
out her hands pleadingly. 40 Miss
Eerthal" she cried, please give me one
Of EN-, only one"
"My flowers ~ said Bertha, sharply,
certainly not. They are for the fair.
Whar are you out here forP Go back to
your room"
The child crept away, grieved and dis
appointed. AS Bertha waited for the
carriage in the hall below, she heard her
sObbing, and Mary's voice, with touch
of sarcasm in it.
''Of course she couldn't give you one,
dear. They were to Tx up the church
with, and not for one of His little ones. "
They were waiting for Bertha at the
hall. She was soon the center of an
eager group. But amid the bright, fair
faces that surrounded her there came to
her, often, the white, pleading face of a
little child Bertha had heart, and,
beneath the conventiOnalities and sell
tiShnoss which SO long had covered it, it
had been touched and quickened by the
morning scene.
The flowers and plants were brought
in. At any other time it would have
been delight to arrange them. To-day,
as her deft fingers filled the bowls with
roses, or tied up the pretty tOutOnieres,
she saw only a child's grieved face. and
heard these words, so clearly that they
thrilled her through and through: "In-
asmuch as ye have done it not unto the
least of one of these Ny little ones, ye
have done it not unto Me-"
'That is Miss Ainslee." said DR.. But
Ter, her pastor, to visitor at the fair
you must meet her. She is one of the
most faithful among US and seems de-
voted. l wish more of our young peo-
pie would initiate her."
Bertha, behind her flowers, heard his
words. At any other time they would
have given her pleasure. Now tile proud
head dropped, fol, above the gay tall
around her, she heard the sad, accusing
words, "NOt unto Me, not unto Me-"
Evening came. Very queen-like was
Bertha in her rich oriental dress. She
was self-pOssessed as ever, and the clear
voice never faltered, but she was hardly
conscious of the crowded room. She
seemed alone with the child and the
voice.
At last the weary day was over, and
Bertha was driven home. At she alighted
at the door she noticed that the lights in
the servants part of the house were NOV
ing to and fro, and there seemed some
unusual excitement. Her ring was ans
wered by her mother, who wore ali agi-
tated face. Come into the parlOr,