Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-09-08

| WIN IuUtutT- FdtUeT u
coming with the men from the field. and
have got to get back as soon as I can"
Dinner is ready, daughter. Can't yol
help me a little?"
II have got to sew a rtfile on my dress
Where is Lizzie2 l should think she nigh
help; she has nothing to do but go t,
school, while am at work all the time
Lizzie hasn't come from school yet
think l can get along very well now" ant
the foolishly indulgent mother hurriedly
dished the food as the men entered tn,
kitchen.
Naturally selfish and indolent, Met.
shirked all the household tasks possible
She was not utterly heartless, but so &C
customed was she to see her mother a
work, that 1t seemed quite the proper thin.
to have her assume all the work and re
sponsiblity. 1t was seldom that Mrs
Mardon required any service of her daugh
ters, and when this was the case. impor
tant duties usually demsnded their atten
ton elsewhere. To be sure she had en-
tered feeble protest when Meta wished
to learn the dressmakers trade: told he
she needed her help at home; but In tn,
end the girl carried her point 1t wa.
natural she should want to earn money ,C
buy the pretty dresses, the thousand anC
one trfles in which Young girl delights
SO the mother reasoned.
The guest chamber was put in READINGS.
for the expected occupant by the mex
evening, and was as inviting as cleanliness.
and simple. dainty furnishings could max,
H.
Meta was to go to the station for tn.
guest, an errand which she performed witt
alacrity.
II was twilight when Desiree Colburr
reached the farmhouse. and a. she wen
directly to her room. the family saw littl,
OF the stylish young lady whom each con
fidently expected.
"She has beautiful travelling dress anc
brought two trunks with her." Meta an
nounced when they were alone.
"Humph. q stuck-up city girl likely. who
thinks country people are nobody" Steve
rctorted as he started on his regular even
ing walk to the one store the place afford
ed With a sigh his mother looked after
him.
The next morning Mrs. MARION, busy a.
usual in the kitchen. was startled by the
! appearance OF the boarder
II intended to get up to breakfast, bu;
oversight. am not used to early morn
ing honrs. II you don't mind. I'll take 8
bowl Of bread and milk. No, nothing
else"
/ In a few moments Miss Desiree was
cozily established on the back porch. the
/ baby by her side. Very fresh and pretty
| she looked in her morning gown. her duffy
| bang blown and rutiled by the soft breeze.
( her eyes aglow and a faint color on her
| fair cheeks.
Il have finished my breakfast now, and
/ with your permission | will take baby
/ with me for q walk in the orchard"
| The permission was readily given, Mrs.
| Mardon wondering meanwhile II this was
| ONLY freak or desire 10 relieve her from
| the child's care.
| In a week Desiree Colburn had made
| friends with all the members Of the house
| hold. Simple and unaffected In manner,
her sunny disposition made welcome al
dition 10 the family.
Mrs. Msrion, you must grant me one
favor to-day" she said, appearing in the
kitchen one snltry morning. the second
week after her arrival.
What is it7" with faint attempt to
smile. The headache, which since dawn
had racked the housekeeper's throbbing
temples, seemed TO grow more painful each
hour.
Please go into the sitting room and lie
down on the sofa. | have darkened it and
put plenty OF pillows where you can rest
| until your headache Is over"
"Oh. but | can't think of such a thing
| The work Is TO be done, the dinner to get
1t would never do"
II will get dinner and do what is to be
done. Il will be a pleasant change for
me"
| You get dinner" with an incredulous
glance at the white, jeweled fingers
| Yes; assure you that | am an excelen,
cook. really am determined to have my
own way in this matter, so you might as
well make up your mind to rest for short
/ time"
! SO with many misgivings Mrs. Msrdon
went to the sitting room, and Desiree
tripped lightly around the room on house
1 hold tasks intent.
But the dinner was well cooked, and re-
| freshed by her much-needed rest, Mrs.
Mardon sat in the low rocker by the kitch-
en- door, her hands occupied with mendiBg
| when Meta came home with the announce
| meHt;
There is to be picnic at Long Grove.
| Where is Miss Colburny'
"Out IN the orchard, | think She was
! kind enough to get dinner to-day because
| / had a headache. She is dear thought
| full girl
why. how strange. | never dreamed
that she knew how TO do anything of the
! kind"
| Meta made her way to the orchard and
announced the picnic.
Yes. 1t will be very nice; we shall all
enjoy it. | imagine 1t will be fine
change for your mother; she looks as If
she needed recreation"
Mother? Why, she never goes to pic
nics.' And Meta looked her astonish-
ment.
why not?" with smile.
well, she doesn't care to go-that is
don't think she would care to go, she is
always SO busy, you know" said Nets
with some confusion.
81 know she is busy, bat We can all help
her more than We have done. Many hands
make light work, you know, and am sure
she will enjoy going"
But mother is SO set in her ideas. There
will be number of people there. and she
never wants me to go with anybody, she
is so strict"
My good times are always shared with
my mother; | should not enjoy them un
less they were"
If Meta admired any one it certainly wa,
Desiree Colburn, and it was with glac
heart that Mrs. Mardon listened to he
daughters urgent invitation; from whence
it was inspired she knew.
In the busy days which followed Met,
and Lizzie were brought to see their sci
fishneBs toward the patient mother, anl
this was accomplished SO quietly by tn,
example and well-chosen words OF tn,
guest they hardly knew how they came t.
a realization of their errors.
The picnic passed pleasantly. Miss Col
burn joined in the different games. and i
was a tired but happy group who tool
their way homeward.
"Well. did you enjoy the picnic?" wa
the question Desiree asked when she wa
alone with Meta.
II never had so good time in my life
Then your pleasure was not marred b,
your mothers presence?"
"Oh, Miss Colburn, suppose you thinl
am the most selfish girl in the world
feel ashamed when think how treated
mother"
mot so very selfish, but little thought
less. perhaps. Time yet to make amends
Meta"
The summer passed all too soon. Littl
by little Steve's attention was attracted b,
what was going on during the home even
ings. The evenings at the store were giveI
up, to his mothers delight. A library so
ciety was formed and the young man be
came q member fresh impetus wa
given to reading and study among tn
young people, and when years after, De
stree Colburn heard Steve Mardon, then
successful lawyer, declare that he owed hi
success In life to her encouragement au'
efforts during the summer spent on tn