The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-01-15
"HER OWN BRorHER.N

This means q season at CnauIauqua,
and all the delights that cluster around
the novelty of ones first pleasure trip"
said Eleanor Morris in an eager vo ice,
rs she displayed the five double gold
eagles that had been awarded her by the
Board of Danville Female Seminary.
81 am glad you won the prize, Flea
Hor," replied Minnie Qnay, her room
mate, looking admiringly into the flushed
face af the young girl by her side. "And
surely if there is anv merit in three years
close application to ones lessons, you
deserve the recreation that hundred dol
lars will give you"
returded Eleanor quickly. my one de-
sire from the very first was to receive an
education that would fit me for life's
duties, and you know, Minnie. knowl-
edge is only gained by throwing one
whole heart and soul into the work"
''Still you do not object to the money
that will make it possible for you to
spend few weeks in getting back the
roses to your cheeks P' urged Minnie.
"MOst certainly not ! You girls who
DO not know what it is to be scarce of
money, whose every wish is anticipated,
can never realize what q GOdsend these
gold pieces seem to me. Thought is no
disgrace to be poor, it is dreadfully in
convenient, and you may rest assured
that not dollar of my little fortune will
be squandered. 1t is the first money
have ever earned, and / mean to get its
full worth out of it before it passes into
Other-less miserly hands" said Eleanor,
slipping her treasure, piece by piece, in
to her dainty purse.
Eleanor belonged to the Kings
Daughters-"The Lend n Hand Ten
aud before she left the seminary it was
arranged that they should have re-
union at Chautauqua, and that they
should enjoy the literary treat there pre-
pared together.
Eleanor had been a close student dur
ing 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 recreation,
and as she had earned the money, were
perfectly satisfied to have her expend
tho whole amount upon herself.
What did it matter if the weary mother
IL order to give this elder daughter the
advantages of an education that she did
not possess herself? What did it matter
il she must go on doing double service
aud wearing faded garments, providing
Ler cultured daughter could seek the
rest and relaxation she had so richly
earned and so much needed
Eleanor had never been considered a
selfish girl, but she had become so accns-
toned to accepting the sacrifice of others
rs a matter of course, that she did not
realize how very thOughtless her decision
vas, and perhaps she never would have
found out had she not accidently over
heard conversation that took place be-
tween her brother Ben and Stephen Lau-
renee, Just the day before she was to start
on her pleasure trip.
Ben was two years ner senior, and once
lad been considered a model boy, but
lately he had fallen in with questionable
company, and, as he expressed it him
s.3f, twas going to the dogs" Stephen
Laurence was good, honest soul, who
ia his hOmely way was always ready to
extend helping hand when he saw there
vas need. On this particular evening, of
which / write, he was trying to persuade
Len against making associates of two
young men in whose company he had
Eeen seen quite frequently. 81 know
they are worthless, good-fOr-nothing fell
lows" admitted Ben, "but one must
have a little ecreatiOn somehow, find as
am shut out from our SET must not
b. too choice of my company. The
evenings are desperately long without a
congenial 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 enliven the family
circle" insisted Stephen.
you mean Eleanor, l 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