The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-06-17
SUSAN'S LESSON.

Why, what is the matter, Susan?
inquired her mother on entering the
parlor, and finding her daughter sit
ting on a pile of books and papers,
and gazing rather ruefully at a roll
OF carpet lying at her feet. What
troubles my usually sunny tempered
girl?
Everything, replied Susan, pref
tishIy, without looking up. | don't
see what can be done with this
room. Everything is So shabby, it
seems useless to try to fix up any
thing.
Well, you know, my dear, S id
her mother cheerfulv, spring sun
shine will make the old things,
which are certainly not improved
by the wear and tear OF winter, look
old and faded, but we must do the
best we can to freshen them up. We
cannot afford to get any new carpet,
either, this year.
Oh, yes, every year | study ways
and means, and arrange and change
the old things to make them look
like new, until am thoroughly tired
of it all. We do not get anything
new, and the old things will not hold
together very much longer. | think
we may as well succumb to the
inevitable.
Why, Susan Marvin! exclaimed
her mother, | cannot bear to hear
you talk so. You would not have
US sink down and live in squalor and
wretchedness simply because we
cannot CRAFTY all orr desires. That,
she concluded in a softer tone,
would show a sad lack of faith IN our
heavenly Father.
l am afraid | haven't very much
faith in anybody, replied Susan
bitterly. [ want our home to look
bright and pretty like the homes of
the other girls Faith means waiting
with patience for TIE good that may
never come | don't want to be
patient.
Our home may not be as elegant
as some OF your friends have, but
think it is always pleasant and cosy.
And the igenuity my daughters have
shown in devising the little things
that add so much to the beauty OF
home has compensated for the lack
of costly goods. | should be glad if
we could buy one or two articles OF
furniture, but let us not make our
selves unhappy.because we can not.
| You do not understand, mother,
how mortifying it is for me to have
to entertain my friends in plain old
cane seated parlor. The tone in
which Susan uttered these words
would be impossible TO describe.
She had heard the same expression
made by her confdant, Grace
Nelson, a few days before, and it
had ranked in her bosom ever since.
| OF course, she knew Grace was not
thinking Of her home, but she
couldn't help remembering it.
Mrs Marvin sighed. Ii l had not
been sick all winter the money that
had to go to pay my enormous doc
tors bill might have been spent in
refurnishing our parlor. | do not
see how we can spare the money
now, for you know our home is no,
fully paid for.
| If Susan had not been so wrapped
up in her own selfish wants, she
would have noticed the wearier look
on the patient, loving face, ano
would have known that she was
causing needless pain by her unteel
ing words. All unconsciously per
haps, Susan Marvin was allowing the
| - +I,,e ,,-@,1I ,,1o1a he,
Indifferent to the tender courtesie:
that make the hardest trials easier tc
bear.
1t is always a doctors bill OF
something else, she said. | do no
see why God allows poor people tc
be sick along with all the other mis-
fortues they have to bear.
Susie, called her sister, pausing OF
on her way to the kitchen. Come
help me get supper.
Oh, Susie, she exclaimed, whel
they reached the kitchen. How
could you speak to mamma tha
way! You know she is such ten
der hearted little mother too.
Couldn't help it, Annie, replied
Susan in the same hard, cold tone
Poor people should have no hearts
0 They can't afford them any NOR
than they can any of the other lux
uries OF life.
Annie made no answer, and tn
-, preparations for tea went on i
/. silence. Susan spread the &C yer an
y set the table in the cosy lit .e dining
room. which was bright with plant