Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-07-20
ANNIE'S SURPRISE.
How Her True, Sisterly Devotion
Was Amply Rewarded.

Annie Sargent was fifteen when her
mother died; the three boys were old
er, Jabez Sargent never got along
well with his children; he was too
hasty and unreasonable. When his
wife was alive she had often prevent
ed wordy wars between her husband
and the boys. Annie did not have her
mothers tact, and besides she stood in
awe of her father. SO when he scold-
ed the boys she would look frightened
at first and then run away where she
could not hear their angry voices,
When Will, the oldest, was twenty
one he went to the city to find work.
He had hard time, but the folks at
home never knew about it. He was
capable and determined so two years
later, when Joe came of age, Will was
able to get him good situation, Only
Fred and Annie were left at home after
that.
1t was only month after Joe went
away that Fred had letter urging
him to join his brothers in the city.
'Why should you stay on that old farm,
when you might be here with us, earn
ing dollar and half a day at least?
Talk with father about it and let me
know soon"
Fred looked up from the letter with
bright eyes. ''What is it?' asked An
ME. She was clearing up the dinner
table.
Joe wants me to go to the city.
He's got place for me, and | can earn
dollar and half day at the very
first. Do you believe father will let me
go? Where is hep"
"Out in the barn" Annies voice
sounded strange to Fred, but he was
hurrying out of the door lie glanced
in at the window as he passed it. He
did not stop, but Annie's face haunted
him. He tried to think it was the un-
evenness of the window glass that
distorted her features, but he knew
1t was tears that made her eyes sc
bright,
81 suppose you can 60" said his
father, rather ungrociously, "but I'd
rather you'd stay here. You can helI
good deal about the farm when you
are mind to-but you amt a mind tc
most of the time"
Fred went back into the house. He
was jubilant to think that he was go
ing, but indignant at his fathers re
marks.
He got piece of paper, pen ant
the ink bottle and began a letter t.
his brother. He wrote it hastily anC
put 1t in an envelope before Ami,
came into the room. He could no
look up just then, for he was writing
Joe's name on the envelope. When hi
had finished he said Father says
can go, and am going to take this let
ter to the post Office right off, tolt
Joe I'd be there in a week"
Annie did not speak; her back wa
towards him.
Half mile from the Sargents livet
old Mrs. Millcent Jennings. She wa
a friend to all the boys and girls in tn
neighborhood, and even the older pc,
pie were sometimes glad to get her az
vice, for she had "level head" Afte
Fred had mailed his letter he went di
rectly to Aunt Miles to tell her hi
plans. She was sitting in the kitchen
knitting when he went in.
"Well, what is it?" she asked, look
ing at him; good news, l guess"
He told her the news and she listene,
quietly. She was silent so long afte
he finished that he began to be impa
tient. What do you think of it?" h
asked.
~ think, she said, slowly, that yo
might have waited a little before yo
decided to 60"
whats the use to waltz"
You might have thought of som
things that would make you feel yo
ought to stay at home"
what things? don't like the wa
father treats me-
Does he treat Annie any betterP"
II don't knows he does"
"How did Annie feel when the othe
boys went awayP"
"Blue for week"
"Who cheered her up?"
81 tried to-father didn't seem to nc
tice."
ut will be pretty lonesome for he
II you go"
81 could write often and"
but you wouldn't"
And I'd earn so much money that
could give her things she wants.
II guess you'd find you could use a
you'd earn for yourself"
What! Do you think | ought to sta
at home just for Annie?"
We'll, considering that she LEI
fe%ool when she wanted to be teach
brellad gave up all her plans. an
He had I home and worked har
science. and Joe and Fred