The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-08-15
WHOLE NO. 2246.

.swhy Esther, child, what i wrong
he asked.
In a. few words a. possible l told
my miserable story. "And, uncle, y |
added, Richard tells me that father
cannot possibly pay this nov and |
hardly think these people viii he will
ing to wait. Sois il asking too much
Of YOU TO buy this dress feel a if l
never wanted 10 look AT it again, - l
don't mind giving il up"
''You will wish 10 leave here ON the
earliest morning trsin,' ne said, turn
ing 10 Richard, when finished 80
/ will pay these bills myself and send
the receipts to your father"
Thank you very much, uncle, "
Richard said gratefully, ''yOu have
taken such a load of my mind.'
Then, laying his hand ON my shoul-
der, uncle said Esther this has been
hard lesson To you, but hope You
see it, value. Remember this, that
the little word no. with only two
letters in il, some people find very,
very hard 10 pronounce. But be-
lieve the next time YOU are called up
on "a say it YOU will be able"
Then, uncle, shall regard this a.
loan,r l said after I had thanked
him.
..Just a. you please, Esther, about
it," he said kindly, "but you may take
your own time in paving it. )"
i had no desire Ia 90 down To the
parlors again that night, 80 | went to
my room, leaving uncle and Richard
together. Uncle explained Richards
presence to aunt and Amy by telling
them of mothers illness, thus making
no mention of the bills, for which i
was very grateful. When left Amy
cried and begged me to visit her soon
again.
When we reached home, We were
met at the door by father. Mother"
/ gaSpei, chow i she2' and then
could endure the strain no longer, but
with little cry fell senS-less, into my
fathers arms. When / became con-
seious | was lying on the sitting room
couch, the lamp burned very low, east
ing a dim shadow over the nom. On
a chair al the other side of the room,
with his head resting wearily ON his
hands. sat father. could not but see
how much whittier his hair was than on
the morning started for the city
Father" / called softly. He came
10 the couch and laid his hand on my
brow. '.What Is it, daughters' he
asked
Can you forgive me?'' cried, Il
know am not worthy. But, oh, faith
er. have been - miserable"
"Hush, daughter, you must not
worry yourself tonight. But rest A.
sured your mother and / have fully
forgiven you"
''WilI mother die ~ l asked, ehOk-
ing hack a sob.
'.NO, no, Esther, to-day we had rea-
son to hope for the best. But ] fear
il will he some time before she Is well.
Now YOU had better retire, and to-
morrow morning we will talk about
this" Then he stopped to kiss Isle and
left the NOM
The next morning father and had
a long talk. / felt had never loved or
honoTed my father half enough He
was 30 gentle and - forgiving. Then
he took ME to mothers rOOm. But il
was not until had looked on her dear
face that fully realized what costly
bargain my dress had almost proved
/ To be.
II was weeks before mother was
down stairs again, and one day | heard
her say to father, 1.-The lesson was
hard, but it has changed Esther from a
thOughtIess girl into an earnest,
thoughtful woman"
Here mother leaned back in her
chair, and, n she gazed into the fire,
there was far-away, dreamy look in
her eyes. Then, awakening from the
reverie, she drew out her watch and
| exclaimed;
"Why, its II O'Clock | had not
intended keeping YOU girls up - late. -
A. we waited for our goodnight kiss,
she said THAT silk dress caused me
more than a little suffering. 30, chill
dren, if YOU are tempted 20 do some
thing that you feel 10 be wrong, and,
though it seenis small don't do it, fOI
great harm may come from it.
Then Kate and / went up stairs,
leaving mother and Dick still sitting
before the fire