Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-05-14

to say nothing of love, shows that we
must stop spending, if we are to keep
our mother. Father doesn't see it,
but I do. Are nobody else's eyes to
be opened in timer"
GLOW is it that you know SO much
more than the rest Of us, Puss?" quer-
led Eleanor ironically.
Puss Hylton was fifteen, and Grip
Pile. She had stayed at home for the
last year, studying by herself with a
little help from Eleanor, and sharing
more of her mothers life than the
others. Bit by bit she had penetrated
the secret of the pinching economy in
some details, offset by the lavishness
in others. Little by little it had come
home to her that things could not go
on at their present pace.
Eleanor" she said, "there is no
| body else to whom we can go for
loan, and the butcher looks cross
when he sends in his bill. Dan goes
around three squares, sooner than
pass the grocer's, he's SO ashamed
that we owe for the last barrel Of
flour. And now your graduation is
coming to finish the work. II were
you, dear, would wear my old gown
just as it is, and my old shoes, and
walk to school; but I'd get my diplo-
ma, and take it with independence, not
feeling like sham and cruel, cruel
girl into the bargain. There!"
"Don't say any more, Puss; I'n
think about it,"
And Eleanor, with pale face and
quivering lip, took up her Everyday
Text Book, to read, through mist of
gathering tears, this verse, which
seemed to speak to her with an an
gels voice: ga good name is rather
to be chosen than great riches, and
loving favor rather than silver and
gold"
The color came into Eleanor's
cheek, for the thought in her heart
had been: ooh! why are We not rich?
Why must we always be poor, and
kept down by having to count every
penny?" Here was Gods answer: GA
good name is better than riches"
Well, nobody could have a good
name who built up her daily life on
false pretences as a foundation, and
loving favor would not lead girl to
add feathers weight of care to the
load of an anxious mother. But, be-
ing no Drawer than you are, Molly and
Frances, and as fond of a dainty,
pretty new outfit as you, Caroline and
Sophy, you may imagine that Flea
nor's battle was not gained in breath.
She lay awake a long time, the 81
lent tears stealing down her cheek
until her pillow was quite wet. But
she was so still that Puss slept peace
fully, never suspecting Eleanor's tu-
multi Of feeling.
Eleanor went to school the next
morning with her mind made up, and
she was not one to change it, once she
had arrived at a decision. At recess,
when the girls talked over the mo-
mentous affairs of commencement
day and commencement dress, sew
eral of them appealed to her. What
was WIOl DIG Odlo LII
low tones, which yet we're audible to
everybody: "You will have to put
me in the back row, girls. [ find that
it is not convenient for my father and
mother to spend anything extraordi-
nary at present, so I am going to wear
my last summers white dress, just as
it is, and I shall have nothing at all
new"
Contrary to Eleanor's anticipations,
this statement produced no effect
whatever. Two or three of the more
fashionable girls looked annoyed, and
one or two of Eleanor's intimate
friends glanced at her with sympathy.
Daisy Dean stole little hand into
hers with cordial clasp, whispering:
"You brave thing! I love you!"
The bell sounded, and recess was
over. Tasks were taken up as usual.
Eleanor did not know it, but her quiet
courage had been real relief to sew
eral timid girls, who had been dread
ing the expense of commencement,
without daring to stem what they
supposed to be public opinion and
take an independent course. If some
body will only lead in this world
there are always plenty to follow.
And Eleanor was repaid for her
sacrifice of personal vanity when she
saw the mother face light up, and
felt the dear arms around her that ev-
ening.
elias it been hard for you, dearie?"
said the mother, anxiously.
cit would not have been, mother
darling lie 7 hadn't been a selfish crea-