The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-31
asked grandma, at supper.

to take away Elsie's appetite. She
could not eat more than half the
bread and milk which was in the
bowl, and to her mothers surprise,
did not want any cake.
Il hope you're not going to be
sick, Elsie," said Mrs Bond.
Elsie shook her head. 'No'm" she
answered, in low voice.
II think she has been playing too
hard" said Aunt Mary. ELSIE is
regular romp."
',She is grandma's own dear little
girl" said her grandmother, and
Elsie felt more unhappy at the praise
than she would have been had she
been scolded.
Several weeks passed, and Elsie
had almost forgotten about the brok-
en- fan, when one afternoon the min
lister, his wife and four children came
to tea. Elsie had on her best white
frock, her new slippers, and the string
of silver beads which grandma had
given her on her birthday, and of
course she was on her best behavior.
She took the minister's four chill
dren out into the garden, picked
them some flowers, showed them the
rabbits and pigeons, and played hide
and seek in the big orchard.
All three of the minister's little
girls screamed and cried, when in
hiding down by the hedge, Elsie
stepped on snake. But Elsie didn't
cry or scream at all. She just picked
up stick, ran after the snake, which
was crawling away as fast as it could,
and killed it with several sharp
blows.
"You're brave" said the minister's
son. boy of twelve, who came run
ming up to find out what all the fuss
was about. 81 hate coward. What's
the use of being afraid of little gar
ter snake7 1 knew boy once who
used to catch garter snakes and hang
them around his neck"
His little sisters looked Mortified.
They said they couldn't help being
afraid of snakes, and they wouldn't
play hide and seek any more.
Elsie felt proud and pleased be-
cause Oscar had called her brave.
They all marched to the house, Oscar
carrying the dead snake over stick.
They had just finished telling of
Elsie's bravery, when Grandma Bond
came into the parlor, her black satin
fan in one hand. She sat down and
opened it. The afternoon was quite
warm.
"Why, mother" said Elsie's man.
ma. you've broken your FAM"
Grandma looked sorely distressed.
"Susan must have broken it in some
way" she said 81 sent her into my
room after it. Perhaps she let it fall
and stepped on it"
Susan was the chambermaid. She
had been Elsie's nurse, and Elsie
loved her dearly.
She stood up, trembling from head
to foot, but she spoke out in clear
voice.
"No, grandma" she said, "Susan
didn't break it. / broke it the day l
was playing | was lady, and did
not like to tell YOU" Then she sat
down and covered her face with her
hands. Every one was looking at
her. She felt sure the minister's wife
wouldn't want her to play any more
with Oscar and his little sisters.
Then she felt her grandma's arms
around her, and heard the minister
say, 81 think the child very brave to
confess her fault before us all"
"Yes, that was drawer than killing
the snake" said Oscar.
"She has moral courage" said the
minister's wife.
Elsie cried good deal, but she
was glad she had told the truth. She
was unhappy only because she was
ashamed of not having made the con-
fession long before.
1T would have been easier" she
thought. Next time l break any
thing I will tell about it at once. 1t
makes it harder and harder to put it
off,"
"I'm glad you're not a coward.
Elsie." her mother said.
"But weren't you dreadful as
named of me mamma, when you
heard me tell before all those people
about breaking grandma's fanl"
II would have been ashamed of
you if you hadn't told" her mother
answered.
Grandma sent the fan to the city,
and had it mended. 1t came back as
e&rouo nc aua- DIT El.;o $3.50. L..