The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-10
Reth'S New Year.

1t is lonely! said Beth again, just as
she had been saying 1t Intervals lol
the last half an hour. This time SHE
said it with little sigh, and arose to
depart; for the short winter afternoon
was nearly gone, and the slant rays OF
the sun were making golden path
across Lillian.s pretty room. 1t seemed
to Beth that Lillian's whole life was q
golden path: that she had everything i
"irl could desire. This new room in
ali its finishing and furnishing was in
such perfect taste, so cozy, complete
aud beautiful.
at was really my Christmas present
you know" Lillian explained, az Beth
admired carpet, curtains, easy-chalrs,
and all the dainty appointments, "bul
it wasn't all in order for me to take
possession until to-day. Yes, indeed,
| expect to enjoy it. I'll begin my
~ew year here, rs mamma says"
Beth locked back at the rOomy, con-
venient house and Lillian's bright win
dows as she hurried away down the
street to her own home. II must be-
gin my new year in just the same little
tucked up corner that | always have
with Sue sharing my bed, Bertie's cot
in one corner, and host of things be-
longing to everybody in the closet and
drawers, because, there isn't room for
them anywhere ELSE" she said gloonl-
ly TO herself. 80 how restful and de-
ligh,ftil it would be to live as Lillian
does ~ She said the same thing to
her mother when she reached home
the mother whose sweet, tired face had
frightened into smile at her coming.
But the smile vanished into little
sigh at the sight of Beth's clouded
brow. She had taken extra work upon
herself that busy afternoon that Beth
might have little walk in the fresh
air and pleasant hour with her friend,
but the result had not been pleasure
after all. Still she listened with loving
mother-patience to a description OF
Lilian's room accompanied by a need
less description Of what Beth's room
was not, and strove to comfort and
cheer.
eyes, 1 know, dear, it would be
nice for you to have room to your
self. We are all of us crowded in our
little house, bu perhaps we may be
able to build the addition next year.
hope."-
90 mamma! we've hoped that so
long ~ Beth broke in impatiently.
1--WE have planned for that new build
ing every year, and something hap
pening all tue the time to hinder u.s."
Il am sorry, Beth, but we must try
to be patient. 1t is great deal to be
thankful for that we can begin this
new yearin health, and unbroken fami-
ly." ;,
THAT is what mamma always says, !"
murmiired Beth irritably, as she sought
her room and looked discontented upon
it's homely belongings. She always
thinks we ought to be so thankful for
all the little common things that every
BODY has. | wish l could begin this
new year with some great thing to be
thankful for-just for once, TO see how
it would seem"
Beth was not really half so selfish
and ungrateful as her words seemed
but she was in fretful, discouraged
mood, and found gloomy satisfaction
IN painting her own lot in as dark col
ors as possible. So she stood at her
window watching the early twilight
deepen and the lights shine out down
the street, while she brooded over her
dissapointments and deprivations, and
forgot that her mother was doing work
that she could have lightened. Sud-
denly her attention was attracted by
little hustle in the street below her
window. There was a sound of per-
sons running, and an excited voice
called out some bit Of intelligence to
an enquirer on the opposite sidewalk.
Then neighbor came to the door and
spoke hurrietly to Beth's mother. 20
Mrs. Clyde! do you know there has
been all accident down at the river :?
One of the ferryboats-the 'Vendome'
heard-has goue down. The boiler
exploded"
Beth had flown downstairs at the
first sentence. The "Eendome!"
That was tine boat OH which her father
usually crossed at night. She saw her
mothers face grow white and her hand
clasp her heart as If an arrow had
pierced it. She scarcely heard the
broken words in which the neighbor,
shocked at her own thOughtlessness,
tried to mitigate the blow.
"Is that the boat 20 Mrs. Clyde
never thought of that! There may
be some miStake"-
All was confusion in moment.
Mrs. Clyde hurriedly put away the
clinging hands of Sue and Bertie, and
caught up her bonnet and shawl.
II must 60 down to the river, Beth
Il must Take care of the chill
dren."
Can any one tell what that hour was
to Beth ClydeI She tried to quiet the
little ones while her own heart seemed
breaking. She wandered vainly from
door to window listening for tidings
that did not come. Mechanically she
put the rooms in order-rooms that al
ready seemed to have lost their home
like cheerfulness and grown strangely
empty and desolate. 80 if / could
see them as they were last night-so
bright, with papa and all of US here n'
She sobbed. How that she dared to
say that she had no great blessings
Had God shown her how much she
had by taking it away? Poor Beth
Such thoughts are the bitterest sting
of sorrow.
1t was only an hour, the time which
seemed so intermlnable, and then there
were footsteps at the door, and the
dear, familiar voice, and Beth sprang
into her fathers arms. He had been
detained ut the office little later than
usual, and so had not crossed on the
"Vendome" But the agony was for
other homes, for other daughters.
Beth could not forget that, as she
stood at her window again that night
and looked beyond the street lamps to
the stars so far above them it seemed
l. /. l.. Il 10.