Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1897-10-15
"What q bright little grill"

in the doorway of Mrs. Hammond's
thrifty dwelling and laying her hand
among the fair curls of Helen, Mrs.
Hammond's little girl. That was my
self.
liked Mrs. Marchmont. She was
beautiful woman, intellectual, cult
waited, refined. And / was pleased
that she noticed me and liked me.
My father was not rich man, not
at all "wcll-to-do," az the phrase
goes. Ny mother hal to do her own
heusework and latterly had kept me
at home from school to help her, need
ing that help very much with three
children younger than myself The
circumstances troubled me. / wanted
to possess advantages like other girls
whose parents we're better off than
mine. Then Mrs. Marchmont came
on some errand-to getreferences con-
corning housekeeper, believe-and
noticed me in the way have recorded.
''Does she attend schoolP"
''No," my mother said and explained
the reason, expressing her regret, at
the same time, because | was so fond
of study And she would have liked
to give me q good education.
''Let her come to my house some
day and look at the books in the Ii
brary," said Mrs. Marchmont. "She
may bring home any of them that she
likes"
Ny mother thanked her cordially.
And how happy was!
She came again after that and took
me to spend the day with her. / can
not tell how much enjoyed my visit.
I saw such number of beautiful
things-pictures statues---a hundred
lovely and curious objects from far-of
countries. And / brought homo Q
book.
Invent there quite frequently after
that. Not often TO stay, but always
welcomed kindly and always bringing
home book
In three years Ada, the sister next
In age t. myself, was 10. Now Mrs.
Marchmont persuaded my mother to
send me to first.class academy for q
year or two. She herself would bear
the expense, aud Ada would take my
place.
After some demur my parents con.
scented, thanking her earnestly for her
kindness, rs | did. And went.
suppose there were few girls hap
pier than | during the two years was
Mt school, l studied to my hearts
content and made excellent progress.
At the end of two years l came home
finished, as the saying is / went to
Mrs. Marchmont's. [ was Is now,
rather pretty and with my ideas lit.
Gle elevated beyond my position in
life. / took note Of the black servant
at the door; the height and grandeur
of Mrs. Marchmonts rooms, the ele
gance and richness Of the appoint
ments that everywhere met my gaze
My kind friend was delighted to 80,
me, made thousand inquiries con
corning my attainments and showed
altogether an interest in me tina
pleased and fattered me.
snow you must come Often and sc;
me-" she said. ~ shall be glad Il
see you.
l went home pleased, yet discon
tented. / had seen just enough o
The ease and the enjoyment of life an,
the desirableness of riches to make IN,
dissatisfied with my own humble for
tune and surroundings. l looked n
the plain, small house I lived ina
the small, low rooms and their plail
and well-worn furniture-with a secre
feeling Of "reminiscences.
"What is the matter, Helen?" aske,
my mother.
Nothing, mamma. was my answer
She did not press her inquiries then
She was wise as well AZ n goo,
woman. But know she watched IN,
and guessed the cause of my seriou
looks.
But the next day she said: ~ al
glad your father is getting along il
business better than he used TO, Helen
80 that We need not send you out I,
earn your own living in the world.
was afraid year or two ago that
should have to. You do not know
what relief it is to me that can keel
you at home"
Her words conveyed TO me, as
think she meant they should, an ide,
of how much harder my life nigh
have been than / now found it.
thought about the matter and homes,
ly tried to feel how comparativel
well off 1 was. But it was hard, afte