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


That is what Mrs. Marchmost said,
one bright summer morning, lingering
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 "well-to-do," as the phrase
goes. My mother had to do her own
beusework 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 were better off than
mine. Then Mrs. Marchmont came
on some errand-to getreferences con-
corning housekeeper, believe-and
noticed me in the way 1 have recorded.
"Does she attend school?"
"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 I was!
She came again after that and took
me to spend the day with her. can
not tell how much | enjoyed my visit
/ saw such o number of beautiful
things--pictures statues--a hundred
lovely and curious objects from far-ofl
countries. And brought home a
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 to myself, was Is. Now Mrs.
Marchmont persuaded my mother to
send me to first-class academy for q
year or two. She herself would bear
the expense, and Ada would take my
place.
After some demur my parents con-
scented, thanking her earnestly for her
kindness, as / did. And I went.
suppose there were few girls hap
pier than during the two years l was
at school. 1 studied to my hearts
content and made excellent progress.
At the end of two years came home
finished, as the saying is. went to
Mrs. Marchmont's. I was 10 now,
rather pretty aud with my ideas lit
Gle elevated beyond my position in
life. took note of the black servant
ut the door; the height and grandeur
of Mrs. Marchmont's rooms, the ele-
gance and richness of the appoint.
ments that everywhere met my gaze.
My kind friend was delighted to see
me, made thousand inquiries con-
corning my attainments and showed
altogether au Interest in me that
pleased and fattered me.
''Now you must come often and see
me-" she said. 81 shall be glad to
see you.
went home pleased, yet discon-
tented. l had seen just enough OF
.he ease and the enjoyment of life and
the desirab!eness of riches to make me
dissatisfied with my own humble for
tune and surroundings. l looked at
the plain, small house 1 lived ina,
the small, low rooms and their plain
and well-worn furniture-with secret
feeling of "reminiscences.
"What is the matter. Helen?" asked
my mother.
Nothing, mamma. was my answer.
She did not press her inquiries then.
She was wise rs well as a good
woman. But I know she watched me
and guessed the cause Of my serious
looks
But the next day she said: 81 am
glad your father is getting along in
business better than he used to, Helen
SO that we need not send you out t.
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 keeI
you at home"
Her words conveyed to me, as ]
think she meant they should, an idea
of how much harder my life nigh,
have been than l now found it.
thought about the matter and honest
~ tried to feel how comparatively
we'll of was. But it wa hard, after