The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-01-12
A FIRST DEBT !
BY Florence B. HalIowelI. \
4NTHEN was little girl my brothe,

Aunt PARSONS, VINO had no chlIdren OF
their own.
So much effort was made during our
visit to give us good time, and so in
dulgent were uncle and aunt to our
every wish, that we would always will
lingly have remained much longer had
our parents consented.
But mother declared that she could
not spare US a single day over the stated
time, and uncle was very particular to
send us home promptly on the day
agreed upon.
Uncle'S house was on Rittenhouse
street, and, though old-fashioned, was
very comfortable and convenient The
one next to it was occupied by an old
gentleman named Reed, who, we were
told, had lost his wife and three chill.
dren by an accident on a railway, and
had ever since lived in the strictest Sc
clusion.
Jack and l saw him very often at his
gate or on the street; but he seldom
took any notice of US, and consequently
we stood greatly in awe of him.
One afternoon in December, when
only two days more remained to US of
our annual visit, Jack and | were walk
ing along Main street on our way home
from an attorneys office to which we
had been sent on an errand, when sud
denly Jack stopped before the window
of hardware store, in which hung sew
eral pairs of skates.
Il wish Uncle Andrew had given me a
pair of skates as parting gift instead
of that Sled" he said, in a disconnected
tone. 81 won't be able to go skating
much longer unless 1 have a new pair.
My old ones are three sizes too small"
But don't ask Uncle Andrew for
them" l said. "He has given us so much
already"
Il don't believe ne would care bit if
i got pair and had them charged"
said Jack. He has an account here.
know. l could write him about i, after
l got home, and pay him out of my
Christmas money"
Before I could reply a hand fell heav-
lily on Jacks shoulder, and. looking up
we saw old Mr.. Reed standing beside us.
Your wrong. my boy" he said, in
a grave, earnest tone "Never run in
debt if you can avoid it. and never
mortgage your expectations. 1t is a bad
custom. I speak from experience. and
Will tell you the story if you care to
hear it."
Jack was TOO much mortified and en-
barrassed to speak, and I was so much
frightened by the old gentleman's
stern tone and grave fac> that could
not have uttered word had I tried.
Mr.. Reed apparently did not notice
our silence, but led the way to his
house, and took us into his library. 4
light, pleasant room, with well-fIled
bookcases against every wall, and a big
desk, covered with letters and papers
under the chandelier.
He gave us each a comfortable chair
and then seated himself on a low sofa
opposite u.s.
on see me now, gray-headed old
man. Jack" he said, but was once a
boy like yourself, and enjoyed skating,
riding, dancing and cricket, Just as you
DO. But l had no kind parents. They
Cied before | was old enough to under
stand my loss and left me to the care
of my grandf' ther, a stern, proud old
man, with an iron will. Upright and
honest himself living by rule and pre-
'cept, he had little charity for the faults
'of others, and punished the most trivial
errors of my childhood with the most
relentless severity.
But he was extremely fond of me.
nevertheless, and | returned his affec-
ton, though. as was only natural, |
stood much in awe of him, and had a
wholesome dread of his dispeasure.
He had large plantation and owned
nearly 100 slaves, and, as was Gus
tomary among the youth of Kentucky
in those days, l spent each morning
with my tutor and the rest of the day
as I pleased.
My grandfather gave me a liberal
allowance, which ought to have been
sufficient to crafty my wants but |
was naturally extravaganza, and as !
grew older | found it extremely irk-
some to be obliged to practice economy
dHu Stll-ueHldl toward IHe END OF
every month. But l knew it would be
useless to ask my grandfather to in
crease my allowance, for he considered
it ample for my needs.
Zone day when in panville / went to
shoe store to buy a pair of pumps,
for | was going to party that evening
and my old ones were not presentable.
But as | entered the store | suddenly re-
membered that it was almost the end
of the month, and had only dollar in
my pocketbook.
81 hesitateG a moment before reply
ing to the clerks inquiry as to my
wants, for I knew that if | bought the
pumps they would have to be charged
and had learned from my grandfather
10 have horror of debt
But the thought of the shabby con-
dition of the old pumps decided me to
make the purchase, and no comment
was made when. in low, hurried voice
| said: Charge them as the package
was given into my hands. / was so
well known and my grandfather was so
highly respected that | could have OBJ
tanned credit at any store in the town