The Forrest City times., 1899-01-06
A FIRST DEBT
By Florence B. Hallowell.
NTHEN was little girl my brother

NHEN was little girl my brother
wv Jack and used to be sent once a
year to Germantown, near Philadel-
phia, to spend month with Uncle and
Aunt Parsons, who had no children of
their own.
SO much effort was made during our
visit to give us a good time, and so in
dulgent were uncle and aunt to our
every wish, that we would always will
iingly 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 se-
clusion.
Jack and 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 l 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
pair of skates as parting gift instead
OF that sled," he said, In discontented
tone. Il won't be able to go skating
much longer unless have a new pair.
My old ones are three sizes too small y
"But don't ask Uncle Andrew for
them," said. He has given us so much
already"
y don't believe he would care a bit ii
l gat pair and had them charged, :.
said Jack. ''He has an account here. 7
know. could write him about i. after
| got home, and pay him out of my
Christmas money"
Before ! could reply hand fell heav-
lily On Jacks shoulder, and. looking up.
we SAW old Mr. Reed standing beside MS
You're wrong my boy" he said. in
grave, earnest tone. "Never run in
debt If you can avoid ii, and never
mortgage your expectations. II is bad
custom | speak from experience. and
VIII tell you the story if you care to
hear it,"
Jack was too much mortified and en-
oarrassed to speak, and l was so much
frightened by the old gentIeman's
stern tone and grave face that couId
not have uttered word had tried.
Mr. Reed apparently did not notice
our silence, but led the way to his
mousse, and took us into his library. a
ilghs, pleasant room, with well-filled
bookcases against every wall, and a bio
| 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.
You see me now, a gray-headed old
man. Jack" he said. "but was once
boy like yourself, and enjoyed skating,
r1dlpg, dancing and cricket, just as you
DO. But | had no kind parents. They
tied before | was old enough to under
stand my loss and left me to the care
of my grandfather, 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
wholesome dread of his displeasure.
He had large plantation and owned
nearly 100 slaves, and, as was Gus
tomary among the youth of Kentucky
in those days, | spent each morning
with my tutor and the rest of the day
as ] pleased.
Il hunted, fished and rowed on the
river, but | was more fond of dancing
than any other amusement, and used to
attend every party given in the neigh
borhood, after | outgrew my awe of the
girls.
MY grandfather gave me a liberal
allowance, which ought to have been
sufficient to crafty my wants, but /
wes naturally extravagant, and as /
grew older found it extremely irk-