Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-03-02
ETHEL'S RELIGION.
A short story Apuy Illustrating q
Very Practical. Everyday Sort
of Christianity.

| Ethel and Edith were twin sisters,
but they were quite unlike in appear
ance and character. Ethel was prac-
teal, energetic and ambitious, thought
full in small matters, and sunny-heart-
ed. Edith was dreamy, romantic and
visionary, and given to melancholy.
OF late Edith had turned her whole
attention to religious thoughts, had
passed through conversion" and
was now member of the church, and a
most devout one. Her father and
mother were much pleased with her
sincere feeling on this subject, and
| they encouraged her in all her benevo-
| lent aims and charitable works among
| the poor and needy, where she was
most active. But Edith was very sad
about one thing, and that was her Sis
| ter's indifference to religious subjects.
| To be sure, Ethel attended church and
occasionally Sunday school, but she
showed no enthusiasm on the matters
dear to her sisters heart, and Edith
| feared that she was as yet wholly unre-
generate.
There were four younger children
|
the family, and they kept no servant.
This necessitated great deal of hard
work on the part of the mother and the
twin girls.
| One Sunday morning soon after
Edith's conversion she had been plead
! ing with her sister, while they made
their toilets. to take a more serious
view Of religious subjects. Right in the
midst of her most eloquent appeal
! Ethel said Excuse me, dear" and
hurried out of the room and down
stairs She did not return, and Edith
sat by the window in a deep reverie
when the bell called her down to break
fast half an hour later.
The mother usually prepared the
morning meal, ard afterwards the girls
attended to the work Of clearing up the
d she's and washing them. Ethel was
not at the table when Edith took her
place, but presently he came in bear
ing plate Of hot pancakes, her cheeks
flushed and burning.
"You were very thoughtful, dear. TO
remember that we were to have cakes
this morning, and that my headache al
ways comes on Il l am much over the
hot fire" said Mrs. Gray. with smile.
Edith VII prepare the next plate after
( This and YOU can sit down"
But Edith was deep in a reverie, and
/ ID not hear until she had been twice
spoken to.
After service that morning Edith
wanted her sister to 90 with her and
visit the poor and sick people on her
| list.
but cannot this morning" Ethel
said. 81 promised TO read to auntie.'
"Why, mother is there, and am sure
she will look after auntie."
Eyes. but mother is not feeling very
well, and she has rhe children to enter
tain Sundays when they are out of
school, and that is work enough for ono
! person TO do. Then father likes to have
| her sit with him awhile on Sunday
afternoons, so I feel Il my duty 10 read
TO aurtie. Some other day | will ar
range to go and visit your poor people
| with YOU"
Edith turned away with sigh, and
Ethel hurried home to her duties. H.
was only few days later that Ethel
made her plans to 50 with Edith into
/ a poor district on a visit of mercy, and
/ ;hen 70 finish up the afternoon on u
/ shopping excursion. She was pleased
70 see how Ed.th wa welcomed into
1 the homes of Tie poor, and gr4tiiied az
/ The words Of thanks and blessing which
| they bestowed upon her.
They took 4 stree: Ger 70 - into the
shopping portion az the town. and sat
/ down il the only t@o unoccupied seats
/ IN the ear Edith was talking very
earnestly Is Ethel about the necessity
! for greater interest in religious mat
tiers. and urging her to pray for an
awakening OF her heart, when she OBJ
served her sister rise mp and grasp q
strap on the opposite side Of the car.
At first she thought Ethel was annoyed
/ by her conve-s ation. and had taken this
way TO puuau abrupt end TO ii; but just
then She saw a tired old woman, bur
dened with a large basket OF clean
laundry-work. drop into the seat her
sister had vacated. and she knew Ethel
had risen 20 give her the place. Ethel
was always doing hiE.> Ike that.
When they reached the large dry
goods house where they were 70 do
their shopping. they encountered
great crowd Of people. It was Satur-
day afternoon. and the store would
close at FIVE O'Clock. AID every body WIS
In a hurry.
Edth pushed ahead and passed
tlro1ga the great swinging door.
when he heard . smothered cry from
Etbe Looking around she saw Esr
sister catch the heavy door by bo;h
hands. just IN time 70 save 81 from
siammirg fi'1 r - free r wo--zH
MO was = .r. .---l .-4.-i4.