The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-08
"BRAVE LADS"
Submitted in The Tribune's Short Story Contest.

ter ana friends did their best to COM
fort her. She wandered aimlessly
about the house and yard until the day
of the funeral. when, with a great
struggle, she hid her own grief and
minstered. as best she could to the
wants of the others.
The sermon seemed to prove A great
solace to her. Mr. Spencer spoke oil
the forgiving nature of the deceased
and then of the wonderful love and
pardon given by the one who COM
forts the mourners.
The shcck and strain were TOO much
for Melissa Akerson to bear, and for
weeks her children were compelled t.
watch by her bedside. But at last she
rose ana was once more among them,
in better, but still in poor health.
Then came the momentous question
of debt. Although Mildred and Law
renee had been earning money for
some time. it had always been Papa
who kept the home. OF course they
had helped but now they must do it
alone. Nellie could help as soon as
she finished school, so she could
teach. but they would not let her quit
school to help them.
Their expenses during the summer
eral expenses, the doctor bill and the
regular expenditures of the home. 1t
was vacation now and Lawrence was
earning nothing. Mily, who had
been clerking. was compelled to help
care for her mother, and so was not
making anything, so their income dur
ing the summer was little or Moth
ing.
pa..iI Il hnt 1,Nt,
I was mortgaged. Times had not always
been good for Mr.. Akerson, but of
ate his wages had been increased.
Lawrence and Milly had been paying
their board. and Lawrence had been
helping in other ways. so that just
the month before his death Mr.. Aker-
son had purchased the home in which
they were living. They had taken
deed and given a mortgage, promising
to pay it in monthly payments. Now
their father was gone there was no
one to pay the mortgage and they
were afraid they would lose their
home.
Lawrence intended doing the best he
could, and he hoped NIilly would help
him. AS has been stated, Milly paid
her board, but when they proposed
if she would not give something each
month to help clear the place of debt.
NO" she had answered. | will not,
l only pay my board so that | am un-
der no obligtions to him" So Law
renee feared she would not help him.
1t was a serious problem for him
to face, but Milly came bravely to
his rescue. II would not help Papa,
7 ,,.;ll 81 fnr &c lyn oh
told him sadly.
So brother and sister struggled on
together. The road was rough and
steep, but they toiled patiently up
ward.
One day in early autumn Robert and
Harold came in and quietly tiptoed
over to where their mother was sit
ting.
well, my boys. what is it,? she
asked.
Mamma" answered Robert. you
know how we miss papa. and how
much we need him back. There is no
one on earth who can fill his place,
but. as you and Lawrence and Milly
have it so hard, Harold and l have
decided to help you all we can. We
thought we could be bread winners,
~ We IdNN SUI Jpp' III tllN anu
are to commence work tomorrow
morning."
God bless my lads" cried their
mother, as with tears streaming down
her cheeks she drew them to her and
kissed the boyish brows.
But" she said, when her emotion
had passed, boys, you must not leave
school; we will not allow you to do
that"
But Lawrence must keep night
school here at home for us"
At first Lawrence and Mlly did not
want to consent to the boys PROPOSE
ton, but Mrs. Akerson thought that
if they would study nights it would
be better to let them work.
We'll" said Lawrence, "Go, my dear
brothers. and God bless you, you little
know how much your wages will aid
us. Our night school will open tomor-
row evening"
Should we visit that town today we
would see those brave boys, almost
young men now, trying to fill papa's
place.
Milly had "A shadow cast over her
life, but she is the better for it, She
is Mrs, DR., Harvey now, but still she
cannot help but wish that she could
have obtained the pardon she sought.