Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-07

always started 1.-THE Quilting Party"
or other old time ballad usually inspir
cd by moonlight. When strawberry
festival was in order at the church, she
WINS given a post of honor, and when
Christmas decorations were necessary
every young man felt II n privilege to
obey her orders. At home she was the
same winsome little queen and had nc
more devoted subject than her brother.
For month after the funeral he
worried a good deal. He knew that
bills had been left unpaid through his
mothers illness and that the family
were in straitened circumstances. His
own law practice SO far had yielded
scant returns, and what TO do and
where TO turn was a puzzle. He wrote
TO Il former classlnate whose father
was prominent merchant in Boston
stating his situation and asking advice.
1t was two weeks ere lie received a re.
ply, and then, though cordial letter
of sympathy, 1t did not go far toward
solving the problem. A week later,
however, came letter from lawyer
In that city Of the name of Frye offer.
Ing him a position as assistant in his
Office Mt small salary. 1t was so small
that Albert thought it hopeless task
to pay home expenses out Of it and
leave anything toward their debts. II
was more than his present income, how
ever, and vet 60 accept the offer and
leave Aunt Susan and Alice alone
seemed hard. On the other hand, &c
borrow money on what little of the
farm was left did not help matters, fol
when that was gone what then?
Matters came to a climax one day
Gnd ended his INDIGESTION. He had been
away from his Office all that afternoon
taking a long stroll in the woods to cs.
cape his loneliness. and, returning at
tea time, found a cloud Oh his sister 8
face.
"Mr. Hobbs called this afternoon"
she said as they sat down to the table,
and asked for you. Said he went TO
your Office and, not finding you in,
ramc here And then she added. with
CULVER in her voice. ooh, BERTHE, we
owe him over hundred dollars!"
The trouble was all out now. and AL.
bert looked gloomy. II don't think any
more of him for coming here to dun
MS he answered savagcly. HE might
have waited until he saw me-"
"Oh, he was very nice about It," re-
sponded Alice. land begged my pardon
for speaking of IT, lie said there was
no hurry. only that he had made out
his bill as a matter of form. etc. and
we could pay it when convenient"
Albert made no further comment,
but when the meal was ended said,
Come out on the porch, sis. and let u
talk matters over" She followed him,
feeling there was trouble coming. and
drawing her low chair next to his.
placed one elbow on his chair arm and
covered her face with that hand. For
few moments he remained silent
watching the fireGies beginning their
evening dance over the meadow and
listening to the distant call of a whip
pOOrwill Across the valley the village
lights were coming in sight one by
one, and faint odor OF new mown
hay came to him. The pathetic little
figure ut his side unnerved him. how
ever. and he dreaded to say what he
must.
well. sis" he said at last. 1--WE kept
matters from yon as long rs | can. We
not only owe Hobbs n good deal but
as much more in smaller bills to 9th.
erS. and there is no money to pay
them. I've worried about them more
than you know or than cared to have
You. One of two things must he done
either borrow money and pay these
bills or l must 80 away and earn
some"
Then the little head beside him sunk
slowly to his chair, and as he began
stroking il he added eve written to
Frank Mason. my old college chum
and through him have received n fail
offer TO 20 to Boston and have decided
to accept it. ! shall leave here as SCOT
as can get ready"
The trouble was growing serious
now. and as he ceased speaking he
caught the sound Of Il suppressed sob
'Don't cry, Alice he said tcHderly
ut cant be helped. our home must
ss we'll be now rs any other. The
thing that worries me most is leaving
you and Aunt Susan here alone"
Then the sobs Increased, and th'
bowed form beside him shook.
"Oh. BERTHE" she said ut last in {
rhoked voice, don't leave us here
flone. Let us sell the old house, pay
the bills. and if you must go away lie
us go too
no, dear, that is not best" he an
swcred softly. II can't earn enough
at first to do it. You will have to sta!
here till can
Then the proud spirit that had CONF
to Alice Page from many generation
Of self helpful ancestors spoke, an,
she said as she raised her head anC
brushed away the tears: "lf you are Il
leave me here shall go to work a
well. l can teach school or do some
thing to help You, and shall too
Her defiant little speech hurt Alder
just bit, and yet he felt proud OF he
for it. at may be best for you IL yol
could get chance TO teach he re
sponded, land it will help mo SOM
and take up your mind, which is wortl
n good deal"
But the worst was to come. and tn
evening before his departure she neve
forgot. There were some consolation