The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-11-17
advancement from the father she

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strong, failed in health. Then Sc
curity debt came upon him and swept
away his little all, and couple of
| years after Rosamond's birth they
were very poor indeed, and now there
was another little one in the cradle.
For her children's sake Edith swal-
lowed her pride and wrote her father
a touching letter, begging him to for
give her and help her in her sore
| distress The letter was returned
to her unopened.
| Then she set to work herself, TAX
ing in embroidery and plain sewing;
but all her efforts could not keep the
| gaunt wolf from the door.
She sat at her work now, thinking
over her troubles and waiting for
Rosamond's return.
/ 1t was not long before the little
creature came running in, but one
glance at her grieved little face told
her mother she had failed.
well, Rosie darling?" she said,
gently.
"Oh, mamma, he wouldn't let me
have it," sobbed the child. IT told
him about poor papa, and 1 begged
him, but he said no-the money must
CONS first"
well, love, it cant be helped"
sighed her mother. Il canf1nish the
| dress in an hour, and then we shall
get the money. Go and fan poor
papa now, and put cold strawberry
in his mouth when he wakes. Mamma
must sew"
Rosamond obeyed, taking her place
by hor fatEer's couch She famed
him into sound sleep, and then she
went TO the open window, and fell
to dreaming.
The afternoon sunshine slittered
on the little garden plot, with its
tufts OF plnlls and heart s-ease, and its
square bed of strawberries. Rosa
mond built her castles, and mean.
while her mother finished the party
dress, and arose to take it home.
"Tage good care OF papa, Rosie
she called, as she crossed the yard,
land watch baby"
''All right, mamma" answered
Rosamond. ..
The summer afternoon drOned away
and with the twilight her mother re-
turned Rosamond had tidied up the
sick room, and had made the tea a
ready for her fathers supper, beside
rocking her baby brother when he
awoke
We'll, mamma" she cried, joyfully.
Her poor mother fell into seat,
and burst into sobs
"Oh. Rosamond, the lady can't pay
me till next week. There is no hope
for us; poor papa must die"
Rosamond only nodded her curly
head, and a curious sparkle lit her
eye.
"Ill do it," she whispered, under
her breath.
Mr.. Trevor had a bad night, and
his wife got no sleep. consequently
she did not rise early the next morn
ing, but Rosamond was up with the
dawn
She put on her best dress, and her
chip hat, and stole downstairs, with
her little wicker basket in her hand.
Then she ran into the garden, and |
gathered the largest of the strawber-
ries. When she had filled her basket,
she made q little nosegay of her
heart'sease, and another Of pinks.
and put them on top Of the bright |
berries. Then she hung the little
basket on her arm, and dropping on
her knees upon the wet grass, she
looked up at the opal sky and
prayed.
"Oh. dear Lord, please help me to
sell my berries. to buy my poor, sick
papa some medicine" And never
doubling in her sweet, child's faith,
but God would hearken to her re
quest, she bounded to her feet and |
ran of in the direction of the village. !
TIL early market was just opened, |
and dozen or two countrywOmen |
were ranging stalls and along the |
sidewalk, with their produce in green
array before them. Little Rosamond |
looked about her for a minute, and |
then established herself in a corner,
and stood there like a picture, her |
hat pushed back, her cheeks flushed,
her golden curls in a tumble
Who'll buy my ripe Strawberries"
At last a gentleman paused, at
tracted by the sweet, bird-like voice.
Please. sir, would you buy my
berries?"
Baskets and all, and yourself in
the bargain"
"Not myself, but tho basket, sir, /
and the posies. and only fifty cents"
The gentleman drew out his purse.
II can't find it in my heart to re-
fuse such q mite Of a market-woman
~, l. 1t w NIInrn'c |