The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-09-07
I distress. The letter was returned

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 camo 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. Il told
him about poor papa, and l begged
him, but he said no-the money must
come first
We'll, love, it can't be helped,
sighed her mother. Il canfinish the
dress in an hour, and then we shall
get the money. Go and fan poor
papa now, and put a cold strawberry
in his mouth when he wakes. Mamma
must sew"
Rosamond obeyed, taking her place
by her fathers couch. She famed
him into a sound sleep, and then she
went TO the open window, and fell
to dreaming.
The afternoon sunshine glittered
on the little garden plot, with its
tufts OF pinlls 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"
che oaIIad nc che cr0SSed the ward
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
ready for her fathers supper, beside
rocking her baby brother when he
awoke.
We'll, mamma" she cried, joyfully.
Her poor mother fell into a 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 diet
Rosamond only nodded her curly
| HGdu, anu CURIOUS Spdihie III AoA
| eye.
I'll 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 filed her basket,
she made little nosegay of her
hearts-ease, 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 off in the direction of the village.
TIL early market was just opened,
and a 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 minute, and
then established herself in corner,
and stood there like picture, her
hat pushed back, her cheeks flushed,
her golden curls in 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 the basket, sir,
and the posies, and only fifty cents. y
The gentleman drew out his purse.
Il can't find it in my heart to re-
fuse such mite of a market-womah
as you are" he said, kindly. Here's
| NO@~~NN
to pass that such baby as you are
at this occupation?"
Rosamond received the dollar with
dancing eyes.
''Oh, sir, how good you are! Thank
you hundred times. oh! my poor
papa can have his medicine now
You see, sir, he's very sick, my poor
papa is, and mamma hasn't one cent
and the druggist wouldn't let us have
the medicine. and mamma couldn't
get the money for the pretty dress
she made; and. oh! how she did cry
and-and-"
And you came here to sell your
berries?"
Yes, sir, that's it, and mamma
| doesn't know what l have done. Oh
but won't she be glad when she sees
this!"
She closed her pink fingers on the