The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-05-22
, 0<0< <O<O>0 0<0<O>O>0>o q
A WILL AND A WAY. q
BY MRS. ETHEL THOMAS =
The Story of Girls Courage =

! "i"t')o NolltdlICu lllOllcS,
sure there was some mistake. AT
last, after turning it over and over
IN his hands and making gucsscs,
he happened to think that the only
way to find out was to open the
mysterious letter. Imagine his sur-
PRISE, IT you can, when he drew
from the envelope Boys loving
message and two tcn-dollar bills. He
eagerly read the letter, but in a
slow, puzzled manner. At last he
called loudly for Minnie, who re-
spondcd at once from corner Of
the room, where she had been
eagerly watching him.
i say. dear, read that, will We ?"
he exclaimed cxcitcdly, as he gave
her the letter. Il thought | could
read Boys writin purity well, but I
must ha' been mistaken. Read it
an tell me is it true. Did | read it
right? Has my darlin give up her
pleasure tri p for the sake o hclpin'
her poor old daddy. Tell me quick,
Ducky."
"Hcs, papa, it is true. She went
to the city with the avowcd inten-
ton Of finding work. She wouldn't
tell you, though. for fear you'd OBJ
jcct, replied Minnie. laughing, as
she finished reading. "Boy tried e.
cr SO hard TO get school, but--but
was too late, stammcrcd the girl,
remembering in time that she must
not bctray Mr.. Benson. "You'vc no
idea how Boy longcd to help you.
And I'm trying to help you here at
home. papa. Her voice trcmblcd
slightly. and the old man dropped
the money and gathered her into his
arms and wiped the tear away that
had started down her pretty check.
"I'lcSs YOU, bless you, my Min
ME! an YOU do help me" he said.
81 can't make SO much money as
Boy, papa, but | can make some
and save some. And now III tell
you a little secret. You needn't
look for Aunt Deb back. I'm your
cook. Mrs. Dclton and | can run
this shcbang without hired help, and
we will. And I intend to make
something on the chickens this fall,
too" chimcd Minnie, happily.
"Why, 'Minnic!' gaspcd her faith
cr, "you cook ?"
1t is truc," she laughed. Il have
cooked everything that has been on
the table this week. | wouldn't let
Mrs. Dclton help. And hasn't cv-
cry meal been we'll prcparcd:"
"\cs, asScntcd the aStoniShcd
father. "but. Minnie. it will be too
much for your little white hands"
examining them closely.
"P>haw they will soon Get used
TO it, '" returned Minnie. ".\nd now.
papa, ! think We are getting to the
root OF your failing health. and I
hope you'll soon see your way clear
again. and regain your health and
cheerful spirits. Never lear Tor the
safety OF the dear little farm. We,
your loving daughters, will help YOU
to redeem it. Are we not almost
good as boys now, papa" wistiullv.
Tears filled the old mans eyes as
he replied vchcmcntlv:
"t,od bless you. my little COM
fort wouldn't swap vcu and Boy
for every boy in the United States
You'll never hear me wish again
that one O YOU had been boy, new
cr. | had no idcc that YOU an Boy
knowcd my troubles. an | couldn't
tell yc. Oh, what lovin,' helpful
comforts you arc! And the old
man broke down completely. Min
ME gently discngagcd herself, kiss
ed him and slipped away. leaving
him alone. An hour later she heard
him singing, in low, unsteady
voice:
"praisc God from whom all bless
ings flow.
Praise him all creatures here below !;
Praise him above, We heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy
| Ghost"
What load had been taken from
the old mans heart! How hopeful
he now felt, where only a short time
before despair had been slowly cat
ing his life away. Ic now felt it
possible to save the dear home that
his loving wife had worked so hard
| tO Irj> hin, ,,,, f,r t1,o ,I. 1:..,