The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1909-03-10
Empty Pleasures
by Alva NJ. Paterson.

pigtails peep over; also that "the lit
tie girl belonging to them was very
restless. In fact, the sermon did not
interest ker-it was much better fun
to look at the new styles In ladies's
hats. Almost everybody had new
one. Let's see which one ] like
best" Her glance shifted from one
to the other, and then finally rested
on Miss Phelps. ''If ever | grow
big" she told herself, I'm going to
haze one like that. It's a beauty
lust see those"
There was a loud slap on the pull
pit and terrible climax of empty
pleasures" thun1ered through the
church causing Emmy to start in
her seat and lift her guilty eyes from
the hat to the minister. He looked
right at her. She dropped her eyes
and whispered nervously to herself;
ould he mean me? How did he
know J was looking at Miss Phelps
hat stead of listening to him?
I'VE will now receive the benedic-
ZION, said the minister. Emmy bent
hey cad but she did not hear the
lessing. One question was domi-
ant in her mind. Gould he have
Neant me?" But it wasn't empty.
'eally. 1t was lots of fun to look at
II me new hats-so it wasn't empty,
really This she repeated over and
,ver When papa stopped to shake
hands with the minister she darted
hrou-h the crowd and waited for
m at the door.
Mamma" she asked on the way
ONE, what does 'er,pty pleasures
ne.n?'
Ny dear, you're too young to un-
terstanL yet"
Emmy looked perpleXed. No soon
er had she entered the house than
she scampered to the library, pulled
)ut dictionary and mumbled:
+ -e-e, let me ee-em-e-m-p-
emptv-'containing nothing'-va-
cant-that's best. Now p. P-p-p-pl |
-a-p-l-e-pleasures-means en-
ioyment, full of gladness.' Well,
that means full Now, let's see
Vacant fulls, vacant fulls! oh, dear!
How can there be vacant fulls? Va
At gladness No! That won't do
either. Gladness can't be vacant
cause it's full" Her white brow
ruckered up. "I'll try again-let's
>ae-nothing enjoyments,, no! That
won't do either; not even the diction-
airy will tell me.
Mamma" she coaxed that even
ing, won't you tell me what empty
pleasures mean?"
when you're a little older, my
dear said mother; but Emmy was
not satisfied. She was almost ten;
she knew some things.
I'll ask teacher tomorrow" The
all-wise Miss Graham would certain
~ know
food morning, Emmy" said Miss
Graham. You're early this morn
Ing. Do you want anything dear?"
Gould you please tell me what
empty pleasures mean, Miss Gra-
ham?'
"Why, my lear child, what makes
you ..sl such question? 1t means
pleasure that is empty"
"Bu- pleasure isn't empty, Hiss
Graham.
NO, child, so tisn't. Let's see,
L s-my dear child. | don't believe
can give you a definition"
The week passed pleasantly; only
>aae or twice did Emmy think Of
sunday experience. Saturday came.
The whole day was hers. She would
lave hours o. fun up at High Rock.
Emmy tripped' down the gravel path
md p the white road until she came
o = high rock with moss-grown
.ides. Digging her toes in the crew
ces, she climbed to a little plateau.
Here she rested moment, Guess
n. 20 way up to-day. 1t isn't much
'arthor and cal pick flowers up
mere and watch the river below.
At last she reached the top but
vnc were those people? Was 1t the
y mister? "Oh, empty pleasures!
He'll see me and scold cause | look
I'd at Miss Phelps hat"
Emmy stood still. The minister's
oac. was toward her. Miss Phelps
stood beside him. She had her new
nat on, too.
I'D like to ask him about empty
pleasures, but just see how they
stand there holding each others
hands and saying nothing.
shouldn't think that was much fun
Jus+ then the minister picked up
:. daisy and handed it 20 Miss Phelps.
She smiled, then |, oked down the
river beneath.
This is a beautiful spot" said
TIE minister.
YES" said Miss Phelps.
Empty pleasures, thought I'm
my. Surely, this must be empty
pleasures Here they stand looking
at each other smiling once in
while, hardly ever speaking, yet
they seem to enjoy it They are
truly having pleasure; they are full
of gl"dLess Still they stand there,
empty like"
Evelyn" said the minister. turn
ing halfway round.
"Oh, he'll see me-" thought Emmy.
She climbed down thr rock, needless
of the wet moss, till she reached the
white road; then she scampered away
to tell mamma the
news.
"I've found 1t! I've found it," she
cried.