Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-31
DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE HIGHER
EDUCATION
BY Annie A. Curtis
"0H, DEAR BETTY! I thought
Oyou'd never come !"

81 know It, but couldn't get away
before. Got your ticket? That's good.
Here's mine"
The two girls hurriedly thrust their
tickets for inspection, and running out
of the station, scrambled aboard
southern bound train.
There, Peg We're here at last
said Betty as the train puffed its way
/. along Any one could have told at n
glance that they were sisters, although
Peggy's hair was several shades darker
than Betty's and her features were less
expressive. They were both fresh faced
girls and looked like girls still in their
teens, though they had for some time,
as Peggy put it, been "old enough to
vote" Truly they would like to vote
and freely denounced the conditions
that denied them this privilege. ''The
larger liberty and ''the higher educa
ton" were phrases frequently on their
lips, and they prided themselves on be-
ing graduates of one of the foremost
colleges in the country.
II declare" sighed Betty. cts moth
ing but drudge, drudge, drudge from
morning till night feel like going on
strike. l would if it wasn't for
/, mother"
Don't say word. It's just as bad
at our place. Times are too hard, posi-
/ tions too rare and teachers too many.
If things were different. with mummy
I'd be independent; but as it is, we
must make the best of it and be thank
full matters are not worse at home,
replied Peggy.
Poor mummy ~ sighed Betty with
knitted brows. II wish mother herself
was able to do something. ] wish it
had been the custom to go to college
in her day. If she had had the higher
education she could teach now. Not
that l want mother to work. Goodness
knows I am looking forward to the day
when l can make her comfortable and
happy. ] suppose the farm will have
to 60. We can't even pay the interest
on the mortgage with our earnings. 1t
will break poor mummy's heart. but |
don't see how it can be avoided.
"Nice way to commence ones vaca =
ton Good for tired nerves, isn't it,
said Peggy bitterly.
There now, Peggy. don't be cross.
We can be proud of our four years
spent at Smith," said Betty straightcn-
ing herself up. But Peggy was too dis
couraged to respond and leaned her
weary head back against the seat and
closed her eyes.
Good gracious" thought Betty.
"pcg actually looks old Dear me!
wonder if | do, too. Poor Peg Luck
doesn't seem to come her way and it
! makes her cross" But both of their
p fnces frightened as they ncared their
t iourney's end and before the train had
f halted they were standing near the
p door ready to descend.
"Look, Peg, there's Alice waiting for
@ us" 1t was not a long walk to the
$ house and there was dear mother wait
ing TO welcome them at the door. Not
, word was mentioned about hard times
= or anv reference to financial difficulties
I Alice, the youngest sister, girl OF
yuoot sixteen, sang gaily as she pre-
parcd the supper, and when they were
t seated the mothers face shone happily
and not a cloud was on her brow.
."They made our coming happy, said
| BETTY when they were going to bed
"Rut tomorrow we must make mother
| tell us all.
Yes, | suppose so, said Peggy,
| "but I'm tired to death of troubles. 1t
| makes me wild to see Alice growing up
| without n college education. It's hor-
| rible to think of her. being like mother
| without any resources.
| Come. Peggy, we cant make things
any better by wailing. Get into bed
! and YOU will feel better" said Betty
She turned out the light and in
moment they were both asleep.
q 1t seemed to Peggy as though she
had scarcely got to sleep when she was
y wakened by footsteps on the stairs
Betty. Betty! Wake up. There's
n burglars downstairs" Just then the
clock on the mantel shelf struck four.
: Betty was awake in an instant and they
: stole out into the hall.
"I'm going to wake mummy saic
h Peggy, rushing to her mothers room
8 But her mothers room was empty anc
the blankets were airing on two chairs
Y The girls looked at each other for 6
0 moment and then hurried downstairs
On reaching the kitchen they stopped
n quickly. Alice was fully dressed rak
It ing the fire. while her mother stood be
fore table piled high with shinin,
d bread tins and was separating snowy
it white dough into loaves.
. "Nummy!' cried the girls in on
a breath. Then mother told them how
r she and Alice had baked for Mr.. Jones
d the baker in a neighboring city, earn
It ing money to save the farm.
: "Oh. mother. mother" cried Peggy
throwing her arms around her mother
neck. II see it now. I see it now
isn't all book learning. There is
higher education than even Betty an,
| I have got. There is larger liberty
than I ever dreamed of, freedom
from ones own miserable limitation
and the best career in the world is tha
of true hearted mother"
The next complete novelette, 9TH
= Ghost of Ebeneezer Cushman."