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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Katie Robertson, by Margaret E. Winslow
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Katie Robertson
+       A Girls Story of Factory Life
+
+Author: Margaret E. Winslow
+
+Release Date: December 10, 2007 [EBook #23795]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KATIE ROBERTSON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+KATIE ROBERTSON
+
+A GIRLS STORY OF FACTORY LIFE
+
+By MARGARET E. WINSLOW
+Author of "Miss Malcolm's Ten," "Three Years at Glenwood," etc.
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1885,
+By Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+To the many boys and girls who are in early years earning an honorable
+support for themselves, or else assisting their parents by working in
+factories; to the multitudes of young church members, who may be glad of
+some practically helpful suggestions in surmounting the difficulties and
+resisting the temptations incident to their new lives; to mill-owners,
+who feel their solemn responsibility, as in the sight of God, for the
+intellectual and spiritual welfare of their operatives; and chiefly to
+the young Christian manufacturer who has been the model from which the
+picture of "Mr. James" has been copied,--this story, whose incidents are
+mostly true ones, is dedicated.
+
+That the Holy Spirit may make use of it to inculcate in young hearts a
+sense of honorable independence, a conviction of the dignity of
+faithfully performed work, and, above all, an earnest and irrevocable
+choice of God's blessed service and an entire committal of their ways to
+him, is the sincere prayer of
+
+                                                            THE AUTHOR.
+
+SAUGERTIES, July 1, 1885.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+KATIE ROBERTSON.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+A NEW DEPARTURE.
+
+
+"But, mother, it isn't as if I were going away from home, like the Lloyd
+girls; you might have a right to cry if that were the case."
+
+"I know, dear; it's all right, and I ought to be very thankful; but I'm
+a foolish woman. I can't bear to think of _my_ little girl, whom I have
+guarded so tenderly, going among all those girls and men, and fighting
+her way in life."
+
+"I don't think I shall be much of a fighter," laughed Katie, looking at
+her diminutive hands; "and why is it any worse to go among the boys and
+girls in the factory than among the boys and girls in school? You never
+minded that."
+
+"That was different--you weren't doing it for money. O me! what would I
+have thought when I married your father if any one had told me that his
+child, his _girl_ child, would ever have to earn her bread!"
+
+"Well, mother, I won't go," said the girl, her bright looks fading away,
+"if you don't want me to; but I don't know what Mr. Sanderson will
+think, he tried so hard to get me into the mill, and it was such a favor
+from Mr. Mountjoy. You _said_ you were very thankful."
+
+"So I was, so I am; but--but you don't understand, and perhaps it's
+better you should not. I'll try not to grumble."
+
+This was promising more than Mrs. Robertson was able to perform perhaps,
+for she was a chronic and inveterate grumbler. But she had some excuse
+in the present circumstances, for Katie was, as she said, her baby, and
+the "apple of her eye." Married when quite young to the handsome and
+intelligent young village doctor, she certainly had not expected ever to
+be placed in a position where her children, her girls at least, would
+need to earn their own bread. But in a few short years the doctor died
+of a contagious disease he had taken from one of his patients, and as he
+had not yet begun to accumulate anything, his young widow was left with
+her three children to struggle along as best she could. How she had done
+it God and herself only knew. The little house was her own, the sole
+patrimony left by her own father. The horse and buggy, the medical
+library and valuable professional instruments, medicines, etc., were
+sold at a fair valuation; and the money thus secured, deposited in the
+bank, had served as a last resource whenever the barrel of meal failed
+or the cruse of oil ran dry. For the rest, Mrs. Robertson was employed
+by her neighbors to help turn and put down carpets, cover furniture,
+etc. etc., light jobs requiring judgment and skill rather than strength,
+for which her friends, who never placed her in a menial capacity, gladly
+paid double the sum they would to any one else. She was also a capital
+nurse, and in this position rendered herself very valuable in many
+households, and for such services she was even more generously
+remunerated; so that somehow she managed to keep her head above water
+while her children were small, and feed, clothe, and send them to school
+as they grew older.
+
+Her children were, of course, the one source of consolation left to the
+poor widow, and many a long evening's work was both shortened and
+lightened by golden dreams of their future prosperity and success.
+
+When her eldest boy Eric was twelve, and when Alfred, the second child,
+was only ten, a friend made interest with Mr. Sanderson, superintendent
+of the bookbindery, auxiliary to the Squantown Paper Mills, to give the
+two boys steady employment, and since that time, four years ago, their
+earnings, small but certain, had greatly helped in the family expenses.
+Both were noble, manly fellows, with, as yet, no bad habits. They
+brought their mother all that they earned, and were quite content to
+pass their evenings with her and their little sister. Katie, who was now
+thirteen, had always attended the public school in the village, of
+course helping her mother with the housework and sewing. She was a
+delicate little creature, small for her years, but bright and
+intelligent, a general favorite with the village children as well as
+with her Sunday-school teacher, Miss Etta Mountjoy, who was not so
+very many years older than herself.
+
+Katie was a very lady-like looking girl, and did not seem fitted to do
+very hard work, nor to mix among rough people, but she was an
+independent little thing who knew very well how poor her mother was and
+how hard both she and her brothers had to work. She knew that her
+breakfasts, dinners, and suppers cost something, and that it took money
+to buy the good shoes and neat, whole dresses in which her mother always
+kept her dressed, and she resolved in her own wise little head to find
+some way of contributing to the family stock. It was some time before
+she saw her way clear to do this, but at last she took counsel of a
+school-fellow whose sister worked in the folding-room of the Squantown
+Paper Mills and found that even a young girl might earn considerable in
+this way. So, without telling any one at home of her plans, she, one
+evening, presented herself before Mr. Sanderson and requested to be
+taken into the bindery.
+
+"What can you do, little puss?" said this gentleman, quite surprised.
+"You look about large enough to play with dolls, like my Nina."
+
+"I'm almost fourteen," said Katie, drawing herself up to her full height
+and trying to look sedate. "I'm two years older than Nina; I'm as old as
+your Bertie, Mr. Sanderson, and I _must_ make some money."
+
+"Must you, indeed?" said he, beginning to be more interested. "Don't I
+know your face? Let me see. Why, it can't be--yes, it is Katie
+Robertson! How time flies! It seems to me only yesterday that your
+father died, and you were a baby; but Bertie was one, too, then, that's
+a fact. How time does fly, to be sure! So you want to get into the
+bindery where your brothers are, I suppose?" Katie nodded. "Well, now,"
+continued he, "it's most unfortunate, but there isn't a vacancy
+anywhere; we have five or six applicants now waiting for a chance. Why
+don't you try the mill?"
+
+"The mill!" said Katie, "the paper-mill? But I don't know any one there;
+how could I go and ask strangers?"
+
+"I think you're brave enough to ask any one," said Mr. Sanderson. "I
+suppose you'd find it hard, though, and perhaps no one would believe
+that you were old enough or strong enough to work. Your looks are
+against you, little one; and then, Mr. Mountjoy did not know your father
+as I did; he came here afterward. Let me see. Perhaps I might have some
+influence. Will you trust your case in my hands?" And, as the girl
+nodded, he continued: "Come here about this time to-morrow evening, and
+I will report progress. Perhaps I may have some good news for you, but
+don't be too sure. It isn't so easy to get into the mill either; there
+are always a great many applicants. You'll come?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Katie, and went away in a state of disappointed
+uncertainty. It was not quite so easy to earn money as she had supposed.
+
+The little girl looked very mysterious all teatime, and threw out
+several hints that quite mystified her brothers about Mr. Sanderson and
+the bindery. But no one guessed her secret, and the next afternoon, just
+as she was beginning to think of putting on her hat and running down to
+get her answer, who should come into the gate but Mr. Sanderson himself.
+
+Mrs. Robertson was greatly frightened when she saw him. She was one of
+those persons who always look on the dark side of things, and she feared
+her boys had got into trouble and would perhaps lose their situations.
+She trembled so that she could hardly put on the widow's cap, in which
+she always appeared before strangers (although it was now six years
+since the doctor had left her and gone home to heaven), and said to her
+daughter:--
+
+"That's always our luck! Just as soon as things seem to be going
+straight with us, some terrible misfortune is sure to happen; we're the
+most unfortunate family in the world."
+
+The poor lady forgot that, with the one exception of her husband's
+death, her life had been one of unmingled, as well as undeserved,
+happiness; and even in that loss her three children had been spared to
+her, friends had been raised up to help her, and there had never been a
+day when she and her children had not had enough plain food to eat and
+plain clothes to wear. It is thus that we are all apt to dishonor God by
+dwelling upon the one thing which in his providence he has seen fit to
+take away, and forgetting to thank him for all the many other blessings
+he has given us.
+
+But Katie was full of expectation and suppressed delight. She was the
+opposite of her mother, and always expected good news, and she felt sure
+that Mr. Sanderson would not have taken the trouble to come himself,
+except to tell her that he had secured a place for her. Her eyes danced
+as she let him in, and she looked inquiringly in his face. But he said
+nothing, except:--
+
+"Good-evening, Katie. I would like to see your mother a few moments." So
+she ushered him into the "front room," so seldom used, and went to
+summon her mother, waiting outside the door till she should herself be
+called in to the consultation.
+
+When Mr. Sanderson told Mrs. Robertson that he had called to say that he
+had been successful in his application to Mr. Mountjoy, who had agreed
+to take Katie into the "rag-room" of the paper-mill, in consideration of
+his interest in her mother, she was completely taken by surprise and
+inclined to be offended with both gentlemen for their interference, as
+she thought it, with her business; but when she heard that the
+application came from the child herself, while greatly surprised, she
+could not but feel grateful to them for their trouble, and expressed
+herself so, while she nevertheless decidedly declined to allow Katie to
+accept the position, saying she was altogether too young and too
+delicate, and that she would not have her daughter disgraced by working
+for her living.
+
+"For the matter of that," said Mr. Sanderson, "I shall be glad to have
+my Bertie take the place if you don't want it for Katie. I have a large
+family to bring up, and I want my girls and boys both to be independent.
+I hadn't thought of it for Bertie quite yet, but your Katie reminded me
+last night of how old she is; and I see she is none too young to begin."
+
+This put a little different face on the matter, for Mrs. Sanderson and
+Mrs. Robertson had been intimate friends when girls, in precisely the
+same rank in life, although one had married a doctor and the other the
+overseer of the bookbindery. Moreover, Mr. Sanderson was known to be
+very well off and quite able--had he judged it best--to bring up his
+girls in idleness, as useless fine ladies. Perhaps it would not be such
+a disgrace, after all, and they did sorely need the money. Katie was not
+dressed as her father's child should be, and toil as she might, even
+with the boys' wages the widow could not make more than sufficed to keep
+up the little home. Then, too, her child would have to do something for
+herself when she grew up; she would have no one to look to but herself,
+and though teaching would be perhaps a more genteel way of support, it
+was a very laborious one, and would make it necessary to go away from
+home, as the Lloyd girls were going to do, and to remain away for
+several years, first at some higher institution of learning and then at
+the Normal School, and where would the money come from to pay the
+tuition fees, traveling expenses, and board bills?
+
+All this passed through Mrs. Robertson's mind as Mr. Sanderson reasoned
+with her and showed her the foolishness of her objections, and finally
+the impatient Katie was called in, and informed that she might "try it
+for a while"; and then the visitor was thanked for his trouble, and
+took his leave.
+
+This all happened a week ago. The intervening time had been spent in
+putting Katie's simple wardrobe in order and in making home arrangements
+by which Mrs. Robertson would not miss her daughter more than she could
+help, in those various little services which she had been wont to
+render. The last day had now come; to-morrow the new life was to begin,
+and Katie was clearing up the breakfast things for the last time when
+the conversation with which our story commences took place.
+
+"I wish it was not in the rag-room," said Mrs. Robertson, by-and-by,
+when Katie, having finished her dishes and swept up the room, drew her
+seat to her mother's side and took up her work--the ruffle of the last
+of the six mob-caps she was to wear at her work.
+
+"Why?" said her daughter, to whom the factory was just now a sort of
+enchanted palace, any one of whose rooms was delightful to contemplate.
+
+"It's such a low, dirty place, I'm told, and there's so many common
+women and girls there."
+
+"Well, I needn't talk to them, I suppose. I needn't be common, at any
+rate, and I can't get dirty in those great long-sleeved aprons and these
+nice little caps. You don't know how smart I'm going to be, and won't
+you be proud of your big girl when she brings home her first
+three-dollar bill, all earned in one week? Eric will see that a girl's
+worth something, after all, and Alfred sha'n't make fun of me any more."
+
+Mrs. Robertson did not say anything else just now; she did not like to
+be always checking the exuberance of her child's spirits with the dull
+forebodings of her own, but she could not see the paper-mill through the
+same halo that invested it in Katie's eyes. She knew there were snares
+and temptations, besides disagreeable and hard work to be met and
+encountered there, and she feared that the child's future disappointment
+would be proportioned to the brightness of her present hopes. Still, as
+the matter was determined upon, she knew it was right to make the best
+of it, and she tried to talk pleasantly and at least seem to sympathize
+with her daughter's enthusiasm.
+
+So passed the day, and at night when the boys came home they were
+called upon to listen for the hundredth time to all the rose-colored
+plans, and were pressed to declare that there could be nothing in the
+world more delightful than working in a factory.
+
+But the boys could not see it in that light any more than their mother.
+They were as content to work as are most men and boys who seem to take
+it for granted that it is in the course of nature for them to earn their
+bread by the sweat of their brow, but they had been at it long enough to
+have lost the sense of novelty and to understand that it was work and
+not play which their sister was undertaking.
+
+"Won't you be sick of it!" said Alfred, in answer to one of Katie's
+outbursts, "and long, when Saturday comes, to go out nutting with the
+girls, or off on a hay-ride, or something! You'll wish you were free
+before you've been a slave many months, or I'm no prophet."
+
+"Well, she shall be free if she wants to," said Eric, kindly. "Our only
+little sister sha'n't work if she don't want to; we can take care of
+her, Alfred, can't we?"
+
+"But I do want to work," said Katie; "I know I sha'n't get tired, or if
+I do get tired of the work, I sha'n't of getting the money; for, boys, I
+mean to be a rich, independent woman, and help take care of mother. You
+needn't suppose that I'm going to be dependent upon you."
+
+"All right, young lady," said Alfred, "only I think you'll sing a
+different tune before many months are over."
+
+"The tune you ought to sing just now, children," said Mrs. Robertson,
+"is 'Good-night.' You all have to go to work very early, and Katie is
+not used to it. Good-night, darling, and don't forget to ask God to
+bless you and shield you in your new undertaking."
+
+"I asked him that night to make Mr. Mountjoy listen to Mr. Sanderson and
+give me the place," said Katie, with a rising color; "don't you think he
+heard me and answered my prayer? It seems as though he had just made it
+all straight and plain. I feel just like thanking him to-night; and,
+mother, don't you worry so much. Don't you think Jesus is strong enough
+to take care of me anywhere if I ask him to?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," said the mother, almost ashamed of her forebodings, and
+rebuked, as she had many a time been, by the bright, hopeful faith of
+her child. Surely when she looked at the bright, happy, healthy faces of
+her children, she too had ample cause for thankfulness, and for
+continued trust in the divine love which had carried her safely through
+so many emergencies and had promised never to leave or forsake her or
+hers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ENTERING.
+
+
+"Hallo, Katie, wake up, wake up!" and Eric rattled the knob of his
+sister's door. But he was compelled to do so many times before he heard
+a sleepy "What's the matter?"
+
+"Matter? Why, it's high time you were up if you mean to get to the
+factory this morning."
+
+"It's the middle of the night," said Katie, yawning.
+
+"Indeed, it is not. It's after five o'clock, and work begins at
+half-past six. You haven't a moment to spare if you want to dress
+yourself, get your breakfast, and get to the mill in time; it's farther
+off than the bindery. Come, be a brave girl, and jump up quickly."
+
+Thus adjured, the little girl jumped out of bed--but how cold and dark
+it was! although Eric had left the lamp in the hall outside. One of
+Katie's failings--not an uncommon one among girls and boys--was a great
+dislike to getting up early in the morning, and her mother had always
+humored her in the matter, getting up herself and giving the boys their
+breakfast early, and then waking her little girl just in time to eat her
+own and get to school at nine o'clock. Even then it was sometimes a
+difficult task.
+
+The young work-woman had not included the necessity of getting up so
+very early in the morning as one of the many anticipated delights of her
+new position. This first taste of it seemed, on the contrary, quite a
+hardship. Still, when she was once out of bed, there was a certain
+romance in dressing by lamplight, and she knelt down by her bedside to
+offer her morning prayer, with a strange feeling of mingled awe and
+thankfulness.
+
+Katie Robertson was a Christian girl, and was really desirous to please
+the blessed Saviour who had done so much for her. She could not remember
+the time when she did not love him; but for the last few years, since
+she had grown older and begun to understand things better, she had felt
+a longing desire to be like him and to please him in her life and
+actions. She found time to open her little Bible this morning and read
+one or two verses by the light of the lamp. They were these:--
+
+"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths";
+"Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or _whatsoever_ ye do, do all to
+the glory of God," and "I can do all things through Christ who
+strengthens me."
+
+And then she prayed earnestly that she might in these "ways" upon which
+she was entering always "acknowledge" God, be faithful to her work, do
+it "to the glory of God," and have the strength which the Lord Jesus
+Christ has promised to give to those who ask him, to resist temptation
+and stand up for truth and righteousness in the new life which lay
+before her. She prayed, also, that her heavenly Father would give her
+some work to do for him among her companions in the mill, and then she
+went downstairs.
+
+Breakfast was all ready, and it seemed quite funny to eat it by
+lamplight; but by the time it was over it was pretty light outside, and
+when, warmly wrapped up, Katie left the house with her brothers there
+was a rosy flush over the snow which sparkled and glistened, and the
+young factory-girl set out in high spirits for her first day's work.
+The boys escorted her as far as the great gates, where a good many other
+girls and boys were waiting among a crowd of men and women, and then ran
+back to be in time at the bindery, which was a little nearer home.
+
+It was rather cold waiting outside, and, if the truth must be told, our
+little girl felt just a trifle homesick among so many strangers, for as
+yet she had not seen a familiar face, and something seemed to rise in
+her throat that she found hard to swallow; but just as she felt that she
+_must_ have a good cry, and at the same time resolved that she wouldn't,
+the great steam-whistle shrieked, the bell in the tower rang, the gates
+opened from the inside, the gathered crowd rushed in, and all along the
+road might be seen flying figures of men, women, boys, and girls,
+hurrying to be in their places at the commencement of work and thus
+avoid the fine imposed upon stragglers. There was a pause of a few
+moments in the paved inside court while the inner doors of the great
+brick building were opened, and then the incoming crowd entering in
+various directions, scattered among the different corridors and left the
+"new girl" standing alone and bewildered at the entrance.
+
+In front of her stretched a long, narrow hall, clean and fresh
+(Squantown Paper Mills were new and built after the most approved
+models), with doors opening from it at intervals on both sides. Some of
+these doors were open and some were shut; into some the work-people were
+constantly disappearing, as though the doors were mouths that opened
+suddenly and swallowed them up, and into some of the open ones Katie
+peeped timidly and turned back disconsolately as she discovered that
+they only afforded entrance to similar corridors, pierced by similar
+rows of doors.
+
+At length the last straggler had entered, gone his way, and disappeared,
+and dead silence reigned. Katie felt as though she were alone in the
+universe, and almost wondered if she were to be left there forever, when
+a short, sharp, deafening whistle echoed through the hall, and at the
+same instant the great building vibrated from top to bottom, the roar of
+machinery swallowed up the silence, and the day's work began.
+
+Immediately afterward a side door, close to where our little girl was
+standing, opened, and out of it came the foreman of the mill, who had
+been up to this moment in the office, receiving his orders for the day.
+
+"Hallo, you!" he said crossly, seeing a girl standing idle in the hall;
+"why don't you go about your business? Go to work if you belong here; go
+home if you don't! No idlers or beggars allowed here, so close to the
+office door, too. Come, run away quickly."
+
+"If you please, Mr. Thornton, I've come to work in the mill, in the
+rag-room, but I don't know which way to go."
+
+"Oh!" said the foreman, "you're a new hand, eh? Rather a small one. It
+seems to me Mr. Mountjoy will end by having a nursery rather than a
+mill, but he knows his own business best, I suppose. New hands are not
+in my department, however. Mr. James," he called, reopening the office
+door and putting his head in again, "here's some work for you."
+
+The "new hand" expected now to have an interview with the awful Mr.
+Mountjoy, Miss Etta's father, of whom she had heard so much, but had
+never yet seen, and began to tremble a little in anticipation. But,
+instead, a rosy-faced, light-haired young man appeared, to whom the
+foreman made a slight bow, and then went away. This was Mr. James
+Mountjoy, Miss Etta's brother, and the only son of the proprietor of the
+mill. Katie had heard her brothers, who were in his Sunday-school class,
+talk about him, but had never seen him before.
+
+"Your name, little girl," he said pleasantly, as he ushered her into the
+office.
+
+"Katie Robertson, sir. Mr. Sanderson"--
+
+"Oh, I know; Mr. Sanderson recommended you to my father. You look almost
+too small to work. Can you do anything?"
+
+"I can cook, and wash dishes, and help mother, and sew; I was in the
+first class at school"--
+
+"That is not any of it precisely the kind of work we do here," said the
+young gentleman, pleasantly; "but no doubt you are a quick little girl,
+and if you are used to doing some kinds of work others will not come so
+hard to you. But you must understand in the beginning that work in a
+factory is work, not play; work that cannot be laid aside when one is
+tired of it, or when one wants to go on an excursion or to do something
+else. It is work, too, for which you are to be paid, and it would be
+dishonesty not to do it faithfully as in the sight of God. Our rules are
+no stricter than they must be for the best good of the work and the
+comfort and protection of all, but we _expect_ them to be obeyed. You
+will remember that. There must be no playing or whispering in work
+hours, and you must always be on time. We want all our work-people to be
+happy, and I am sure that the best kind of happiness comes from fidelity
+to duty. Can you be a _faithful_ little girl?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Katie, with a slight blush, though she did not feel at
+all afraid of him; "I am trying to please God everywhere, and I am sure
+he will help me to do so here."
+
+"I am glad to hear you say that," said the young man, with a smile. "If
+every man, woman, and child in this factory were really trusting in God
+and trying to please him, we wouldn't need so many rules and the work
+would not be so hard. One thing more: I believe you are to be in the
+rag-room; that is a dirty place, in spite of all our efforts to keep it
+clean and well ventilated; you won't find it very pleasant there always,
+but perhaps you can learn to _endure_ for Christ's and duty's sake; and
+every one has to begin at the bottom, you know, who means to climb to
+the top of the ladder."
+
+During the latter part of this talk the gentleman and the child had been
+ascending flight after flight of broad, open staircases, as well as
+several narrow, spiral ones, crossing machinery-rooms, where great arms
+and wheels and screws, in constant motion, made the little girl shudder,
+and threading narrow passages and outside balconies, where the broad
+raceway foamed and roared fifty or sixty feet beneath them. Katie had
+never been inside of the great paper-mill before, though she had always
+admired its fine proportions and handsome architecture from the outside.
+She was surprised now to see how really beautiful everything was. The
+floors were laid in wood of two contrasting colors; the balusters were
+of solid black walnut; there were rows and rows of clear glass windows
+in the rooms and corridors, while the machinery was either of shining
+steel or polished brass. In some of the rooms were girls tending the
+ruling and cutting and folding machines, and occasionally one would nod
+to Katie, but no one spoke except where the work rendered it necessary.
+
+At last the room next to the top of the vast building was reached, and
+there Mr. James opened a door and ushered Katie into a room which
+extended the whole length of one side of the building. The windows, of
+which there were fifteen, were wide open, but for all that the air was
+so thick with dust that at first Katie drew back with a sense of
+suffocation.
+
+"I told you it would not be pleasant," said Mr. James, "but this is your
+appointed place. Be a brave girl, and when you are used to it it won't
+seem so bad."
+
+The sense of suffocation was caused by the particles of dust with which
+the air was heavily laden, and which flew from the piles of rags which
+over fifty girls were busily engaged in sorting, putting the
+dark-colored ones by themselves, the medium-colored by themselves, and
+the white ones--or those that had been white--into large boxes. As soon
+as these boxes were filled they were placed on wheelbarrows and emptied
+into long slides by men who waited for them and returned the boxes. Mr.
+James explained to his young companion that these slides emptied their
+contents into great vats in the room below, where after lying some days
+in a certain purifying solution they were boiled with soda to loosen the
+dirt, thoroughly washed by machinery, and passed into great copper
+kettles, where they were boiled to a pulp and ground at the same time,
+horizontal grindstones reducing them to the finest powder. He also
+showed her that the dust was rendered much less hurtful than it would
+otherwise have been by a great fan kept constantly at work on one side
+of the room, which drove it out of the windows in front of the girls,
+who were thus not compelled to breathe it unless they turned directly
+around facing the blast, as Katie had done on entering the room. He then
+put her under the care of a pleasant-faced woman, whose duty it was to
+oversee the little girls, saw that she had a comfortable seat, shook
+hands with her, and went away.
+
+Mr. James was by no means called upon to be so polite to a "new hand";
+most employers would have told the child which way to go and then left
+her to shift for herself, or at best have sent a man or boy to show her
+the way. Perhaps he would have done so with some girls, but he saw that
+the child was timid and homesick, and knew that a few kind words would
+go a great way toward making her feel at home and happy, and would serve
+as an offset against the disagreeable first impressions of the rag-room,
+and the weariness of regular work undertaken for the first time.
+
+Why should he care to have one of his factory girls "feel at home and
+happy"? some one will say; his relations with them are only those of
+business: so much work for so much money; it was nothing to him what
+they thought or felt. Mr. James Mountjoy did not feel so. He thought
+that his father and he were placed in this responsible position and
+given the care of several hundred human souls expressly that some good
+work might be done for them. He felt that human beings are more
+precious than machinery, and that happiness is an important factor in
+goodness. He looked upon his work-people as those for whom he must give
+account, and tried to act in all his dealings with them "to the glory of
+God." Had he been actuated by the purest selfishness and the most
+approved business principles, he could not have chosen a wiser course;
+for men and women treated as friends become almost of necessity
+friendly, and seeing their own interests cared for were all the more
+likely to care for those of their employer. Katie Robertson certainly
+never forgot Mr. James's judicious kindness on the morning of her
+entrance into the mill; he was to her the kindest, sweetest, and most
+lovable of gentlemen. She felt ready to do anything he should tell her
+and to keep every rule he might make. Then, too, he was a Christian, and
+understood all about what she meant when she had said God would help
+her; surely it must be very easy to be good and resist temptation in a
+place with such a master, and she felt like thanking God that, in spite
+of the suffocating dust, "the lines had fallen to her in such very
+pleasant places."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE FIRST DAY.
+
+
+Left to herself Katie looked timidly round. It is always an ordeal to
+meet so many strangers for the first time, and our little friend was
+beginning to feel quite forlorn, when Miss Peters, the superintendent of
+the rag-room, came to her and began to show her about the work to be
+done; how, besides the rags being sorted, the buttons were to be taken
+off and the larger pieces cut into small ones by pulling them
+dexterously along and between two great sharp knives set on end for the
+purpose. Katie had already covered her clean dress with the long-sleeved
+blue apron and her hair with the little mob-cap her mother had provided,
+and at once commenced her work, not at all seeing or noticing the
+scornful looks that passed between some of the girls whose ragged finery
+and dirty hair-ribbons full of dust and "_flue_" presented a lively
+contrast to her own neat and suitable equipment. We may observe, in
+passing, that before long this simple method of protection so commended
+itself to some of the more sensible girls and their parents that many of
+them adopted it and mob-caps and overalls became quite the fashion in
+the mill.
+
+Katie was a smart little girl and could work very quickly when she set
+about it; of course to-day she was anxious to show how much she could
+do, and her piles and boxes were fuller than those of any girls near her
+by the time of the warning whistle, which indicated that in half an hour
+the dinner-bell would sound. Then there was a bustle in the room. The
+piles were taken away in long and deep barrows which men wheeled into
+the room, the boxes were carried off, emptied into the vats, and brought
+back again; some of the girls swept the floor and tables by which they
+stood; talking was permitted in this half-hour, and such a Babel as the
+tongues of forty or fifty girls suddenly unloosed can make may be better
+imagined than described. The "new hand" took advantage of the interval
+to divest herself of her cap and apron, and putting on her hat, after
+washing her hands in one of the row of basins provided for the purpose,
+appeared as neat and nice for her homeward walk as she had done in the
+morning when she came.
+
+Such was not the case with most of the girls, whose fluffy, disordered
+appearance as they issued from the rag-room was proverbial.
+
+At precisely twelve o'clock the great bells began to clang and the
+steam-whistle to shriek, and the long corridors and stairs echoed to the
+tramp of many feet as the hundreds of men, women, boys, and girls rushed
+down and out, and scattered in every direction toward the many homes
+where dinner was awaiting them.
+
+Eric and Alfred met their sister just outside of the door, and the three
+were soon at home, Katie talking so much and so fast all the way, that
+her brothers, as they said, "could hardly get in a word edgewise." Many
+of the mill operatives carried their dinner with them and spent the noon
+hour in gossip with each other, but Mrs. Robertson was careful both of
+the bodies and souls of her children. She knew that the former would be
+much more vigorous if every day they had a warm, comfortable, if
+frugal, meal at noontide, and thought that the latter would be kept pure
+and unsullied much longer if not exposed to the kind of talk apt to pass
+between idle men and women of all grades and associations in society. So
+ever since they first went into the bindery, the boys had regularly come
+home to dinner, and were much the better, not only for it, but also for
+the quick walk in the open fresh air.
+
+Poor Mrs. Robertson had passed a lonely morning. She was used to being
+alone while her daughter was at school, but that was different; she had
+conjured up all sorts of dangers and disagreeables that the girl might
+have to encounter, and she rather expected to see her brought in on a
+board bruised and maimed from some part of the machinery into which she
+had fallen or been entangled. But when Katie came rushing in like a
+whirlwind, in high spirits, with glowing cheeks and a splendid appetite,
+which yet she could scarcely take time to gratify, so full was she of
+enthusiastic talk concerning the beauty and grandeur of the mill and the
+kindness of Mr. James, her mother felt rather ashamed of her
+forebodings.
+
+Never had a dinner tasted so nicely; never had the little girl, to her
+remembrance, eaten so much. She was in such a hurry to be off again, so
+as not to be late, that the boys declared she would not give them any
+time to eat at all, and again predicted that in a month's time things
+would not be so rose-colored.
+
+In the afternoon a surprise awaited the little factory-girl. Hardly had
+work recommenced as the silence of voices and the noise of machinery
+followed upon the long steam-whistle, than Mr. James again appeared,
+followed by another "new hand." She was a tall, stout girl; in reality
+just about Katie's age, but looking several years older, dressed in a
+light-blue cashmere, considerably soiled and frayed. Her hair, which was
+"banged" low over her forehead, was braided in a long tail behind, and
+tied with a bunch of tumbled red ribbons, and around her neck was a
+chain and locket intended to resemble gold. The girls all looked at her
+inappropriate costume, most of them with envy and admiration, a few with
+pity for a girl who knew no better than to come to factory work in so
+very unsuitable a dress, and Katie looked up in some surprise to find
+that the new comer, who had been placed next to her, was her old school
+companion, Bertie Sanderson.
+
+Miss Peters came forward pleasantly, showed the new girl how to do her
+work just as she had showed Katie in the morning, and glancing at her
+dress, suggested that another time a similar protection to that of her
+companion would be advisable, and then left her to herself.
+
+Scarcely was her back turned than Bertie, looking round the room with
+great disgust, turned to Katie and said:--
+
+"Isn't it hateful? Just think of _us_ made to work among factory-girls.
+I don't see what my father could have been thinking of!"
+
+Katie made no answer, but pointed to Miss Peters, and then to the rule
+for silence which was hung up conspicuously on the wall.
+
+"Nonsense!" said Bertie, "that don't mean me. I'm daughter of Mr
+Sanderson, the overseer of the bindery, don't you know? It's kind of
+funny that I should be in the rag-room among all the common girls,
+anyhow; but father said I'd got to begin work, and he guessed what
+wouldn't hurt you wouldn't hurt me. But for the thought that you were
+here I wouldn't have come at all, no matter what pa said. Ma don't think
+it genteel. I don't see what made you come; don't you think it's
+disgusting?"
+
+"No," said Katie, "I wanted to come, and I think the factory is
+magnificent; besides, I want the money."
+
+"So do I," said the other, "and pa said I should have all I earn till
+there's enough to get a silk dress. I do want a silk dress so, don't
+you?"
+
+"No," said Katie, "I don't care;" but at this moment Miss Peters came
+toward them, saying,--
+
+"No talking, girls; you are new hands, or I should have to fine you;
+every time a girl speaks it's a penny off of her day's wages, but I'll
+let you off this time. Bertie, you haven't done a thing yet."
+
+Katie blushed, for though she had not stopped work a single moment, she
+had been tempted by her companion into breaking the rules; but Bertie
+looked up insolently at the superintendent as she slowly took up some
+of the rags, and muttered in a low tone, which was heard by most of her
+neighbors:--
+
+"Who's going to mind you? You're only a servant-girl, anyway;" for Miss
+Peters had, in her early life, "lived out."
+
+Whether Miss Peters heard or not Katie could not be sure, but she
+thought she saw a heightened color in the young woman's face, and was
+just going to ask her companion how she could be guilty of such
+rudeness, when she remembered the rule in time, checked herself, and put
+her finger significantly on her lips.
+
+As to Bertie, she stared round the room, working a little now and then,
+and talking aloud to herself as she could get no one to talk to her.
+Miss Peters was very indignant; but thought it best to take no notice
+just yet; for, as the girl had said, she was Mr. Sanderson's daughter,
+and she did not know just how far it would do to enforce rules in her
+case.
+
+The girls in the rag-room were dismissed at five o'clock, so, as the
+bindery did not close till six, Katie did not have the company of her
+brothers on her homeward walk, Bertie taking their place, and talking
+all the way about the indignity of working in a factory and the hardship
+of having to work at all. She told about her cousins in the city, who
+were quite fine ladies, according to Bertie's account, doing nothing but
+play on the piano and do fancy-work. They were coming with their mother
+to make a visit in the summer, and how ashamed she should be to appear
+before them in the character of a paper-mill girl. The girl talked about
+her father in anything but a respectful manner, but seemed to find
+comfort in the thought of her silk dress. She had never had one yet, and
+it had long been the goal of her ambition. What color did Katie think
+would be becoming to her? How would she have it made? how trimmed?
+
+"I'll tell you what, Katie," she said, "let's take our money when we get
+it and get silks exactly alike; then we can wear them to Sunday-school
+together, and the other girls will see that it isn't so mean to be
+factory-girls after all. Even Miss Mountjoy herself can wear nothing
+finer than silk, if she does always look so stuck up."
+
+But Katie failed to be infected with a desire for a silk dress. She had
+never worn anything but the plainest and poorest clothes, though they
+had always been whole, clean, and neatly made; her temptations did not
+lie in that line. She had insisted on beginning to work in order to help
+her mother support the family, and to make it a little easier for them
+all to get along. She admired pretty things, of course, as all girls do,
+but she had an intuitive feeling that Sunday-school was not the place in
+which to show off fine clothes. Bertie's chatter did not please her, and
+though they were old friends, or rather companions, having been to both
+school and Sunday-school together for some years, she was glad when they
+parted at the corner house, which had once been the doctor's, and she
+could go home to her mother.
+
+For the little girl was tired by this time; she had got up much earlier
+than usual and had been on her feet all day, and besides the reaction of
+so much excitement, even though it had been of a pleasurable nature, was
+calculated to produce depression. Her mother was out when she got home,
+and there was nobody to welcome her but the gray cat, which did so,
+however, with the loudest of purrings, and the lounge in the warm room
+looked so comfortable that the tired little worker took pussy in her
+arms, lay down there, and began to think. She was not quite satisfied
+with her "first day." The factory was quite as nice as she had expected,
+and Mr. James was nicer; but had she remembered "in _all_ her ways to
+acknowledge God" and "to do all to his glory"? She was afraid not; she
+had broken the rules once, and had listened to Bertie's chatter, while a
+desire had arisen in her heart, not for a silk dress, but for plenty of
+money, for a fine home, for a piano, and all the things that some girls
+had, and she had been tempted to think it hard that some people should
+have so much and some so little. Was God quite just to let it be so?
+
+But, as she lay upon the lounge, rested by its soft cushions, warmed by
+the fire, and soothed by the purring of the cat, she began to be ashamed
+of such thoughts. How many comforts, how much happiness God had given
+her! A nice home, a loving mother, plenty to eat and wear, and health
+and strength to earn enough to make them all so much more comfortable.
+She knew that all good things come from God, and if he had not put it
+into the heart of Mr. Sanderson to speak to Mr. Mountjoy for her, she
+could not have got the situation in the mill. The forty cents she had
+earned to-day was directly God's gift, and so would be all the money
+that ever came to her in the future. She ought to be a very thankful
+little girl, and she was quite ashamed of her questionings. So she
+dropped down upon her knees by the lounge, and asked God to forgive her
+for the sake of Jesus, and lying down again soon fell fast asleep.
+
+When she awoke it was dark; the boys had come home; her mother had come
+in so quietly as not to awaken her daughter, tea was quite ready, and it
+was a very pleasant scene that her eyes, now entirely rested, opened
+upon, and a very happy, thankful little girl came to the table to eat
+the nice supper which awaited her.
+
+After tea she and her brothers played games for some time; then Mrs.
+Robertson took her mending-basket, which was always very full, and Katie
+got her thimble and helped, while Eric read aloud from a book of
+"Stories from History." And so closed the first day of Katie Robertson's
+"factory life."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
+
+
+Miss Etta Mountjoy was a young lady of the period. She was the youngest
+of Mr. Mountjoy's children, and the baby and pet of all. Her mother died
+when she was about five years old, and since then she had always done
+exactly as she pleased; her father would not control her, and her eldest
+sister, who took charge of the family in her mother's place, could not.
+It was well that the girl had no evil tendencies and was, upon the
+whole, well-principled, warm-hearted, and good-natured, or she might have
+gone very grievously astray. As it was, she was now at seventeen a
+bright butterfly, flitting from one to another of the flowers of life,
+and sipping as much honey as she could from each. She was fond of all
+sorts of bright, pretty things, handsome clothes and jewelry included.
+She liked to sing and she liked to dance, to go to parties when there
+were any, and to attend concerts and theatres when she went to town; in
+a word, she was fond of "having a good time," as Americans express it,
+whenever and wherever she could get a chance.
+
+Nor did Miss Etta mind work. She was a girl of energy, who would
+willingly walk miles to attend a picnic or climb a mountain, and she did
+not hesitate to work for hours on a trimming for her dress, or even some
+more useful piece of sewing. She was always having _furores_ for
+something; at one time it was gardening, when she coaxed her father to
+have a good-sized piece of ground dug up and laid out for her, and
+actually raised, not flowers, as one would expect, but quite respectable
+vegetables, hoeing the beans, corn, and cabbages herself, and weeding
+out the cucumbers, lettuce, and radishes with persistent fidelity.
+
+At another time she had a poultry-mania, and a chicken-house with the
+most approved nests, warming-apparatus, etc., was constructed for the
+little lady, and here she daily set the hens, fed the chickens, and
+collected the eggs, selling them to her father at exorbitant prices.
+Again, cooking absorbed her time and gave occupation to her energies;
+and the family were treated to strange compounds of her concocting,
+while the old servant who reigned supreme in the kitchen was in the
+depths of despair at the number of dishes and pans she was called upon
+to clear up, the waste and breakage that went on, and the general
+disorganization of her lifelong arrangements.
+
+Happily, or unhappily, these moods never were of long duration. The
+reading-mania lasted just long enough for a handsome bookcase to be
+stocked with histories, biographies, etc.; a few volumes of poems were
+dipped into, several novels read, and a big history attacked, when the
+mood changed into a passion for skating, and the remainder of the winter
+was consumed in preparing a fancy costume, getting the most approved
+club-skates, and learning to keep upright upon them; but by the time so
+much was accomplished, the ice broke up and Miss Etta was obliged to
+find some other occupation. Art came next in the list of the girl's
+absorbing avocations. A studio was fitted up, canvas stretched upon
+easels, pencils sharpened, and quite a creditable beginning made upon
+some pictures which showed considerable native taste and ability.
+
+Just now Sunday-school teaching had taken the place of all other things,
+and Etta Mountjoy devoted the energies of her many-sided nature to her
+class. There had been more than one person opposed to entrusting so
+sacred a work to so light-minded and trivial a girl. Her brother James
+considered it nothing short of sacrilege, and her oldest sister Eunice
+reasoned with her very gravely, and tried to show her that, in order to
+teach the truths of God, one should have some personal knowledge of
+them, and that the only acceptable motive for religious work was a
+sincere desire to please God and benefit the souls of those whom Christ
+came to save. But Etta was not accustomed to be guided by her brother
+and sister; she went to her father, told him she wanted to take a class
+in Sunday-school, and of course he said "Yes." Then she went to the
+superintendent and made known her request, saying it was at her father's
+desire, which, as he was book-keeper at the paper-mill, would, she knew,
+have great weight.
+
+Mr. Scoville paused, hesitated, and finally resolved to consult the
+pastor, promising Etta her answer before Sunday came round. He would
+have given an unqualified refusal had the petitioner been any one else
+than his employer's daughter.
+
+Mr. Morven, the pastor, however, thought differently. He had known the
+young girl ever since she was a very little one; he knew there was no
+positive evil in her, and though he had not heretofore suspected her of
+any serious thought, he looked upon her request as an indication of
+good, and said that perhaps the very familiarity with sacred things
+which teaching a Sunday-school class would necessitate might be as
+beneficial to the teacher as to the scholars. So Mr. Scoville, though
+rather against his better judgment, sent a note to Miss Etta granting
+her request, having in his mind a certain class of little ones just out
+of the infant class, the teacher of which had announced her intention of
+leaving the school. When he went to see this teacher, however, he found
+she had changed her mind, and there was no other class available except
+one composed of seven "big girls," of whom Katie Robertson was one. Of
+course, Mr. Scoville could not go back on his word, so Miss Etta
+Mountjoy was formally installed as teacher of one of the most important
+classes of the school.
+
+Most of the girls liked her; some were seized with a violent admiration,
+if not of her, of her beautiful hats, delicate kid gloves, and all the
+_et cetera_ which go to make up the toilet of a modern young lady.
+Others liked her fresh, frank manner and sympathy with them and their
+interests. Indeed, she was so nearly on their own level as to age that
+there was no room for condescension on this account; while, as to
+position, where was there ever an American girl of any age who
+acknowledged to social inferiority? Katie alone felt, though she could
+hardly explain it, the want of something in her new teacher which had
+been peculiarly characteristic of the old one, who was a plain, elderly
+woman, without much education,--namely, personal love and devotion to
+the Lord Jesus, showing itself in an earnest desire that her scholars
+might also learn to love and serve him. This good teacher's prayers had
+been answered, and her efforts blessed, in Katie Robertson's case, and
+hence the girl knew how to appreciate the difference.
+
+In some ways, however, Etta agreeably disappointed all their
+expectations. She set herself to study and prepare her lessons with an
+energy that carried all before it; consulted commentaries, studied
+dates, compared contemporary history, committed to memory schedules, and
+looked out illustrations, all of which she imparted to her class till
+its members far surpassed all the others in the school in their
+knowledge of scripture geography and history and biography. They could
+give complete lists of the patriarchs, the judges, the kings of Israel
+and Judah, and the major and minor prophets; and they never failed with
+the dates of the deluge, the "call of Abraham," the Exodus, the
+Captivity, and all the periodic points by which the Bible is marked and
+mapped off in the voluminous Sunday-school literature of the day. As to
+distinctively religious teachings, every scholar had the catechism
+verbatim, ready to recite at a moment's notice, and a failure in the
+"golden text" was unknown. To be sure, other teachers in her vicinity,
+whose classes failed to win the unqualified praise accorded to hers, did
+say that Miss Etta never failed to prompt her scholars if there seemed
+to be any hesitation; but perhaps that was due to a tinge of jealousy in
+consequence of all the prizes given at a quarterly examination,
+including one for the teacher, having been won by this "banner class."
+
+All this was very well in its way. There is certainly no harm in knowing
+all we can about the Bible; it helps us to understand and appreciate it,
+and to answer the objections which foolish infidels are constantly
+bringing against it; but the girls, especially Katie, missed the pointed
+application; the showing how every wrong thing is sin; how sin must be
+punished; how Jesus has borne the punishment, and so is ready and
+willing to forgive the sin; how he loves all men, even though they are
+sinners, and is ready to give them strength to resist temptation and
+conquer sin, if they will diligently seek the aid of his Holy Spirit--in
+Bible words, to make them "whiter than snow." These are the true themes
+of Sunday-school teaching; the one end to be aimed at is so to bring up
+the children in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord," as that when
+they come to years of discretion they shall gladly confess him as their
+Master, and become noble, intelligent, active Christian men and women.
+Lacking this, all outside things are, as the apostle says, "sounding
+brass and a tinkling cymbal."
+
+The only positive harm which Miss Etta did to her class was to foster in
+some of the girls a great admiration for dress and an ardent desire to
+imitate their teacher in this respect. Since the days of Eve a taste for
+dress has always been an inherent part of a girl's constitution, and is
+apt to become one of her greatest temptations, especially if she be a
+poor girl, as were most of these, and must procure cheap imitations of
+finery; or, if even these are beyond their reach, indulge in
+discontented repinings, which are really rebellion against God.
+
+Squantown Sunday-school was a very pleasant one. Quite unlike the usual
+oblong wooden building, which in many country places serves for a
+secular school during the week and a Sunday-school on Sunday, it was a
+pretty gothic brick building, handsomely fitted up with folding-seats, a
+reed organ, and an uncommonly good library. A nice carpet was upon the
+floor, and pretty illuminated texts painted upon the walls; the windows
+were narrow and pointed, with little diamond-shaped panes, and when
+opened gave a near view of the minister's garden full of bright-hued
+flowers, and a more distant one of softly outlined blue mountains, whose
+tops, capped in summer with snowy clouds and in winter with veritable
+snow, formed apt illustrations to thoughtful teachers of the "mountains
+that stand round about Jerusalem," and symbolized the protecting love
+and care of the Lord for his people.
+
+The beautiful Sunday-school building was largely due to the efforts of
+Mr. James, who had his father's well-filled purse to draw from; and he
+had interested himself in getting the scholars together, as well as in
+introducing among them all modern improvements. He was greatly
+interested in his class of big boys, over whom his influence was most
+beneficial. Nearly all of them had already confessed Christ, and were
+mostly manly Christians, exercising a good influence upon the other boys
+in the mill or bindery, to which they, as well as nearly all the members
+of the school, belonged.
+
+Miss Eunice Mountjoy was also engaged in the Sunday-school, having
+charge of the Bible-class, which contained all the oldest scholars, some
+of them quite young men and women. She was a very different sort of
+person from her youngest sister. Fully twelve years her senior, she
+looked and seemed much older than she really was, and no one had for
+years thought of calling her a "girl," although now she was only
+twenty-nine. When she was quite a girl her mother had died, leaving her
+with the care of all her sisters and her brother, to whom she had,
+indeed, done a mother's part. Her chief aim in life had always been to
+"do all to the glory of God," and to her Bible-class she gave her most
+earnest efforts and her warmest prayers. Her influence was great at
+home, in the mill, and throughout the town of Squantown, though, as far
+as possible, she obeyed the scripture injunction not to let her left
+hand know what her right hand was doing. She always invited the female
+members of her class to take tea with her every Wednesday night; the
+boys and young men being expected to come afterward, remain a little
+while, and then escort their sisters, cousins, and friends home. These
+little meetings were very pleasant; sometimes pretty fancy-work--to be
+sold for the benefit of the class missionary fund--was done; sometimes
+clothes were cut out and made for some of the poorer factory children,
+or some fatherless baby, while Miss Eunice read aloud some interesting
+book; sometimes when the topics suggested by last Sunday's lesson had
+proved too voluminous for the time of the session, they were taken up
+and discussed on Wednesday; sometimes difficult points in next week's
+lesson were anticipated. In this way the teacher became really
+acquainted with the members of her class, their dispositions,
+temptations, and interests; she gained their confidence, and was often
+able to advise and assist them in many ways, and they learned to look
+upon her as a friend to whom they might apply in time of need. And, as
+a secondary benefit, the girls learned a great deal in the way of
+cutting out, basting, and other mysteries of needlework calculated to
+prove very useful to them in their future capacity of wives and mothers.
+
+Eunice had often wished that the same plan could be pursued in the other
+elder classes; but their teachers, who were mostly employed in some
+capacity in the mill, could hardly spare the time, and Etta certainly
+was not fitted for the work. As an experiment, however, on the first
+Sunday after Katie entered the mill she came over to her sister's class
+and invited all the girls, or as many as chose to do so, to join hers on
+Wednesday afternoon next, saying she had something of interest and
+importance to talk about. As the invitation was one that seemed to place
+those to whom it was given in the rank of grown-up girls, it was at once
+gladly accepted, especially as most of the girls had never been inside
+of Mr. Mountjoy's house and grounds, and would gladly see the luxury of
+which they had heard so much.
+
+There was a great deal of talk after the close of the session about the
+invitation and the proposed meeting, and some curiosity was expressed
+as to the "important thing" Miss Eunice was to talk about. One or two of
+the girls said they were sorry they had accepted the invitation; they
+didn't like "to have religion poked at them"; they guessed they wouldn't
+go. Before the appointed day, however, curiosity got the better of these
+fainthearted ones, and not a girl of Etta's class was wanting when the
+time arrived.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE TEA-PARTY.
+
+
+At exactly six o'clock some twenty young girls of various ages assembled
+at "the great house," as Mr. Mountjoy's grand mansion was called in the
+village. They could not come earlier, as most of them worked in the
+mill, which they could not leave till five or half-past five;
+consequently they all arrived at about the same time. They were received
+with perfect politeness by the servant, who opened the door and ushered
+them, as she would have done any other visitors, into the spare-room,
+prettily furnished in blue and white satin, with white lace hangings and
+silver ornaments. Here they laid aside their hats, and taking their
+little work-baskets, descended to the great drawing-room, whose
+splendors considerably surprised the younger girls; the older ones were
+used to it. At the door Miss Eunice with Etta, the latter arrayed in a
+wonderful costume, met and received their guests, and after lingering
+for a while among the paintings, engravings, nicknacks, etc., led them
+to an inner room, the windows of which overlooked the garden in summer,
+and a door from which opened into a greenhouse, now full of blooming
+flowers.
+
+This was the family sitting-room, generally the abode of Miss Eunice,
+for Etta was too much of a butterfly to stay anywhere, and Rhoda, the
+middle sister, now about twenty, was an artist, entirely devoted to
+painting, spending her days and a great part of her nights in her
+studio, and caring nothing for any of the interests connected with our
+story. It was luxuriously furnished, more with a view to comfort than to
+show, and as the girls sank into the easy sofas or into the deep stuffed
+chairs, or else made themselves comfortable upon low seats and divans,
+the contrast with their own bare homes and hardworking life was enough
+to call forth many a sigh of rest and enjoyment. Work was then produced,
+the usual inquiries after parents and sisters, invalids and home-keepers
+asked and answered, with a little other familiar conversation, when Miss
+Eunice said: "I think, girls, as we have finished the book upon which
+we have been so long engaged, we will not commence another to-day, but
+devote our thoughts to a subject about which I have been thinking a
+great deal, and which your pastor agrees with me in thinking of very
+great importance to be brought before you. I mean a public confession of
+Christ as your Saviour and Master."
+
+Some of the girls looked grave, some blushed, some were confused. Katie
+Robertson glanced up expectantly, for this was an opportunity she had
+long been on the lookout for, and longed to hear more about it. One of
+the elder girls said:--
+
+"But, Miss Eunice, nobody ought to join the church who is not
+converted."
+
+"That is very true, but is it not equally true that all who are
+converted ought to join the church, as you express it, or, as I prefer
+to say, confess their Saviour? It is only a mean soul which is willing
+to accept gifts and favors and never openly acknowledge its gratitude
+for them. I wouldn't care for the friendship of any one who was ashamed
+to own me before other people; and I wouldn't think much of a soldier
+who did not show his colors and put on the uniform of his country."
+
+Katie felt her face flush; for was she not one of these very secret
+friends--one of the soldiers who had not as yet put on the uniform? Not
+that she had really been ashamed to do so, but the subject had not been
+very prominently brought to her notice, and when she had thought of it
+at all it had seemed such a strange, awful, public step for so young a
+girl to take. She felt so unworthy; it seemed a thing for old people to
+do, not for little girls. But Miss Eunice had thrown a new light upon
+the subject, and it looked differently from what it had ever looked
+before.
+
+"But if we are not Christians, Miss Eunice, you wouldn't like us to act
+a lie."
+
+"God forbid, Mary; did you ever think that you _ought_ to be a
+Christian?--ought to be in that state which will make it possible for
+you to obey the simple command of Christ to confess him before men?"
+
+"A command, Miss Eunice?"
+
+"Yes, a command accompanied by both a promise and a threat. 'Whosoever
+shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father
+which is in heaven, but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I
+also deny before my Father which is in heaven.'"
+
+"But still," persisted the first speaker, "if one isn't converted."
+
+"And what is to prevent one's being converted. Don't you think God is
+willing to give you grace sufficient to enable you to do and be all that
+he commands you? The greatest mistake young people can make is to
+suppose that they must wait, and not take the first step toward a
+religious life till something mysterious comes to them and lifts them
+into it almost against their own will."
+
+"Not _against_ our own wills; I am sure everybody wants to be saved."
+
+"Yes, dear, against their own will, for if any one wills to be a
+Christian, she can be one at once. I must insist upon it, because it is
+our Saviour's own teachings. He says: 'Ye will not come unto me that ye
+might have life'; and so I am sure that if any one does not have life,
+spiritual life, it is because she _will_ not come unto him."
+
+"I'd like to come," said one girl, timidly, "but I don't see exactly
+how."
+
+"I dare say most of you would. Mr. Morven and I have been talking it
+over. He feels that the time for a spiritual harvest among our people,
+especially among our carefully taught Sunday scholars, has about come,
+and he thinks that, with a little more definite help and teaching, many
+of you would be glad to come to Jesus, and be enrolled as his followers
+now, instead of waiting for that indefinite sometime which may never
+come. I have a book here which, in words so simple that the youngest
+girl here can understand, explains how we may come to Christ by
+repentance and faith in his sacrifice upon the cross, etc. It is
+pleasantly written and illustrated with anecdotes. I think you will all
+like it, and I propose to read a little of it aloud every Wednesday
+afternoon for the next month, and at the close of the reading we will
+have a little familiar conversation on this, the most important of all
+topics. As most of the girls in my sister's class are of quite
+sufficient age to understand what it means to be a Christian and
+honestly to consider their own duty in this respect, I shall be very
+happy to see them also, and any others of their friends, either in the
+Sunday-school or from outside. Girls, this is a very important subject,
+and I trust you will think of it conscientiously and decide upon your
+own individual duty as in the sight of God. If you fail to make a right
+use of this season, another similar opportunity may never be given you.
+Let us commence by asking God's blessing upon our reading and thinking,
+and the presence of that Holy Spirit without whose aid we can never come
+to any decision that will be pleasing to him."
+
+Miss Eunice then knelt down while all the girls knelt around her, and
+prayed in low tones that the influences of the Holy Spirit might be
+poured out upon all present; that they might have wisdom to see their
+duty at this solemn moment and grace to do it; that they might not be
+self-deceived, but really surrender their hearts into the hands of their
+Saviour, and, putting their whole trust in him, be willing to confess
+him before men, that he might confess them before the angels and his
+Father.
+
+Some serious talk followed, and then tea was announced, after which the
+conversation became general, and at nine o'clock the girls and their
+brothers and friends, who had come for them, went home quietly, and for
+the most part wrapped in serious thought.
+
+Etta Mountjoy had never felt so strangely in her life. She had always
+known that some people were professing Christians; nay, she had, during
+her visits to the city, and even at home, seen people, even young girls,
+come forward and take upon themselves the vows of Christ. Perhaps it may
+have occurred to her that "sometime" she should do so, but to be
+deliberately called upon to consider her own immediate duty in the
+matter had not happened to her before. Once or twice, indeed, when she
+was much younger, "Sister Eunice" or "Brother James" had attempted to
+speak to her upon the subject, but she always turned away from it in
+such a flippant way that both felt she was in no proper frame for the
+consideration of so solemn a theme, and of late they had foreborne to
+mention it. It was with a view, perhaps, of interesting her sister quite
+as much as her sister's scholars that Eunice had invited them upon the
+present occasion, knowing that the young girl's lively interest in her
+class would induce her to be present if its members were, and to her
+great joy and thankfulness she was not disappointed. Etta had never
+heard her sister pray before, though the Wednesday afternoon meetings
+were often thus opened, and it seemed to her something almost awful to
+hear the language which she had always associated with a grave minister
+and a solemn church service spoken reverently, it is true, but quite
+familiarly, by her sister.
+
+Then, too, the question with which the reading closed: "Will _you_ now
+thus confess Christ?" How could she answer it? Was she in a fit state
+for so solemn an action, she, a butterfly flitting from one avocation to
+another, with no thought or aim beyond pleasing herself? She knew she
+was not. She had given up the child-habit of "saying her prayers," and
+she had never learned really to pray. Until she took that class she had
+not, for some years, voluntarily opened her Bible, and now she knew that
+all her energetic study of the technicalities of the Holy Word had in it
+no grain of desire to please or glorify God. Even her devotion to
+Sunday-school teaching, usually supposed to be Christian work, had in it
+no leaven of Christianity, being only self-pleasing from end to end.
+Etta was sufficiently clear-sighted to see all this. She knew that she
+never thought of God. His approval or disapproval was all one to her,
+and while she had never denied or openly scoffed at religion, and had no
+reason to doubt the truths of its facts and doctrines, she was, so far
+as anything practical went, not a Christian at all. What had she to
+"confess"? And yet, how strange it would seem if some of those to whom
+she stood in the position of teacher, who of necessity looked up to and
+imitated her, should become Christians and church members, when she had
+never taken the same stand. Stranger still, and worse, if they should be
+deterred from what seemed to them a duty by the example of their
+Sunday-school teacher. Etta had never been placed in such a dilemma
+before, and she heartily wished either that her sister had not invited
+her class, or that the class had not accepted the invitation, and that
+the girls would never come again, and yet she hardly liked to advise
+them not to do so.
+
+"I don't like that kind of a party at all," said Bertie Sanderson, when
+the group of younger girls were well out of hearing of the house. "She
+just got us there under false pretences, calling it fun and turning it
+into a sort of church. We get prayers enough, in all conscience, on
+Sundays."
+
+"I'd rather have Miss Etta talk to us about the patriarchs and the
+stories and all that," said Matilda Eckart, who was a good scholar, or
+would have been if she had not, by the necessities of her family, been
+forced to work in the mill. "I like to learn things; still I like Miss
+Eunice, too. She's real sweet, and maybe we ought to do as she says."
+
+"Nonsense!" said another girl, Helen Felting by name, "Miss Etta isn't a
+Christian, and she's her own sister and three or four years older than
+we are. I don't want to be any better than she is. My, ain't her dress
+lovely, all silk and velvet, and such an exquisite shade! fits so, too,
+just as if it was her skin!"
+
+"Did you see her ear-rings?" said another. "Real diamonds, all set
+round with pearls, and _such_ a chain and locket!"
+
+"I don't care," said Bertie; meaning, of course, that she did care very
+much. "We girls haven't got so much money and we can't have real things.
+I like my chain and locket just as well (which she didn't, for she was
+quite keen enough to understand the difference), but I won't go there
+again till I get my silk dress made;" and she glanced disgustedly at the
+light-blue cashmere which, as it was her best dress, she chose to wear
+on all occasions, and which looked already much the worse for its week
+in the rag-room at the mill.
+
+Katie Robertson did not speak at all, except to answer the questions of
+Eric, who had come for her, as to whether she had had a pleasant time
+decidedly in the affirmative. She was thinking very deeply. We have seen
+that our Katie was a faithful, conscientious little girl, loving God
+sincerely, trusting in her Saviour, and striving to please him and grow
+like him. She loved to study the Bible, which she knew was his word, and
+to pray to him in her own simple language every night and morning; nay,
+often at other times when she felt the need of his help, or had
+something she wanted to tell him about. She had not asked herself any
+hard questions yet about whether she were a Christian or not. She knew
+she was her mother's Katie because she loved her mother and wanted to
+please her, and she knew she was God's child because she loved him and
+wanted to please him. She often did things, and said things, and thought
+things that she knew were displeasing to both, but she did not want to
+do so. She was always very sorry, she always asked to be forgiven and
+believed she was, for did not her mother say so each time, and had not
+her heavenly Father promised so once for all in the Bible?
+
+But this afternoon the thought had really come to her that she _ought_
+publicly to confess herself a Christian; and yet she shrank from it, she
+hardly knew why. She was afraid she might afterward do something which
+would disgrace such a holy profession; and yet, if her Saviour commanded
+it, as he certainly did, that made it a duty, and, of course, she ought
+to obey, trusting him to help her keep all the promises as he had
+promised to do. He would like it, too, so much; it would be easier
+afterward to resist temptation and to "stand up for Jesus" among her
+companions.
+
+Katie's thoughts were very busy ones, and by the time she came in sight
+of her home she had decided that, if her mother and the pastor had no
+objection, she would give in her name among those who were, at the first
+opportunity, to confess Christ.
+
+The Wednesday afternoon meetings were continued throughout the spring
+and early summer, and were attended by all the members of Miss Eunice's
+class, nearly all those of her sister's, and five or six other girls who
+accepted the kind invitation of the former. There was always the same
+hospitality, always the same warm welcome, and always the same grave but
+happy earnestness on the part of the young lady on whom God had laid
+this great work. As the warm days came on, the meetings were adjourned
+to the velvety, close-shaven lawn, where chairs and rustic seats were
+clustered under the shade of a great, wide-spreading tree, and the
+sweet, holy themes of reading and conversation seemed all the sweeter
+that they were henceforth associated with blue sky, bright flowers,
+white clouds, green leaves, and the other things made by the God who was
+even now calling these young hearts into his service.
+
+Miss Eunice went through with a pretty thorough course of reading upon
+sin, repentance, faith in Christ, renunciation of all evil, walking
+obediently in God's holy will and commandments, which is another name
+for holy living, and as she prayed constantly for God's blessing upon
+her efforts, she had great cause for thankfulness in the hope that many
+of these young souls thus brought, for the first time, face to face with
+their personal responsibility toward God, and his loving provision for
+their salvation, really chose the "better part," which no man can take
+away from us,--"passed from death unto life," and in publicly
+confessing Christ made no false profession.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A DISCOVERY.
+
+
+Meanwhile work in the mill was becoming an old story and, as such,
+decidedly monotonous. The glamour had passed by, and Squantown Paper
+Mill had ceased to be an enchanted palace and become a prosaic place of
+daily toil. Such disenchantments are always more or less painful, and
+Katie's high spirits declined proportionally. It was well that
+principles of self-support, independence, and duty to God, underlay her
+enthusiasm, or it would soon have died away, being choked to death by
+the dust from the rags.
+
+The little pile of money that was ready to be carried home every
+Saturday night at first did a great deal toward rekindling the old
+enthusiasm. The first week it was only two dollars and forty cents, but
+on the second it had risen to three dollars, fifty cents a day being the
+regular price paid to the "rag-room girls." By this time the "new hand"
+was new no longer, and she had learned to work so fast as to accomplish
+the amount usually done in a day in a much shorter time, and then Miss
+Peters told her she might go home.
+
+Mr. Mountjoy, or rather "Mr. James," upon whom all arrangements
+concerning the work-people devolved, was not one of those employers who
+consider that they have bought all the time of their employees. He had a
+right to a fair day's work in return for a fair day's wages, but if any
+one was industrious enough to do more than this, the time thus gained
+was his own to use as he liked. Many of the elder workers did use it in
+the mill, receiving extra pay for extra work, when, as sometimes
+happened, there was extra work to be done. Some of her companions made
+as much as a dollar a day in this way. But Mrs. Robertson was gifted
+with good sense, and knew that her child's young strength must not be
+overtaxed and thus the development of the future woman be stunted. So
+Katie came home generally about four o'clock, and had plenty of time to
+rest, to help her mother about the house, to keep up some of her old
+school studies, and to read the very valuable and interesting books of
+which the Sunday-school library was composed. Her mother took her money
+and kept it for her, hoping thus to have enough for the summer outfit
+she would so soon need. The child would gladly have done extra work in
+order to make extra money, she knew so well how much it was needed, but
+her mother was inexorable, and she was forced to submit.
+
+As to Bertie, she never finished her day's work at all. Her time was
+largely spent in looking out of window, studying the dresses and ribbons
+of the other girls, making signs to her companions, and whispering to
+her neighbor whenever Miss Peters's back was turned. She hated her work
+and would have given it up long ago, at least as soon as the silk dress
+had been procured, and her mother would have very injudiciously
+purchased it long before the money had been earned, but that her father
+was resolute. The mill would have dispensed with her society as soon as
+her idleness and inefficiency were seen, except that Mr. Sanderson was
+her father, and it was thought best to show due consideration to him.
+
+"Dear me! how hateful it all is," said Bertie, with a yawn, one day
+during the half-hour when talking was permitted. "Are you not heartily
+sick of it, Katie?"
+
+"It's a little monotonous, I own," said the girl addressed, "but then,
+no work is play, I suppose. Maybe we'll get promoted to the folding-room
+soon, and it will be much nicer there."
+
+"It isn't a bit nicer. It's work anywhere, and I hate work. I never mean
+to do a bit of it that I can help. Ma says pa'll have money enough to
+make us all rich, and I want to be a lady." "Ma" had been a factory-girl
+herself, which was perhaps one reason why Bertie despised the business.
+She had married the foreman of the mill, who had now risen to be
+overseer of the bindery, and yearly laid up a large portion of his
+salary, while her sister had married a city grocer, who was spending all
+he made as he made it, and his children were growing up to be useless,
+fine ladies, and a positive injury to their country cousins.
+
+"But while you do work you might do it faithfully, not spend time for
+which you are paid in idleness, and crowd in rags with the buttons all
+on, which will be sure to spoil the machinery when they come to be
+ground."
+
+"Bah! what difference does it make? I'm paid for my time. Provided I
+stay here all day, they haven't a right to claim anything more."
+
+"But, Bertie, they have. Don't you remember the text which is painted on
+the wall at the foot of the corridor?
+
+  "'Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.'"
+
+"It seems to me just like stealing to waste time that we're paid for, or
+not to do work entrusted to us just as well as we possibly can."
+
+"Oh, well, you're one of the saints, you know. If it's saintship to be
+rude and call other people thieves I'm glad I'm a sinner, that's all. I
+guess we'll catch the saint in a slip before long, don't you, girls?"
+said she, appealing to several other idlers who naturally congregated
+around a bird of the same feather as themselves.
+
+Bertie and Katie did not walk home together any more. The former, never
+having finished her work, was always obliged to remain in the mill till
+the closing-bell rang, while the former went home, as we have seen, at
+four o'clock, and at noon she was generally met by her brothers.
+
+"Eric," she said on the day of the above conversation, "do you think
+it's right to idle and talk instead of doing your work?"
+
+"We can't in the bindery; the machine won't let us. Everything would go
+to thunder if we looked off."
+
+"But suppose you could, and nobody knew anything about it?"
+
+"They couldn't fine you if they didn't know," said Alfred, whose ideas
+of the righteousness of law were modified by the possibility of escaping
+its penalty.
+
+"What difference would that make?" said Eric. "God would know."
+
+"Yes," said Katie, "I always wish the words 'Thou God seest me,' were
+written up on the walls of the mill. It helps you not to get tired and
+want to stop."
+
+"Do you ever want to stop, Katie?" said her brother, tenderly.
+
+"Yes, lots of times, It's just the same thing day after day, no change,
+no variety, the dust suffocates you, and it's so hard to get up in the
+morning, and"--
+
+"Sho!" shouted Alfred, "I thought you'd sing a different tune after you'd
+been in the factory a little while. Don't you remember I told you
+so?"
+
+"Katie," said Eric, "you remember _I_ told you that you should not work
+one moment longer than you wanted to. A girl with two strong brothers to
+support her need not work for her living unless she chooses to. Do you
+want to stop now?"
+
+"I _want_ to, ever so much," said the girl, "but I don't _mean_ to. Do
+you think I am a baby to begin a thing and then leave it off again?
+There's just as much reason as there ever was for my earning money. I'm
+not going to be dependent upon you, and mother is growing older every
+day. Do you remember what the Bible says about those who put their hands
+to the plough and look back? I don't mean to be one of those; and I mean
+to pray every day," she said more softly, "that I may be more patient
+and persevering."
+
+Eric understood her, and even Alfred respected his sister the more for
+what he could not understand.
+
+"I wish I knew some way of making money faster," said Katie to her
+brothers soon after; "a great deal, I mean. Mother wants any quantity of
+things--blankets, and kitchen utensils, and table things, and she hasn't
+a bonnet fit to go to church in. It takes about all we can make to feed
+us all, and if there is any left she always uses it to buy things for us
+instead of thinking about herself."
+
+"I wonder how it is mothers never think of themselves," said Alfred.
+"They are always fussing to make us happy, and we don't do things for
+them at all."
+
+Katie thought of the words:--
+
+                  "As one whom his mother comforteth,"
+
+which had been in last Sunday's lesson, but did not say them aloud, only
+it was a comfort to her to think of the other holy words which say of a
+mother and her child: "She may forget, yet will not I forget thee." No
+matter how much a mother may love, God loves us better still.
+
+One day about that time, Bertie Sanderson, following her usual custom
+of looking around the room instead of at her work, saw something that
+caused her to start, open her eyes very wide, and then mutter
+half-aloud:--
+
+"Oho! the saints are not so saintly after all. It's dishonest to look
+around the room, is it? I wonder what you call that!"
+
+"Bertie Sanderson, talking, as usual," said Miss Peters, marking the
+fine upon the slate which she always carried with her," and Katie
+Robertson, too," noting a sudden flush upon the face of the latter.
+"I _am_ surprised."
+
+"I did not speak," said Katie, respectfully, but with some confusion.
+
+"There's no harm in talking to yourself," said Bertie, in the rude tone
+which she usually addressed to Miss Peters.
+
+"Were not those girls talking, Gretchen," said the superintendent,
+appealing to a stout German who worked near the others.
+
+"No, ma'am, I believe not; at least, Katie wasn't. I heard Bertie say
+something, but Katie did not answer, but"--
+
+"Never mind," said Miss Peters, who had got all she wanted,--a chance
+to fine Bertie whom she hated,--"attend to your work," and she passed
+on, never noticing the hand which Katie, having hastily thrust it into
+her pocket, continued to hold there.
+
+The work proceeded in silence, and, as Katie went home at four o'clock
+as usual, Bertie did not have an opportunity to speak to her about the
+strange thing she had noticed. She did, however, say to Gretchen, as
+they separated: "Did you see that?"
+
+"What?" said the German, innocently.
+
+"Oh! nothing, if you did not see it." Bertie was going to tell her
+companion what she had seen, but on second thoughts decided to keep her
+discovery to herself, that she might have more power over the "saint,"
+whom she was beginning to absolutely hate.
+
+But Gretchen had seen exactly what Bertie had, only she did not think it
+her business, and as it was not, did not choose to speak about it, but,
+German fashion, went about her own business.
+
+What had the two girls seen? What was it that made Katie Robertson's
+face such a study as she walked home at a much slower pace than was her
+wont? What was it that lay in the depth of her pocket, where her hand
+rested for greater security. What did she put away in the drawer that
+contained her treasures, going directly to her room for the purpose,
+instead of rushing first of all to the sitting-room to see if her mother
+were at home.
+
+Only a crisp fifty-dollar bill! Katie had never seen so much money at
+once before. How beautiful it looked; how much it represented of comfort
+and luxury; how many things it would buy that she knew were wanted by
+her mother and the boys! She deposited her treasure carefully at the
+bottom of a little pearl box which had been her mother's, and was the
+only really pretty thing which she possessed, and then went downstairs
+to lie on the sofa, think about and plan for spending it.
+
+Where had Katie suddenly got so much money? and why did she so earnestly
+desire to keep the possession of it a secret? She _thought_ the answer
+to the latter question lay in her desire to surprise her mother, and was
+not at all conscious of another feeling that lay as yet quite dormant
+and unaroused. As to the former, that is easily answered. After cutting
+off the buttons of an old vest, just as the little girl was preparing to
+cut it in smaller pieces, the pocket opened, and out fluttered a
+crumpled paper, which on being opened proved to be a fifty-dollar bill.
+Some careless gentleman, no one could tell whom, no one could tell when,
+had stuffed it into the pocket and forgotten all about it. Strange that
+the vest should have gone through all the vicissitudes common to old
+clothes, worn possibly by a beggar, condemned to a dust-heap, fished
+out, sorted, sold, packed, sold again, and transported to the factory,
+passing through a dozen hands, to any one of whose owners the money
+would have been so useful, and there it had lain unnoticed till it
+fluttered out into the very hands of Katie Robertson, who needed it so
+much.
+
+What castles in the air the little girl built as she lay there in the
+twilight!--dresses and bonnets for her mother; new suits for each of the
+boys; a new tea-set, with table-cloth and napkins. Never in the world
+did a fifty-dollar bill buy half so much in reality as this one did in
+imagination; which, by the way, is a very pleasant way of spending
+money, since it does not at all diminish the amount, which may be all
+spent over and over again in a variety of ways. But strangely enough,
+while everything needed by the others, even to a new ribbon to tie round
+pussy's neck, was remembered, Katie's catalogue of articles to be bought
+contained nothing in the world for herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+STRIFE AND VICTORY.
+
+
+No thought had as yet suggested itself to Katie concerning her right to
+the money which had thus come into her possession, and as she lay there
+planning the things she was going to get with it, she enjoyed to the
+full the dignity of ownership. How glad her mother would be when there
+was a decent water-pail in the house, plates enough of one kind to go
+round, and a table-cloth that was not nearly all darns! Then her mother
+should have a new shawl and bonnet, and each of the boys a straw hat and
+a bright necktie, and she would have something to put in the plate every
+Sunday in church, and to add to the missionary collection of the
+Sunday-school class. Perhaps, even, she could give something toward a
+present that the girls were talking of giving to Miss Eunice.
+
+But just then an idea, so painful that at first she turned away from
+it, struck her, and a question that she did not want to answer suggested
+itself to her mind. Had she a right to keep the money? Was it really
+hers? Of course it was, said inclination; whose else could it be? She
+had _found_ it, no one else; if she had not picked it up it would have
+gone in with the rags to be boiled and ground up into paper again, or it
+might have been swept away among the dust and waste paper, and no one
+been the better or wiser. "Findings is keepings" was a familiar
+school-boy proverb; was it the right principle or not?
+
+Katie tried to persuade herself that it was. Nevertheless, she was glad
+that, as she supposed, no one had seen her find the bill, and that her
+mother as yet knew nothing about the finding. Also, she did not plan out
+any more ways of spending the money.
+
+Katie was so silent all teatime that her brothers continually rallied
+her upon her preoccupation, and her mother, fearing she must be sick,
+sent her to bed very early. To this the little girl did not object, as
+she wanted to be alone to think over the question that was so
+perplexing her brain.
+
+Before getting into bed, our young friend opened her drawer, took out
+the box, gazed lovingly at the bill for a time, then put it away, and
+knelt to say her evening prayer. What was the matter to-night? For
+almost the first time since she had known what prayer really was, she
+could not pray. Her thoughts would not be controlled; they kept
+wandering away to the finding of that bill. She wondered whether any one
+had seen her find it, what use she should put it to, and if it were
+really hers after all. She knew it was wrong to think of other things at
+such a solemn moment, and felt guilty and condemned. Her conscience
+troubled her; it seemed as though God were angry with her. So far the
+finding of the money had not been a very happy event for its finder. It
+often happens that secular things, the things we are interested in in
+our daily lives, will come in between us and our prayers, and we cannot
+get rid of them. Young Christians especially are greatly troubled in
+this way, and have many weary fights in the attempt to control their
+thoughts. They have an idea that prayer is such a sacred thing, and God
+is so holy, that they must only talk to him about religion, and use
+pretty much the same words which they hear in church, and when they
+cannot do this, they either fall into the habit of _saying_ such words
+formally without in the least thinking of their meaning, or else they
+are wretched and self-condemned because of what are called "distractions
+in prayer." But there is a more excellent way, even to take all the
+things that really interest us directly to "our Father which art in
+heaven," and tell him all about them. He encourages us to do so when he
+says, "casting _all_ your care upon him," and "in everything by prayer
+and supplication make your requests known unto God." If we are really
+his children we may be sure that nothing is too small to interest him
+which _rightfully_ interests us, and if it is not a right interest there
+is no surer way of finding that out, and gaining the victory over it,
+than by bringing it to the light of his Holy Spirit and asking him for
+strength to dispose of it as we ought.
+
+Had Katie thus taken the money which she had found directly to the
+Lord, she would soon have understood all her duty concerning it. Her
+desire would have been only to do his will, and she would have gone to
+sleep as peacefully as a little child who trusts its mother to manage
+for it just as she sees to be for the best. But this she did not dare to
+do, partly because she had not yet learned to understand how God
+"careth" for his children in all little things, and partly because down
+at the bottom of her heart she was not quite ready to do his will--that
+is, she _hoped_ that it would be right for her to keep the money, and
+hoped this so strongly that she could not look fairly on the other side
+of the question. Nearly all night--or it seemed so to a little girl who
+was generally asleep by the time her head touched the pillow--she lay
+tossing from side to side, troubled by a dozen different sides of the
+question. And when she did get to sleep it was to dream confused dreams
+of thieves being taken to prison, and of being one of them herself.
+
+As soon as it was light, for the long days had come now, the tired
+little girl sprang from her bed, and dressed herself, in a very unhappy
+frame of mind. She must decide very soon now, and she began to see more
+and more clearly that that money did not belong to her, but to the owner
+of the vest in which she had found it. To be sure, she could not now
+find the original owner, but Mr. Mountjoy certainly owned it, because he
+had bought the rags. It was one thing, however, to see this, and quite
+another to decide to give up to him who had so much the little that was
+so much to her. All the pleasant planning must go with it; all the
+things she had desired for her mother and the boys. She was sure she had
+not been selfish; it was not for herself she wanted money at all. From
+force of habit she opened her Bible and read the first words she saw,
+which were these: "Thou desirest truth in the inward parts." And again
+the words flashed upon her: "Thou God seest me."
+
+What did God see? Did he see "truth in the inward part" of her heart?
+Was she prepared in _all_ her ways to acknowledge him? his right to her
+and all that was hers?
+
+Then she knelt down and did what she ought to have done the first
+thing--told him, who understands and pities us "like as a father pitieth
+his children," all about it, and asked him to forgive, to pity, and to
+direct her. And now it all came to her, for God always keeps his word,
+and he has promised to give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him, and
+further that that blessed Spirit when he comes shall "guide us unto all
+truth."
+
+Whoever was the owner of that bill, she was not. It belonged to God
+primarily, but he had given the disposal of it into the hands of him who
+owned the rags. If she kept it, at least without telling him that she
+had found it, she would be a _thief_! There was but one right way for
+her, and that was to take it at once to him, tell him where she had
+found it, and leave him to do as he thought best. To her mind there was
+little doubt what he would do. People did not generally give away their
+money, especially such large sums as fifty dollars seemed to her. All
+her air-castles must fall to the dust, and the house must go on with the
+old things as before.
+
+Nevertheless, it was with a sense of absolute relief that Katie folded
+that bill away in her little purse, and dropped it far down into her
+pocket. If the "eyes of the Lord were in every place," they saw it
+there, and they saw, too, into her heart, and saw there that the purpose
+of doing his will had, by his grace, triumphed over her own desires, and
+that was enough to make her once more the happy, bright Katie Robertson.
+
+She was almost late at the mill this morning; had only just time to get
+to her place as the short whistle sounded, and of course there was no
+time to speak to Mr. Mountjoy. She commenced her work at once, and
+continued it very diligently, never once looking around at the other
+girls, so full was she of her own thoughts. Thus she did not see the
+significant looks which Bertie cast at her from time to time, nor the
+signs which she made to some of the other girls who, in their turn,
+became curious and significant, and lost several pennies in fines,
+because they could not help asking each other what was the matter.
+
+Bertie had not exactly told the story as she knew it, but had
+insinuated to one and another that she knew something that nobody else
+knew about Katie Robertson; that, if she chose to tell all she knew,
+people would not think her such a saint; that, for her part, she did not
+believe in saints; when people pretended to be very religious they were
+sure to be dishonest, etc. etc. She made such a mystery of her news that
+the girls to whom she had made her half-confidence were worked up to a
+great state of excitement, and the others were devoured with curiosity
+to know what it could all be about.
+
+But Katie worked quietly on. She had plenty of opportunity to change her
+determination had she desired to do so, and indeed the temptation to
+keep the money herself and say nothing about it presented itself again
+and again to her mind. But now she knew it to be a temptation, and she
+was strong to resist, because she had committed herself to One who was
+mighty and his strength was made perfect in her weakness.
+
+As soon as the noon-bell rang and the work-people all poured along the
+corridors and out at the open doors, Katie knocked at the office door
+and was told to "Come in!" by Mr. James, who happened to be alone
+inside. Without a word the girl walked up to his desk and laid the bill
+down beside him.
+
+The young man started, stared, and finally said:--
+
+"Where did you get this?"
+
+"I found it in the rags, sir."
+
+"When?"
+
+"Yesterday afternoon."
+
+"Why did you bring it to me?"
+
+"Because I think if it belongs to anybody it does to you, it was found
+among your rags."
+
+"Why did you not bring it to me at once?"
+
+"Because--because I didn't think at first, and I wanted it _so_ much."
+
+"Did you?" said he, gravely. "You know the Bible says: 'Thou shalt not
+covet'?"
+
+Katie started; had she been breaking one of the commandments, after all?
+Not the one about stealing, of which she had thought, but another.
+
+"I didn't mean to do that," said she, in a low voice, "but we do want
+things so much--mother, I mean. We are so poor."
+
+"Are you?" said the young man, in a sympathizing tone. "Well, you are
+an honest little girl to bring it to me at all. A great many would not
+have done so, and I should have known nothing about it. Didn't you think
+of that?"
+
+"Yes, sir; but God knew it, and that made all the difference. Besides, I
+don't think I was quite honest; if I had been, I should have come to you
+the first minute, and not thought about keeping it at all."
+
+"Then you did have a little struggle about it?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir, I hardly slept all night. I didn't know what to do at
+first, and then I didn't want to do it."
+
+"But God gave you the victory," said the young man, reverently.
+
+"I understand all about that, and how sweet it is to be helped by him,"
+Katie added.
+
+"Now," continued he, "I think he sent you that fifty-dollar bill
+himself; first to try you, and then that you might help your mother to
+buy all those things that you and she are so much in need of. It isn't
+mine, for when I pay two cents a pound for old rags I do not buy fifty
+dollar bills. Take it, and be just as happy with it as a thankful heart
+can make you. Good-morning; I must hurry home to dinner."[1]
+
+A gladder little girl than Katie Robertson it would be hard to find. The
+love of money is said to be the root of all evil, and so money itself
+sometimes is, but that is according to how it is gotten and how used.
+
+This bill would have been a root of bitter evil to the girl had she kept
+it, in spite of an enlightened conscience, which told her to give it up;
+and it would have been a root of evil to the young man, had he taken it,
+as by the letter of the law he had an undoubted right to do, when he
+knew the little girl needed it so much more than he did. As it was, it
+was a seed of joy to both of them. Mr. James went home full of the joy
+which is so like to Christ's joy, in having been kind to another at his
+own expense; and Katie's heart could hardly hold the glad thankfulness,
+both to him and to her heavenly Father, that filled it to overflowing,
+and that was all the gladder because it was rooted in an approving
+conscience, at peace with itself and at peace with God.
+
+The precious piece of paper was displayed to the wondering mother and
+brothers at the dinner-table that day. The story, or so much of it as
+Katie could bring herself to relate, was told, and all enjoyed in
+anticipation the comforts it was able to procure; but the best thing it
+accomplished was to teach its finder where to go in time of perplexity
+and temptation and in whose strength to be "more than conqueror."
+
+-----
+[Footnote 1: 1 This whole occurrence is a positive fact.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+TEMPLES.
+
+
+It was a lovely June Sunday. The seats of Squantown Sunday-school were
+even more crowded than usual; the girls' side looking like a flower-bed
+in its variety and brilliancy of color. Bertie Sanderson was there in
+her new silk,--a brilliant cardinal,--looking strangely unsuitable to
+the season; Gretchen, the German, in her woolen petticoat and jacket,
+which she had not been long enough in the country to discard for summer
+attire; the other girls in spring suits, and Katie Robertson in a lovely
+pale-blue lawn and a white straw hat trimmed with the same color. It was
+the prettiest costume the little girl had ever possessed, and as it was
+all bought with her own earnings she may be pardoned for being very much
+pleased with it. And yet it was as simple and inexpensive a summer
+outfit as any one could have, and certainly was not fitted to excite the
+hateful thoughts to which it was giving rise in Bertie's mind--Bertie,
+clad in her unsuitable finery! This finery had not been the success that
+Bertie expected. To be sure, it was a silk dress, and the brightest
+color she could procure, but it had been made by the Squantown
+dressmaker, and entirely lacked the fit and finish of Etta Mountjoy's
+dresses, besides being in direct contrast to the delicate, harmonious
+colors which the latter wore--a contrast which her admirer and would-be
+imitator was quick to perceive when her own brilliant coloring had been
+selected and it was too late to change. The disappointment made her
+cross, and inclined her still more to look for flaws in Katie, whom she
+began to hate as natures not sanctified by the grace of God are apt to
+hate those who are trying to do his will, and are thus a constant rebuke
+to them.
+
+"Just look at her finery," said Bertie to her nearest neighbor, as Katie
+entered, looking as fresh and sweet as a June rose, "and her mother so
+poor. I could tell a story about how she got it that would make Miss
+Etta open her eyes, and Miss Eunice, too, for all she makes such a pet
+of the saint."
+
+"What in the world do you mean?" said the other; but Bertie shook her
+head and looked mysterious, of course thus exciting the curiosity of the
+other tenfold.
+
+"Do tell me," she said.
+
+"We know what we do know, don't we?" said Bertie, provokingly, appealing
+to Gretchen, who nodded, but did not speak.
+
+"Now, you're real mean," said the other, one Amelia Porter by name. "I
+know something I won't tell you, that's all."
+
+Just then the bell tapped for silence, and the rest of the conversation
+was carried on in whispers, the only part which was heard being Amelia's
+astonished "Stole it? You don't say so! I never would have thought of
+such a thing."
+
+But Katie did not hear. She was not thinking about her dress at all. The
+lesson was to her a very interesting one--the oft-repeated story of the
+tongues of fire that came down upon the early church, symbolizing the
+mighty power of the Holy Spirit to enkindle divine emotions, enthusiasm,
+and praise, and to make human tongues as flames of fire.
+
+Miss Etta explained (for she had taken pains to study it up) how, in
+the early, times one Sunday in June was observed in commemoration of
+this descent of the Holy Ghost, and how, on that day, the new
+Christians, who of course were originally heathen, having been at first
+subjected to a long course of training, were baptized. They were called
+_catechumens_, because they were catechised or questioned, and
+_candidates_ because they wore long white robes, _candidus_ being the
+Latin word for white, and by degrees the day came to be called
+Whitsunday. Furthermore, Miss Etta told all about the Whitsuntide
+festivals of old English times in the days of the corrupt church, when
+festivities of the most riotous kind took place on the two days
+following Sunday; and the girls left the school, if not impressed by the
+holy teachings of the lessons, very full of a certain knowledge of that
+kind which St. Paul says "puffeth up," and prepared to pass a brilliant
+examination on the history and customs of Whitsuntide.
+
+Very different was the pastor's sermon of that morning, which several of
+our girls remembered all their lives. Its text was:--
+
+                "Ye are the temples of the Holy Ghost."
+
+And the speaker showed first what the temples of old times were; not
+places of meeting, as our churches to a great extent are, but
+dwelling-places, homes where God, or rather "the gods," were supposed to
+_live_. This idea was the one used as an illustration by St. Paul in the
+text, which means that _God_ has made all human hearts to be his home
+and dwelling-place, and that if we will let him, not barring the doors
+with sin and filling up the inside with other things, he will live there
+always; or, as our Lord Jesus says: "If any man will open unto me, I
+will come in unto him and will sup with him;" and in another place,
+"will abide with him." Then he explained so that the youngest of his
+audience could understand what are the sins that bar the door against
+our blessed Saviour, and how we set up idols upon the altars of God's
+temple, by worshiping dress, vanity, pride, revenge, worldliness, and
+our own way, and showed how nobody can really worship God and have him
+abiding in his holy temple who yields obedience to anything or cares for
+anything more than his will. He said it was an awful thing to _defile_
+the temple of God by such things as drinking, smoking, and swearing, or
+even by evil thoughts and dishonest intentions, by selfish motives and
+unkindness in word or deed.
+
+He closed his sermon in these words:--
+
+"My hearers, every one of you is a temple of the Holy Ghost, built and
+fashioned with exquisite skill, for his own chosen dwelling-place. See
+to it that ye defile not this temple, and if it be in any wise already
+defiled, from without or within, at once seek the double cleansing,
+which flows from the Cross on Calvary, that thus your sacred temple may
+be washed whiter than snow. Dethrone the idol _Self_ which has so long
+usurped the place of God upon its altar, and let him rule alone. And
+remember that every other human soul is likewise a sacred temple, no
+matter how defiled and degraded it has become by yielding itself
+willingly to the dominion of sin. Strive to do all that in you lies, by
+kind, persuasive words, by example and effort, to cleanse the degraded
+and polluted temples, and so do all in your power to exalt the dominion
+and worship of God in all the human souls which he has made."
+
+The impression made by this sermon upon its hearers was in accord with
+the character and religious development of each.
+
+James Mountjoy resolved to be more active and energetic in all efforts
+to improve the condition of his work-people, to raise the fallen, to
+reclaim the sinful, to set a better example and raise a higher standard
+of moral excellence, that the human temples over whom he had influence
+might be better fitted for the abiding presence of their heavenly Guest.
+Some of the more thoughtful of his boys resolved that smoking, drinking,
+and swearing should no longer, even in a slight degree, defile the
+"temples" entrusted to their keeping.
+
+Eunice Mountjoy made a more entire consecration of herself than ever
+before to God's service, praying that there might be no hidden idols in
+her temple; that self and self-seeking might be forever cast out, even
+as our Lord cast out the money-changers and traffickers from the temple
+at Jerusalem; that God's will in all things might be hers, and that she
+might devote not a part only, but _all_ her time, all her faculties,
+all her influence to his service in doing good to others, and thus
+"worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."
+
+Katie Robertson felt that she had understood some things to-day as never
+before. What but the presence of the Holy Spirit in her heart had
+enabled her to see the right and strengthened her to do it, and thus
+come off victorious over temptation? She remembered how the Holy Ghost
+is symbolized by a pure white dove, and she longed that her temple
+should also be a soft, white nest full of pure desires and kindly
+thoughts, and that nothing she might do or say in her daily life, among
+her companions or at home, should grieve that blessed heavenly
+inhabitant.
+
+Even Bertie Sanderson had been struck with the sermon. If her heart was
+indeed a temple of the Holy Ghost, how was she defiling it? Envy,
+hatred, and malice were allowed to run riot there; love of dress and
+vanity were the idols enthroned on the altar; pride, disobedience,
+irreverence, contempt of rightful authority, idleness, and
+unfaithfulness were barring the door and keeping the loving Saviour,
+who stood knocking there, from coming into his own.
+
+Bertie felt uncomfortable; the Holy Spirit was speaking to her, and she
+could not help but hear. But to hear and to obey are two very different
+things. The girl knew that she could unbar the closed door of her heart
+if she chose. One earnest, sincere prayer would bring the omnipotent aid
+of the Spirit to cast out the evil things and cleanse the defilement.
+But she did not _want_ them cast out; she loved them too well. It would
+be all very well to have Christ's love, pity, forgiveness, and
+protection, and to be sure of heaven when she died; but to be a
+Christian--a saint she would have called it--now, to give up the things
+that most interested her, and live a life of self-denial and
+obedience,--she had no idea of doing any such thing. So, to drown the
+voice that she could not help hearing but did not mean to obey, she went
+off on a Sunday afternoon's excursion with some of the boys and girls,
+received a sharp reprimand from her father for so doing, and went back
+to her work on Monday morning more rebellious, more hardened, more idle,
+more malicious than before.
+
+The blessed Holy Spirit is always longing to have us come to Christ and
+walk in his holy and happy ways. He watches for an opportunity to speak
+to us, and does speak, again and again, inclining us to give up sin and
+choose holiness, offering us, if we will do so, all the help we need.
+But he will not _force_ us to obey his gentle call. If we _will_ not
+listen and obey, he lets us go off on our self-chosen path, ceases to
+speak audibly to us, and patiently waits for another and more propitious
+season. Bertie Sanderson, that June Sunday, greatly "grieved the
+Spirit."
+
+But not so did Etta Mountjoy. This young lady, ever since that first
+Wednesday when she attended her sister's tea-party, had thought more
+seriously than she had ever thought before. The duty of being a
+Christian had come home to her during Eunice's talk and prayer, and at
+the same time she had felt that she was not, and had never tried to be,
+one. She had seen this still more clearly during the subsequent
+meetings, from which her duty to her own class would not permit her to
+be absent. Dishonesty and hypocrisy were not Etta's vices; she could
+not pretend to be what she was not, and yet she could not shake off the
+impression that she _ought_ to give herself to Christ and openly confess
+his name. She tried to put the subject out of her thoughts; but still,
+as she listened, day by day, she grew more and more dissatisfied with
+herself, her own character, her aims in life. The preparation of her
+Sunday-school lessons became a dreaded task, for it was impossible to
+minutely consider the shells of sacred things and not at the same time
+take cognizance of the spiritual kernels which they envelop, and these
+spiritual realities made her uncomfortable and more and more
+dissatisfied with herself.
+
+This Sunday's sermon had gone to the very quick of Etta's conscience,
+painting as with a finger of light what she ought to be and what she
+was. God had made her for his own temple and dwelling-place; made her
+fair, outside and within; endowed her with intellectual and spiritual
+gifts, and with wealth, station, and influence, giving her opportunities
+for culture and usefulness far greater than most of those who surrounded
+her. It was not chance or accident, but God, who had given her all
+this, and he demanded, as he had a right to demand, in return, her love,
+her obedience, her service. Had she given him these? Never once in her
+whole life. She had set up upon his altar in the midst of his beautiful
+temple the idol of self-pleasing, and never in her whole seventeen years
+had she acted from any other motive than to please herself. It was
+sacrilege, it was idolatry, it was dishonesty; and so were all the
+actions which had come from such a corrupt source.
+
+Etta was too clear-headed to suppose that any sudden change of practice,
+which it was in her power to commence now, would make any difference.
+She might obey mechanically, but she could not _make_ herself _love_,
+and she did not love, God. His service was a weariness, prayer a
+formality, the Bible a dull, uninteresting book. She did love a light,
+gay, frivolous life; she saw no attractiveness in one of self-denial and
+holy living.
+
+She went directly to her room on reaching home, refused to go down to
+dinner, sat behind the shaded blinds, and thought till thought became
+insupportable; and then, having come to one settled determination, put
+on her hat, covered her tear-stained face with a veil, and walked down
+the hill to the parsonage, and rang the bell with a nervous jerk.
+Whatever Etta did she did with a will; she made no halfway decisions.
+
+The servant who admitted "Miss Etta" showed her into the pastor's study,
+where after a time he joined her, looking a little surprised at
+receiving such a visitor on Sunday afternoon. Etta's peculiarities,
+however, were well known, and he concluded she had some new project in
+her head, in which she desired his assistance and, as usual, could not
+wait a moment to put it into execution. He was rather surprised by the
+tear-swollen eyes and the resolute expression of face, and after
+courteously welcoming his visitor, waited somewhat impatiently to hear
+what she had to say.
+
+"I came," said the girl, with her usual directness, "to ask you to give
+my Sunday-school class to some one else."
+
+"Tired of holding your hand to the plow, and beginning to look back
+already, eh?" he said.
+
+"No, sir, it isn't that; but I am not fit to teach any class; certainly
+not such a one as this. I don't myself know what those girls ought to
+learn; besides, I'm not a fit character for them to imitate."
+
+"Not a fit character? What can you mean?"
+
+So far Etta had spoken quite steadily, but now there came a tremor into
+her voice, a mist before her eyes, and a choking sensation in her
+throat, that would not let her speak.
+
+He waited a few moments, then said gently: "Try to tell me about it, and
+I will help you if I can."
+
+Encouraged by something fatherly in the clergyman's voice, the girl at
+last found courage to commence her story; and having broken the ice, her
+words came fluently enough, as she tried to make him understand how
+utterly self-seeking and godless her life and character were; how the
+temple that should be God's was barred against him, and filled with
+idols and idolatry.
+
+"This must be the Holy Spirit's teachings," said he, gravely; "for, so
+far as I know, you are no worse or more careless than most girls of
+your age."
+
+But this thought was no comfort to her thoroughly aroused conscience,
+nor did the minister suppose it would be. He continued:
+
+"Now that you see how bad things are, you are going to change them, are
+you not? You will open the barred doors that our blessed Lord wants to
+enter, and let him henceforth be your one object of worship and
+obedience, will you not?"
+
+"How can I?" said the astonished girl. "I can't _make_ myself like
+things."
+
+"No; but it is the Holy Ghost who desires to come into his holy temple,
+and where he comes he brings healing, cleansing, and regenerating power.
+What we have to do is to let him do his work, not hindering him by our
+self-will and disobedience, not even trying to _feel_ as we think we
+ought to feel."
+
+"But I am not worthy to have him come to me. For seventeen years I have
+been sinning against him and grieving him. Even if I were made right all
+at once, I could not undo all that."
+
+"But Jesus can," he said solemnly. "Have you forgotten the cross, and
+all that it means? Have you forgotten that he died to bear the penalty
+of sin, and that for his sake the worst sinners can be forgiven? We are
+none of us worthy to come to him, or, which is the same thing, to have
+him come to us; but he is the 'propitiation, sacrifice, and satisfaction
+for the sins of the whole world'; it is not what you can do or be, but
+what he has done and is. Believe that he loves you, and died for you,
+and is your Saviour, and you cannot help loving and trusting him and
+letting his Spirit do with you as he will."
+
+Was that all? So simple, so easy, and yet an hour ago it had seemed so
+impossible to be a Christian. She did not speak for some minutes; then
+she said:--
+
+"Have I nothing at all to do?"
+
+"A great deal by-and-by; only one thing to-day."
+
+"And that is?"
+
+"To be sure that you are in earnest, that you are thoroughly ashamed of,
+and sorry for, the past, really anxious to be delivered from sin and
+made holy, and resolutely determined obediently to follow where God
+leads the way."
+
+"I believe I am in earnest," said she, simply. "Won't you pray for me,
+sir?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, my child," said the minister, laying his hand on her head.
+"God bless you, and make you very happy in his love, and useful in his
+service."
+
+"You will provide a teacher for my class?" said Etta, as somewhat later
+she rose to take her leave.
+
+"Why, no; unless you are really tired of it. I think you had better go
+on as you have commenced."
+
+"I am not fit to be a Sunday-school teacher."
+
+"I am not fit to be a minister; but God, in his providence, has seen fit
+to make me one, and so I trust him to give me the strength and wisdom I
+need. If you will do the same, you will become a very successful and
+efficient Sunday-school teacher; and this is a good way in which to
+consecrate your talents and opportunities to his service. Now, good-by;
+I must prepare for the evening service. Whenever you want help, advice,
+or sympathy, be sure you come to me."
+
+Etta went home in a new world of thought and feeling. She seemed to
+herself scarcely to be the same girl; but in fact she was not thinking
+particularly about herself. God's love in desiring to save sinners,
+Christ's love in dying for them, the love of the Holy Spirit in being
+willing to come and abide with them, filled all her soul, and she was
+not _trying_ to love this triune God, but loving him with all her might,
+because she could not help doing so. How strange it is that we go on
+from year to year, trying to be better, trying to feel right, trying to
+make ourselves holy, instead of just opening the door of the temple of
+our heart and believing that Jesus Christ loves us, and _because_ he
+loves us will make us all that he wants us to be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+UNDER A CLOUD.
+
+
+Meanwhile there were some changes at the mill. Katie Robertson had been
+promoted to the folding-room, which was on the lower floor, and where
+the work was not so heavy, though the payment was much better. She now
+received seventy-five cents for a regular day's work, and might often
+have made a dollar if her mother would have allowed her to work a half
+or quarter day extra. This promotion came soon after the occurrence of
+the fifty-dollar bill, which, no doubt, had something to do with the
+higher place in Mr. James's estimation, which the little girl held in
+consequence. He took occasion to inquire of Miss Peters concerning her
+work, and heard such a good account of her industry, capability, and
+faithfulness that he felt sure she might be trusted with pleasanter
+occupation and that which needed greater skill.
+
+To enable our young readers who have never seen the process of
+paper-making to understand the change in our heroine's surroundings, we
+will tell them in a few words how paper is made.
+
+As, of course, is universally known, rags, straw, old rope, poplar pith,
+etc., are the materials used. The best writing-paper is made of linen
+rags, which are for the most part imported from Germany. For ordinary
+writing and printing paper cotton rags are used, while straw and hemp,
+and even wool, go largely into the construction of manilla and wrapping
+paper. The linen rags and the woolen ones are generally sorted out in
+the places where they are gathered, at which time the others are all
+packed into bales, when, after passing through various hands, they are
+brought to the different paper-mills. Here the bales are hoisted to the
+top loft of the building, where they are broken and their contents
+turned over and over and subjected to a fanning process which removes a
+large part of the dust. They are then passed through slides down into
+the rag-room, where, as we have seen, they are sorted, cut in pieces,
+and the buttons taken off. They are cut again, in the next room to
+which they are carried, by a revolving cylinder whose surface is covered
+with short, sharp knives, acting on each other much like the blades of
+scissors. From here they are passed into the interior of a long,
+horizontal, copper boiler containing a solution of soda and some other
+chemical substances, and boiled for several days, at the end of which
+time, the dirt being thoroughly loosened, the boiling mass is passed
+through a long slide into vats, through which a constant stream of water
+is flowing, and so thoroughly washed that it becomes as white as snow
+and looks like raw, white cotton. It is then taken into another room,
+packed into a "Jordan engine," and ground into an almost impalpable
+pulp. This pulp is passed into other vats thoroughly mixed with water,
+blueing, and some other substances calculated to give it a hard finish,
+and then conveyed by pipes to the drying-room, where it is distributed
+over the surface of fine wire netting stretched on cylinders and looking
+much like "skim milk." It is now passed from cylinder to cylinder,
+dropping the water with which it is mixed as it goes, and gradually
+taking, more and more, the consistency of paper. At one stage--if it is
+to be writing-paper, which was chiefly manufactured at Squantown
+Mills--a certain amount of glue is poured upon it by means of little
+tubes which are over the cylinders, and this gradually becomes pressed
+into the fibre, giving the paper the shining surface to which we are
+accustomed. This is called _sizing_. At another stage the wire netting
+is changed for a blanket which passes over the cylinders and keeps the
+weak, wet paper from friction, as well as from any chance of breaking.
+Steam is now introduced into the cylinders, and the drying process goes
+on so rapidly that, at the end of the long room, the pulp issues from
+between the two last cylinders in sheets of firm, dry, white paper,
+which are cut off in lengths by stationary knives, and caught and laid
+in place by two boys or girls who sit at a table just below. So complete
+and perfect is the machinery that, in addition to the two boys, only one
+man is needed in the room, and he only to watch lest either of the
+machines gets out of order, or lest the paper should accidentally break.
+
+It is quite fascinating to watch the thin pulp as it gradually becomes
+strong paper, and Katie one day overheard a gentleman visitor, to whom
+Mr. James was explaining the process, say something that she never
+forgot:--
+
+"It makes me think of God's way of dealing with human souls. He takes
+them, polluted and sinful, from the gutters and the slums of life, cuts
+and fashions them till they are in a condition to be used; then washes
+out their stains by his precious blood, grinds, moulds, dissolves, and
+manipulates them, till they come out pure, innocent, white paper, on
+which he can write just what he pleases."
+
+"Yes," said Mr. James. "I have often thought out that analogy, but you
+have not yet seen the whole process. No saint is completed till he has
+gone through the polishing and finishing of his life and character. You
+will see how we polish and finish our paper in the next room."
+
+In the next room were great steel rollers, at each of which two women
+were employed, as this work was generally considered too hard and
+steady, as well as too particular, for the girls and boys. One of these
+women places a sheet of paper between the rollers at the top; the engine
+turns them, carrying the paper round and round between them, and the
+other woman takes it out at the bottom, beautifully polished by the
+pressure.
+
+It is then carried in great piles to the ruling-machines, which stand at
+the other end of the room, and there other girls and women act as
+"feeders" and "tenders." The sheets are carried under upright,
+stationary pens, filled with blue or red ink, and ruled first on one
+side and then on the other, the machine never letting go of the sheets
+till the ruling is perfectly dry.
+
+The paper is now finished, but it must be prepared for being taken away
+and sold; so great piles of it are placed on barrows, and it is carried
+by the "lift" down to the lowest room of all, called the "folding-room,"
+and this is a very gay, busy scene.
+
+Multitudes of girls are at work here, and everything is so clean that no
+checked aprons or mob-caps are needed. Some of them count out the paper,
+first into quires, and then into reams and half-reams. Others fold the
+sheets with an evenness and rapidity that only long practice can give;
+others, again, stamp each sheet in the corner with a die; and still
+others fold the reams--after they have been pressed together--into the
+pretty, colored wrappers prepared for them, sealing them with wax, and
+putting the packages, two together, into heavy brown papers, which are
+closed with the label peculiar to the special brand of paper.
+
+There was plenty of work for everybody, and there was, moreover, a
+variety, and Katie felt very much elated at her promotion when she first
+came into the gay, pleasant folding-room.
+
+But the poor girl was destined to meet with a very bitter
+disappointment. Perhaps the most severe trial of her life awaited her in
+that pleasant room. She had only been there a few days when she became
+aware that she was looked upon with suspicion. The superintendent
+watched her closely, and carefully verified the accounts she gave of her
+work. The girls with whom she tried to make acquaintance turned away,
+and either answered her in monosyllables or else declined speaking at
+all, and often when she came in suddenly before work had commenced two
+or three who were mysteriously whispering together would suddenly stop
+and look curiously and strangely at her. Once or twice she overheard
+some disconnected words, of which the following are specimens: "What was
+it really?"--"You don't say so!"--"Dishonesty!"--"I never should have
+thought it!"--"Are you sure?"--"Bertie Sanderson!"--"She saw it
+herself," etc. etc. Katie, having no key to these disjointed sentences,
+could make nothing of them, but she felt that she was what school boys
+call "sent to Coventry," and had not the least idea why.
+
+The fact was that Bertie, whose jealous dislike was greatly increased by
+Katie's promotion, while she herself remained in the rag-room, had
+uttered her innuendoes to all who would listen to her, till it was
+pretty generally understood throughout the mill that Katie Robertson was
+a thief, who appeared in unbecoming finery bought with ill-gotten gains.
+The rumor never took sufficient definiteness of shape to reach the girl
+so that she could confute it and explain its origin. Of course, she was
+not likely to tell any one in the mill about the finding of the
+fifty-dollar bill and what had passed between Mr. James Mountjoy and
+herself, since it was largely to her own credit, nor had he ever thought
+of mentioning it, for a somewhat similar reason. So the report traveled
+from one mouth to another, losing nothing in its passage, and poor Katie
+was obliged to endure the general avoidance and reprobation as best she
+might. It was a hard trial and one in which she had no one to sympathize
+with her, for Mrs. Robertson's gloomy disposition inclined her children
+to keep from her anything that might add to her unhappiness, and somehow
+she did not feel like making confidants of the boys. But hard as the
+trial seemed in the passing, it was, in the end, good for our heroine,
+for it drove her to the only Friend who knew all about it, who knew that
+she was innocent of the charge, whatever it might be, and pitied and
+loved her, whoever else might cast her out. The things which drive us
+close to Him, no matter how hard they seem, are really blessings in
+disguise. Katie had now but one friend in the mill, a slight, pale
+girl, who stood by the folding-table next to herself. She had only just
+come to the mill, was intimate with no one, and, so far, had not heard
+the story, whatever it was, about Katie Robertson. Her name was Tessa.
+Her father, who had been a traveling organ-grinder, was taken sick and
+died very suddenly at Squantown. His little dark-eyed girl, who
+accompanied him, was left perfectly destitute and in a most desolate
+condition. She was at first taken care of in the poor-house, but as she
+grew older, and it was thought best that she should do something for her
+own support, Mr. Mountjoy had been appealed to, and had given her a
+place in the mill. Not in the rag-room, however, for she had such a
+delicate constitution that it was supposed she never could stand the
+dust. Her work consisted in pasting the fancy paper over the edges of
+little "pads," intended for doctors' use in writing their prescriptions,
+and when she was tired she was allowed to have a seat. She could not
+make much, but what she did receive sufficed to pay for her room in the
+factory boarding-house, and Tessa was as happy as she could be without
+her father.
+
+The Italian girl had conceived a strong admiration for our bright
+little Katie, and by degrees the two girls became great friends. Tessa's
+love was the silver lining to the cloud under whose shadow her companion
+lived.
+
+But the heaviest part of the cloud was that the story reached Miss Etta.
+She had noticed the general avoidance of Katie by the other girls in her
+class, and was very much at a loss to account for it, for to her this
+scholar had always seemed the best and brightest of them all, and she
+could see no change in her reverent, attentive behavior, her carefully
+prepared lessons, and her evident understanding and enjoyment of the
+spiritual truths which they contained. This latter point she could
+appreciate better than before, and she often shrank in humility from
+attempting to teach Katie anything, feeling herself better fitted to be
+the pupil. But the girls evidently did not feel so. What could be the
+matter?
+
+One day, when all had left the Sunday-school, except Bertie, she stopped
+her and asked her directly why neither she nor the other girls were
+willing to sit next to Katie Robertson, and why they all looked at her
+so significantly when she came in or went out.
+
+Bertie flushed, whether with joy or shame it would have been hard to
+say, and at first would not answer; but on her teacher's insisting, said
+that she didn't want to tell tales, etc.
+
+The young lady saw that nevertheless her scholar was running over with
+her secret and longing for an opportunity to divulge it, and, had she
+been a little older and more experienced, she would not have given her
+the opportunity. But Etta was very curious, and, moreover, thought she
+had a right to know all that concerned her Sunday scholars, so she
+waited until her patience was rewarded by the whole story--that is, the
+version of it that Bertie's vindictive fancy chose to give.
+
+She learned that Katie had been seen by two of the girls in the mill to
+_steal_ a large sum of money, which she had appropriated to the use of
+herself and family; that by degrees one after another had heard of it,
+and that of course honest girls who had their own way to make did not
+like to associate with a thief.
+
+On being asked who the girls were that had seen the action, and why
+they had not at once given information concerning it, Bertie declined to
+give any answer to the first part of her question, and professed entire
+ignorance concerning the latter; only she said: "All the girls knew, and
+of course couldn't associate with a sly thief, especially when she gave
+herself the airs of a saint."
+
+Etta was very much troubled. She could not believe such a story of her
+best pupil, and yet how could she contradict it? Without names and
+particulars she did not know how to set about investigating the truth;
+nor did she like to ask any one's advice, and thus cast suspicion upon
+the child.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+NOVEL-READING.
+
+
+"What makes you so tired to-day, Tessa?" said Katie, one morning when the
+"rules" allowed the girls to speak.
+
+"I don't know; I always do feel so in the mornings. It's awfully hard to
+get up. Don't you find it so?"
+
+"I did at first, but I am getting used to it now. By the time I am
+dressed I am wide-awake and fit for anything. I don't see why you should
+feel so; I am afraid you're sick."
+
+"Oh, no; only stupid and sleepy; I'll wake up by-and-by," and Tessa drew
+from her pocket a thin, square volume which was tightly rolled up. The
+noon-whistles sounded just then, and Katie saw her companion curl
+herself up on a box in the corner and at once lose herself in her book.
+
+She still sat there when her friend returned, rosy and refreshed after
+her warm dinner and two brisk walks, and, as there were still a few
+moments before work must be resumed, the latter walked across the room
+and playfully took the book from the other's hand.
+
+"Don't! oh, please, don't!" said Tessa. "Time's most up, and I _must_
+know what became of Sir Reginald!"
+
+"You _must_ eat your lunch. Look, here it lies untasted beside you.
+Tessa, you will certainly be sick if you go on in this way."
+
+But Tessa did not listen; she had again firmly grasped the book, and was
+greedily devouring its contents quite dead to outside things, till, the
+bell ringing, Katie jogged her shoulder, and she walked slowly across to
+the table where both girls worked, her eyes still upon her book. There
+she set it up, still open, against a pile of packages of paper, and all
+the afternoon kept casting furtive glances at it, often letting her work
+drop and her hands hang idle, while she followed the fortunes of the
+fascinating Sir Reginald.
+
+Katie was in an agony; she loved Tessa, and did not want her to get into
+trouble, as she would certainly do if her proceedings should be observed
+by the overseer. Besides, was it honest thus to use time paid for by an
+employer?
+
+But she had no chance to speak to her companion, for as usual she
+finished her work and went home, and whether her companion received a
+reprimand from the overseer for not having completed her daily task she
+did not know. Probably she did not, for it was an understood thing that
+Tessa was not so strong as the other girls, and therefore so much must
+not be expected of her.
+
+The next day it was the same thing. Tessa looked tired out before the
+day's work began, and well she might, for she had sat up nearly all
+night to dispose of Sir Reginald, and now "The Fair Barmaid" had taken
+his place. Again the girl went without the uninviting lunch she had
+brought from her boarding-house, and again, as before, the fascinating
+novel divided her attention with her work. This afternoon she was
+detected by the overseer, who spoke a few words of reprimand and ordered
+her to put the book away, which she did unwillingly and with heightened
+color. It came out again, however, the moment the closing-bell rang;
+and, to make up for lost time, was assiduously read during the homeward
+walk, and took the place of both supper and sleep till almost daylight
+the next morning.
+
+Poor Tessa! she had inherited from her ancestry that love of romance and
+adventure which, in their own sunny land, makes the Italians rival the
+Orientals in their love of hearing and telling stories. The more
+thrilling these stories are, the fuller of passion and crime, the better
+they seem to suit the tastes of these fervid and excitable natures. And
+she was alone; there was no one to counsel her, no one to love her, no
+one even to talk to in the long evenings she must of necessity spend in
+her bare room at the factory boarding-house, hot and stifling in summer,
+cold and bare in winter. She had been taught to read at the poor-house
+school and a stray dime novel happening to fall in her way, her
+imagination, waiting for something on which to feed itself, seized upon
+the unhealthful food, and gratified taste quickly ripened into
+insatiable appetite. The girl read everything she could lay hold of, and
+there is always plenty of such literature close at hand and ready to be
+devoured. Novels at five cents apiece are sold by the million at country
+stores, railway-depots, and news-stations. Ephemeral in their nature,
+every one who owns them is ready to lend, give, or throw them away, and
+when books fail there are always quantities of "story-papers," full of
+the wildest, most improbable, and often vicious tales.
+
+Tessa bought when she had any spare pennies, borrowed and begged when
+she had not; read by daylight, and twilight, and lamplight, sitting up
+as long as the miserable boarding-house lamps would hold out, and became
+so immersed in her world of romance as to become almost oblivious to
+outward things.
+
+To do the little girl justice, she was too innocent to understand half
+the wickedness which in this way was brought before her notice, but none
+the less was she being gradually demoralized by this evil habit. Her
+appetite failed, she scarcely took any exercise, she became nervous and
+excitable to a degree, her work was neglected, and, worse still, she was
+becoming familiarized with ideas, suggestions, and thoughts that should
+never come within the comprehension of pure-minded girls. As to her
+work, she was fast losing all interest in, indeed all capacity for,
+that, and it was whispered among her superiors that but for her utterly
+friendless condition it would be expedient to supply her place in the
+mill with some more profitable work-woman.
+
+"Miss Eunice," said Katie, at the next Wednesday afternoon meeting, "is
+it wicked to read novels?"
+
+"What a wholesale question," said Miss Eunice. "It is not _wicked_
+exactly to do a great many things which it would be better on the whole
+to let alone--tipping one's chair up on two legs, for instance."
+
+Katie blushed, righted her chair, and said: "I mean wrong; is it wrong
+to read novels?"
+
+"Not all novels, certainly; that is, not all _fiction_. The best writers
+of our day throw their thoughts into that form, and our knowledge of
+history, philosophy, science, and character comes largely from this
+source. Our Saviour sanctified fiction by giving his highest and deepest
+lessons to his disciples in parables. If you mean that kind of novels,
+read in moderation, I should decidedly say no."
+
+"She means dime novels," said one of the girls.
+
+"Oh, 'Headless Horsemen' and 'Midnight Mysteries,' fascinating maidens
+carried off by desperate ruffians. I am thankful to say that I have no
+personal acquaintance with that sort of thing; but, girls, let me ask
+you a few questions. May I?"
+
+"First, let all who read, or ever have read, what are called 'sensation
+stories' raise their hands."
+
+A great many hands went up--more than the questioner liked to see.
+
+"How many find such books help them in their work, make the factory seem
+pleasanter, and themselves more contented?"
+
+Not a hand was raised, and the girl who had spoken before said:--
+
+"I never can work half as well in the morning when I have been reading
+stories at night. I hate the sight of the factory, and wish I was a
+princess, or a splendidly dressed young lady with oceans of gold and
+jewels, like those in the books."
+
+"Another question: Do books of this kind help you to pray, make the
+Bible more interesting, and incline you to loving service for the
+Saviour who has died that you might be saved?"
+
+No one answered. The girls looked both surprised and shocked, and Miss
+Eunice continued:--
+
+"On the contrary, I dare say many of you remember times when the
+thrilling interest of an exciting story has made you utterly forget your
+prayers, or at any rate has made church and Sunday-school and the homely
+duties of a Christian life seem tame and flat by comparison. Is it not
+so?"
+
+Many bowed assent.
+
+"Now for my last question: Would you be willing that your fathers and
+brothers or the young men of your acquaintance should read all of these
+books with you, every passage, and could you, without blushing, read
+them aloud to your pastor or to me?"
+
+No answer.
+
+"There is another aspect of the question," continued the teacher. "Your
+employers pay you a stipulated sum in return for a certain amount of
+work to be done in a certain amount of time. They have a right to expect
+you to give your best skill, your closest attention. Do you think it is
+quite _honest_ either to use a part of that time in reading foolish,
+useless, or hurtful books, or to come to your work so exhausted and
+preoccupied by them as to be unfitted for performing your part of the
+contract?"
+
+"I do not desire to coerce you, or even to bind your consciences by any
+promise, but I leave you to consider all I have said, and I think if you
+do so honestly and prayerfully you will come to the conclusion that for
+you who hope you have found your Saviour,--nay, I will say for all,
+inasmuch as you all ought to be Christians,--the reading of this kind of
+books and stories is among those works of the flesh and the devil which
+you are called to renounce."
+
+Katie had got the answer she had asked for, and besides she was well
+furnished with arguments to bring to bear upon Tessa the first
+opportunity she should have of talking with her, and that, she
+determined, should be very soon.
+
+When the girls and their escorts had gone home that evening, the two
+sisters lingered to talk a little over the question that had so
+interested their scholars. It was a new thing for them to have any
+common interest, and Eunice hailed it as a good omen that her sister
+should consult with her about anything. Etta had not yet confided to her
+elder sister her new hopes, purposes, and feelings. She was an
+independent girl, who had always thought and acted for herself, and
+there had never been anything like sisterly familiarity between the
+eldest and youngest of the Mountjoys. The distance between them was too
+great, and perhaps the elder, in filling the position of a mother to her
+little sister, had at first assumed a little too much of the authority
+of one. She had grown wiser now, and did not attempt to force the young
+girl's confidence; but she could not but be conscious of a change. There
+was an increased gentleness of manner and sweetness of tone, a
+thoughtful consideration of others, and deference to her own wishes
+which she had never seen before. Her continuing to attend the Wednesday
+meetings, and her serious attention when there, were good signs; so was
+Etta's voluntary attendance at the Sunday evening service, a thing that
+had never happened before, and Eunice began to hope that the solemn,
+earnest realities of life would yet become precious to her
+light-hearted, wayward sister.
+
+This evening they talked over the novel grievance, and the temptations
+to which the mill-girls were exposed, and Etta proposed a plan for their
+benefit, which, when matured and digested, besides being supported by
+Mr. Mountjoy's purse and his son's executive ability, eventuated in the
+conversion of an unused loft in the mill into a library and reading-room
+for the girls and such of their brothers and friends as knew how to
+appreciate its benefits by behaving like gentlemen.
+
+The books were chosen with great care, and were the best of their kind
+to be had--popular science, history, and biography, with a large, a very
+large, proportion of such fiction as had a tendency to elevate and
+instruct, while it interested, its readers. The books were not to be
+taken from the building, except upon rare occasions and under peculiar
+circumstances; but the reading-room, which was nicely carpeted, well
+warmed, and furnished with long tables and comfortable chairs, was open
+during the noon intermission and for two hours every evening, and good
+behavior was the only condition demanded for enjoying both its social
+and literary privileges. The library soon became a very popular
+institution, and the sale and consumption of sensational literature
+decreased proportionally.
+
+Before separating for the night, Etta said: "Did you notice the girl who
+asked the question about novels?"
+
+"Katie Robertson? Yes; I have had my eye on her for a long time. She
+seems the most promising subject of your class."
+
+"So I have always thought; but I have had a terrible disappointment in
+her. No one would suppose it, but I have recently heard that she is a
+thief, and that to a large amount. The child, innocent as she looks, has
+actually stolen fifty dollars from our mill."
+
+"That is absolutely impossible! I will not believe it. Who told you so,
+Etta?"
+
+"One of the class. Bertie Sanderson. She was not at all willing to tell
+tales on her companion, but I questioned her and found it is as I say.
+She assures me that all the girls know about it, and that two of
+them--she did not give their names--saw the theft."
+
+"Why did they not inform about it at once?"
+
+"So I asked her; but she did not seem to know, and also declined giving
+the names of the two girls. That was a little more honorable than I gave
+Bertie credit for being."
+
+"A little more deceitful, possibly," said Eunice, who had no high
+opinion of Bertie Sanderson; "yet, if she were herself one of these
+girls, she would, I suppose, have been glad to say so. Where do you
+suppose this child found fifty dollars to steal? Money is not kept loose
+around the mill, and the girls do not have access to the office. There
+is something we don't know about this, Etta. The subject ought to be
+investigated. Have you spoken to James?"
+
+"No, I don't want to prejudice him against Katie, if she should be
+innocent; but I fear that is hardly possible, after what Bertie said."
+
+"I should be more inclined to suspect Bertie herself. Where do you
+suppose she got that flashy silk dress she wears?"
+
+"Isn't it horrid! I wonder those girls don't see how vulgar their cheap
+finery is."
+
+"Perhaps they try to copy their teacher," ventured the elder sister,
+whose exquisitely neat style of dress was always remarkable for its
+plainness and simplicity when she came in contact with her Sunday
+scholars. But Etta was not yet sufficiently humbled to take reproof from
+that source, and she abruptly left the room. All the same, however, she
+thought and prayed a great deal upon the subject, and the next Sunday
+surprised her class by appearing before them without an unnecessary
+ribbon or ornament.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+TESSA.
+
+
+Katie Robertson remained in the mill that Saturday afternoon, although
+her work had long been completed, till the bell rang for five o'clock,
+that being the hour for the Saturday dismissal. Then she said to
+Tessa:--
+
+"Come and take a walk with me. There's a full hour before tea, and I
+don't believe you've ever seen the Fawn's Leap. Have you?"
+
+"No," said her companion, "I have never been anywhere in Squantown. They
+would not let us go, in the poor-house, and since I've been in the mill
+I've been too tired after work was over."
+
+"Are you very tired now?"
+
+"Not so very; I did not sleep much last night."
+
+"Was it a _very_ interesting story?" said the other, archly.
+
+"Oh, yes," said Tessa, becoming at once very much excited; "she,
+Amanda, I mean, married the most elegant count, and he took her to his
+castle, and she had pearls and diamonds and silks and satins, and never
+had to do a thing all the rest of her life; and only think, Katie, she
+was a mill-girl in the beginning, just like us." The sentence finished
+with a sigh.
+
+"Would you like a count to come and carry you off to a castle by-and-by,
+and give you all those things?"
+
+"Oh, indeed, yes; when the light goes out, and I can't read any more I
+lie awake thinking about it, and wondering if such a count will ever
+come along. He might, you know, any day."
+
+"Does that make the mill seem any pleasanter in the morning?"
+
+"No! no! I hate the mill. It looks so rough and bare, and the girls all
+seem so common. I feel like crying to have to spend so many hours
+there."
+
+"And then you can't do your work well. I know just how that feels. Miss
+Eunice says it isn't _honest_ to do anything that will unfit us for the
+work we are paid for doing."
+
+This was a new definition of dishonesty to Tessa, but she only said:--
+
+"Who's Miss Eunice?"
+
+"Oh, she's the teacher of the Bible-class; the nicest, most splendid
+lady in the Sunday-school, except, of course, Miss Etta. She's our
+teacher, you know, but she's so young she seems just like one of
+ourselves."
+
+"Do you go to Sunday-school?" said Tessa opening her eyes. "I thought
+only little children went. Father said it was so in Italy."
+
+"But everybody goes here. There's great big girls, quite young women, in
+Miss Eunice's class. Tessa," said Katie, struck with a sudden idea,
+"what do you do with yourself on Sundays?"
+
+"I read," said the person addressed; "read all day long. I lie on the
+bed in my room, and forget how hot it is and how lonely, and then when
+it gets dark I remember beautiful Italy and cry."
+
+"What a lonely life," said Katie, sympathetically. "Why don't you go to
+church?"
+
+"We never went to church, my father and I. He said the church had
+ruined Italy, and he was not a Catholic any more."
+
+"But we're not Catholics. Oh, I wish you would come to our church and
+our Sunday-school! It's just as nice!--there's Miss Etta, and Bertie and
+Gretchen and Cora, and two or three more, and on Wednesday Miss Eunice
+invites our class and hers to tea, and reads to us, and we have a
+society and work for missions and--oh, it's so nice!" said enthusiastic
+Katie.
+
+"Do you go to Sunday-school just to have nice times?" and Tessa opened
+her black eyes very widely.
+
+"No," said her friend, more soberly; "I think I go there to learn more
+about Jesus, and how to love him more and serve him better. Some of us
+hope to join the church soon."
+
+Tessa asked some questions that led to a long talk which lasted till
+they had reached the Fawn's Leap, which was a beautiful little waterfall
+shooting down between two high rocks, from one of which to the other a
+fawn was reputed to have sprung. It was a very lovely spot, and the two
+girls threw themselves upon the grass to rest, while the Italian drew
+long inspirations of delight.
+
+"It makes me think of home," she said; "the old home in Italy. We
+lived, my father and I, close to a waterfall just like this, among the
+mountains. After my mother died my father did not want to stay there, so
+he went to Naples and bought an organ, and we came to America in a big
+ship, and wandered about, and then"--her voice broke down then and she
+said: "Oh, Katie, I am so lonely! if I only had a home like yours, with
+people in it to talk to and to be kind to me, I should not want to read
+so many stories. I don't believe they _are_ good for me." This was in
+reference to all Miss Eunice's talk about the evils of novel-reading as
+repeated by Katie.
+
+A sudden thought struck the latter.
+
+"Tessa," she said, "it must be awfully lonely at your boarding-house in
+the evenings and on Sundays. I wish you could come and live with me. I
+have no companions but the boys, and to have you would be just
+splendid."
+
+"Do you think I could? Do you think your mother would let me? Oh, Katie,
+you can't really mean it!"
+
+Katie had not taken her mother into consideration. Of course, she could
+not be sure of her approbation of such a plan, but she promised to ask,
+and went on planning how nice it would be--how the two girls could share
+Katie's room and bed; how they could go to the mill together. "And
+then," said she, "you could go to Sunday-school with me, Tessa."
+
+But here Tessa drew back. She had no clothes, she said, fit to go to
+church in--only her working-dress and the straw hat which she wore every
+day to the mill.
+
+"Go in that. Miss Eunice says God doesn't care what we wear when we go
+to church."
+
+"But the girls do, and I care more about them."
+
+This rather shocked Katie, but she did not see her way out of the
+difficulty, and mentally resolved to "ask mother": that way out of all
+difficulties which is first to suggest itself to a young girl's mind.
+
+"There is the sun setting," said Tessa.--"It must be ever so late. I
+sha'n't get any supper; they never keep anything for us at our
+boarding-house."
+
+"Oh, yes, you will! you are coming home with me; mother will have
+something ready for both of us. I told her where we were going, and she
+promised she would keep our supper for us, no matter how late it was.
+Besides, it will be a good chance to ask her about our plan."
+
+So Tessa consented, nothing loth, and when she saw the fair, white
+cloth, with the clear glasses and bright, shining china, the delicate
+slices of white bread, the wild strawberries, and fresh brown
+gingerbread, and contrasted it with the bare table, the stoneware badly
+chipped, and the great piles of coarse provisions, into which the
+boarders dipped their own knives, she felt as though she had suddenly
+got into paradise.
+
+Katie had told the home party about her Italian companion, and her
+apparent friendlessness, and all had taken such an interest in her that
+when the boys heard their sister ask and receive permission to bring her
+home to tea, and their mother's promise to make some soft gingerbread,
+they resolved to contribute their share toward the festival, and the
+strawberries, to gathering which they had devoted their afternoon
+holiday, were the result.
+
+It was a very happy tea-party. Katie was in high spirits, her mother
+gentle and hospitable, the boys courteous and gentlemanly. Tessa had
+never been in such society before, and yet there was in her a native
+grace and refinement--due, perhaps, to the artistic atmosphere in which
+she was born--that prevented her from doing anything rude or awkward, or
+seeming at all out of place.
+
+After tea the boys brought out the games, and the visitor showed herself
+quick to learn and eager to enjoy. The heavy, half-sorrowful look went
+out of her face, which became full of fun as her eyes sparkled and
+danced, and she pushed back her long black hair.
+
+When the clock struck nine Mrs. Robertson said:--
+
+"It is time for young folks who have to get up early to go to bed. The
+boys will see you home, dear; but perhaps you would like to stay and
+have prayers with us first."
+
+"Oh, yes, I am sure she would," said Katie, seeing that her friend
+seemed not to know how to answer this proposition. So Eric handed his
+mother the books, and she first read a chapter in the Bible, and then
+kneeling down, with her little flock around her, read an evening prayer,
+commending them all to the love and protection of their heavenly Father.
+It all seemed very sweet to the visitor, who had never been present at
+such a service before. She could not probably have told how she felt,
+but a longing desire came over her to stay where everything seemed so
+near the gate of heaven, and she said impulsively:--
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Robertson, if you would only keep me always!"
+
+Then Katie said:--
+
+"Mother, why can't Tessa live with us? There's plenty of room for her
+with me; and she has nobody belonging to her--nothing but a horrid room
+in the factory boarding-house, where nobody cares for her, and she has
+to read novels all the evening and all Sunday, and that makes her sick.
+It would be so nice to have her go to the mill with me every day, and to
+Sunday-school on Sunday--only she hasn't any clothes that are fit,
+and"--
+
+"My dear, do stop to take your breath," said the astonished mother, "and
+let me get some idea of what you are talking about. Do I understand
+that you want Tessa to come and live here? I should much like to have
+her do so, my child, but you know--don't think me unkind, Tessa--that we
+are poor people, and find it hard to fill the four mouths that must be
+filled."
+
+"Oh, I didn't mean that," said the girl, timidly, and turning crimson.
+"Of course, I wouldn't let you and Katie support me; but I could pay you
+my board, just as I do at the boarding-house. I suppose it would be
+more, but perhaps I could work harder and earn something extra, as some
+of the other girls do."
+
+"How much do you pay now?"
+
+"Two dollars and a half a week."
+
+"And you have only three dollars! Katie makes five."
+
+"Yes, I know; she works fast. Perhaps I could if there was any
+use--anything to do it for. I didn't need any money. They gave me my
+clothes at the workhouse, and I bought books with the other
+half-dollar."
+
+Both girls looked very beseechingly at Katie's mother, and Eric, who
+had taken a great fancy to the dark-haired girl, added his entreaties;
+but she said:--
+
+"I can not answer you to-night; I must think about it and pray over it.
+I will let you know when I have made up my mind. Now you must go home,
+dear; Eric will go with you. Good-night, and God bless you."
+
+Tessa felt the kiss that accompanied these words down to the bottom of
+her heart. No one had ever kissed her before, so far as she could
+remember, except her father, and she longed most ardently to be taken
+into this home.
+
+Katie followed her to the door and whispered: "Tessa, I shall ask God to
+make mother decide the way we want her to. You ask him, too. You know it
+says in the Bible: 'If any two of you shall agree on earth as touching
+any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them.'" But Tessa did
+not yet understand about "asking God." She only stared and bid her
+friend good-night.
+
+The next morning as she sat rather disconsolately on the doorstep of the
+boarding-house, not knowing exactly what to do with herself, for in
+consequence of last night's visiting she had neglected to provide
+herself with a new book, Katie came by and greeted her brightly. She
+looked so sweet and fresh in her simple Sunday dress that it was not to
+be wondered at that Tessa, in her soiled mill-clothes, again refused to
+accompany her friend to Sunday-school.
+
+"You shall have my library book, any way. I don't care to get another
+to-day, and mother says you are to come round this afternoon to get her
+answer."
+
+The book was a pleasant story, and though it lacked the species of
+morbid excitement to which the girl had accustomed herself, it filled up
+the time agreeably, and gave her a glimpse of a higher, purer plane of
+life than any with which she was as yet familiar. Some precious truths
+concerning the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the happiness of
+serving him, were woven into it, and served as the indestructible seeds
+which were yet to ripen in the girl's spiritual life. At about four
+o'clock she put on her hat, and full of mingled anxiety and hope, made
+her way to the corner house which seemed to her so much like heaven.
+
+Meanwhile, Mrs. Robertson had thought the matter over in every
+direction. She did not at first like the idea of increasing the home
+party, or of introducing into it any element that might prove
+discordant. She dreaded to have Katie or the boys come under any
+influence that might counteract the earnest, religious training she was
+endeavoring to give her children. But there seemed to be nothing
+vicious, or even common, about Tessa; she was sweet and well-mannered,
+and so friendless and forlorn that it would be a positive charity to
+take her in. Then, too, the girl had evidently had no religious teaching
+and was profoundly ignorant about spiritual things. Perhaps this was
+missionary work sent to her very hands. She might at least try it for a
+while. The board to be paid would make it possible to do so, and if the
+plan were not a success, or proved hurtful to her own children, to whom
+she owed her first duty, she could but send the girl back to her present
+lodgings.
+
+So, when Tessa came she was told, to her great joy, that her request
+was granted, and she might commence her new life on Monday. A very
+serious motherly talk followed, and among other things the new boarder
+was obliged to promise never to introduce sensational literature into
+the house.
+
+Mrs. Robertson agreed to take Tessa for two dollars a week, on condition
+that she would assist Katie with the housework before and after
+mill-hours. The half-dollar a week thus saved would soon procure a
+simple Sunday outfit, and enable her to accompany her friend to
+Sunday-school and church.
+
+Katie, with some of the remains of her precious fifty dollars, insisted
+on advancing this; and on the first Sunday morning the young Italian,
+looking very pretty but rather shy, took her place in Miss Etta's class,
+and was at once enrolled among its members.
+
+Mrs. Robertson never had cause to regret her kind-hearted decision.
+Tessa was devotedly attached to Katie, and followed, rather than led,
+her friend. She was shy with the boys at first, but soon came to show
+them the same sisterly feeling that their sister did. Her wit,
+quickness, and power of story-telling soon made her a valuable addition
+to the family circle, while the genial home influences and good fare so
+told upon herself that her extreme delicacy soon disappeared, and she
+became capable of as much work or endurance as Katie herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+GRETCHEN.
+
+
+German Gretchen was absent from the mill one morning. No one noticed it
+except Miss Peters, who marked her down for one less day's wages. The
+young girl, who had drifted into the manufacturing town, as so many do,
+in search of work, had never been a favorite or attracted particular
+attention. She was a fair work-woman, obeyed rules, and went her way to
+the boarding-house when night came; but she made no friends either there
+or at the mill, and it would scarcely have been noticed had she
+disappeared altogether. Somehow she had floated into Sunday-school, and
+been placed in the class which afterward became Etta Mountjoy's, but
+here her apparent stolidity made her perhaps the least interesting of
+all the girls. Perhaps this was in part owing to the fact that one is
+not likely to be very talkative in a strange language.
+
+But Gretchen had a heart, although no one in Squantown had yet found,
+or cared to find, it. It was safe at home in the fatherland, where the
+house-mother and father had as much as they could do to put enough black
+bread to support life into the mouths of the five little children, too
+young to do as she had done, when she accompanied a neighbor's family,
+who were emigrating to seek their fortune in the New World. These
+neighbors had gone to the far West, and not caring to be burdened with a
+possibly unproductive member of their party, had left the little girl in
+the hands of a German employment agency, through which she had found her
+way to Squantown Mills.
+
+Gretchen had many homesick hours when she would have given a great deal
+more than she possessed to be at home again sharing the poverty and
+hardships of the Old World, but she expressed her feelings to no one.
+Indeed, she knew no one to whom she could have expressed them. She did
+her day's work faithfully, receiving her regular payment of fifty cents,
+and occasionally a little more, which little she resolutely put away at
+the bottom of her box, to be sent home to her mother and the little
+ones when there should be a good opportunity.
+
+But now Gretchen was absent from her work one, two, three, four days. It
+was Miss Peters's duty to report all absentees on Saturday night, and
+she did so after the hands had been paid off and gone home. The
+book-keeper noted the absence in his pages, asked if work was so
+pressing as to make the appointment of a substitute necessary or
+advisable, and being answered in the negative quite forgot to inform his
+employer of the girl's absence.
+
+But when Sunday came, and Gretchen was absent from the place in the
+class which she had so regularly occupied, it was a different thing.
+Etta, among her other activities, had from the first been a good visitor
+of absentees. Indeed, when her scholars lived with their families, as in
+the case of Katie and one or two of the other girls, she had made more
+visits and laid down the law more than was quite agreeable in all cases.
+Now, with her newly awakened sense of responsibility toward the immortal
+souls placed under her charge, she had begun to watch over them as one
+who must give account of their souls. She had several times thought of
+looking up Gretchen, in order to become acquainted with her
+surroundings, etc., but had not yet put her design into execution, and
+now the girl's absence from the class gave her teacher the very
+opportunity she desired.
+
+As soon as tea was over, in the long June twilight, Etta put on her hat,
+and walked down the hill upon which the grand house stood to the valley,
+in which was the long row of boarding-houses occupied by such of the
+mill-hands as had no homes in the place. It was stiflingly hot down
+here, though it had been cool and fresh on the high ground above, and
+the young lady, who had not often visited the purlieus of the mill, felt
+as though she could scarcely breathe, and did not wonder that men sat at
+the open windows in their shirtsleeves, and that tired-looking women
+seemed gasping for air. The bare wooden buildings, with their long rows
+of windows and doors all of the same pattern; the smooth, beaten yards,
+all just alike; the swarms of children making it seem anything but
+Sunday-like with their noise; the teeming population, which made the
+tenements resemble ant-hills, and seemed to forbid any idea of privacy,
+looked very dreadful to her.
+
+On the other side of the street was a long row of brick cottages, each
+inhabited by two or more families, the distinctive sign of each being
+the family pig, kept, for greater convenience, in the front yard, from
+which odors, not the most choice in their nature, were constantly wafted
+across the way. In the doorways of most of these lounged Irishmen
+smoking and swearing, in some cases in a state of intoxication; for,
+although the rules of the mill concerning drinking were very strict, and
+no habitual drinker was ever knowingly engaged in it, it was impossible
+to prevent the men from depositing a part of the earnings received every
+Saturday night in the hands of one or two liquor-dealers whom the law
+licensed to sell death and ruin to their fellow-men.
+
+How dreadful, thought the young lady, to be compelled to spend one's
+life in such wretched surroundings. Is it any wonder that the women
+become hopeless slatterns, and that the children grow up in vice and
+sin? How thankful I ought to be to the heavenly Father who has
+surrounded me with such different influences! how I wish I might do
+something to raise and elevate these, and give them a few of the
+blessings of which I have so many!
+
+Etta Mountjoy had grown since that early June Sunday when she had
+visited her pastor in such sorrow and perplexity. She had read and seen
+and thought more and more of the wonderful love of our heavenly Father
+in surrounding her with so many blessings and in sending his only Son to
+be her Saviour and friend. She looked back upon the life of
+self-pleasing she had so long led with sorrow amounting to disgust. How
+could she have been so ungrateful? How could she have failed to love One
+so altogether lovely? She was learning now to find pleasure in prayer,
+and the Bible, which had been to her such a dull book, began to be more
+interesting than any story which she had formerly devoured. And she was
+trying, faintly and with many relapses, it is true, to take up her
+neglected duties, especially those which had been most distasteful to
+her, and perform them steadily "as unto the Lord." Out of all this was
+springing up in her a desire to do something for Christ--something which
+would be, if not a return for his favors, at least a token of her
+gratitude to him. To-night just such an opportunity as she had desired
+came to her hand.
+
+If Etta had only known it, the dwellings of the operatives at Squantown
+were palatial compared to those into which the working-classes are
+huddled in cities; for here the many windows opened upon pure fresh air
+and green fields, the little yards were scrupulously clean, and vines
+clambered up the sides of the doors and windows, even to the roofs. The
+fare, plain as it was, was not tainted by exposure in a city market, or
+by being hawked about the city streets, and the price of living was no
+higher than the wages received in the mill enabled the people to pay.
+
+The young teacher had the number of the house at which her scholar
+boarded written down in her class-book, and at that number she at once
+knocked. No one came for some time, but at last repeated raps brought
+the woman who kept the house, and who might perhaps be excused for her
+want of greater promptitude on the ground of having so many dishes to
+wash after the boarders' tea.
+
+In answer to Miss Etta's inquiries the woman answered civilly enough,
+for it would not do to offend one of "the family," that Gretchen's room
+was the back garret; that she believed the girl had been sick for a day
+or two, but she had not had time to look after her, though she had sent
+her little boy up with her meals. The child couldn't have eaten much,
+for the tray came down almost as it went up. She had been trying to find
+time to go upstairs all day, and was just meaning to do so now that her
+dishes were done. She would go up now, and let the young lady know how
+her scholar was.
+
+"Let me go with you," said Etta; but the request was only a form, as the
+girl usually did just as she pleased without waiting for anybody's
+permission, and, indeed, the woman of the house knew no reason why, on
+this occasion, she should not follow her own inclination.
+
+Three flights of stairs were climbed, a long narrow hall, studded with
+doors on each side, traversed, and Mrs. Doyle opened one in the
+southwest corner of the house, where, the sun having beaten on the
+sloping roof all the afternoon, the temperature was something fearful.
+The room was small, for Mr. Mountjoy had built the boarding-houses, and
+desired to try the experiment of each inmate having a separate room
+instead of a great many men or women being herded together in open
+dormitories. It contained simply a cot, a wooden chair, and a table upon
+which stood conveniences for washing and the untasted supper. On the cot
+lay the German girl, blazing with fever and tossing about in the
+greatest discomfort. At first she did not know her visitors, and seemed
+a little frightened at seeing the room so full. But presently,
+recognizing her Sunday-school teacher, she grasped her hand and drew her
+down to the side of the bed, pointing to her German Bible, in which she
+had been trying to study her Sunday-school lesson.
+
+Etta was touched, and began to think there might be some interest in
+even the plain, undemonstrative Gretchen. She bent down to ask her some
+questions about her sickness, during which Mrs. Doyle hurried to throw
+the one window wide open, and to make the disordered room fit to be
+seen.
+
+"The child is very ill, I am afraid," said Etta, coming across to the
+window and speaking to the woman in very low tones; "don't you think
+so?"
+
+"Yes, I am afraid she is," said the person addressed, uneasily, for
+severe illness in a large, crowded boarding-house is no light matter.
+She and her children were dependent upon their boarders, and a sudden
+panic might empty the house.
+
+"Can't you send for a doctor, Mrs. Doyle? Papa will gladly pay him, I
+know."
+
+"Yes; Johnny could run, I suppose, but he'd be sure to tell somebody,
+and I wouldn't like it to get about till we know what it is, any way."
+
+"Please go yourself, then. It's after tea, and there isn't much to do."
+
+"But suppose the girl gets worse, and begins to scream and frightens the
+boarders."
+
+"Oh, I '11 stay with her till you come back. I'd rather; I shall be so
+anxious to hear what the doctor says. Please go, Mrs. Doyle, and
+hurry."
+
+Etta Mountjoy had a way with her that could not be resisted by most
+people, and even Mrs. Doyle, not overgifted with the milk of human
+kindness, could not refuse her. So she went downstairs, and only
+stopping to put on her bonnet and tell her eldest daughter to go on with
+the preparations for breakfast,--which always had to be made over
+night,--as she was going out for a little while, walked swiftly down the
+street.
+
+Etta sat on the hard chair by the patient's bed, and for some time
+watched the tossing limbs, heavy breathing, and flushed, excited face.
+She was not used to sickness. Indeed, she had never seen it since her
+mother died, so long ago that she could not remember the pain and the
+suffering, but only the terrible results, which were pale, cold death,
+the coffin, the funeral, and the grave.
+
+Did all severe sickness end in death, she wondered? Was this strong,
+healthy girl about to die? And if so, was she ready? She had never
+thought of the possibility of death in connection with any of her
+scholars. Had she taught them the things which alone could be of value
+to them when they came to stand face to face with a holy God? What
+advantage then would be familiarity with dates, with geography, and with
+catechisms? How would they then blame her for not having pointed them to
+the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world? The
+responsibility of undertaking to deal with human souls, upon which she
+had so thoughtlessly rushed, now seemed to her something terrible. True,
+she had not then known or understood anything about it; but,
+nevertheless, it now seemed to her a great sin, and an earnest prayer
+for forgiveness rose up from her heart, accompanied by another for the
+salvation of the sick girl before her.
+
+Meanwhile the moments rolled slowly by: the sick girl tossed and moaned;
+the church-bells rang for evening service, first merrily, as glad to
+call the people to the house of God; then slowly, as loth to stop while
+any more stragglers might be induced to come; then with one or two long
+sobs for those who, in spite of all persuasion and all "long-suffering
+patience," wilfully stay outside, stopped, and the silence was only
+broken by the shouts of the noisy children below. Even these ceased at
+last, and as the sunset glow faded--flame red changing to pale yellow,
+and that again to cool, sombre gray--the time of waiting seemed to the
+unskilled watcher well-nigh interminable.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+SHIP-FEVER.
+
+
+Presently Gretchen spoke. Her voice was thick, her accent even more
+foreign than usual, and at first the listener could not understand the
+words. But she put her ear close down to the bed and made out:--
+
+"Miss Etta, am I going to die?"
+
+"I don't know," said Etta, bewildered; "I hope not."
+
+"I'm not afraid," said the German, "but--but it looks all so strange
+and dark. You didn't use to tell us about Jesus, and I couldn't rightly
+understand the minister; but don't it say _here_," putting her hand upon
+the Bible by her side, "that he will save everybody that comes to him?"
+Her teacher nodded. "Coming to him is asking him, isn't it?" Another
+nod. "Then, please, Miss Etta, ask him for me. I can't. I can't seem to
+think. Ask him _now_."
+
+Poor Etta! never in her life had she been so confused. She had only
+just learned to pray for herself. She had not yet overcome the reticence
+which we all feel concerning our own interest in spiritual things
+sufficiently to tell her own sister of her experience and purpose--how
+could she bring herself to do this hard thing which her scholar asked of
+her? But the scholar had a human soul, and that soul might be very near
+to eternity. How could she refuse to do this thing which, by the very
+nature of her position toward her, the scholar had a right to ask?
+
+Then an idea struck her, and opening her hymn-book,--for she had
+expected to attend the evening service after ascertaining the cause of
+her scholar's absence,--she knelt close to the window, and in the
+fast-fading light read in a tone of reverent supplication the hymn
+commencing,--
+
+                "Just as I am, without one plea,
+                 But that Thy blood was shed for me,
+                 And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,
+                   Oh, Lamb of God, I come!"
+
+Every word of the hymn was prayer, and Etta felt grateful for this help
+in doing what would have otherwise seemed to her impossible. She threw
+her whole soul into the last line of each verse, and could not but hope
+that Gretchen, who lay quite still now, though saying nothing, was
+following and saying in her heart,--
+
+                       "Oh, Lamb of God, I come!"
+
+After this there was silence and darkness, and Etta continued to kneel
+with her face hidden on the window-sill, praying silently that God would
+indeed save this soul, teaching it that which heretofore she had been
+unable and unworthy to teach. The effort at obedience to what was so
+evidently her duty had greatly strengthened the girl; she felt that God
+was with her in the still room, and the glad joy of those who against
+their own inclinations work for him began to spring up in her soul.
+
+The doctor and Mrs. Doyle found her thus, and springing to her feet,
+Etta came over to the bed to hear what the former thought about
+Gretchen.
+
+Judging from Mrs. Doyle's account, the doctor seemed inclined to make
+light of the case, until he had made a careful investigation, and then
+he looked very grave, and asked where the patient had come from, and
+how long she had been in this country. Hearing that it was nearly a year
+since she crossed the ocean, and that she had worked for eight months in
+Squantown Paper Mill, he looked still more puzzled, and finally
+said:--
+
+"I really can't account for it, but it certainly is a case of
+ship-fever; a very bad case, too."
+
+Mrs. Doyle's consternation was extreme. She muttered something about
+having her children to care for, shut the door tight, and went hastily
+downstairs, leaving the doctor and the delicately bred young girl to
+decide what was to be done in the situation.
+
+Doctor Bolen looked at his companion in somewhat quizzical perplexity.
+Here was a patient dangerously ill with a contagious disorder, at the
+top of a house swarming with human beings. She must have care and close
+watching, and the only person within reach to give it was a girl whose
+gay light-heartedness and instability were well known in the town. Had
+she known what to do, she was too young and delicate for such a task.
+And should she take the infection--what then? Would the wealthy
+mill-owner thus expose his youngest child, and, as every one knew, his
+idol?
+
+"I must get hold of some responsible person," he said at last, aloud,
+but more to himself than to his companion. "But whom? I don't know of a
+nurse that would come even from the city. Besides, it would cause a
+panic to do so, and a panic is the most likely thing in the world to
+cause the infection to spread. Mrs. Doyle, it is clear, is frightened
+out of her senses, and she can't be expected to risk her children and
+her livelihood for a stranger. One of the Irishwomen across the way
+might take care of her for money; but then she'd talk, and the whole
+gang would be frightened. I don't really know which way to turn." But
+Etta answered instantly with the intuitive perception for which she was
+noted:--
+
+"There's Eunice."
+
+Why had he not thought of it? Eunice Mountjoy, with her calm, cool head,
+her perfect unselfishness, her entire devotion to the good of others;
+Eunice, who was known and blessed wherever throughout the village there
+was sickness, suffering, or want; Eunice, who had many a time helped
+him out of a perplexity,--Eunice was the very person. But how should he
+get hold of her?
+
+"I will go," said Etta, to whom he expressed the wonder.
+
+"No! You are too young, and at the same time too old, to go through this
+manufacturing village alone after dark."
+
+"Then you go, and I will stay here, for I suppose Gretchen must not be
+left alone."
+
+"Of course not. She may become delirious at any moment, and there is no
+saying what she may do. She does not know us now. Would not you be
+afraid to stay with her?"
+
+"No," said Etta, steadily. "Tell me just what to do and I will do it."
+
+"But you might take the infection. Have you thought of that?"
+
+"God will take care of me," said she, with a rising color; and the
+doctor, remembering how he had found her, thought that perhaps he could
+not do better than to leave her under such protection.
+
+He was gone a long time, a very long time, it seemed to Etta, whose
+patient became very restless and needed constantly to be soothed and
+coaxed back to bed when she sprang up and insisted--in German--on going
+to her mother. Her teacher, at such times, bathed her face with the warm
+water the doctor had brought, or gave her a sip of cold water which had
+been left when the tea-tray was carried away, spoke to her in soothing
+tones, and finally sang hymns, which seemed to quiet her better than
+anything else. She had sung all she knew and was commencing the
+_répertoire_ over again, when a heavy step, followed by a lighter one,
+came along the passage, and presently Dr. Bolen appeared, followed, not
+by Eunice, as her sister had expected, but by Katie's mother, Mrs.
+Robertson! There was no time for questionings. The doctor gave Mrs.
+Robertson his directions, and then, leaving the patient to her, he took
+the young girl's arm and led her from the room, down the stairs, and out
+into the street, where the cool night air seemed wonderfully refreshing.
+
+"I would not have exposed you thus," he said, "if there had been any
+other way. Do you feel very tired, very much exhausted?"
+
+"Oh, no," she said bravely, for the air had greatly revived her. "I
+don't believe it will hurt me a bit. It's time I learned to do something
+besides amuse myself, you know. I've never been of much use in the world
+yet, but I mean to be."
+
+"You have great capacities and opportunities for usefulness," said he,
+gravely, "but you know none of us is sufficient for these things."
+
+"I am asking God to help me," she said in a low tone. "Don't you think
+he will?"
+
+"No one ever sought his help in vain. I am glad you are setting out in
+the right way. All success be with you. Now you must attend to my
+directions and obey me exactly. As soon as you get home take off every
+garment you have on; throw away or burn up everything that can't be
+washed, take a warm bath, and go to sleep as soon as you can, and,
+remember, you are not to go near my patient again till I give you
+permission. Will you promise?"
+
+Then he told her how sensibly Eunice had planned that Mrs. Robertson,
+who often went out to nurse the sick, should be engaged to take care of
+Gretchen; that to-morrow a certain empty house belonging to Mr.
+Mountjoy should be fitted up as a temporary hospital, and the sick girl
+moved there that the battle of life and death might be fought where
+there were not crowds of people to take the infection. He also cautioned
+Etta not to spread a report concerning the nature of Gretchen's disease,
+as a panic might result which would be not only deleterious to her
+father's business interests, but also disastrous to the lives of
+multitudes of the employees of the mill.
+
+By this time they had reached the door of Etta's home, and Dr. Bolen
+bade the girl good-night, after reiterating his directions.
+
+Eunice came to her sister's room that night after she was in bed to see
+if the doctor's orders had been complied with. She gave her such a
+caress as her undemonstrative nature rarely gave way to, and it somehow
+opened Etta's heart and mouth as well. A long talk followed, and Eunice
+heard a great deal that made her very happy to hear. Etta begged her
+pardon for the many times she had refused obedience to one standing
+toward her almost in the position of a mother, and promised to be more
+docile and helpful for the future. Both felt that the sisterly bond
+which had been so weak between them was linked afresh to-night, and that
+they were now sisters in reality because they were one in Christ.
+
+The next day Eunice's plan was fully carried out. The vacant house,
+which had been for some months without a tenant, was swept out and
+furnished with a few necessary articles, and Gretchen, now entirely
+delirious, was taken there in a close carriage, and Mrs. Robertson
+established as resident nurse. The good woman fretted and grumbled a
+good deal at leaving her home and her children,--whom, of course, she
+could not see for a long time,--but she _was_ a good woman in spite of
+her grumbling. She was a very experienced nurse, and here was service
+for the Master from which she dared not turn away. Katie, assisted by
+Tessa, was fully competent to manage the house and cook what they and
+the boys needed to eat, so she resolutely accepted the trust.
+
+Eunice and Etta went down to the empty house early in the morning, and
+both worked hard, with a woman who had been hired to do so, to get the
+rooms in readiness, but when all was prepared, they went home, for Dr.
+Bolen said there was no use for either to be unnecessarily exposed to
+infection. He did not want more patients than were sent him in the
+natural course of events.
+
+Great pains were taken to keep the whole matter quiet. Katie and Tessa
+and the boys were cautioned not to speak about it, and the removal of
+the patient was effected during the forenoon when all the factory
+"hands" were safe in the mill. But the precautions were useless. Before
+the next night there were four more patients in the temporary hospital,
+all from the rag-room, and the consternation was extreme. Many refused
+to work, and the mill was in danger of being forced to stop just in the
+middle of filling some very important contracts, when the doctor, taking
+his own life in his hands, as doctors must, made a thorough
+investigation of the rag-room, where all the cases had occurred, and
+found the contagion to be in a bale of rags imported from Ireland, which
+had not received the usual overhauling before being brought to the mill.
+These were all collected and burned, and the room thoroughly fumigated,
+the operatives receiving full wages for the days they were thus shut out
+from work, and one good result of the fever was that henceforth the
+bales were all opened and smoked in a separate building before they ever
+entered the mill at all.
+
+The contagion did not spread any farther after this, and the hands
+returned without more delay to the mill. Mr. Mountjoy sent to the city
+for an experienced hospital nurse, and promised to pay all the expenses
+of the illness, in addition to the wages of those who were thus
+prevented from earning anything. The "hospital" was supplied from the
+kitchen of the "great house," and both Eunice and her young sister found
+full occupation in the preparation of dainties and food for the sick.
+
+The interest in the five sick girls was intense, and when one--a poor,
+sickly little thing--died, every one felt as though death had come very
+close, and many were compelled to listen to the voice which said:--
+
+                       "Prepare to meet thy God."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+GOOD FOR EVIL.
+
+
+"Bertie Sanderson has not been in the mill for a week," said Tessa to
+Katie, as the two friends walked home together one hot afternoon. "One
+of the rag-room girls said so. I wonder if she has the fever!"
+
+"That's not likely; the girls are all getting better," said her
+companion.
+
+"Yes; but she's been absent for more than a week," persisted Tessa.
+"Let's go round that way and inquire."
+
+But Katie, somehow, shrank from this. While she knew nothing with
+absolute certainty, she could not help feeling that Bertie was in some
+way connected with the general avoidance of herself by the girls of the
+Sunday-school class, and the evident suspicion with which both Miss
+Eunice and Miss Etta regarded her. What her former companion could have
+said or done, she had no idea; but the sense of an undefined something
+had made her of late keep as far as possible from Bertie. She was about
+to say with her usual impulsiveness:--
+
+"No; I hate Bertie! Don't let's go near her," when she remembered all
+her purposes of doing Tessa good and setting her a Christian example. Is
+it Christian to cherish a dislike of another because one has reason to
+suppose that other has done one an injury? Katie's enlightened
+conscience knew it was not. It was not like him who said:--
+
+"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which
+despitefully use you and persecute you;" and who, by acting in strict
+accordance with his own teachings, "left us an example that we should
+follow in his steps."
+
+For a few moments the little girl said nothing as she walked silently by
+the side of her companion; then, having during those silent moments sent
+up an earnest prayer that the hateful feelings might be taken away from
+her heart, that so she might become more like Christ, she answered by
+turning her steps in the other direction.
+
+The two girls found, as Tessa had suggested, that Bertie had indeed
+taken the fever, and was very ill in her own comfortable home. Dr. Bolen
+had suggested her being removed to the temporary hospital, and being
+cared for by the competent nurses there; but her mother would not hear
+of it. She was always a very foolish woman, had been very much opposed
+to her daughter's going into the mill, and now told her husband that
+this fever was all the result of his obstinacy, and she hoped he enjoyed
+having murdered his own child. Now, however, she meant to have her own
+way. Her Bertie, who was every bit as good as the city young ladies, her
+cousins, was not to go to an empty house and be nursed with a lot of
+common mill-girls. If her mother couldn't take care of her, she should
+like to know who could--which would have been unanswerable if Mrs.
+Sanderson had known how to nurse anybody--a thing of which she was
+profoundly ignorant. So poor Bertie had a hard time of it, and daily
+grew worse instead of better; and as if this were not enough, Mrs.
+Sanderson never thought of isolating the patient, or of keeping the
+other children from her, and before long the third child, a boy of six
+years old, was taken down with the fever also, and the incompetent
+mother had her hands more than full with the care of her house, the two
+patients, and two fretful, badly trained little children, with only
+Nina, who had never been taught to do anything in the world, to help
+her.
+
+Matters were in this state on the evening when the girls called, and
+poor Mrs. Sanderson, coming to the door, without an atom of prudence or
+caution, insisted on dragging in Katie at least, because in her wild
+delirium Bertie had been incessantly shouting her name. Katie was
+impulsive, not very old or experienced, and had, moreover, been always
+taught to obey grown people, so without a thought of possible danger to
+herself, she followed the woman into the house, while Tessa waited for
+her outside, and was soon standing by the bedside of her old
+acquaintance.
+
+She would never have known Bertie Sanderson. The long, disorderly hair,
+as well as the disfiguring "bangs," had, by the doctor's orders, all
+been shaved off; the round, rosy cheeks were pallid and sunken; the
+solid frame was wasted almost to a skeleton, and there was a fierce,
+wild look in the eyes alternated with an expression of intense fear.
+
+Katie stood aghast, and even as she looked the wasted lips suddenly
+shrieked out:--
+
+"Katie, Katie Robertson! Send her here. I want to tell her something."
+
+"I am here," said Katie, as soothingly as she could, for her fright.
+
+But Bertie took no sort of notice of her; evidently did not recognize
+her at all, and went on:--
+
+"It wasn't a lie! I did see her find it and put it in her pocket. That's
+being a thief, isn't it? It was money--a great deal of money. I saw a
+five and a nought. It wasn't a lie, I tell you! She did steal it!
+Katie's a thief, for all she's so saintly."
+
+Katie started. This, then, was the mystery; this was the secret thing
+that had been setting so many against her. She had never in all her
+speculations concerning the general avoidance thought of this as a
+cause. Bertie must have seen her find that fifty-dollar bill and put it
+in her pocket. But even if, from mere idleness, she had repeated the
+story to her companions, had she told simply what she really saw, could
+it be called stealing? And if Miss Eunice or Miss Etta had heard it they
+would naturally have spoken of it to their brother; he would have told
+the facts as he knew them, and that would have made matters all
+straight.
+
+Bertie must have altered her tale in some way, exaggerated it, or
+suppressed a part. What for? Could her companion be so malicious as
+simply to desire to make her unpopular and to prevent the young ladies
+from looking upon her with approbation? She could not understand it. Of
+course she could not, for malice and jealousy were entirely foreign to
+Katie's nature, even if she had not been striving "in all her ways to
+acknowledge" her Saviour. She did wish, however, that she had thought of
+mentioning her good fortune and Mr. James's kindness at the time, that
+all this trouble might have been avoided.
+
+Meanwhile Bertie began to moan and cry and call for Katie; and the
+latter, after speaking in vain again and again, turned to go.
+
+"Oh, don't go away!" said Mrs. Sanderson, imperatively. "She'll know
+you by-and-by; and I can't stand her calling for you; besides, if you
+can just stay with Bertie and give her the medicine and drink, I might
+get a chance to see to Alf., who is most as bad as she is, and see what
+Nina's doing with those children; they've been screaming this half-hour.
+I don't believe she's given 'em a mite of dinner, and I guess there
+ain't anything in the house for supper. You just stay where you are."
+
+Not a thought had selfish Mrs. Sanderson for the fact that she was
+exposing a neighbor's child to the same evil which had overtaken her
+own. Nor in Katie's inexperience did she think of it either; but she did
+feel very indignant at the tone of command and very much inclined to
+rebel.
+
+Moreover, she did not want to stay and take care of a girl who had
+behaved so shamefully toward herself. One by one the bitter things she
+had been forced to endure through this girl's treachery and
+deceitfulness came to her remembrance--the avoidance of her companions,
+the disapprobation and suspicion of the overseer, the changed manner of
+her Sunday-school teacher, the tears she had shed in secret, and the
+discouragement she had felt in her efforts to be good; and a sense of
+indignation possessed her which for a moment made her feel almost glad
+that the girl had thus got her deserts.
+
+But this feeling was not of long continuance. The Good Spirit, who was
+leading Katie along the paths of righteousness, would not allow her to
+turn aside from them because for the moment the way seemed unpleasant
+and opposed to her natural inclinations. Unheard by outward ears, but
+heard quite plainly in her heart, he whispered words that made the
+little girl pause and think a second time before she refused to do as
+she was commanded. Here was a good opportunity of being like Christ. He
+forgave his enemies. He was kind to the unthankful and the evil. He gave
+up his life that those who hated and persecuted and finally killed Him
+might be saved. This thought decided her.
+
+"Let me speak a word to Tessa first," she said; "then I'll stay."
+
+She then told her waiting companion how ill Bertie was, and how Mrs.
+Sanderson was overwhelmed with so many to see to, and wanted her to
+stay and help. She asked Tessa to get tea for the boys and send one of
+them for her at bedtime, all of which her friend promised faithfully to
+attend to, and went her way.
+
+When Katie returned to the sick-room, Mrs. Sanderson actually thanked
+her, and then went off, glad to attend to other responsibilities, and
+the young nurse was left with the excited, tossing patient. Strangely to
+herself, she did not feel the least anger or bitterness toward her now,
+in spite of all her unkindness to herself. The words which had been in a
+recent Sunday-school lesson, "I was sick and ye visited _me_," came
+again and again to her mind, and it hardly seemed to be Bertie to whom
+she was called to minister. She had no experience in sickness, but to
+some people nursing is an intuitive gift, and Katie inherited it from
+her mother. Her touch was cool and light. She seemed to know by instinct
+when the patient needed drink or change of position. She smoothed the
+disordered bed, shook up the pillows, turned the cool side uppermost,
+closed the open blind through which the western sun was blazing into
+the sick girl's eyes, and finding a large newspaper lying on the floor,
+made a fan of it, keeping off the flies and creating a current of air,
+till by degrees the tossings and cries ceased, the wildly staring eyes
+closed, and Bertie fell into a light, though restless, sleep.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Sanderson had come home from the bindery, and seemed
+surprised to find Katie sitting so quietly by his sick child. He
+remonstrated with his wife--in another room--for exposing a stranger to
+such danger of infection; but when she asked him what she was to do with
+two sick children and three well ones on her hands, and who was to get
+the meals for them all, he had no answer to give, only he set about
+making the fire and getting supper himself, holding the baby on one arm
+and telling Nina what to do about setting the table. When all was ready
+he sent Katie down to her supper and himself watched the two sick
+children,--which, now that one of them slept, was quite
+possible,--resuming his watch after he had had his own. Mrs. Sanderson
+declared that she was completely "beat out," as well she might be, poor
+woman, and dropping on the lounge in the sitting-room was asleep in a
+moment, while Katie coaxed Nina to help her wash the dishes, clear up
+the room, and put the two younger children to bed.
+
+By this time Dr. Bolen came in, looked at his patients, and said that,
+though Bertie was certainly not better, sleep was the best thing for her
+and should be encouraged as much as possible. Alf., he thought, would do
+well. Then seeing Katie and not recognizing her, he asked where that
+other girl came from and what she was doing there. Mrs. Sanderson
+explained, dwelling emphatically upon Bertie's cries for her friend and
+the soothing influence her presence had exerted.
+
+"That's all very well," said the doctor; "but how am I going to excuse
+it to her mother if she gets the fever, and what am I going to do with
+another patient upon my hands and no one to nurse her?"
+
+"Oh, well, there's no harm done. She's only been here a little while,
+and her brother's coming to take her home before long."
+
+"Not quite so fast, my good lady. She has been exposed to the fever
+already, and if she goes home now, may communicate it to her two
+brothers or the other girl that boards with them. Then her mother would
+be sure to go home to take care of them, and there would be an end of my
+hospital and my quarantine. No; she must either go to her mother and
+take her chance there, or she must stay here till we see whether she has
+escaped the contagion."
+
+"Please, let me stay here," said Katie, who had overheard this
+conversation. "I don't think I shall have the fever, but I am sure I can
+be of use to them all."
+
+"Wouldn't you like to go and be with your mother?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I'd like to, but I'd _rather_ stay here; because, because
+they need me, and"--the rest of the sentence was spoken low as if
+without being intended for any one to hear, but both the doctor and Mr.
+Sanderson heard it and marveled at the words. They were:--
+
+"Even Christ pleased not himself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+CONSCIENCE.
+
+
+Mr Sanderson would not allow Katie to sit up late. Indeed, she could not
+have kept awake, and would have been of little use if she could. She
+shared Nina's bed in the room where the younger children slept, but lay
+awake thinking, long after that irresponsible little girl was asleep by
+her side. Everything seemed so strange. It was the first night she had
+ever spent away from her own home, and she could not help wondering how
+Tessa and the boys were getting along, and what they had for supper. She
+thought of her mother and of the anxiety which, when she heard where she
+was, she would feel about her; and she wondered if she should have the
+fever, and if she did if she should die, as one of the patients at the
+hospital had already done. Then she wondered if Bertie would die, and a
+strange sort of awe came over her at such a thought in connection with
+one who had been her playmate ever since she could remember. It made
+death seem very near, and she wondered if she were fit to die. But that
+thought did not trouble her much. Nothing, either in life or death, can
+really hurt those who love Jesus and trust in his protection. She asked
+him to make her ready to die when he chose, and then, being of a very
+hopeful, cheerful nature, began to think of other things.
+
+How could Bertie have circulated those stories about her? And, what was
+more important, how could she set herself right in the eyes of the other
+girls, and especially in those of Miss Eunice and Miss Etta? She could
+not go and say to the latter: "I know Bertie called me a thief, but I am
+not one," and then tell the story just as it was. They might not believe
+her, and if they did it would be betraying Bertie, and that would not be
+kind, particularly now that the latter was so ill. Or if she could have
+told the young ladies and, with the help of Mr. James, made it all
+straight with them, she could not go around to all the girls and explain
+what to them were half-defined suspicions. Even if she told the story
+of the fifty-dollar bill and her version of it were believed, they might
+very naturally think that there was something else, and that Bertie
+would scarcely have based her charge of theft on so slight and easily to
+be explained a circumstance as that. What should she do? It was dreadful
+to live under such a cloud; to have people consider you wicked when you
+are desiring and trying with all your might to be good, and not be able
+to right yourself at all. Again a feeling toward Bertie arose in the
+girl's heart that would have been hatred but for her companion's present
+condition, and which she felt to be wrong even as it was. For the
+thought of Jesus and how he forgave his enemies made her feel ashamed of
+herself, till she got out of bed and, kneeling down in the moonlight,
+prayed to be made more like him and to be willing to suffer wrongfully,
+if need be, with patience, rather than to feel wrong or to do anything
+unkind. And then, as she got into bed again, the scripture words with
+which she had commenced her factory life came back to her with new
+force:--
+
+"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." And
+then those others in the thirty-seventh Psalm: "Commit thy way unto the
+Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. He shall bring
+forth thy righteousness as the light."
+
+That was the safest way. She might leave it to God to take care of her
+reputation. He could manage it though she could not, and some time
+everybody would understand just how it was, and know she was not a
+thief. Meantime she could afford to wait his time.
+
+The next morning Mr. Sanderson promised to send word to the mill about
+Katie's absence and its cause, and when he left for the bindery his wife
+came downstairs to see to things, and she took her place in the
+sick-room, while Nina went to sit with Alf. Mrs. Sanderson was surprised
+to see how much Katie had managed to do before breakfast and in the
+interim between, exciting in Nina quite an ambition to wash dishes and
+"clean up." The little children had been nicely washed and dressed and
+were, when their mother went down, sitting on the kitchen doorstep with
+a kitten between them, over which, for a wonder, they were neither
+fretting nor quarreling. The breakfast things were all put away, the
+floor swept, and there was a general look of comfort which had not
+existed in that house for more than a week. The poor tired woman sank
+into a rocking-chair, saying to herself, "I don't see how it is some
+people's children are so handy. Mine don't ever do anything they can
+help. It's some people's luck." It never came into Mrs. Sanderson's head
+that the "luck" of good, efficient children is largely dependent upon
+the sensible training given them by their mothers.
+
+The doctor, when he came, found Bertie much easier, if not absolutely
+better. He could not tell quite yet if there were any likelihood of her
+recovery, but the quieter she could be kept, and the more sleep she
+could get, the more chance she would have. He told Katie she was a
+famous nurse, and he should trust her to keep the room still, dark, and
+cool, and to soothe her friend as much as she possibly could. He
+furthermore told her that he had seen her mother, who approved of her
+remaining where she was, though of course she was very anxious lest she
+should take the fever and very sorry that she had gone to the house in
+the first place.
+
+"I promised to watch you closely," said he, "and the moment I saw any
+symptoms, take you to her to be nursed. But I don't believe you will
+have it if you take care of yourself. You are in the path of duty, and I
+have often observed that those who are there seldom come to any harm."
+
+It seemed a very long day to restless, active Katie, and yet in one
+sense it was a relief from the steady, monotonous work in the mill.
+Bertie was so quiet at first that she was able to wait upon her and
+Alf. both, and let Nina go down to help her mother get dinner. But after
+a while she began to toss and mutter, and then came those wild cries for
+Katie Robertson; that she had something to tell her; that she hadn't
+told a lie, for Katie was a thief.
+
+When or how the change came the watcher hardly knew, but all at once she
+became aware that Bertie lay looking directly at her, and that there was
+full recognition in her eyes. Neither girl spoke for a moment; then
+Bertie said with a kind of shudder:--
+
+"Am I dead?"
+
+"No, indeed," said the other, not without some effort to speak
+cheerfully. "You are going to get well now; only keep still and don't
+tire yourself."
+
+"I am going to die," said Bertie, slowly; "and I can't die, I am so
+wicked. Katie, I said dreadful things about you. I made all the girls
+hate you, and Miss Etta, too; but it wasn't quite a lie, for I did see
+you take the money."
+
+"Yes," said Katie, quietly, "I did find a fifty-dollar bill in an old
+vest, and I suppose you saw me; but why didn't you tell _me_ you saw it,
+instead of telling the girls? Then I could have explained all about it?"
+
+"I don't know," said Bertie, uneasily. "Yes, I do; that's another lie,
+and I don't mean to tell lies _now_, I didn't want to have it explained.
+I wanted the girls to dislike you as much as I did."
+
+"Why?" said Katie, astonished.
+
+"Oh, well, you preached to me, and pretended to be a saint, and Miss
+Etta and everybody thought you were so good, and"--
+
+"Shall I tell you about that bill now?"
+
+"Yes, do!"
+
+So Katie told her companion just how it happened, and it was all so
+simple that she wondered how she could have made such a story of it.
+
+"I wonder you didn't keep the bill, and not take it to Mr. James," she
+said. "I should."
+
+"I did have a little fight about it," said Katie, blushing. "It was a
+great temptation. I'm not so very good, but"--
+
+"But what?" said Bertie, eagerly, looking at her.
+
+"I think the Lord Jesus helped me. I asked him, and he says he will help
+us to be good."
+
+"Do you think he would help me?"
+
+"I am sure he would. O Bertie, do ask him! I am so glad!"
+
+"Are you?" said the sick girl, dreamily. But the effort to talk or think
+longer in her weakened state was too great. She seemed to float away
+again, and by degrees the same wild look came into her eyes, the
+tossings began again, and the low mutterings and sharp cries. It was
+very painful both to see and hear, but Katie was glad to notice that her
+own name no longer mingled in the confused talk, and the consciousness
+of wrong-doing toward herself seemed to have passed away.
+
+In the evening the doctor said that the patient had had a relapse, and
+questioned her young nurse very particularly as to whether she had shown
+any consciousness; and being told that she had seemed for a little while
+to be quite herself, he asked if she had spoken. Katie said that she had
+talked quite rationally about something that had distressed her for some
+time, but she did not say what that something was.
+
+"Bad," said he; "you should never let a fever patient talk, no matter
+how much she may try. But I mustn't scold you, I suppose; you are too
+young for such a responsibility, and your friend there is extremely
+ill."
+
+Then he went downstairs and consulted Bertie's parents, and the result
+was that a letter was written to the city aunt begging her to come and
+help take care of the two sick children. The doctor wrote it himself,
+stating as delicately as he could the extreme urgency of the case, the
+inefficiency of the mother, the dangerous illness of the children, and
+the impossibility of securing any assistance in the care of them except
+that of an inexperienced little girl, who was herself in constant danger
+of being added to the list of patients.
+
+In answer to this appeal, after a couple of days, Mrs. Jamieson, who, if
+a silly, overindulgent mother, was a much more efficient woman than her
+sister, made her appearance in Squantown, and under her supervision
+matters were soon in a better condition, and Katie was no longer needed.
+She had made herself extremely useful, however, and all the family were
+unfeignedly obliged to her. The children could not bear to have her go,
+and Mr. Sanderson insisted upon giving her as much money as she would
+have earned during the days she had been absent from the mill. Dr. Bolen
+said she showed no signs of having taken the infection and it would be
+quite safe for her to go home if she would change all her clothes for
+those which Eric took to the bindery and Mr. Sanderson carried home,
+leaving everything she had worn in the sick-room behind her, and then
+would take a long walk, where the wind could blow her hair about and
+freshen her up thoroughly.
+
+Tessa and Katie had a long, long talk that night. The former had many
+things to tell of what had happened both in the mill and at home during
+the absence of the latter; how the rag-room had been closed and
+fumigated, the foreign rags all burned, and the girls and Miss Peters
+enjoyed a three days' holiday without having it deducted from their
+wages; how the old cat had presented the household with a lovely family
+of downy kittens, for which Alfred had made a little house in a box out
+in the yard; and how both boys had been very patient toward her cookery,
+laughing at her mistakes and helping her with their superior knowledge;
+and how they had stayed at home and played games with her every evening,
+thus preventing her from taking to novels again to cheer her loneliness,
+as she should otherwise have felt tempted to do.
+
+Then Katie told Tessa all about the fifty-dollar bill, of which she had
+never heard before and Bertie's unkindness in setting everybody against
+her; and Tessa said she had heard the rumors, and often tried to make
+the girls tell her what they meant, but the only thing she could find
+out was that Katie was dishonest.
+
+"I wonder you were friends with me, then," said Katie. "I should think
+you would have avoided me, just as all the other girls did. Weren't you
+ashamed to associate with a thief?"
+
+"Oh, Katie, you know I couldn't believe such a thing of you!--you who
+have been my best friend--the only real friend I have ever had."
+
+"But why didn't you tell me what you had heard, and ask me to explain
+it? You see how easily I could have done so."
+
+"Somehow I didn't like to. It seemed like doubting you even to repeat
+the lies. I knew they were lies all the time, and I loved you better
+than anybody else in the world. What consequence was it to me what other
+people said about you?"
+
+How to clear the matter up, neither of the girls knew. For it would be
+still more cruel and dishonorable, as they thought, to tell what Bertie
+had done, now that she had confessed it herself and was lying so low.
+But Katie had learned to "commit her way unto the Lord," and she was not
+troubled any more about the matter.
+
+"I should think you'd hate Bertie," said Tessa, with Italian intensity.
+"I don't see how you could bring yourself to stay there and take care of
+her when you knew how much she had injured you. I should have felt like
+putting poison into her drink or smothering her with the pillows."
+
+"No, you wouldn't," said the other, laughing, but immediately becoming
+grave again. "You couldn't hate any one who was dying, and besides, it
+wouldn't be like Jesus."
+
+"I don't understand."
+
+"Don't you see? Jesus gave up his life for sinners, for those who were
+his enemies. It makes me love him whenever I think of it, and I want to
+be like him. This was a good chance, and I think he helped me to
+overcome all kind of hard feeling. I only longed to do everything I
+could to make her more comfortable."
+
+"I wish I could love Jesus as you do. My father used to tell me
+religion was just the priests deceiving silly women, and reminded me how
+the robbers and beggars in Italy would kneel before the crucifixes, shed
+tears as they said their prayers, and then turn away and be just as
+wicked as before. But to you it all seems real, and it, or something,
+makes you just the best girl I ever saw. But I can't feel so."
+
+"Yes, you can; our Lord Jesus says '_whosoever_ will, may take of the
+water of life freely,' and 'him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise
+cast out.' You must be one of the 'whosoever.' O Tessa, I only wish
+you'd come!"
+
+But Tessa did not answer, and Katie, thinking her asleep, soon followed
+her example.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+DECIDING.
+
+
+It was about four weeks later in the season. Miss Eunice's "tea-party,"
+which had not been held for a long time, was gathered at the great
+house; not now in the pleasant sitting-room, but on the still pleasanter
+shaded lawn, where the girls occupied pretty rustic seats, while the tea
+was spread on little green tables, around which they were grouped as
+inclination prompted them.
+
+All the members of both classes were there, with the exception of Bertie
+Sanderson; and there were quite a number of new faces. Some were present
+who had lately stood very close to death, and others whom the solemn
+thought induced by the public catastrophe had led to seek for a better
+life than one of mere amusement. All were glad to come together again;
+but there was a subdued tone in the gladness, and some voices were not
+as gay and careless as they were a month ago.
+
+The fever had passed away. There had been no more cases, and only that
+one death. The rag-room girls and the invalids had gone back to their
+work; the hospital was closed; Mrs. Robertson had returned to her
+family, with for once a thankful heart. For, besides that she had been
+very well paid for her services and loss of time, the pestilence had
+spared her own dear ones; and they were all there to welcome her as she
+came back to her home.
+
+Moreover, she had become very much attached to Gretchen and the other
+girls whom she had attended during their illness, and hated to let them
+go back to the tender mercies of Mrs. Doyle and the other boarding-house
+keepers, where they would be sure to be not only uncomfortable and badly
+fed, but also very much neglected in case of any new illness which might
+easily result from their weak, enfeebled condition. Her motherly heart
+thought a great deal about the matter, and her thoughts finally ended in
+her fitting up a large garret-room, which had never been occupied, with
+four little white beds and other necessaries and conveniences, and
+taking the four convalescents home with her as permanent boarders. The
+girls, while paying no more than they had heretofore done, profited
+greatly by the change. They had plain and wholesome, because
+well-cooked, food, plenty of cleanliness and fresh air, besides the
+elevating and refining influence of a home where Christian living was
+inculcated, not so much by precept as by practice. God "setteth the
+solitary in families," not boarding-houses or institutions; but that is
+the only true family which takes care "in all its ways to acknowledge
+him." If such families all over our land would open the arms of their
+exclusiveness each to take in one or more of the waifs and strays of
+life, and throw around them the arms of Christian love, they would be
+taking a long step toward answering their own daily prayer of
+
+          "Thy kingdom come ... on earth as it is in heaven."
+
+Katie and Tessa were pleased, girl-like, with the addition to their
+family party, and, though the boys grumbled a little at first, being, as
+boys are apt to be, a little shy of girls' society, they soon became
+used to the change and glad to enjoy the evening occupations that were
+rendered possible by so large a number.
+
+It had always been a source of great anxiety to the widow, lest her
+boys, deprived of a father's watchful authority, would, as they grew up,
+wander off at night, fall under bad influences, learn evil habits, and
+grow up worthless, dissipated men. But thus far she had been successful
+in keeping Eric and Alfred at home with her and their little sister, and
+now, just when the restlessness common to their age might have drawn
+them away, a new interest was presented in the shape of a "home reading
+society," which held its sessions on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
+nights; Wednesday evening being devoted to Miss Eunice's "tea-party,"
+Friday to the church service, and Saturday to games.
+
+Mrs. Robertson had plans of a more solid nature for the winter, but till
+the warm summer weather was over, this seemed enough. The books read
+were historical stories, biographies, and the like, taken from the mill
+library by special permission. The boys were generally the readers,
+while the girls were encouraged by their motherly landlady to repair and
+keep their clothes in order, a branch of womanliness apt to be much
+neglected by factory operatives, who often marry and enter upon family
+duties without even knowing how to hold a needle.
+
+Of course, the widow's time was now so fully occupied that she could not
+go out to work in families, as she had been wont to do, but the money
+paid by her boarders more than compensated for that. Her heart, as well
+as her hands, was quite full, and having no time to brood over her
+fallen condition, she did not worry and grumble so much as formerly, and
+was happier than she had ever been since the doctor died and left her to
+battle with the world alone. And thus she learned to realize the truth
+of that scripture:--
+
+"He that watereth shall be watered also himself."
+
+Bertie Sanderson did not die with the fever, though all around her, even
+the doctor, had at one time quite given up all hope of her recovery. She
+slowly struggled back to life, and as soon as she was able to bear the
+journey her aunt took her to the city with her for more complete rest
+and change. Katie did not see her again; for, having once got away from
+the infected house, it was not thought best either for her brothers at
+home, or her companions in the mill, that she should risk exposure
+again. She often longed to know the state of her former companion's mind
+on recovering her senses. If she remembered that exciting conversation;
+if she were really penitent for what she had done; and if she had taken
+her companion's advice and sought the forgiveness and strength of her
+Saviour. But no one could tell her. Indeed, there was no one she could
+ask, for she felt intuitively that Mrs. Sanderson was not a person to
+understand this sort of thing, and she could not summon courage to ask
+Bertie's father. Of one thing she was sure, however--her companion had
+not as yet openly confessed her share in the reports which had so
+affected Katie's reputation, and she must still wait in patience till he
+to whom she had "committed her way" should make it clear.
+
+The reading for this Wednesday afternoon had been exceedingly solemn. It
+was about the danger of being "almost persuaded" to do one's duty, and
+then leaving it undone; the uncertainty of another opportunity
+presenting itself, and the importance of deciding for Christ _now_. At
+its close Miss Eunice had said:--
+
+"My dear girls, we have in the weeks that have gone by carefully
+considered the subject of religion and God's claims upon every one of us
+for the consecration to him of our hearts and our lives. We have seen
+that the steps we are called upon to take are repentance, that is,
+forsaking sin in intention as well as being sorry for it; a steadfast,
+living faith in Christ Jesus as our Saviour, and a resolute
+determination to spend the rest of our lives in his service by keeping
+his commandments and doing his will.
+
+"We have learned, also, that of ourselves we are none of us sufficient
+for any of these things, but that God is ready--nay, anxious--to give us
+his Holy Spirit in answer to our asking, and that this Holy Spirit will
+work in us the repentance and faith, as well as give us the strength to
+carry it out amid all the temptations of our daily lives. To-day's
+lesson has been upon the importance of deciding, and the danger of
+delay, in such a serious matter. I think the lessons of the past few
+weeks have helped to impress this latter fact upon us; and I am glad
+that our pastor has just written me a note to ask that all of you who
+have made up your minds to confess your Saviour openly at our communion
+Sunday, the first week in September, which will be just two weeks from
+to-day, will send him your names at once. He desires to see and talk
+with each one of you separately, that he may satisfy himself of your
+being in a fit condition for so important a step. I have a paper here on
+which you may write your names; but before you do I want you to examine
+your own hearts faithfully and as in the sight of God, to see whether
+you honestly and sincerely 'repent you of your sins past, have a lively
+and steadfast faith in Christ our Saviour, and intend to lead a new
+life, following the commandments of God and walking from henceforth in
+his holy ways, that so you may not be guilty of making a deceitful and
+false profession.' And now let us pray."
+
+The girls all knelt down, and their teacher prayed that these dear girls
+might have a right judgment in all things, and decide, "not lightly nor
+after the manner of dissemblers with God," to confess Christ for their
+Saviour, and give themselves to him in the way of his appointment. Then
+there was silence for many minutes, that all kneeling there might
+carefully examine their own hearts and make this most important decision
+of their lives in the very realized presence of God himself.
+
+After this the tea-table conversation was not a very gay one, and the
+girls went home uncommonly early, many of them before leaving writing
+their names upon the sheet of paper which their teacher presented. To
+some it seemed too awful a thing to do; to others, as to Katie
+Robertson, the awe was softened by the glad sense that Christ was
+pleased with this act of acknowledging him; and still others were
+greatly strengthened by this first act of self-committal, from which
+they would now be ashamed to draw back.
+
+"Fifteen names; God bless them all!" said Miss Eunice, as she looked
+over the paper with her sister, whose own name headed the list. "I am so
+glad! And yet there are two or three more that I would like to see
+there; perhaps they will decide yet. But, Etta, what shall we do with
+this one?"--pointing to Katie Robertson's.
+
+"I don't know, unless we consult Mr. Morven." For the young lady had
+begun to realize the help and strength there is in talking over
+spiritual matters and difficulties with one well qualified to give
+advice and help; and many a deeply interesting one had followed that
+first Sunday afternoon's conversation between Etta and her pastor.
+
+"We might do that," said the elder sister, musingly. "And yet, I hardly
+like to, either; for, you see, we don't know anything definitely against
+the child, and I should be sorry to create a prejudice against her
+should she prove to be innocent. At the same time, I do not like to take
+the responsibility of assenting to the public religious profession of a
+girl who has such an accusation as theft hanging over her."
+
+"I have almost a mind to tell her the report, and ask her what it means.
+I have somehow shrunk from doing so because it seems an absolute insult,
+and whenever I see the child I can not believe there is any truth in the
+story. I wish I knew more particulars."
+
+"Who was your informant? Oh, I remember!--Bertie Sanderson--and she is
+out of the way now, and can't be questioned."
+
+"I never believed in, nor liked, Bertie; but I don't think she is bad
+enough to invent such a slander, making it out of whole cloth. She said
+Gretchen knew; but I never thought of asking her. She is as truthful as
+the day."
+
+"I would ask her," said her sister. "And there she is by the gate--come
+back for something, maybe."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+CLEARED.
+
+
+Gretchen came slowly up the lawn, and stood for a moment shyly by the
+side of Miss Eunice.
+
+"Is there anything I can do for you, my child?" said the young lady,
+pleasantly, desiring to put her at her ease.
+
+"Please, will you write my name there?" she said, pointing to the list.
+"I can't write English letters, and I was ashamed to have the other
+girls know."
+
+"That is nothing to be ashamed of," said Etta. "I don't believe any of
+the other girls can write German letters. But, Gretchen, do you honestly
+want to give yourself to your Saviour, and to live so as to serve and
+please him?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Etta. I shall never forget the night you prayed for me when I
+was so sick. You said the Lord Jesus would hear the prayer, and take me
+if I came to him. I think he did so, and I have been coming to him
+again and again, ever since. He has been good, so good to me, saving me
+from dying and making me get well from that terrible sickness. The more
+I read about him in my Bible, the more I love him and want to honor him.
+But, Miss Etta, it was you who told me about him, and I shall never
+forget that night."
+
+Etta's eyes filled with glad tears, while her sister added the sixteenth
+name to the list, and she clasped the hard, red hand with a feeling of
+sisterhood, for which she could hardly account.
+
+Gretchen's sickness had greatly improved her appearance, toning down her
+overbright color, and giving her a look of greater delicacy. Mrs.
+Robertson and Katie had managed to exchange the dark woolen petticoat
+and jacket for a simple summer dress such as the other girls wore; while
+contact with the others in the friendly home life had brightened up her
+intellect, and her new, deeper feelings and desire after a spiritual
+life had given her a certain earnestness of expression which made the
+homely German features very pleasant to look upon.
+
+She was just going away after thanking both her teachers in a quaint,
+formal manner, when Etta said:--
+
+"Gretchen, I don't want you to tell tales about your companions, and you
+need not answer unless you wish to do so, but I have been told that you
+know facts concerning a rumor about Katie Robertson, that I very much
+desire to find out. Can you, honorably, tell me anything about it?"
+
+"Some of the girls don't like her; I don't know why. She's always a very
+nice girl to me, and so good to her mother!"
+
+"But the rumor is that she is dishonest, and that you saw her steal
+something."
+
+"I saw Katie steal?" said Gretchen, very slowly. "Never, never in my
+life. Oh, I know," a light breaking over her face at a sudden
+recollection. "Bertha and I both saw her find a bill in an old
+vest-pocket one day, and put it in her own. Bertha spoke about it to me,
+but it wasn't my business. Finding isn't stealing."
+
+"It isn't quite honest to keep what we find," said Miss Eunice. "We
+should try to restore it to the owner."
+
+"But how could she find the owner?" said Gretchen, eagerly. "He might
+be away over in Germany, or--or anywhere."
+
+"That is true," said Etta, thoughtfully. "It's strange! I can't believe
+that Katie's dishonest."
+
+"Oh, she isn't; I'm sure she isn't! I only wish I could prove it; but
+this is all I know about the matter."
+
+"Well, dear, thank you for saying what you have said. Don't say a word
+about it among your companions. I know I can trust you that far, and I
+will find out the mystery somehow. Good-night, Gretchen. God bless you
+in your new service," and Miss Eunice kissed her, little German
+factory-girl though she was.
+
+"Find out the mystery? Of course we can; just as easy as possible, now,"
+said Etta. "All we've got to do is just to ask James if such an
+occurrence ever happened in the mill."
+
+And Mr. James Mountjoy promptly coming in at that moment, both sisters
+appealed to him, and heard in return a very simple statement of the
+whole affair.
+
+"Why didn't you tell us?"
+
+"I did mean to. I thought it so noble in the child. Five girls out of
+every six would have put the money into their pockets, and said nothing
+about it. It was very brave in her, too, to tell me how she had been
+tempted to keep it."
+
+"I know why he did not tell," said the elder sister, looking fondly at
+her brother. "Five employers out of six would have accepted the money as
+their right, and the finder have been none the better for it. Our James
+is not apt to trumpet his own praises."
+
+The young man colored, and said:--
+
+"I think Katie Robertson is an uncommonly fine girl. I was struck by
+something she said the day she entered the mill. I asked her if she
+thought she could be a faithful little girl, and she said she was trying
+to please God everywhere, and she was sure he would help her here. I
+think she has acted up to that idea ever since. I have watched her from
+time to time, and I can not find that she has ever been guilty of
+disobedience to rules, or any kind of underhand behavior. Her work has
+always been faithfully done, and her example has been of great use in
+keeping order among the others. Sanderson is enthusiastic in his praises
+of her bravery and womanly unselfishness. He says she came to his house
+at the risk of her own life, and helped his poor, tired-out wife take
+care of the two sick children with as much earnestness, and almost as
+much skill, as a professional nurse. She stayed there till the aunt from
+the city came, thus losing five days' work. I offered her the wages for
+those days when I found it out, but she told me Mr. Sanderson had given
+her the amount, and she did not want to be paid twice over."
+
+"And this is the girl we have been suspecting of dishonesty!" said Etta.
+"We really owe her something to make amends. What a little wretch that
+Bertie Sanderson must be! I really think her parents ought to be told
+all the circumstances."
+
+All this while a pile of unopened letters, brought by the evening mail,
+was lying upon the centre-table. The young gentleman turned them over,
+took possession of several which were directed to himself, and then,
+handing Etta one which he said was for her, left the room.
+
+"Who can it be from?" said the young lady, eyeing the strangely folded
+and badly directed epistle, without opening it, as is the manner of so
+many people.
+
+"I'd see if I were you," said her sister; and seeing that this was good
+advice, Etta took it, glanced at the signature, and exclaimed:--
+
+"Bertie Sanderson! what a coincidence!"
+
+The letter was as follows:--
+
+    NEW YORK, August 15, 18--.
+
+    My Dear Miss Etta,--I don't know how to write letters very
+    well, but I must tell you something that is upon my mind. It is
+    about Katie Robertson. You remember I told you she was a thief,
+    and I told all the girls she was dishonest. I didn't _know_
+    that she was; I only saw her find a fifty-dollar bill among the
+    rags one day, and put it in her pocket. I didn't know what she did
+    with it, and I didn't try to find out, because I was jealous and
+    hated her. She used to tell me it was dishonest to break rules,
+    and talk, and idle, when one was paid for working, and I felt kind
+    of glad to think I had found her out in being dishonest too. I
+    told the girls about it--not all, but just enough to make them
+    think her a thief, because at first they all seemed to think so
+    much more of her than they did of me, and I told you just the same
+    thing when you asked me. I tried to tell father when he used to
+    praise up Katie Robertson's independence and industry, and wish I
+    would follow her example. You see, it was all because of her that
+    he put me in the mill. But somehow I couldn't tell him. I was
+    afraid.
+
+    You see, Miss Etta, I have been a very wicked girl, and when I got
+    so sick I was afraid to die. I tried to think I hadn't told a lie,
+    because I _did_ see her find the money, and I _didn't_
+    know what she had done with it; but I knew I had "borne false
+    witness," and I hadn't "loved my neighbor as myself." I knew, too,
+    that nobody could go to heaven with a heart full of malice and
+    hatred, and I wanted to tell Katie all about it, and ask her to
+    forgive me, and when I got wild I kept calling for her. Then she
+    came and stayed and took such good care of me, I've been ashamed
+    since I knew about it; but I didn't know her or any one then, only
+    one day my wits seemed to come back to me and I told her all about
+    it, and she explained so simply how she had found the money and
+    taken it to Mr. James, and Mr. James had told her to keep it, that
+    I saw in a moment that it was only because I wanted to think her
+    bad that I didn't find out just how it was long before.
+
+    I felt so bad then, Miss Etta, because I thought I was surely
+    dying, and going before God with all that unforgiven sin upon me,
+    and Katie talked so sweetly about Jesus and his forgiveness and
+    help that I thought I'd like to try. But then I didn't know
+    anything for a long time till I woke up and found my aunt there,
+    and they said I couldn't see Katie again, because she might get
+    the fever or carry it to her brothers.
+
+    I was dreadfully unhappy, even after I came here, not only about
+    this, but because of all the other bad things I've done all my
+    life. I've been selfish and vain, and unkind and untruthful and
+    dishonest, and I almost wished I had died when I was sick, only
+    then I could not have gone to heaven, and I never could have
+    cleared Katie.
+
+    Since I have been here I have been to church a good deal with my
+    cousins, who are Congregationalists, and are both going to join
+    the church. There is a daily service, and there have been a large
+    number of conversions. I have talked a good deal with my aunt, and
+    I really do want to commence over again and be a good girl. Aunt
+    Anna says that Jesus died so that the very worst sinners might be
+    forgiven, and I think he will forgive me. She wants me to stay and
+    be received with her daughters here, but I'd rather join the dear
+    church in Squantown, with the other girls, if you think I might.
+
+    But I want Katie and all the girls to know just how bad I have
+    been and just how sorry I am. Please tell them all that I have
+    said, and write and tell me if you think I might join the church,
+    when I've been so wicked.
+
+    Give my best love to Miss Eunice and ask her to forgive me, too.
+
+    Your affectionate Sunday scholar,
+                                                 BERTHA SANDERSON.
+
+"I think we may join in the joy of the angels in the presence of God
+over the one sinner that repenteth," said Miss Eunice, as her sister
+finished this long and evidently earnest letter. "I think you may safely
+write to the dear child to come home and commence her new life among us.
+Your class is greatly blessed, my sister, and I think when we remember
+what it has done for Gretchen and Bertie, we may well thank God for the
+ship-fever as for an angel in disguise."
+
+The next Sunday Etta Mountjoy detained her class a few moments after the
+school session, and read to them the whole of Bertie's letter.
+
+It was received with various expressions of surprise, which were greatly
+augmented when the whole story of the fifty-dollar bill was told.
+
+"I have brought this all before you, girls," she said, "not to make you
+think hardly of Bertie. She has suffered too much and is too evidently
+sincerely sorry for me to do that. I want you to rejoice with me in her
+repentance, and when she comes back, to receive her with full
+forgiveness and sympathy, and aid her in her efforts to lead a new life.
+I thought you ought to know how well one little girl among us has
+behaved under the most unjust suspicions and great unkindness. Not one
+of us has understood Katie Robertson. She has known for four weeks, from
+Bertie's statement to her, what was the real reason of our avoidance and
+suspicion, and she has never opened her mouth to explain the true state
+of the case and clear herself, as she might easily have done, because by
+so doing she would have been obliged to tell of the unkindness and
+malice of her companion.
+
+"I think we all ought to ask her pardon for being so ready to condemn
+her unheard and to believe what was whispered against her; and, more
+than that, we ought to be very thankful to the Lord for giving her such
+a grand victory over herself."
+
+Katie blushed and could find nothing to say, as one after another the
+girls and their teacher shook hands with her and kissed her; but it was
+a very happy heart the little girl carried home with her that bright
+Sunday.
+
+"Tessa," she said, "it's all true, every word:
+
+                "'Commit thy way unto the Lord,
+                And He _shall_ bring it to pass.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+SEALED.
+
+
+The first Sunday in September was the most beautiful day of the
+season--calm, still, and sunshiny. The August heats were abated, but no
+touch of chill had yet come into the air. It was still summer, but
+summer's fierceness had passed by. When the bell of the little gray
+stone church rang out in joyous tones, multitudes of people, in bright
+Sunday attire, and with expectant faces, came out of the cottages and
+boarding-houses and, singly or in groups, wound their way up the hill.
+
+Factory operatives are not, as a rule, a very church-going population,
+and the church was not wont to be overcrowded; but to-day the pews and
+seats are all full, and so are the extra benches and chairs taken from
+the Sunday-school room and placed in the aisles. Every one in Squantown
+who possesses a sufficiently decent wardrobe in which to appear in a
+place of worship has turned out to-day. For to-day many of the boys and
+girls are to stand forth with many of their older friends, and confess
+themselves upon the Lord's side, while their pastor prays that upon them
+may fall a fuller measure of that Good Spirit, who alone can enable them
+to stand firm amid the many temptations by which they are surrounded,
+and while their brethren, who are older in the faith, promise to give
+them all the sympathy and help which it is in their power to bestow.
+
+The church has been decorated for the occasion with a wealth of late
+summer flowers. Geraniums, scarlet, coral, pink, and white, dahlias of
+every variegated hue, asters, zinnias, heliotrope, ferns, golden-rod,
+and a multitude more are entwined around the pulpit or wreathed above
+windows and doors. Pure white day-lilies load the air with perfume, and
+rare exotics from the gardens of the "great house" stand in exquisitely
+arranged baskets upon the communion-table.
+
+The music, intended to do special honor to the occasion, is somewhat
+elaborate, considering that the choir is composed of the older boys and
+girls from the Sunday-school, and is therefore not so good as usual from
+an artistic point of view; but it is better than artistic in that it is
+intended to do honor to the occasion, and is in many instances the
+sincere thank-offering of hearts glad to give to their Saviour the "dew
+of their youth."
+
+It was the endeavor, not only of the clergyman, but also of the whole
+Mountjoy family, to banish all class distinctions from the church, and
+to make rich and poor, as they sat together before God, "the maker of
+them all," feel that they were all one family; that all had a common
+ownership of, and interest in, the beautiful building and the
+well-conducted services.
+
+Thus the factory-girls went to the woods on Saturday afternoon for
+golden-rod and ferns; the humblest families robbed their cottage gardens
+of the few bright flowers they contained; and the boys gave willing
+assistance to Etta and her class in arranging and putting up the
+decorations. The whole congregation joined in singing the hymns and such
+of the chants as were familiar, and rarely had the singing been
+heartier.
+
+The service was over and the sermon, and then, as the last hymn was
+sung, the call was given for the candidates to come forward in answer to
+the reading of their names. How many of them there were! Even those who
+had prayed most earnestly and labored most actively were surprised at
+the result. There were six of the elder girls composing Miss Eunice's
+Bible-class (the others were already communicants); four of her
+brother's boys; Etta and her whole class of seven,--making eighteen from
+the Sunday-school. But there were also quite a number of young men who
+worked in the factory, who had been largely won by James Mountjoy's
+honor and integrity, added to manly Christianity; and some young women,
+and even elder ones, with one or two heads of families, who had been led
+by the indefatigable efforts of the pastor thus to openly acknowledge
+Christ.
+
+The girls were not as a rule dressed in any particular manner. Etta,
+indeed, and one or two others, were in white, because it happened to be
+more convenient and suitable, but neither Mr. Morven nor Miss Eunice
+wished to have the consciousness of dress interfere with the solemn
+thoughts of self-dedication and renunciation of the world appropriate to
+the occasion. Even with Bertie Sanderson, who had come home a few days
+before, "old things had so passed away," that she wore a simple blue
+gingham, much plainer, and at the same time much more becoming, than the
+costume in which she had originally appeared at the mill. The solemn
+questions were asked and answered; the personal vows taken; earnest,
+solemn prayers uttered and words of wise counsel said, to be long
+remembered and heeded and acted upon in life's coming battles; and then,
+with a burst of joyful song, the solemn service was over, and those
+engaged in it went out from the sacred precincts to fulfil the vows and
+exercise the grace among the common scenes and homely details of daily
+life. To many, nay, to most, life would not be one continuous communion
+service; the holy awe would of necessity fade away; the hymns and
+prayers be exchanged for the harsh wrangle and barter of a work-day
+world; temptation was awaiting many of those new church members in
+unexpected places, and the evil nature within, not yet wholly subdued by
+divine grace, would make the pathway of holiness a very narrow one,
+along which untrained feet would often stumble. But the memory of this
+hour would always be, to those who cherished it, a shield against
+temptation, a counter-charm against the wiles of the evil one; and since
+the Saviour whom they had that day openly avouched to be their Lord and
+God had promised "never to leave or to forsake them," only victory could
+follow those who confided entirely in him.
+
+"Tessa," said Katie, when the two girls were alone together that
+afternoon, "I didn't know you were going to join the church till this
+morning. Why didn't you tell me before?"
+
+"Well, you see I didn't make up my mind till yesterday afternoon. Then I
+went to Miss Etta, and she took me to Mr. Morven, and he took my name
+and encouraged me to come."
+
+"What made you think of it?"
+
+"You first. I didn't see how you could be so gentle and patient when
+everybody was condemning you and thinking evil of you. Then I watched
+you at your work, and saw how faithful you were, whether any one saw you
+or not, just as if you felt that God was looking at you, and you wanted
+to please him."
+
+"So I did. I took for my text, in the mill, the verse: 'In all thy ways
+acknowledge him.'"
+
+"Then," continued Tessa, "when you wanted me to give up reading those
+novels I was real mad at first. I thought you had no right to find fault
+with what I did, and that it was very mean in you, who had a comfortable
+home and a mother and two brothers, to want to take away the only
+pleasure from me who had nothing. But when you talked with me so
+sweetly, and when you asked me to come and live with you, and your
+mother took in the stranger that no one knew anything about and treated
+me just like one of her own children, I knew that you did it just out of
+kindness, and I tried to see what made you so kind."
+
+"I don't think I'm kind," said Katie, "but I do want to be."
+
+"The only reason I went to Sunday-school and church with you,"
+continued her friend, "was to find out what it was that made you so
+different from the other girls, and there I heard all about Jesus, so
+different from what the priests used to say at home. There were no
+crucifixes, no pictures in the church, as there were in Italy, and yet
+he seemed to be more real than he ever did there, and I found myself
+beginning to love him almost before I knew it."
+
+"I'm so glad!"
+
+"So am I; but I don't think I ever quite saw what he was, how he laid
+down his life, for his enemies I mean, till you went to take care of
+Bertie, at the risk of your own life, and stayed there when you knew how
+badly she had treated you, and never said a word afterward for fear it
+would hurt her. It showed me just how he cares for all of us and wants
+to help us, even those who don't like him and don't want to take his
+help, and I made up my mind to give myself to him and take him for my
+Saviour that very night when you asked me to."
+
+"Why didn't you tell me?"
+
+"Somehow I couldn't. I couldn't talk about such things; they seemed too
+sacred. And one reason I didn't give in my name with the others that day
+at Miss Etta's was because I was afraid Miss Eunice or somebody, the
+minister, perhaps, would ask me questions."
+
+"Didn't you want to talk to the minister?"
+
+"No; it seemed like going to confession, and that I promised my father
+I'd never do. Besides, I didn't think I was good enough."
+
+"Why, we're none of us good enough, Miss Eunice says."
+
+"I know; I listened to all the readings and the talk and the lectures,
+and by-and-by I got to see things that I hadn't understood before, and
+how it is not because we are good and strong, but because we're sinful
+and weak, that we need a Saviour and all the influences of the church.
+And so, just at the very last moment, I prayed for bravery enough to
+tell Miss Etta, and she went with me to Mr. Morven, and he told me I was
+just the one to come, if I really loved the Lord Jesus ever so little
+and wanted to do his will. He was just as kind and gentle, and it wasn't
+a bit like confession, for he didn't ask me any string of questions and
+didn't say the absolution--just talked to us both, prayed, and sent us
+home. I'm so glad I decided. I never felt so happy in my life before."
+
+"Nor I," said Katie. "It doesn't seem as if anything ever could be hard
+or hateful again."
+
+So felt a good many young hearts that quiet Sunday night as they
+returned from the evening service, where the pastor preached a special
+sermon to those of his flock who had just openly enlisted in the army of
+the Cross, welcoming them once more into the "communion of saints,"
+pointing out the responsibilities they had assumed and the difficulties
+in their way, but at the same time congratulating them on the assured
+strength and aid which were promised to make them "more than conquerors
+through him who hath loved us."
+
+And as life glided by, bringing its inevitable portion of care and
+suffering to each, no one of that band was ever sorry, as he looked back
+to the services of that bright September Sunday, that young hands and
+young hearts had then been laid trustingly into the hands of their
+Saviour, and that they set out upon life's journey clad in the
+invincible armor of faith.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+AFTERWARD.
+
+
+The soft, sweet summer-time had quite passed away. Bright autumn had
+followed, with its glory of gorgeous leaves and piles of golden fruit.
+November's fierce blast had begun to toss the leafless branches, and
+Thanksgiving day was at hand.
+
+Nearly three months had passed since our young friends had stood forth
+to receive the seal of their discipleship. Three months of testing time
+they had proved to be--months in which the true attitude of the souls of
+those who had then presented their bodies as a living sacrifice might
+become plain both to themselves and their friends.
+
+No greater mistake can be made than for young people to suppose that the
+recommendation of their Sunday-school teachers, their pastor, or even
+their parents, is an assurance that they are really fit subjects for a
+confession of Christ. All these, it is true, are watching them, both in
+their actions and in the tempers which they thus exhibit, as those that
+must give an account for their souls; but only God can see the
+heart--only themselves can know whether they are sincere in their
+purpose to love and serve him.
+
+Young girls are very easily influenced. Often they come forward in the
+church because a good many of their companions are coming and they do
+not want to be left behind; sometimes because it makes them of temporary
+importance; and sometimes simply because of the transient excitement,
+without any thought of the solemn vows they are going to assume and the
+new life which in the future they are to be expected to lead. And this
+in spite of all the instructions given and the watchful care exercised
+by pastor and friends. No wonder, then, that the first few months after
+a public profession are anxious ones to all those who have had any part
+in smoothing the way thereto for their young friends.
+
+And yet, let no girl or boy be discouraged from taking a stand which is
+both duty and privilege by these remarks. All that God demands of those
+who confess Christ--or, as it is popularly incorrectly called, "make a
+profession of religion"--is _sincerity_ of heart and purpose; _sincere_
+sorrow, no matter how slight, for past sin; _sincere_ faith in the
+sacrifice of Christ, to atone for and forgive sin; _sincere_ purpose of
+obeying God's commandments for the future, with _sincere_ consciousness
+of weakness added to _sincere_ trust in the all-sufficient strength of
+the Holy Ghost. Every boy or girl old enough to think is capable of this
+sincerity; and thus every one is bound to obey the express command of
+his Saviour and confess him before men.
+
+But, of course, if the confession be not sincere, in a very short time,
+when the novelty and excitement have worn away, the interest in sacred
+things will wear away also, and very soon something will be said or done
+that will be a dreadful disgrace to the confession thus carelessly or
+wickedly made.
+
+Still another mistake is often made by young people, and this is one
+calculated to do great mischief, as it is often made by those who are
+sincerely desirous of serving God. For weeks preceding the open step
+they have devoted a great deal of time to meetings, prayer, and
+Bible-reading, and their interest in these things has almost put secular
+ones out of their heads. But when that long-anticipated day is over,
+they feel somehow that the end is reached, instead of looking on this
+end as only the first step in a newer and better life. Other duties and
+interests resume their relative importance. There are not so many
+meetings to go to, Bible-reading becomes more hurried, prayers are less
+fervent, and all at once the young communicant falls into some open sin
+and is filled with grief and remorse.
+
+Oh, if every boy and girl, every man and woman, who has been brought
+into outward and inward communion with Christ, would only realize that
+he or she is to go _onward_, never ceasing to pray and strive against
+evil; ever pressing on for more and more of the Holy Spirit; striving
+each day to be more and more like Christ,--then would be realized what
+is meant by the words of the wise king: "The path of the just is as the
+shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
+
+"Don't you think it would be nice to have a Harvest Home Festival for
+the Sunday-school on Thanksgiving?" said Etta Mountjoy to her brother
+and sister one autumn afternoon.
+
+"I never saw one," said Eunice, whose duties as housekeeper had kept her
+rather closely confined at home for some years.
+
+"Oh, I have. When I was at Altona last fall, the church was decorated
+with grain and grasses and fruits, and even vegetables. It was just
+lovely!"
+
+"I should think it might be," said James; "and I don't see why we should
+not have one if Mr. Morven has no objection. But it will be a good deal
+of work to carry it through successfully, and I hate that sort of thing
+when it's a failure."
+
+"I don't mind work," said Etta. "I want something to do--something for
+the church, I mean; and the girls do, too--something to take the place
+of our readings and talks. Sometimes I wish it were not all over, but
+there were something still to look forward to."
+
+"Do you mean that you are sorry that you are really admitted to the
+communion of the Church, and have openly placed yourself on the Lord's
+side?"
+
+"No! Of course not," said the girl, blushing. "But things are getting
+flat. I want something new; you know I always did."
+
+"Yes," said her brother; "we all know, Etta. But, seriously, I trust my
+little sister will never be tired of the blessed service and fellowship
+into which she has been so recently admitted. You know what is written
+about those who put their hands to the plow and look back."
+
+"Oh, I don't mean to look back; I don't want to. I'd rather belong to
+the church and work for Christ than anything else in the world. What I
+want is work. Don't you see?"
+
+"Well, dear, if you think you can manage the work I'll find the money,
+though I don't suppose it will cost a great deal."
+
+So it came to pass that those bright autumn Saturday afternoons were
+spent by Etta and her girls in the woods, where, with the aid of such
+boys as could get away from their work, a store of scarlet, golden, and
+variegated autumn leaves was laid in, with late ferns and hardy
+brackens, curious bits of moss, seed-vessels, and dried grass being
+added to the store. These were all taken to Mrs. Robertson's, whose
+large garret was offered for their reception and preservation, and after
+tea the girls ironed and varnished the leaves which could not be
+detached from the boughs, and pressed the smaller ones between the
+leaves of newspapers, which were collected for the purpose from
+neighbors, the younger Sunday scholars who were not in the mill being
+thus employed.
+
+Then, on Wednesday evening, at Miss Eunice's "tea-party," which of
+necessity was held indoors, now that darkness came early and the nights
+were chill, the girls of the two classes covered pasteboard stars,
+crosses, crowns, and monograms with leaves and mosses neatly stitched
+on--bound rich yellow wheat stalks into sheaves, and made plumes and
+tassels of dried grasses and seeds.
+
+Merry chatter helped the work forward. Miss Eunice did not wish her
+girls to look upon religion and the church's service as a thing of
+gloom. She knew that God has "given us all things richly to enjoy," and
+that the way to hallow pleasure and prevent its being hurtful is "in
+_all_ our ways to acknowledge him."
+
+Moreover, these social, familiar talks, when every one was off her
+guard, afforded capital opportunities of studying character with a view
+to affording to the young pilgrims such aid and advice as might be
+useful to them in their heavenward journey.
+
+Of all the young work-women, Tessa showed the most taste and ingenuity
+in the grouping of leaves and arranging of ferns, and her beautiful
+combinations constantly called forth the admiration of both companions
+and teachers. The little Italian received their commendations very
+meekly, but did not thereby escape exciting the jealousy of Bertie
+Sanderson, who, on putting together some very fiery leaves without any
+attempt at toning down, received from Miss Eunice a few gentle
+suggestions concerning shadow, high lights, etc. "It's too mean," she
+whispered to her nearest neighbor, as she took her seat, "that beggar
+from the poor-house gets more notice than all the rest of us put
+together."
+
+Her companion stared, for she was one of those girls who had almost
+made up her mind to become a Christian, but had remained undecided till
+too late, because she had an idea that a person could not dare to join
+the church till she was as holy as an angel.
+
+"There's Katie Robertson, too," continued Bertie; "she'll be sure to be
+praised, if her work's hideous. That's what it is to be a favorite."
+
+"Why, Bertie," said the other, "you're real spiteful. I think Katie's
+just the nicest girl. Anyway, I couldn't talk as you do if I had joined
+the church."
+
+"But you ought to have joined the church because it was your duty," said
+Bertie, who could very clearly see the mote in her sister's eye, in
+spite of the beam in her own. "You will be a Christian soon, won't you?
+It's so nice."
+
+"Not I. If religion don't make people better than you are, I don't want
+anything to do with it; I'd rather stay as I am," was the sincere, if
+not very polite, answer. And then Bertie's conscience awoke, and she
+began to see what harm she was doing. She was very uneasy all the rest
+of the evening, and still more so when, at its close, Miss Eunice asked
+her to stop a few moments, as she had something to say to her.
+
+Miss Eunice had overheard the conversation we have recorded, and had
+noted the cross, spiteful expression of the girl's face, and had grieved
+much as she saw her Saviour thus "wounded in the house of his friends."
+She spoke seriously to Bertie so soon as they were alone, and found the
+latter already repentant and quite willing to acknowledge her fault.
+
+"But what am I to do, Miss Eunice? I _am_ jealous, and I _do_ feel
+hateful sometimes. I don't want to feel so, but I can't help it. If I
+didn't speak, I should feel it all the same."
+
+"But, my dear, you have promised, in the most solemn way, to renounce
+'the devil and all his works.' Pride, malice, envy, jealousy are
+emphatically works of the devil."
+
+"I know, Miss Eunice; and I thought it would be all taken away. The
+minister in the city told us that Jesus is 'the Lamb of God, who taketh
+away the sins of the world.' I thought if I came to him he would take
+mine away."
+
+"So he has, so he will. Try to understand me. When he hung upon the
+cross he bore the penalty due to the sins of the whole world, and of
+course to yours. In that sense he has already taken them away. But in
+another sense, that of your daily life, your _character_, he will take
+the evil of that away just as fast as you will let him."
+
+"Let him? How do you mean? I am sure I want to be good."
+
+"Yes, in a lump, altogether, you want to be good, very good; but without
+any trouble or self-denial. You didn't want to keep from saying those
+spiteful things about Tessa and Katie a little while ago, or he would
+have helped you do it. You didn't want the jealous, envious feelings
+taken out of your heart _just then_, or he would have taken them."
+
+"How, Miss Eunice?"
+
+"_Whatsoever_ you ask in prayer, believing, ye _shall_ receive," said
+she.
+
+"But do you mean I ought to have kneeled down to pray then, just that
+moment, before all the girls?"
+
+"It is not necessary always to kneel down when we pray; though it is
+best to do so when we can. There are often times when our work would
+suffer, or when we are so surrounded by others that it would be
+impossible. But a few earnest words spoken in the silence of our own
+hearts will always bring our strong, loving Saviour to our help; and we
+may, _every time_, no matter what our temptations are, be 'more than
+conquerors through him who hath loved us.'"
+
+"Every time? Oh, Miss Eunice!"
+
+"Yes, every time. You know we constantly ask the Lord 'to keep us each
+day _without_ sin.' How can we utter such a prayer in faith if we don't
+believe that it can be granted?"
+
+"Yes; but temptations are so sudden, and take you just where you're the
+weakest."
+
+"I know. And therefore we should be fully armed beforehand. Bertie, did
+you read your Bible and pray this morning?"
+
+"No!" said the girl, flushing. "I always mean to; but it's so dark in
+the mornings now, and mill-time comes so soon. It's just as much as I
+can do to get there in time, any way."
+
+"Yet you find time for your breakfast?"
+
+"I couldn't live without eating."
+
+"Nor can you live spiritually without feeding daily upon Christ, through
+the study of his Word and prayer. I would sooner go without my breakfast
+than without my early communion with him. Bertie, there are 'no gains
+without pains.' If you are really desirous, as I believe you are, to
+overcome your own evil habits and tendencies, and grow to be like
+Christ, you _must_ begin every day with prayer for his help; you must
+watch yourself and your surroundings, and in the moment of temptation
+you must turn instantly to him who says that he is 'a very present help
+in trouble,' and who has promised to 'supply all our need according to
+his riches in glory.'"
+
+Poor Bertie! A hard fight was before her. Fourteen years of unresisted
+pride, jealousy, and ill-will had formed habits that were hard to
+break--fourteen years of caring for no one's pleasure but her own. In
+brief, fourteen years of worshiping herself had helped to form a
+character which would need a good deal of chiseling before it should
+grow into an image of Christ. But he had undertaken the work. Miss
+Eunice had shown her how to avail herself of his offered help, and as
+she took her teacher's advice, we may be sure that in the end she gained
+the victory.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+A WARNING.
+
+
+So the short, bright autumn days and the long, chill evenings passed
+quickly and pleasantly away. All were busy and happy, and were beginning
+to find that in spite of conflicts and self-denials "wisdom's ways are
+pleasantness and all her paths are peace." The preparations for the
+Thanksgiving festival progressed rapidly, but before the time came to
+put the plans in execution a very terrible thing happened in Squantown.
+Faces turned white, voices were hushed, work was suspended at the mill,
+in the stores, and even upon farms. One home, where a loving mother
+bowed in deepest agony, was shrouded in gloom, while others were filled
+with the sympathy of mourning.
+
+The Mountjoys first heard the news at Sunday-school, where Etta found
+her class so full of the horror that they could attend to nothing else.
+The stories of the girls were confused, and differed as to details, but
+their teacher elicited from them the facts, which were as follows:--
+
+Harry Pemberton, one of the best hands in the mill, one of the
+pleasantest young fellows in Squantown, so the grown-up girls thought,
+the very idol of the widowed mother who had only him, had gone out with
+some companions on a Saturday night "spree" to a high cliff in the
+neighborhood. They carried with them a barrel of beer and some bottles
+of whiskey, of which, however, the others drank but little. A foolish
+bet was made between him and one of the elder men, as to which could
+drink the most "lager," and the others, soon tiring of the contest, left
+the two with the bet still undecided. The sequel was involved in
+mystery, for the other man, who was a stranger in the place, had
+disappeared, and when the bright autumn sun shone out on Sunday morning,
+it showed to the early passers-by the dead body of poor Harry, bruised,
+broken, and disfigured, at the foot of the cliff. Whether the beer they
+had taken made him and his companion quarrelsome and he was pushed over
+in a fight, or whether Harry, stupefied, fell asleep on the edge and
+rolled over in his unconsciousness, was never known. The boon companion
+never came back to testify, and the coroner's jury brought in a verdict
+of "accidentally killed."[2]
+
+On Wednesday the mills were closed, that all might have an opportunity
+of attending the funeral services, which were intensely solemn and
+impressive. Harry had at one time been a member of Mr. James's
+Bible-class, and during the recent religious interest his former teacher
+and employer had more than once urged upon him to break away from the
+evil companions and bad influences by which he had allowed himself to be
+surrounded, and take his stand on the Lord's side, finding in the church
+and its associations help to become a noble and good man. At one time he
+had seemed to be almost persuaded, and his friend had great hopes of
+him, but his companions and their influence had proved to be too strong.
+He had gone back to his evil ways, trusting, perhaps, to "a more
+convenient season," which, alas! never came to him.
+
+The clergyman detailed these facts to his hearers, among whom were, of
+course, all the young men of the place; and while delicately avoiding
+hazarding any suggestions as to the present or future condition of their
+unfortunate companion, pressed upon all present the importance of
+calling upon the Lord "while he may be found," and the awful risk of
+delay.
+
+"No one could have supposed," said Mr. Morven, "when poor Harry trifled
+with the most important of all questions, his soul's salvation, and put
+off his final decision till some 'more convenient season,' that that
+season would never come to him."
+
+Of all the young men of Squantown he had seemed the least likely to be
+suddenly called into eternity. Yet he had been, in a condition, too, in
+which any one would least like to be found when called suddenly to stand
+before God and answer for the deeds done in the body. Who would be
+called next? Was that one all ready? Therefore, he once more urged upon
+his hearers, "Prepare to meet thy God." Nor did the earnest pastor fail
+to draw attention to the lessons concerning the use of intoxicating
+liquors, in any form or degree, which the occasion so plainly afforded.
+It was not as an habitual drunkard that Harry Pemberton met his fate,
+nor was it from the use of what is usually denominated "strong drink."
+Lager beer, considered and spoken of by many as "a temperance beverage,"
+was responsible for the mischief, and the thoughtless joke of careless
+young men had hurried one of them, known to all present as a boy of
+great promise, uncalled into the immediate presence of God. Perhaps a
+better object-lesson for total abstinence could not have been found,
+since it is the occasional drinkers, who are not as yet bound by the
+chains of almost irresistible habit, to whom alone such an appeal can be
+made with any prospect of success. Poor Harry had been precisely one of
+these, and probably no young man in Squantown had considered himself
+farther from meeting death as the result of intemperance.
+
+This sad and sudden death made a great impression upon James Mountjoy.
+Always a perfectly _temperate_ man, as became an earnest, devoted young
+Christian, he had never been known as a _temperance_ man, that is, an
+advocate of total abstinence principles, and an active worker in the
+cause. But he now was deeply impressed with his responsibility and duty
+in this respect; and accustomed to turning good impressions at once to
+their legitimate results,--good actions,--he, with his father's full
+consent, called a meeting of all the men connected with the mill, that
+night, and presented to them a total-abstinence pledge, which he was the
+first man to sign.
+
+"I have always," said he, "been opposed to such pledges. I thought a
+Christian communicant might be trusted to use all these things in
+moderation, and that it was, somehow, an undervaluing of his church
+privileges, to say nothing of his manhood, to bind himself by anything
+else. I will confess, also, to having occasionally enjoyed a glass of
+wine or champagne. But I have completely changed my mind. Who knows what
+might happen to me, in some unguarded moment, if I should continue to
+tamper with that which is in its very nature a deceiver? But, even
+supposing I were to escape all evil consequences, some one weaker or
+less favored than I am might be influenced by my example to take that
+which would injure him in body or soul. St. Paul said he would 'eat no
+more meat and drink no more wine while the world standeth,' if it should
+cause his brother to offend, so I have resolved that not another drop of
+anything that can intoxicate shall ever pass my lips, and if it will be
+any help for any of you to make or keep to a similar resolution, I will
+be the first to 'sign away my liberty,' as pledge-signing is foolishly
+called." And he wrote _James Mountjoy_ in clear letters at the head of
+the paper.
+
+A great cheer greeted the action, and many men and boys pressed forward
+to follow their young employer's example. Elderly men they were, some of
+them, who had tried again and again to break off a habit which they felt
+to be injuring them and defrauding their families, and who found a great
+moral support in being thus associated with others, one of whom stood in
+such relation to themselves. Others were young men who greatly admired
+and emulated Mr. James, and who had heretofore justified themselves in
+acquiring a taste for whiskey on the ground that the young gentleman
+was known occasionally to indulge in ale and champagne. And still others
+were boys, who liked to do what their elders did, by way of appearing
+manly, and whose adherence, given to the right side of the question,
+before they had had an opportunity of acquiring a taste for intoxicants,
+was a great gain on the side of righteousness.
+
+Eric and Alfred were among these latter, and though neither had as yet
+spent an evening away from home, nor, to her knowledge, knew the taste
+of liquor, their mother, when she was told of it, gave hearty thanks
+that another safeguard against evil had been thrown around her boys.
+
+Some of the men declined to sign the pledge, one saying in a surly
+manner that he was not going to be coerced into doing a thing of this
+kind. Mr. Mountjoy paid for his work, not his principles, and he should
+eat and drink just what he liked. To him James replied, pleasantly, that
+he did not wish to coerce any one. Those who were conscientiously
+opposed to signing a pledge would, of course, not be expected to do so,
+but he had no doubt he should have the unanimous support of all present
+in whatever efforts might be made to put down the growing evils of
+intemperance.
+
+James Mountjoy never did anything by halves. He at once threw himself
+earnestly into the temperance reform; supplied himself with books and
+papers, and became thoroughly conversant with all phases of the
+question, wondering, as he did so, how as a Christian man he could so
+long have overlooked his duty in this matter. Resolved to do so no
+longer, he at once commenced a series of temperance meetings, inviting
+speakers and lecturers to come to Squantown and make the people
+intelligent total abstainers. He did not select so much men who were
+noted for their fervid oratory, nor yet reformed drunkards who often
+divert their audiences with amusing accounts of their past performances
+while under the influence of strong drink, but plain, common-sense
+business men, who put before their hearers in simple terms the evils
+that the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol work to the
+purses, bodies, and souls of any community.
+
+He also added to the library at the factory reading-room a number of
+valuable works on the nature and effects of alcohol; and before the
+winter was over had the pleasure of seeing a very marked change in the
+condition of the factory people as the result of his efforts.
+
+-----
+[Footnote 2: An actual occurrence.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+THE DO GOOD SOCIETY.
+
+
+Meanwhile the girls at Miss Eunice's tea-party had been busily
+discussing the funeral and its sad cause.
+
+"What an awful thing intemperance is!" said one of the elder girls.
+"Even women sometimes drink to excess; and how many others suffer from
+its effects in their husbands and fathers. I wish we girls could do
+something to put it down."
+
+"You can," said Etta. "If every girl in the land were to set her foot
+down against having anything to do with young men who drink, there would
+soon be a change. I am resolved," she said, in her old impetuous way,
+"never to associate with any young man, no matter how good or elegant he
+may be, who even tastes wine occasionally."
+
+"That is a rash resolve, Etta," said her sister, "and one that I fear
+you will find it hard to carry out. Yet, what you say is right, in the
+main. Girls do not enough realize the great responsibility of their
+influence over young men."
+
+"No," said Agnes Burchard, with a sigh. And several remembered how much
+she had been seen with poor Harry and what jokes had been made about
+their intimacy. "I always knew that Harry Pemberton drank occasionally;
+but I thought it manly, and like--like Mr. James."
+
+No one answered this rather unfortunate remark; but presently Katie
+Robertson said:--
+
+"Don't you think, Miss Etta, people ought to begin with the boys--before
+they have learned to drink, I mean."
+
+"A good suggestion, Katie, since an ounce of prevention is said to be
+better than a pound of cure. How would you set about doing it?"
+
+But Katie, having thus drawn all eyes upon herself, blushed, and did not
+feel like speaking. So Miss Eunice came to her rescue:--
+
+"We might organize some kind of a society, of which the boys and younger
+girls could be members. It would be some trouble to keep it up, but it
+would be directly in the line of that service to which you pledged
+yourselves, girls, that bright first Sunday in September."
+
+"Delightful!" said Etta, to whom every new thing always seemed so. "A
+boys' and girls' temperance society, with a pledge that they shall never
+in their lives taste anything that can intoxicate. Then they will grow
+up temperance boys and girls from the start."
+
+"There are two objections to pledging children--that is, very young
+ones," said Eunice. "The first is, from the unwillingness often felt by
+their parents; and the other, that many of them do not fully understand
+what they are about, and as they grow older often break their pledge, on
+the ground that they are not bound by a promise made when they were too
+young to understand it."
+
+"Well, some of them keep it, and that's so much gained."
+
+"Yes; for them. But to break solemnly made vows is always an injury to
+one's character. Besides, if we make a total-abstinence pledge the
+condition of joining our society, we shall not get the Irish boys, who
+most need our work. Their parents will not let them come. Why not word
+our pledge in such a way as to secure everybody's influence on the side
+of temperance, without making it a personal thing? It will be sure to
+react upon the individual."
+
+"I think there are some things that boys do besides drinking that are
+just as bad--smoking and swearing, for instance," said one of the girls.
+
+"And I think it's just as bad for girls to be hateful and unkind," said
+Bertie, to the surprise of some who knew her, but did not know what a
+brave fight she was making to overcome her long-indulged faults.
+
+"Let's make it a pledge to be kind and thoughtful," said one of the
+girls.
+
+"Not to be vain," said another.
+
+"And let's all belong," said a third. "So the boys won't think we're
+just preaching to them."
+
+So the result of all the talk was that a meeting for all the children in
+the place was held the first bright Saturday afternoon, Etta presiding,
+assisted by such of her girls as had finished their day's work at the
+mill. It happened to be a bright afternoon, warm for the season, and no
+one felt any inconvenience in staying out of doors, where they sat in
+groups around the lawn, while their young hostess explained the purpose
+for which she had called them together.
+
+"We know you all want to be good men and women," she said; "brave,
+noble, and helpful. Our idea is not primarily to amuse you or make you
+happy, but to help you to learn to be helpful and useful to others. We
+want to form among ourselves a society, whose object is to do all the
+good that its members possibly can--not trying to have a good time, but
+to make somebody else happier and better every day. Who wants to join
+us?"
+
+Instantly every hand in the little group went up.
+
+"Yes, I thought so," said the young lady. "But now I wonder who are
+willing to take a good deal of trouble about it, and really put
+themselves out of the way to make other people happy. Those who are
+willing and mean to persevere not getting tired and giving up the whole
+thing after a little while, may have the privilege of joining our
+society by signing their names to our pledge."
+
+She then read the following pledge slowly, pausing to explain every word
+which might seem hard to be understood by the younger children:--
+
+"We, the undersigned, pledge ourselves to be truthful, unselfish,
+cheerful, and helpful; to use our influence always for the right, and
+never to fear to show our colors. We will always use our influence
+against intemperance, the use of profane language or tobacco, disrespect
+to the old, ill treatment of the young or unfortunate, and cruelty to
+animals."[3]
+
+Nearly all present were eager to sign it; those who could write their
+names doing so, and the others looking on with great satisfaction while
+theirs were written by some one else. Thus a society was formed which,
+for want of a better name, was called the "Do Good Society."
+
+Etta was unanimously elected president; four girls of her class were
+the officers. Meetings were to be held the first Saturday in every month
+in the Sunday-school room, on which occasions those present were to
+report attempts at carrying out the principles of the society as well as
+all successes in doing so.
+
+To this society and its welfare Etta Mountjoy devoted herself, throwing
+into its concerns the whole activity of her versatile nature; making its
+meetings so interesting, and imparting to it so much bright life and
+activity, that it soon became the most popular institution in Squantown.
+
+The society's first meeting was held one week after its organization. It
+was raining softly, and the grass was damp and the air chilly; so the
+children, nearly a hundred of whom were present, were glad to come into
+the shelter of the pretty Sunday-school room, and while swelling with
+the importance of being "a society," wait to see what "Miss Etta" would
+do when she came. The girls were getting a little restless, and the boys
+had begun to drum rather impatiently upon the floor, when the young lady
+appeared, carrying in her hand a curious-looking box with a slit in the
+top and a basket mysteriously covered down, which she deposited on the
+desk, not as yet answering the questions which were spoken by the many
+pairs of bright eyes before her.
+
+The first thing the president did was to tell the children that they
+might sing "Hold the Fort," which they did with such extraordinary force
+and enthusiasm that they exhausted the excitement which was seething
+within them, and sat quite still while the basket was unpacked and Etta
+took from it a bottle of whitish-looking fluid, a clear glass goblet,
+and a pure white egg. Then she gave them a little temperance talk,
+reminding them of the sad death of poor Harry, which was known to them
+all, and telling them that even when people did not drink enough liquor
+to make them either stupid or quarrelsome, _any_ quantity of it taken
+into the stomach injures it very much.
+
+To make them understand this she broke the egg-shell and dropped the
+white of the egg into the goblet, holding it up and showing them how
+soft and clear it was. Then, uncorking the bottle, she told them it
+contained alcohol, the substance that is found in all intoxicating
+drinks, even the weaker ones, such as wine and beer.
+
+"Now, watch," she said; and as she poured two or three drops of the
+liquid into the glass the interested eyes saw the egg grow white and
+hard, and at last become tough and leathery. "This," she said, "is just
+what happens when people drink anything that contains alcohol. The brain
+is a substance like the white of an egg. The alcohol acts upon it in the
+same way it has acted upon the white of this egg--it _cooks_ it! The
+brain of a drunkard becomes _cooked_--tough and leathery. The man cannot
+think as clearly as other men. His mind becomes degraded." The children
+all expressed their astonishment, and after they had talked a little
+while, their teacher said:--
+
+"I am sure you don't want people to injure their brains in this way, and
+so you will be ready to keep that part of your pledge which says we will
+'use our influence against intemperance,' of course."
+
+"Yes, yes!" was shouted out by dozens of voices, and many hands went
+up. One boy said:--
+
+"How about tobacco?"
+
+"Oh, we'll talk about that next time. Now I want you to sing again, and
+then we will investigate the contents of this box," proceeding to unlock
+it as she spoke.
+
+When the second hymn was over Miss Etta drew out several folded papers,
+and handing; them to the secretary, who had come in since the beginning,
+asked her to read them aloud.
+
+"Remember, children, that neither you nor I know who wrote them. They
+have no signatures. Perhaps some of the children wrote them themselves,
+perhaps they got their parents to do so. All we want to know is that
+they are accounts of how some of our members have tried to be unselfish
+and helpful to other people during the week that has past. I hope every
+meeting we shall have a number of such papers to read. You can any of
+you write them, and slip them into this box, and our secretary will read
+them to us. But be sure that you don't put any names to them and that
+what you write is true."
+
+                               PAPER I.
+
+Last Friday I was going home from school when I saw two big boys hit
+against an old woman, who was carrying along a heavy basket. I don't
+know whether they did it on purpose, but they both began to laugh as the
+basket upset, and the apples which were in it rolled all over the road.
+I was just going to laugh too, the old woman looked so funny and
+helpless, but I thought of our society, and I stooped down and picked up
+all the apples and helped carry home the basket. The other boys laughed
+at me and called me a baby. I wanted to swear at them dreadfully, but I
+remembered what our pledge said about "profane swearing," and I just
+held my tongue.
+
+                              PAPER II.
+
+Mother wanted me to take care of the baby while she got supper the other
+afternoon, but I wanted to go in the woods with Allie and get nuts. I'd
+promised her ever so long, and this was the last chance, it's so near
+winter. I was just going to say "No" to mother, and tell her babies were
+a nuisance, when I noticed how tired she looked, and thought how she was
+always doing things for all of us. Then I remembered our pledge, and I
+took the baby and tried to be "cheerful and helpful" in amusing her,
+setting the table between whiles. And in the evening, mother said she
+did not know how she could have got along without me, she had such a
+headache all the afternoon, but now she felt quite rested.
+
+                              PAPER III.
+
+Five of us girls are going to form a bee. We haven't much time, but we
+can take one evening each week, and we're going to make skating-bags for
+our brothers and some of the other boys, so that they can keep their
+skates clean and bright. We mean to hurry, so as to get them ready by
+the first frosty weather.
+
+There were several other papers, but these specimens are enough to show
+the kind of work the Do Good Society was engaged in, and the nature of
+the reports brought in from time to time. They were sometimes very
+funny, and Miss Etta felt a little inclined to laugh as they were read,
+but little by little they were educating the children to be unselfish
+and helpful, and that, next to being godly, is the best thing in the
+world.
+
+-----
+[Footnote 3: Condensed from the pledge of the Lookout Legion.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+THANKSGIVING DAY.
+
+
+The long-anticipated Harvest Home Festival arrived at last. All
+Wednesday evening, and far into the night, the boys were busy, under
+Etta's directions, in putting up the carefully prepared colored leaf
+emblems, and arranging the grasses, fruits, and vegetables. Over every
+pointed window was a garland of variously colored grasses, mixed with
+bearded golden grain, and between each, one of the leaf emblems was
+lightly tacked to the wall. From each gas-burner depended a rustic
+basket, made of twisted sticks dipped in a cheap solution of gilt
+powder, and filled with purple and white grapes, mixed with scarlet and
+golden apples. Bouquets of ferns and grasses graced pulpit and baptismal
+font. Against either end of the communion-table leaned a wonderfully
+constructed cornucopia, from whose capacious mouth seemed to be pouring
+out green squashes, yellow pumpkins, red and white beets, brown
+potatoes, cabbages, cauliflowers, parsnips, and golden ears of corn,
+packed in with cereals and nuts. On the table itself was a mighty pile
+of all the fruits attainable so late in the season, and the decorations
+were completed by a cross nearly six feet in height, composed entirely
+of white everlasting flowers, placed in the window just above.
+
+It was great fun to arrange all these pretty things, and the fun might
+have degenerated into irreverence, but for the presence of Mr. Morven,
+who occasionally said a few words concerning the sacredness of the
+place, and managed to give the whole affair the appearance of a happy
+service of the Lord and his church, so that each boy and girl went away
+with a share of the gladness of those who work for God.
+
+The Thanksgiving congregation was an unusually large one. The mills were
+closed, of course, and many of the work-people who, perhaps, would have
+hesitated at the idea of spending their rare holiday time in a church,
+thought better of it when they remembered that doing so would certainly
+please their employer. Not a very worthy motive, certainly. But there
+are many motives which draw people to the house of God, not all of which
+will bear close inspection. None the less, however, are they thus
+brought under hallowed influences, and it may be that germinating seed
+will be thus sown in their hearts, which the wayside birds will not
+quite carry away.
+
+The Methodists, who usually held Sunday services at the school-house,
+three miles off, held none on Thanksgiving day, and were glad of a good
+opportunity to see and attend the pretty new stone church on the hill.
+Many of the neighboring families in the country round had city visitors
+come to "spend Thanksgiving." And more than all, the fame of the harvest
+decorations had spread far and wide, so that curiosity helped to fill
+the church to overflowing. Mr. Morven was glad of the opportunity to
+show how religion claims a place even in our festivities and helps to
+brighten all our joys. He was especially desirous that the children and
+young people should never look upon Christ's service as a thing of
+gloom. He dwelt upon Thanksgiving day as an essentially national
+festival, reminding his audience how it had originated when the Pilgrim
+fathers met at the close of the first year of their hard life among New
+England rocks to thank the God, in whose name and by whose power they
+had laid the foundations of the new commonwealth on this side of the
+sea. Then he told how the observance had gradually spread from State to
+State; at first being appointed by the State Governor, on such day as
+seemed to him fittest. Till at last, the wise and lamented President
+Lincoln sent out a Thanksgiving proclamation, and appointed a uniform
+day for the whole, great, reunited people.
+
+"For what we are to give thanks, in addition to our great public
+blessings," continued the preacher, "each one of us must look into his
+individual life and surroundings to discover. These beautiful
+decorations remind us of our indebtedness as a people for an abundant
+harvest, not only of the grains and cereals which support our lives, but
+also of the delicacies which make that life one of rich enjoyment. But,
+my friends, this is Cain's sacrifice. Let us beware lest, as in his
+case, it take the place of Abel's, and we learn to care more for the
+things of our perishing life than for those eternal glories to which the
+great sacrifice of which Abel's was typical is our only title. For
+myself, as pastor of this church, I find special occasion for
+thanksgiving in the large number who have, during the past year,
+publicly given themselves to Christ, nearly all of whom, as I have every
+reason to hope, have set out in earnest upon their heavenward
+pilgrimage. These souls are a seal to my ministry among you, and for
+them I gladly to-day render unto the Lord thanksgiving. An added cause
+of thanksgiving to me personally is the able and earnest corps of
+assistants who are here holding up my hands. Surrounded by mill-owners
+whose first object is not so much money-making as the elevation of the
+men, women, and children in their employ; with Eunices and Louises, who
+labor with me for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom in young human
+hearts, and with a society of little folks whose purpose is to follow
+their Great Master by going about to do good, I feel myself well
+sustained in my responsible position; and, as I look forward to the
+cares and duties of another year, I 'thank God and take courage.' And no
+doubt, as you look down into your own hearts and back on the events of
+the past year, you also see much cause for thanksgiving. Some of you
+remember how, when you tossed on beds of fever, God's presence rebuked
+the death-angel and you came back to a new and, as we trust, a better
+life. Many of you know how, while the pestilence raged around you, both
+you and your loved ones were safe from his fiery breath. Others of you
+can recall how, when the swift punishment that sometimes visits those
+who do not like to retain God in their knowledge and seek their own
+pleasure rather than his service came among us, it was not your boy,
+your brother, your dear one who met with a fearful and sudden death.
+Even such of you as have been called to suffer during the year that is
+gone by, to resist temptation, to conquer sin, to mourn over loved ones,
+or to meet poverty and distress, know that, having received help of the
+Lord, you continue unto this day. His strength has assured the hard-won
+victory, his presence has lightened the gloom, his hand wiped away the
+tear, his bounty fed the hungry. In all things he has more than kept his
+promises, and I call upon you this day to
+
+                "'Render unto the Lord thanksgiving.'"
+
+The afternoon was devoted to the Harvest Home Festival, and a very
+pretty and successful service it was.
+
+Long before three o'clock the main body of the church was filled with
+parents, friends, and anxious spectators, many of whom had never been
+inside of a church before. The front seats had been reserved for the
+Sunday-school, whose members marched in singing as a processional:--
+
+                   "Come, ye thankful people, come,
+                    Raise the song of Harvest Home,"
+
+at the close of which the whole congregation rose and sang:--
+
+             "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."
+
+A brief opening service followed, the infant class chanting the Lord's
+prayer, the verses of Psalm lxv being read alternately by boys and
+girls, after which Psalm cxxi--
+
+             "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills"--
+
+was sung by the whole school.
+
+The infant class then came forward, and standing in a group before the
+desk recited each a text, which the superintendent called:--
+
+               "Autumn Leaves from the Tree of Life."
+
+The verses were selected with great taste and care, and the little ones
+did their part well. The following are some of those selected:--
+
+    Exodus xxvi, 16.
+    Leviticus xxii, 10.
+    Psalms l, 19; cxlv, 14; cxxxvi, 1, 25.
+    Isaiah lv, 10.
+    1 Corinthians x, 26.
+    Hebrews xiii, 2.
+    Revelations xix, 5.
+
+The very little folks here closed their part of the performance with a
+"Harvest Song," in which they had been well drilled.
+
+Then the older classes arose and recited selected portions of Scripture
+in unison, class by class.
+
+Eunice Mountjoy's class gave "The harvest feast." Deut. xvi, 13-15.
+
+Etta Mountjoy's class: "The harvest fruits are the gift of God." Psalms
+cxv, 10-15.
+
+James Mountjoy's boys: "Trust in the giver of the harvest." Luke xii,
+22-28.
+
+Another boys' class: "The harvest of the world." Rev. xiv, 13-17.
+
+Still another: "The harvest of the tares." Matthew xiii, 37-43.
+
+And then the whole school sang:--
+
+                     "What shall the harvest be?"
+
+Then the recitations commenced again.
+
+First class: "Men compared to fruit-trees." Matt, vii, 16-20.
+
+Second class: "Different kinds of fruit." Gal. vi, 1-10.
+
+Third class: "The curse of unfruitfulness." Matt, xxi, 18-20.
+
+Fourth class: "Danger of setting the heart upon earthly fruits."
+Luke xii, 15-21.
+
+Fifth class: "Necessity of labor in harvesting." Prov. x, 3-5.
+
+Sixth class: "Now, the harvest time." John iv, 35-38.
+
+Whole school in unison: Psalm cl, entire.
+
+The festival was closed by the singing of the hymn:--
+
+                   "Praise to God, immortal praise,
+                    For the love that crowns our days,"
+
+as the children marched back to the schoolroom.[4]
+
+The whole performance was considered a great success. The superintendent
+and his young assistants received many congratulations, and the parents
+carried their little ones home well satisfied with their share in the
+exercises.
+
+-----
+[Footnote 4: The above programme was actually carried out in a country
+school of the writer's acquaintance, and is given in full for the
+benefit of others who may be inclined to try a similar festival.
+It may bevaried and prolonged by the introduction of poetical passages
+concerning autumn, etc.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+SERVICE.
+
+
+The first meeting of the "Do Good Society" had proved so successful that
+another was appointed for next week, at the request of the little
+members. Mr. Morven came in and opened the meeting with a prayer this
+time, after which he retired while the children were singing their first
+hymn. Then the president read and explained the pledge again, and asked
+all who had not done so already to sign it, after which she again
+produced the box with a slit in the cover, into which she asked every
+one to drop the papers on which they had written whatever they would
+like to have read to the society.
+
+There was a little tittering, a little rustling, some blushing, and
+considerable hesitation, after which a good many of the girls and some
+of the boys came up in a confused mass, and dropped some folded papers
+into the box.
+
+"Now," said Miss Etta, when all was quiet again, "I call upon the
+secretary to read what is on these papers without the names,--for that
+is the Bible way of not letting our right hand know what the left
+does,--and if any of our little members, who don't know how to write,
+have anything to report to the society, they may get some of the bigger
+ones to write it down for them. Here are some slips of paper and pencils
+I have provided on purpose."
+
+Then there was another pause and some more rustling, whispering, and
+laughing, and some more curiously written and folded papers were dropped
+into the box.
+
+These are what the secretary read:--
+
+                                  I.
+
+I was coming home from school one day when I saw old Mr. Kelly trying to
+push his wheelbarrow of potatoes up the hill. He looked so weak that I
+thought I would help him, so I called Jim Byers, and we took hold of the
+wheelbarrow and wheeled it all the way to his door, where we emptied the
+potatoes into a barrel and put them away in the cellar. It was great
+fun!
+
+"No doubt, it was," said Miss Etta.
+
+                                 II.
+
+Kittie always calls me names when she gets mad, and I always used to
+think of the worst I knew to call her in return; but I thought I
+wouldn't since I belong to the Do Good Society. So the next time she got
+mad, and began to call names, I said: "Don't, Kittie, dear, let's love
+each other. Here's a beautiful piece of lace to make a _fichu_ for your
+doll!" She hasn't called me names since.
+
+"Of course not; who could?" was the comment.
+
+                                 III.
+
+I met four boys with cigarettes in their mouths one day. They all took
+off their hats to me, but I looked the other way, as if I did not see
+them. "Hallo," said one of them, "--is getting stuck up." "No, I ain't
+stuck up; but I've promised not to encourage the use of tobacco." The
+boys all laughed at me, but they threw away the cigarettes, for all
+that.
+
+"Who wouldn't be laughed at to accomplish such results?"
+
+                                 IV.
+
+My sister will tag onto me, wherever I go. She wanted to go nutting with
+me and some other fellows. I was just going to tell her we didn't want
+babies, when I remembered the pledge, so I took her along. She picked up
+as many nuts as any of us. And she didn't cry a bit, even when she fell
+down and scratched her hand dreadfully. I sha'n't call her cry-baby any
+more.
+
+                                  V.
+
+I work on a farm. The man I work for gives us beer sometimes. Last
+Saturday night he offered me some. I wouldn't take it. "Why?" said he.
+"Because I have promised to use my influence against the use of liquor.
+I can't drink it."
+
+                                 VI.
+
+Four of us boys have given up swearing. It's hard work, though,
+sometimes--we're so used to it.
+
+"Yes, it's hard work to give up any bad habit," said Etta. "But God will
+help us if we ask him, and the sooner we begin, the easier it will be."
+
+                                 VII.
+
+I wanted to buy, oh, such a lovely book! But I spent the money for
+crackers, and took them down to the poor little Ryans, whose mother is
+dead. I enjoyed seeing them eat them a great deal more than I should
+have enjoyed the book.
+
+                                VIII.
+
+I wanted to stay in bed awfully one morning. I do hate to get up! But I
+thought about poor old Mrs. Payne, and how cold she would find it to get
+up and make her fire in the dark, so I jumped right out of bed, ran down
+to her cottage, made the fire, and set the tea-kettle over, and got back
+in time for breakfast, after all.
+
+                                 IX.
+
+I finished my work in the mill real early on Wednesday, because I wanted
+to be first at Miss Eunice's. But Jennie Ray is so slow that she never
+gets through hers till the last minute, so I turned to and helped her,
+and we both got away at half-past five. I didn't get to Miss Eunice's as
+early as usual, but Jennie did, a great deal earlier; so I didn't care.
+
+The following were from the little children:--
+
+"I helped mother wash the dishes."
+
+"I set the table."
+
+"I took care of the baby."
+
+"I picked up apples."
+
+"I made the fire," etc. etc.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+"These are all very little things," said the president, as she detected
+a smile upon the faces of some of the older girls and boys "But if they
+are done really for the sake of 'doing good,' and pleasing God, they are
+just as great to him as the 'cup of cold water,' which he says 'shall
+not lose its reward.'"
+
+"Here are some questions which were asked me last week after the
+meeting," said Etta, as she finished reading the papers. "I wonder if
+the girls to whom I gave them have found answers."
+
+1. "Why is it wrong to drink beer?"
+
+Several hands were raised and several answers given; such as:--
+
+"Because it makes people drunk."
+
+"Because it killed Harry."
+
+Eric Robertson produced the following slip, which he had cut from a
+paper, and read it aloud:--
+
+"Beer is regarded by many in this country as a healthy beverage. Let me
+give you a few of the ingredients frequently used in its manufacture.
+The adulterations most commonly used to give bitterness are gentian,
+wormwood, and quassia; to impart pungency, ginger, orange-peel, and
+caraway. If these were all, there would be small need of warning the
+young against the use of beer on account of its injurious ingredients,
+but when there are added, to preserve the frothy head, alum and blue
+vitriol; to intoxicate, cocculus indicus, nux vomica, and tobacco; and
+to promote thirst, salt,--then indeed does it become necessary to
+instruct and warn the innocent against the use of this poisonous
+beverage."
+
+2. "Are cigarettes good for boys?"
+
+No one answered, and Etta said:--
+
+"Boys think it manly to smoke, but it isn't. It's very dirty and very
+unhealthy. I heard of a little boy only twelve years old, who died very
+suddenly, and when the doctors examined him after his death they found
+the coats of his stomach all eaten up with tobacco, and yet he had only
+smoked cigarettes. Cigarettes are made of a little tobacco, a great deal
+of cabbage-leaves, old leather, and dirty paper, with snuff and ginger
+and _strychnine_, a deadly poison, to flavor them. The oil of
+tobacco itself is rank poison. Two or three drops of it put on the
+tongue of a dog or a cat will kill it in a few minutes. Besides, the
+smell of tobacco lingering in a boy's clothes or breath is very foul and
+disgusting. And worse than all, the effect of smoking is to create a
+thirst which pure, cool water does not satisfy, and those who begin by
+smoking or chewing tobacco are very likely to end by drinking beer and
+whiskey, and finally becoming drunkards."
+
+Then questions to be answered at the next meeting were called for, and
+the following were given:--
+
+1. Is it wrong to wear pretty clothes?
+
+2. Why shouldn't people be selfish?
+
+3. Is it swearing to say "good gracious!" and "mercy on us!"?
+
+Miss Etta did not answer these, but wrote them down in her note-book,
+saying she would look up the subjects by the next meeting, and she
+wanted the members of the "Do Good Society" all to do the same, and then
+they could compare their answers.
+
+The last part of the programme to-day was the reading of a story by the
+president. She half-read and half-told about a young man named Harry
+Wadsworth, who, although he was only a clerk in a railroad company,
+managed, by giving all his spare time and thought, to do so many kind
+things for other people, that when he died they all set about to honor
+his memory by each doing kind things for others, and others again
+followed their example, till thousands of people were all busy in
+hundreds of different places, doing just as much as they could to help
+other people and to discountenance everything evil, and to throw their
+influence on the side of everything good.
+
+Harry Wadsworth had four mottoes, which they all adopted. They were:--
+
+                     "Look out and not in.
+                     "Look forward and not back.
+                     "Look up and not down.
+                     "Lend a hand."
+
+Miss Etta also told them that all sorts of clubs and societies, chiefly
+composed of children, had grown out of this story, and that they were
+called by different names; such as, "Wadsworth Clubs," "Lend a Hand
+Societies," "Look Out Guards," and "Look Up Legions."
+
+One of these Wadsworth clubs, a class of great, rough, overgrown boys in
+a New York mission school, had supported a sick companion for a whole
+winter out of the savings of their own scanty earnings. Another, a group
+of rich Boston girls, kept three or four families of poor children
+constantly dressed in the clothes which they made themselves. A third
+had originated the idea of sea-side homes for sick city children.
+
+"Our Do Good Society is to be like one of these," she said; "only we
+must have for our motive something higher than just kindness to other
+people. We must do good for Jesus' sake; because he does good to us and
+because we want to please him by doing good to his other children. And,
+boys and girls, we sha'n't be doing it the right way at all, if we are
+the least bit proud of what we do and take any glory to ourselves about
+it. We can not even think any good thing without the aid of the Holy
+Spirit; certainly we can not perform any righteous action. So we must
+always remember to ask for his presence, his direction, and his
+strength, and in this, as in all our other ways, acknowledge him."
+
+The Do Good Society set in motion a good many other things; for the
+younger members, who had more time at their disposal, began to conceive
+a passion for performing helpful acts, and they ferreted out cases of
+distress which were often far beyond their power to relieve, but which
+thus got into the right hands.
+
+For instance, when the children reported the case of the
+poverty-stricken Ryans, Miss Eunice set her "tea-party" to work to make
+a set of clothes for the unexpected twin-baby, for whom there was no
+provision, and sent a strong poor woman, whom her father paid, to take
+care of the helpless little ones till some better and more permanent
+arrangement could be made. When the boys found Harry Pemberton's mother
+without "oven wood," which the strong arms of her unfortunate boy used
+to prepare, they set about to gather and cut up enough to last her all
+winter; and in doing so made the further discovery that she had neither
+tea, sugar, nor flour in the house. This they reported at the next
+meeting of the society, and the result was that abundance of provisions
+of all kinds found their way into the poor old widow's dwelling, and she
+was well cared for the short remainder of her sad life. Even Bertie
+Sanderson caught the infectious enthusiasm, and devoted the money sent
+by her city aunt to get her a velvet hat and feathers, just like her
+cousins, to procuring a warm woolen dress and hood for a little girl in
+the neighborhood, who could not go to school without it. She wore her
+old felt all winter with content that would have been impossible a year
+ago.
+
+Many opportunities of doing good offered themselves as the winter came
+on and sped away. There was what is called a crisis in the paper trade.
+A great deal more had been manufactured than could possibly be used,
+and no new orders were coming in. All that Mr. Mountjoy could do was to
+go on making paper in the hopes of selling it in better times. But as no
+money was coming in, it was hard to find enough with which to pay so
+many work-people. Many mill-owners closed their factories at once, thus
+throwing hundreds of workmen who had families dependent upon them out of
+employment. Mr. Mountjoy was advised to do this, but he could not bear
+to be the cause of so much suffering, and his son would not hear of it.
+
+As the only other thing that was possible, he called them all together
+one day at the close of the day's work, and explained the situation to
+them, asking them if they would rather accept a much lower rate of
+wages, or have the mill close altogether and go elsewhere in search of
+work.
+
+There were some blank looks as men and women thought how hard it had
+been to live at even the present rate of wages, but when the young man
+showed them that even his proposal was only possible at a great
+sacrifice to himself and the family, there was not a murmur. Everybody
+accepted what must be, and though as the winter went on there was much
+poverty and privation, there was no bad feeling, no signs of that
+terrible desolation, so dreaded at such times--a strike.
+
+The Mountjoys dismissed all their servants but one, the three daughters
+cheerfully doing each a share of the housework, and assisting in the
+preparation of broths, gruels, and other things needed for the sick and
+poor, who greatly missed the higher wages which their natural protectors
+had been earning. Neither girl bought a new article of wearing apparel,
+and Etta decidedly declined to make her usual winter visit to the city,
+saving thus a considerable sum of money and much still more valuable
+time for the blessed service to which she had devoted herself.
+
+And so the storm was weathered, and when work recommenced in the spring
+with even better prospects and at the old rates of remuneration, every
+one was glad; but no one had really suffered, thanks to the "Do Good
+Society" and the consecrated hearts that were faithfully endeavoring to
+acknowledge God "in all their ways."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+EDUCATIONAL.
+
+
+With so many interests to fill her leisure hours, as well as such a
+pleasant and restful home, our little Katie continued to bear the
+confinement and hard work of the mill better than her friends had
+expected she would. Though she grew rapidly taller, she did not become
+either pale or thin. She continued to like her work, and became more and
+more of a favorite, both with her companions and her employers. The
+affair of the fifty-dollar bill had been thoroughly explained, and for a
+time Katie was looked upon quite as a martyr heroine. She was a little
+in danger of being spoiled by the attention she received, and but for
+the remembrance of how nearly she had yielded to the temptation to do
+wrong, her Christian character might have been seriously injured.
+
+Poor Bertie, however, had a hard time of it when she first went back to
+the mill. Of course, it had been impossible to right her companion
+without implicating herself, and it was hard for her to meet the
+significant looks and tones of some of the other girls, who did not
+believe in the new saintship and did very much despise the old malice
+and deceit.
+
+Although forgiven for the guilt of her sin, the poor girl had to find
+that she could not avoid all its punishment. No one can; and though God
+may forgive us freely for the sake of his dear Son, and give us a new
+heart or a new purpose of action, we shall still have to suffer many of
+the consequences of the wrong we have done, and it can never be quite as
+though we had never sinned, which fact it would be well to remember
+_before_ we are led into evil.
+
+Many a time the poor girl, quite unaccustomed to control herself, would
+almost break out into some furious response to an unkind word or implied
+taunt, and remember just in time that she was pledged to the Lord's
+service and must not disgrace his cause. A swift, silent prayer for help
+then would always bring the promised aid of the Holy Spirit, and so by
+degrees Bertie learned to conquer herself and to lead others to see
+that her repentance was sincere and her faith genuine. Katie's
+friendship was a great blessing to her at this time. Katie had entirely
+forgiven her treacherous friend's part in the affair which had caused
+her so much sorrow. She remembered only her dangerous illness, and that
+they were both now fellow-Christians and members of the same church. She
+was anxious to do all in her power to help Bertie in her struggle
+against the sins of her heart and the bad habits of her life, and, as is
+apt to be the case when we forgive and try to help any one, she soon
+came to love her very much. And this friendship and support served, more
+than anything else, to reinstate Bertie in the good graces of the other
+girls.
+
+It was stated some time since that Mrs. Robertson had other plans with
+reference to her family of girls and boys, which she intended to put in
+operation when the long winter evenings came. This was the formation of
+a class for regular study, of at least one or two of the branches which
+her own children had attended to at school. But these plans were
+afterward merged in those of the young manufacturer.
+
+The mill-girls, although they had generally had fair common-school
+advantages before they commenced work, were, of course, from that time
+totally deprived of them. They knew how to read, write, and "do
+examples" in the simpler rules of arithmetic. Perhaps this would be
+quite education enough for those girls who are to pass their lives in
+factories of the older world. But it is not so in America, where
+everybody reads and everybody thinks, where no one is stationary, no
+position permanent--where the operative of to-day is the employer of
+to-morrow--where many a girl steps from a position of toil and honorable
+self-support into that of mistress of a mansion, and is called to
+dispense a hospitality which in other lands would be called princely. In
+our as yet unsettled mode of existence, education is the one thing
+needful, because education is the only thing of which the "chances and
+changes" of life can not strip us--the only thing which will adapt
+itself gracefully to any position, from the cottage and tenement-room to
+the presidential chair.
+
+Eunice and James Mountjoy had often talked over the loss of educational
+advantages to which boys and girls entering the mill at so early an age
+were of necessity subjected, and this winter they took their youngest
+sister into confidence. The result was the commencement of a "night
+school," held, however, from four o'clock till seven. The mill was now
+only working three-quarters time, so these three hours remained to be
+filled up, and no one objected to putting off supper an hour for this
+purpose.
+
+The school-house did double duty--the day scholars departing just as the
+more advanced classes assembled, and the trustees gladly gave the use of
+the building for so beneficent a purpose. But it was not to be expected
+that the poor young overworked teacher could do double duty too. She
+was, in fact, only a girl, not much in advance of the "night scholars,"
+either in age or acquirements, and well calculated to profit with them
+by superior advantages. Another hired teacher was not to be thought of,
+for the school committee were not entrusted with spare funds, and the
+Mountjoys, who might have furnished a teacher's board and salary upon
+ordinary occasions, were this winter taxed to the utmost strain their
+finances would bear.
+
+In this dilemma Etta made the startling proposition of becoming teacher
+herself.
+
+"You!" said Eunice, in astonishment. For to her, her sister always
+seemed the little child whom her dead mother had confided to her care.
+"You're not old enough. I thought of offering myself, but really my
+hands are full, I can't do another thing."
+
+"I should think not," said James. "You do everything for us all. You
+need four hands for what you do already. But why should not Etta? You
+don't need her help in the afternoons, and surely she ought to be
+competent."
+
+"I am afraid"--
+
+"I know," broke in the girl. "You are afraid I will get tired of it, and
+drop it as I have done so many things. You've a right to think so. But
+you know I have a new motive and a new strength now. Eunice, what is the
+use of my superior education, if I can't do something with it for the
+Lord? It seems to me that this is one of the 'ways' in which I can
+'acknowledge him.' Won't you let me try it?"
+
+"If papa will consent," said her sister. And that settled it, as they
+all knew; for Mr. Mountjoy always consented that Etta should do exactly
+as she pleased. He only stipulated that her brother should always be on
+hand to bring her home, as during the winter months the school would not
+be over till after dark.
+
+Etta proved--as all knew she would prove--a very efficient and
+interesting teacher. It was quite amusing to her brother, when he
+sometimes came for her half an hour before school was over, to see the
+quiet dignity with which she kept the great rough boys in order. But the
+work soon became too much for her alone. The "night school" grew into
+such a popular institution that it had more pupils than one person could
+properly attend to in the short space of three hours. So Mr. James
+arranged his time at some personal sacrifice to himself, and managed to
+take some of the classes. While, to the great astonishment of all,
+Rhoda, the middle sister, came out of her shell sufficiently to
+volunteer to give drawing lessons to such of the boys and girls as
+should show any decided talent or inclination. There is something
+contagious in beneficence. Those surrounded by its atmosphere are sure,
+sooner or later, to take the infection. Of course this school was better
+for the children than any plan of Mrs. Robertson's devising could have
+been, and her whole family were among its most enthusiastic and
+energetic members. Gretchen learned to write English, and Tessa to read
+and care for better things than sentimental fiction. And Eric, while far
+outstripping her in his studies, seemed to find great pleasure in
+assisting in hers, helping her over difficulties, and carrying her books
+to and from the school. But by far the brightest of the scholars were
+Katie and Alfred Robertson. They both learned so easily, and exhibited
+so much enthusiasm in the pursuit of knowledge, that once Eunice
+Mountjoy said to Mrs. Robertson:--
+
+"It seems almost a pity that your children should be obliged to perform
+mill-work. My brother says that Alfred shows quite an uncommon taste
+for natural science, especially chemistry. And I think our little Katie
+would, after a few years' study, make a capital teacher, and you know
+she would make a great deal more money in that way than she ever can in
+the mill, with much less expenditure of time and strength."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Robertson, with a sigh. "I never thought that my
+husband's children would have to work for a living."
+
+"Working for a living is not degrading, Mrs. Robertson. The doctor
+himself did that."
+
+"Of course. But he did it as a gentleman--not in a mill."
+
+"My father and brother, too, earn their livings in a mill, and neither
+they nor we feel at all degraded by it," said Eunice, quietly. "Only, if
+your boy has talents which will fit him for a profession beneficial to
+the human race, like that of his father's, it seems almost a pity that
+they should not be cultivated. Depend upon it, self-support is always
+honorable, for man or woman, and we should consider our work high or
+low, not because it is considered 'genteel' or not, but because it does
+or does not do the most good. I wish that something could turn up to
+help both Alfred and Katie to better educations, for I believe they
+might thus do a great deal more good."
+
+And Mrs. Robertson wished so too. But she was wise enough not to say
+anything to her children about it.
+
+Better things were in store for the children, however, than their
+mother's heart had dared to hope for; and for once she felt thoroughly
+ashamed of her murmurings and want of faith. One evening toward spring,
+when the merry group came from school more noisily than usual, and, as
+usual, greatly in want of their delayed supper, they were all slightly
+astonished to see a light in the window of the seldom-used sitting-room.
+They noticed, as they went in, a strange hat in the hall.
+
+"What can your mother be doing in the best room?" said Tessa, as she and
+Katie reached their own room.
+
+Tessa was always inquisitive, and the sight of a strange man's hat had
+greatly excited her curiosity.
+
+"I am sure I don't"--but at that moment the girls were interrupted by
+Alfred, who rushed in without knocking, and shouted, though quite out of
+breath with excitement:--
+
+"Katie! Katie! Mother wants you! Come quick! Who do you suppose is here?
+It's Uncle Alfred--all the way from California! Isn't it splendid?"
+
+"I didn't know we had an uncle in California, did you?" said Katie.
+
+But there was no opportunity for her brother to answer, as by this time
+they had reached the parlor door, which stood open now, and both
+children were warmly embraced by a gentleman whom at first neither of
+them could see.
+
+"What an old man I must be," said the gentleman, as he released them,
+"to have three such grown-up people for nephews and nieces! And it seems
+only the other day since Eric and I, and you too, Linda, were no bigger.
+Yet they were all born after I went away. Such a little time!"
+
+"But many sad things have happened since then, Alfred. It seems to me a
+very long time since your brother Eric went away never to come back,
+and left me to battle with the world with no one to help me feed and
+educate his children."
+
+There was a slight tone of reproach in the widow's tone as she said
+this, but the returned brother did not seem to notice it, as he said
+reverently:--
+
+"No one but God. You would have told me in the old days when I didn't
+believe it or care for it that you could not have a better or more
+efficient friend; and now that I do believe it, I am sure that you have
+found it true."
+
+"Yes, I have," said the mother, looking with thankful pride upon her
+well-grown boys, and bright and healthy, if diminutive, little girl.
+"God has been very good to us, and I have every reason to think well of
+his protecting care."
+
+"And the children," said their uncle, "have they too learned to trust in
+their Saviour and do his will?"
+
+"Eric and Katie have. Alfred is, I am afraid, a little too much like his
+uncle of old times."
+
+"I am sorry to hear that. He loses so much of the joy of youth and the
+strength of growing up into true manliness. I hope he will never have
+cause to be as sorry as his uncle is that he did not give his Saviour
+'the kindness of his youth.' But we will have plenty of time to talk
+about all these things by-and-by. Just now I am as anxious for my supper
+as these young folks must be. I remember of old, Linda, what a good
+supper you can give a hungry traveler, and I don't suppose I need an
+invitation."
+
+"Why, no!" said his hostess, with a little flush of embarrassment. "Only
+you must prepare yourself for a somewhat large tea-party, and not of a
+very aristocratic kind. For, you know, I keep a sort of factory
+boarding-house."
+
+"One who has camped with California miners is not likely to be very
+fastidious," said Mr. Robertson. "But I suspect if your boarders are
+companions of this niece of mine, they will be good enough company for
+me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+OUT INTO THE WORLD.
+
+
+"So you wouldn't like to be my little girl and go to school and be
+educated for a lady," said Mr. Alfred Robertson to his niece, a few days
+after he had made his unexpected appearance among his relatives.
+
+"I'd like to go to school and study, of course," said Katie. "Uncle,
+don't think me very rude or ungrateful, but I wish you would send
+Alfred."
+
+"Why, rather than yourself?"
+
+"Because Alfred is a boy, and he wants to be a doctor like father. He
+never told mother, because he thought it would make her feel badly. He
+knew she hadn't any money to send him to school or college, so he just
+worked on at the mill, though I know he hates it."
+
+"But, little girl, it would cost a great deal of money to send a boy
+through college and support him while he was studying a profession. Have
+you thought of that?"
+
+"I don't know, sir. I don't know much about money. You are not rich
+enough to do it then? I'm so sorry," and there was a tone of great
+disappointment in the young voice.
+
+"I am rich enough perhaps, but"--
+
+"Oh, sir! Alfred would be sure to pay it back as soon as he became a
+doctor. I could begin to pay you now. I make six dollars a week in the
+mill as it is, and I could make more if mother would let me work over
+hours. Alfred wouldn't like to take charity, and I wouldn't like to have
+him."
+
+Her uncle laughed. "So it is because she is an independent little piece
+that she does not want to go to school and learn to be a lady," said he.
+
+"I'd like very much to learn to be a _teacher_," said she. "Miss Eunice
+thinks that teachers can do a great deal of good, and I could make money
+to help mother with, just as well or better than I can in the mill."
+
+"Well, you shall go to school on your own terms. You shall have the
+education anyway, and do what you like afterward. And since you are so
+very independent, I will lend you the money and you may pay it all back
+to me when you begin to make your fortune by school-teaching. Is it a
+bargain?"
+
+The little girl blushed with delight, threw her arms around her kind
+uncle, giving him a kiss by way of thanks, and rushed off to tell her
+wonderful news to her mother. But she found it was not quite such news
+as she expected it to be. Mr. Robertson and his sister-in-law had talked
+it all over after the little folks were in bed, and he had definitely
+offered to give the two children the education which their mother had so
+greatly desired. He had amassed considerable property during his
+seventeen years' sojourn in California, and having no children of his
+own, was anxious to make up to those of his brother for his long
+neglect.
+
+"I never thought anything about my duty toward them," he said, "until
+God brought me to myself, and showed me what a sinner I was, and then
+brought me to himself, and showed me what a Saviour he is. Then I began
+to remember all my neglected duties, and I determined to come home and
+atone for the past as soon as I could."
+
+The proposal of sending Eric, also, to school had been made to him. But
+he gratefully declined. He was almost a man now, and was used to his
+work and liked it. He stood well with his employers, and hoped before
+many years to rise to the position of superintendent of one of the
+departments. His one great ambition was to become such a manufacturer as
+Mr. James. And in the meanwhile he would be at home to watch over his
+mother and contribute to her support. His uncle admired his pluck and
+independence, and did not press his offers farther upon him. Alfred was
+delighted. It was as Katie had said: he had endured the bindery because
+he must, and he was a boy of too good principles to worry over the
+inevitable, or to make people unhappy because of his likes or dislikes.
+But, all the same, he had disliked his work, and longed to do something
+more in accordance with his tastes. Only to Eric and Katie had he
+confided his indefinite longings, and his mother had never guessed how
+much he had desired a change. Now he was full of plans for the future;
+looking forward especially to the days when he should restore his
+father's sign to its old position, fit up the house and office as it
+used to be, and support his mother in ease and comfort once more.
+
+But that was a long way off. A great deal of hard studying had to be
+done first, and Alfred was far behind other boys of his age--in book
+knowledge, at least. Perhaps he had, during his three years' experience
+in the factory, learned a good deal which would eventually prove very
+useful in a profession which dealt with practical details of practical
+things. About one thing he was quite decided. Delicate little Katie
+should never again work for her living. When she left school she should
+be a lady, like Miss Eunice and Miss Etta at the great house, and idle
+all day long if she chose to do so.
+
+"But I don't choose," laughed Katie. "Do you think an independent young
+lady, who has made her own living for more than a year, will ever
+consent to be dependent upon any one, even if he is her brother?
+Besides, who wants to be idle? I am sure Miss Eunice isn't idle; nor
+Miss Etta, now. They are both as busy as they can be all the time; and
+Mr. James, too. Think how much good he does, and all of them!"
+
+"Oh, if you mean _that_ kind of work! Miss Eunice and Miss Etta don't
+get paid for what they do. They don't work for a living."
+
+"I think they do," said Mr. Robertson, who had listened quietly to the
+talk of the children. "I think that every noble, honorable man and woman
+works, and is glad to work, for a living. The old saying that 'the world
+owes us a living' is a very fallacious one. The world doesn't owe us
+anything, and God does not either. Indeed, he has said: 'If any man will
+not work, neither shall he eat.'"
+
+"Everybody does not work--for money, I mean," said Alfred. "Some people
+are gentlemen and ladies."
+
+"If you call idlers gentlemen and ladies, we do not agree as to terms;
+but if you mean, as I suppose you do, that some people, especially a
+large proportion of women and girls, do not formally receive a definite
+amount of money for a definite amount of work, that is true. Don't you
+think, though, that mothers and sisters and wives, who keep house, take
+care of little children, do all the family sewing, care for the sick,
+and attend to the many details of a woman's life, work?--yes, do a great
+deal of work for a very small amount of living? Think of your mother for
+a moment."
+
+"Yes, sir; I see."
+
+"And," continued his uncle, "when ladies devote themselves faithfully to
+good works, Sunday-school work, work among the poor, teaching, etc.,
+they are as really working for their living as if they were in a
+factory."
+
+"It doesn't seem so."
+
+"No, it doesn't seem so, because we have wrong ideas about the nobility
+of labor. If we really believed what the Bible says,--that the servant
+of all is the chiefest of all,--we should value work and workmen just in
+proportion to the use which the work they do is to the community and the
+world. In that sense, Alfred, a doctor's work or a minister's work might
+stand a little higher than a manufacturer's, a teacher's position be
+more desirable than that of a factory-girl, because in all of these
+professions there is more opportunity to do good to the bodies and souls
+of men; and yet I doubt if any are in a position to do more good than
+your Mr. James Mountjoy and his family. And as to being gentlemen or
+ladies, it is just as much your duty and just as possible to be those in
+the rag-room as in a palace, should your lot be cast there."
+
+"It is not considered so genteel," said Tessa, who had not quite
+forgotten the teachings of her novels.
+
+"By whom? Foolish butterflies? or men and women of sense? Gentility
+meant, originally, gentleness: that gentleness which better
+opportunities of education were supposed to give. But so much culture as
+that is now within the reach of every one, and there is no reason why it
+should not exist in the mill and the counting-room, the kitchen and the
+store, as well as in the parlor and the library."
+
+"But after all," said Mrs. Robertson, "there seems something low and
+sordid in working for money."
+
+"That is because we should not work for money--as the motive of work, I
+mean. If every one in the world were a Christian, and did the work which
+came to him to do, upon Bible principles, endeavoring to fulfil the
+precept: 'Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
+glory of God,' and accepted his living, small or great, from his hands,
+just as a little child accepts his from his father's hands, we should
+hear nothing about the degradation of service. Every one would
+constantly say: 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' And we should take
+our daily bread, as well as all the pleasant things of our lives,
+thankfully from him who has given us all things to enjoy."
+
+Mr. Robertson was rather answering his sister and talking a little above
+the level of his auditors, but some of them understood and remembered
+his words. To Katie, henceforth work had an added dignity. It was raised
+even above the high level upon which she had thus far placed it,--that
+of helping her mother,--and became something that she might do for Jesus
+who had done, and was still doing, so much for her. She was quite
+impatient to enter upon those studies which were to fit her for future
+usefulness, and many a time during her school life, when the novelty had
+worn away and her energies might have flagged, she was stirred up to
+new zeal and perseverance by the recollection of this conversation.
+
+To the other girls also this talk about work and compensation was
+beneficial. Perhaps they might have felt a little jealous at Katie's
+apparent elevation above themselves,--even Christian girls have wrong
+feelings sometimes,--but if factory-work could really be done to the
+glory of God as much as teaching could, there was nothing degrading in
+their work, nothing aristocratic in Katie's. God had given her one kind
+of work to do, and them another--that was all. They could please him as
+well as she; and he would give to all alike a great deal more than they
+deserved.
+
+And now began a busy time in the doctor's old house. Brother and sister
+must be fitted out for school with such wardrobes as they had never
+possessed in their lives before. Uncle Alfred's ready purse provided
+these, but he was careful not to destroy the independent spirit of his
+young relatives, and let them consider this as the first instalment of
+his loan.
+
+Katie left the factory at the close of the week, receiving with her
+usual weekly wages an extra five-dollar bill, as a testimonial from Mr.
+James for her uniform faithfulness and the good example she had always
+set in the mill.
+
+"We are sorry to lose you, Katie," he said, "but I am glad that you are
+to be advanced to better work and a wider sphere of usefulness. Wherever
+you go, the prayers of Squantown Sunday-school will go with you, and I
+am sure that you will always find, as you have done already, the truth
+of the words:--
+
+"'Commit thy way unto the Lord, and he shall bring it to pass.'"
+
+Nor did the pleasant incidents stop here. On the Wednesday following,
+Miss Eunice again invited all the girls of her sister's class to unite
+with those of her own. There was no lesson that night, and very little
+work done. All the brothers and friends, who usually acted as escorts,
+were invited to come to tea, and all the members of the "Do Good
+Society." There was room for all, and all had "a splendid time." Games
+were played, and songs sung, and everybody was made to understand that
+this was a farewell party in honor of Katie Robertson.
+
+At nine o'clock Mr. Morven came in, and, with a few pleasant and
+earnest words, presented the little girl with a beautifully bound Bible,
+to the purchase of which every one present had contributed a little.
+
+"I trust," said he, "that our little Katie will make this book 'the man
+of her counsel, and the guide of her youth,' in the new life upon which
+she is entering, and that, as the Saviour to whom she has consecrated
+herself will surely keep his promise 'never to leave or forsake her,'
+she will be faithful 'in all her ways to acknowledge him,' and grow in
+grace as she does in knowledge."
+
+Then, calling his little congregation to join with him, the good pastor
+prayed that the dear Lord would guide and guard this lamb of his through
+"all the chances and changes of this mortal life, and finally bring her
+to his heavenly kingdom."
+
+And so, with loving kisses, and gifts, and solemn words of prayer, they
+sent Katie Robertson out into the world to meet its responsibilities.
+
+The next morning, in the early dawn, she and her brother set out with
+their uncle for the schools in which they were to be fitted for their
+life-work. And as these schools were a long way off, and the journey
+thither rather expensive, it was many months before Squantown saw them
+again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+And now we must draw our story to a close. The reader has become
+acquainted with its characters, and knows about the agencies for good
+which are at work in the manufacturing town of Squantown, as well as the
+influences brought to bear upon the Christian development of our boys
+and girls. The machinery is all adjusted, the power is applied, the
+wheels are in motion--nothing can hinder continued and beneficent work,
+except the possible weariness in well-doing of any of the parts, and the
+failure to look to God in faith for his promised strength, thus cutting
+off the connection with the source of all good things. So long as
+manufacturers and operatives, teachers and scholars, pastors and people
+continue in all their ways to acknowledge God, this will not be the
+case; and the manufacturing village will realize the scriptural idea:
+"Happy is that people that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people
+whose God is the Lord."
+
+We may expect to look ahead and see the boys and girls with whom we are
+acquainted, growing up into good, useful, and happy men and women.
+Bertie Sanderson will, little by little, overcome her natural and
+acquired faults of character. Envy and malice have already received
+their death blow, vanity and idleness will follow in their train. The
+higher interests of Christian love and church-work will dwarf the
+importance of dress and display, and Bertie will grow into a useful
+girl, faithful to, and contented with, her position--a help to her
+mother at home, a good example to Nina and the younger children.
+
+We may expect to see Gretchen growing into a strong, sturdy German
+woman, sending home from time to time the savings of her earnings, which
+will help to make her far-off brothers and sisters very comfortable, the
+deep, though quiet, force of her affections expanding themselves to
+embrace many others on this side of the sea. We may be sure that her
+constant nature, upheld by divine grace, will never lose its hold of
+the Saviour who came to take care of her in answer to her Sunday-school
+teacher's call that Sunday evening when she seemed to be so near to the
+other world.
+
+We may hope to see the other members of Miss Etta's class, Miss Eunice's
+tea-party, and the "Do Good Society," all growing wiser and better as
+they grow older, and becoming more and more Christ-like as they follow
+in his steps. And we may be sure that Etta Mountjoy, cured of her
+erratic moods and wayward temper, first by being anchored to the rock of
+ages, and then by the safeguards and helps which the church of Christ
+throws around its members, will be still foremost in leading the little
+phalanx, her energy and enthusiasm insuring success in every good thing
+undertaken. She will find time for home duties as well as those of a
+more public kind, will be a right hand to Eunice as she continues on the
+even tenor of her way, and the sunshine of home to her father and
+brother James, until some good man discovers the sunshine and bears it
+away with him to be the illumination of another circle and the centre of
+another home.
+
+We may see "Mr. James" still the considerate Christian mill-owner,
+conducting business on the strictest principles of integrity, and
+treating his employees as though of the same flesh and blood as himself,
+for whose bodies and souls he is in some measure responsible. And when
+at length Eunice drops the housekeeping into the hands of "Mrs. James,"
+we may be sure that she, as well as her husband, will continue to "honor
+God with their substance" and "in all their ways acknowledge him."
+
+If we turn our prophetic gaze upon the Robertson family, we shall find
+that the mother thereof is gradually exchanging her grumbling and
+forebodings of evil for hope and thankfulness at the success and good
+prospects of her children, who are profiting largely by the
+opportunities afforded them by their uncle's kindness.
+
+While greatly missing her from her home, the mother does not feel
+Katie's absence as she would have done but for the girl boarders, who,
+while affording her both society and support, give her such ample
+occupation that she has little time to realize her loneliness or to
+indulge in fretfulness. Indeed, Tessa has already forestalled her future
+position, and become to the widow as a beloved daughter. The sweetness
+and softness of the Southern girl fit her to take culture and refinement
+very easily. She quickly assimilates with her surroundings, and models
+herself upon those she loves and admires--who are, in this instance,
+Katie Robertson and Etta Mountjoy. From the first, bold, bright Eric has
+felt the charm of her black eyes, and loved to listen to her soft,
+foreign accent, and it would not be surprising if, when he reaches the
+height of his ambition, and becomes either superintendent of the bindery
+or first foreman of the mill, he should ask Italian Tessa to share both
+his name and his success. But that is a great way off.
+
+Katie is our first friend. With her character and fortune we have the
+most to do. It would be nice, did the limits of our volume allow, to
+follow her into her new school-life, to see how her energy, industry,
+independence, and cheerfulness go with her, rebuking homesickness, and
+causing her to make the most of every moment, and the best of every
+advantage. We should see that her path at school is not all strewn with
+roses, any more than was that at the mill; that different circumstances
+bring different temptations and develop different traits of character.
+We might perhaps find that silly school-girls at first decline to admit
+on terms of perfect equality one who had "worked for her living," and
+was, in their not very elegant parlance, "nothing but a mill-girl."
+Perhaps we might have to chronicle some lonely and sad hours in
+consequence, and some rebellious feelings hard to be kept down.
+
+But Katie's life is in the keeping of One wise enough to arrange all its
+discipline, "as it may be most expedient for her," loving enough to
+sympathize with and comfort her in all times of sorrow and perplexity,
+and able with every temptation to make also a way of escape.
+
+So, guarded and guided, Katie Robertson will be able to live down all
+that foolish and proud girls may say about her, and in the end become a
+favorite, not only with the wise, discriminating teachers, but also with
+warm-hearted, if wrong-headed, companions. We believe that throughout
+life, as in its beginning, she will continue to "seek first the kingdom
+of God and his righteousness," and that, as she daily endeavors "in all
+her ways to acknowledge him," he will "give her the desires of her
+heart."
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+A. L. Burt's Catalogue of Books for Young People by Popular Writers,
+52-58 Duane Street, New York
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. By Lewis Carroll. 12mo, cloth, 42
+illustrations, price 75 cents.
+
+  "From first to last, almost without exception, this story is
+  delightfully droll, humorous and illustrated in harmony with the
+  story."--New York Express.
+
+Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There. By Lewis
+Carroll. 12mo, cloth, 50 illustrations, price 75 cents.
+
+  "A delight alike to the young people and their elders, extremely funny
+  both in text and illustrations."--Boston Express.
+
+Little Lucy's Wonderful Globe. By Charlotte M. Yonge. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "This story is unique among tales intended for children, alike for
+  pleasant instruction, quaintness of humor, gentle pathos, and the
+  subtlety with which lessons moral and otherwise are conveyed to
+  children, and perhaps to their seniors as well."--The Spectator.
+
+Joan's Adventures at the North Pole and Elsewhere. By Alice Corkran.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Wonderful as the adventures of Joan are, it must be admitted that
+  they are very naturally worked out and very plausibly presented.
+  Altogether this is an excellent story for girls."--Saturday Review.
+
+Count Up the Sunny Days: A Story for Girls and Boys. By C. A. Jones.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "An unusually good children's story."--Glasgow Herald.
+
+The Dove in the Eagle's Nest. By Charlotte M. Yonge. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Among all the modern writers we believe Miss Yonge first, not in
+  genius, but in this, that she employs her great abilities for a high
+  and noble purpose. We know of few modern writers whose works may be so
+  safely commended as hers."--Cleveland Times.
+
+Jan of the Windmill. A Story of the Plains. By Mrs. J. H. Ewing. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Never has Mrs. Ewing published a more charming volume, and that is
+  saying a very great deal. From the first to the last the book
+  overflows with the strange knowledge of child-nature which so rarely
+  survives childhood; and moreover, with inexhaustible quiet humor,
+  which is never anything but innocent and well-bred, never priggish,
+  and never clumsy."--Academy.
+
+A Sweet Girl Graduate. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "One of this popular author's best. The characters are well imagined
+  and drawn. The story moves with plenty of spirit and the interest does
+  not flag until the end too quickly comes."--Providence Journal.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher. A. L. BURT, 53-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Six to Sixteen: A Story for Girls. By Juliana Horatia Ewing. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "There is no doubt as to the good quality and attractiveness of 'Six
+  to Sixteen.' The book is one which would enrich any girl's book
+  shelf."--St. James' Gazette.
+
+The Palace Beautiful: A Story for Girls. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "A bright and interesting story. The many admirers of Mrs. L. T. Meade
+  in this country will be delighted with the 'Palace Beautiful' for more
+  reasons than one. It is a charming book for girls."--New York
+  Recorder.
+
+A World of Girls: The Story of a School. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of those wholesome stories which it does one good to read. It
+  will afford pure delight to numerous readers. This book should be on
+  every girl's book shelf."--Boston Home Journal.
+
+The Lady of the Forest: A Story for Girls. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "This story is written in the author's well-known, fresh and easy
+  style. All girls fond of reading will be charmed by this well-written
+  story. It is told with the author's customary grace and spirit."
+  --Boston Times.
+
+At the Back of the North Wind. By George Macdonald. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "A very pretty story, with much of the freshness and vigor of Mr.
+  Macdonald's earlier work.... It is a sweet, earnest, and wholesome
+  fairy story, and the quaint native humor is delightful. A most
+  delightful volume for young readers."--Philadelphia Times.
+
+The Water Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby. By Charles Kingsley.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The strength of his work, as well as its peculiar charms, consist in
+  his description of the experiences of a youth with life under water in
+  the luxuriant wealth of which he revels with all the ardor of a
+  poetical nature."--New York Tribune.
+
+Our Bessie. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of the most entertaining stories of the season, fall of vigorous
+  action, and strong in character-painting. Elder girls will be charmed
+  with it, and adults may read its pages with profit."--The Teachers'
+  Aid.
+
+Wild Kitty. A Story of Middleton School. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Kitty is a true heroine--warm-hearted, self-sacrificing, and, as all
+  good women nowadays are, largely touched with the enthusiasm of
+  humanity. One of the most attractive gift books of the season."--The
+  Academy.
+
+A Young Mutineer. A Story for Girls. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of Mrs. Meade's charming books for girls, narrated in that simple
+  and picturesque style which marks the authoress as one of the first
+  among writers for young people."--The Spectator.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street. New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Sue and I. By Mrs. O'Reilly. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "A thoroughly delightful book, full of sound wisdom as well as fun."
+  --Athenæum.
+
+The Princess and the Goblin. A Fairy Story. By George MacDonald. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "If a child once begins this book, it will get so deeply interested in
+  it that when bedtime comes it will altogether forget the moral, and
+  will weary its parents with importunities for just a few minutes more
+  to see how everything ends."--Saturday Review.
+
+Pythia's Pupils: A Story of a School. By Eva Hartner. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "This story of the doings of several bright school girls is sure to
+  interest girl readers. Among many good stories for girls this is
+  undoubtedly one of the very best."--Teachers' Aid.
+
+A Story of a Short Life. By Juliana Horatia Ewing. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The book is one we can heartily recommend, for it is not only bright
+  and interesting, but also pure and healthy in tone and teaching."
+  --Courier.
+
+The Sleepy King. A Fairy Tale. By Aubrey Hopwood and Seymour Hicks.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Wonderful as the adventures of Bluebell are, it must be admitted that
+  they are very naturally worked out and very plausibly presented.
+  Altogether this is an excellent story for girls."--Saturday Review.
+
+Two Little Waifs. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+75 cents.
+
+  "Mrs. Molesworth's delightful story of 'Two Little Waifs' will charm
+  all the small people who find it in their stockings. It relates the
+  adventures of two lovable English children lost in Paris, and is just
+  wonderful enough to pleasantly wring the youthful heart."--New York
+  Tribune.
+
+Adventures in Toyland. By Edith King Hall. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price 75 cents.
+
+  "The author is such a bright, cheery writer, that her stories are
+  always acceptable to all who are not confirmed cynics, and her record
+  of the adventures is as entertaining and enjoyable as we might
+  expect."--Boston Courier.
+
+Adventures in Wallypug Land. By G. E. Farrow. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price 75 cents.
+
+  "These adventures are simply inimitable, and will delight boys and
+  girls of mature age, as well as their juniors. No happier combination
+  of author and artist than this volume presents could be found to
+  furnish healthy amusement to the young folks. The book is an artistic
+  one in every sense."--Toronto Mail.
+
+Fussbudget's Folks. A Story for Young Girls. By Anna F. Burnham. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Mrs. Burnham has a rare gift for composing stories for children. With
+  a light, yet forcible touch, she paints sweet and artless, yet natural
+  and strong, characters."--Congregationalist.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street. New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Mixed Pickles. A Story for Girls. By Mrs. E. M. Field. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "It is, in its way, a little classic, of which the real beauty and
+  pathos can hardly be appreciated by young people. It is not too much
+  to say of the story that it is perfect of its kind."--Good Literature.
+
+Miss Mouse and Her Boys. A Story for Girls. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Mrs. Molesworth's books are cheery, wholesome, and particularly well
+  adapted to refined life. It is safe to add that she is the best
+  English prose writer for children. A new volume from Mrs. Molesworth
+  is always a treat."--The Beacon.
+
+Gilly Flower. A Story for Girls. By the author of "Miss Toosey's
+Mission." 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Jill is a little guardian angel to three lively brothers who tease
+  and play with her.... Her unconscious goodness brings right thoughts
+  and resolves to several persons who come into contact with her. There
+  is no goodiness in this tale, but its influence is of the best kind."
+  --Literary World.
+
+The Chaplet of Pearls; or, The White and Black Ribaumont. By Charlotte
+M. Yonge. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Full of spirit and life, so well sustained throughout that grown-up
+  readers may enjoy it as much as children. It is one of the best books
+  of the season."--Guardian.
+
+Naughty Miss Bunny: Her Tricks and Troubles. By Clara Mulholland. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "The naughty child is positively delightful. Papas should not omit the
+  book from their list of juvenile presents."--Land and Water.
+
+Meg's Friend. By Alice Corkran. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of Miss Corkran's charming books for girls, narrated in that
+  simple and picturesque style which marks the authoress as one of the
+  first among writers for young people."--The Spectator.
+
+Averil. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "A charming story for young folks. Averil is a delightful
+  creature--piquant, tender, and true--and her varying fortunes are
+  perfectly realistic."--World.
+
+Aunt Diana. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "An excellent story, the interest being sustained from first to last.
+  This is, both in its intention and the way the story is told, one of
+  the best books of its kind which has come before us this year."
+  --Saturday Review.
+
+Little Sunshine's Holiday: A Picture from Life. By Miss Mulock. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "This is a pretty narrative of child life, describing the simple
+  doings and sayings of a very charming and rather precocious child.
+  This is a delightful book for young people."--Gazette.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Esther's Charge. A Story for Girls. By Ellen Everett Green. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "...This is a story showing in a charming way how one little girl's
+  jealousy and bad temper were conquered; one of the best, most
+  suggestive and improving of the Christmas juveniles."--New York
+  Tribune.
+
+Fairy Land of Science. By Arabella B. Buckley. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "We can highly recommend it; not only for the valuable information it
+  gives on the special subjects to which it is dedicated, but also as a
+  book teaching natural sciences in an interesting way. A fascinating
+  little volume, which will make friends in every household in which
+  there are children."--Daily News.
+
+Merle's Crusade. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "Among the books for young people we have seen nothing more unique
+  than this book. Like all of this author's stories it will please young
+  readers by the very attractive and charming style in which it is
+  written."--Journal.
+
+Birdie: A Tale of Child Life. By H. L. Childe-Pemberton. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "The story is quaint and simple, but there is a freshness about it
+  that makes one hear again the ringing laugh and the cheery shout of
+  children at play which charmed his earlier years."--New York Express.
+
+The Days of Bruce: A Story from Scottish History. By Grace Aguilar.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "There is a delightful freshness, sincerity and vivacity about all of
+  Grace Aguilar's stories which cannot fail to win the interest and
+  admiration of every lover of good reading."--Boston Beacon.
+
+Three Bright Girls: A Story of Chance and Mischance. By Annie E.
+Armstrong. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The charm of the story lies in the cheery helpfulness of spirit
+  developed in the girls by their changed circumstances; while the
+  author finds a pleasant ending to all their happy makeshifts. The
+  story is charmingly told, and the book can be warmly recommended as a
+  present for girls."--Standard.
+
+Giannetta: A Girl's Story of Herself. By Rosa Mulholland. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Extremely well told and full of interest. Giannetta is a true
+  heroine--warm-hearted, self-sacrificing, and, as all good women
+  nowadays are, largely touched with enthusiasm of humanity. The
+  illustrations are unusually good. One of the most attractive gift
+  books of the season."--The Academy.
+
+Margery Merton's Girlhood. By Alice Corkran. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "The experiences of an orphan girl who in infancy is left by her
+  father to the care of an elderly aunt residing near Paris. The
+  accounts of the various persons who have an after influence on the
+  story are singularly vivid. There is a subtle attraction about the
+  book which will make it a great favorite with thoughtful girls."
+  --Saturday Review.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher. A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Under False Colors: A Story from Two Girls' Lives. By Sarah Doudney.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Sarah Doudney has no superior as a writer of high-toned stories--pure
+  in style, original in conception, and with skillfully wrought out
+  plots; but we have seen nothing equal in dramatic energy to this
+  book."--Christian Leader.
+
+Down the Snow Stairs; or, From Good-night to Good-morning. By Alice
+Corkran. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Among all the Christmas volumes which the year has brought to our
+  table this one stands out facile princeps--a gem of the first water,
+  bearing upon every one of its pages the signet mark of genius.... All
+  is told with such simplicity and perfect naturalness that the dream
+  appears to be a solid reality. It is indeed a Little Pilgrim's
+  Progress."--Christian Leader.
+
+The Tapestry Room: A Child's Romance. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Mrs. Molesworth is a charming painter of the nature and ways of
+  children; and she has done good service in giving us this charming
+  juvenile which will delight the young people."--Athenæum, London.
+
+Little Miss Peggy: Only a Nursery Story. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  Mrs. Molesworth's children are finished studies. A joyous earnest
+  spirit pervades her work, and her sympathy is unbounded. She loves
+  them with her whole heart, while she lays bare their little minds, and
+  expresses their foibles, their faults, their virtues, their inward
+  struggles, their conception of duty, and their instinctive knowledge
+  of the right and wrong of things. She knows their characters, she
+  understands their wants, and she desires to help them.
+
+Polly: A New Fashioned Girl. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  Few authors have achieved a popularity equal to Mrs. Meade as a writer
+  of stories for young girls. Her characters are living beings of flesh
+  and blood, not lay figures of conventional type. Into the trials and
+  crosses, and everyday experiences, the reader enters at once with zest
+  and hearty sympathy. While Mrs. Meade always writes with a high moral
+  purpose, her lessons of life, purity and nobility of character are
+  rather inculcated by example than intruded as sermons.
+
+One of a Covey. By the author of "Miss Toosey's Mission." 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Full of spirit and life, so well sustained throughout that grown-up
+  readers may enjoy it as much as children. This 'Covey' consists of the
+  twelve children of a hard-pressed Dr. Partridge out of which is chosen
+  a little girl to be adopted by a spoiled, fine lady. We have rarely
+  read a story for boys and girls with greater pleasure. One of the
+  chief characters would not have disgraced Dickens' pen."--Literary
+  World.
+
+The Little Princess of Tower Hill. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "This is one of the prettiest books for children published, as pretty
+  as a pond-lily, and quite as fragrant. Nothing could be imagined more
+  attractive to young people than such a combination of fresh pages and
+  fair pictures; and while children will rejoice over it--which is much
+  better than crying for it--it is a book that can be read with pleasure
+  even by older boys and girls."--Boston Advertiser.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Rosy. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  Mrs. Molesworth, considering the quality and quantity of her labors,
+  is the best story-teller for children England has yet known.
+
+  "This is a very pretty story. The writer knows children, and their
+  ways well. The illustrations are exceedingly well drawn."--Spectator.
+
+Esther: A Book for Girls. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "She inspires her readers simply by bringing them in contact with the
+  characters, who are in themselves inspiring. Her simple stories are
+  woven in order to give her an opportunity to describe her characters
+  by their own conduct in seasons of trial."--Chicago Times.
+
+Sweet Content. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75
+cents.
+
+  "It seems to me not at all easier to draw a lifelike child than to
+  draw a lifelike man or woman: Shakespeare and Webster were the only
+  two men of their age who could do it with perfect delicacy and
+  success. Our own age is more fortunate, on this single score at least,
+  having a larger and far nobler proportion of female writers; among
+  whom, since the death of George Eliot, there is none left whose touch
+  is so exquisite and masterly, whose love is so thoroughly according to
+  knowledge, whose bright and sweet invention is so fruitful, so
+  truthful, or so delightful as Mrs. Molesworth's."--A. C. Swinbourne.
+
+Honor Bright; or, The Four-Leaved Shamrock. By the author of "Miss
+Toosey's Mission." 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "It requires a special talent to describe the sayings and doings of
+  children, and the author of 'Honor Bright,' 'One of a Covey,'
+  possesses that talent in no small degree. A cheery, sensible, and
+  healthy tale."--The Times.
+
+The Cuckoo Clock. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75
+cents.
+
+  "A beautiful little story. It will be read with delight by every child
+  into whose hands it is placed.... The author deserves all the praise
+  that has been, is, and will be bestowed on 'The Cuckoo Clock.'
+  Children's stories are plentiful, but one like this is not to be met
+  with every day."--Pall Mall Gazette.
+
+The Adventures of a Brownie. As Told to my Child. By Miss Mulock. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "The author of this delightful little book leaves it in doubt all
+  through whether there actually is such a creature in existence as a
+  Brownie, but she makes us hope that there might be."--Chicago
+  Standard.
+
+Only a Girl: A Tale of Brittany. From the French by C. A. Jones. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "We can thoroughly recommend this brightly written and homely
+  narrative."--Saturday Review.
+
+Little Rosebud; or, Things Will Take a Turn. By Beatrice Harraden. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "A most delightful little book.... Miss Harraden is so bright, so
+  healthy, and so natural withal that the book ought, as a matter of
+  duty, to be added to every girl's library in the land."--Boston
+  Transcript.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Girl Neighbors; or, The Old Fashion and the New. By Sarah Tytler. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of the most effective and quietly humorous of Miss Tytler's
+  stories. 'Girl Neighbors' is a pleasant comedy, not so much of errors
+  as of prejudices got rid of, very healthy, very agreeable, and very
+  well written."--Spectator.
+
+The Little Lame Prince and His Traveling Cloak. By Miss Mulock. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "No sweeter--that is the proper word--Christmas story for the little
+  folks could easily be found, and it is as delightful for older readers
+  as well. There is a moral to it which the reader can find out for
+  himself, if he chooses to think."--Cleveland Herald.
+
+Little Miss Joy. By Emma Marshall. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75
+cents.
+
+  "A very pleasant and instructive story, told by a very charming writer
+  in such an attractive way as to win favor among its young readers. The
+  illustrations add to the beauty of the book."--Utica Herald.
+
+The House that Grew. A Girl's Story. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "This is a very pretty story of English life. Mrs. Molesworth is one
+  of the most popular and charming of English story-writers for
+  children. Her child characters are true to life, always natural and
+  attractive, and her stories are wholesome and interesting."
+  --Indianapolis Journal.
+
+The House of Surprises. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+75 cents.
+
+  "A charming tale of charming children, who are naughty enough to be
+  interesting, and natural enough to be lovable; and very prettily their
+  story is told. The quaintest yet most natural stories of child life.
+  Simply delightful."--Vanity Fair.
+
+The Jolly Ten: and their Year of Stories. By Agnes Carr Sage. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  The story of a band of cousins who were accustomed to meet at the
+  "Pinery," with "Aunt Roxy." At her fireside they play merry games,
+  have suppers flavored with innocent fun, and listen to stories--each
+  with its lesson calculated to make the ten not less jolly, but quickly
+  responsive to the calls of duty and to the needs of others.
+
+Little Miss Dorothy. The Wonderful Adventures of Two Little People. By
+Martha James. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75c.
+
+  "This is a charming little juvenile story from the pen of Mrs. James,
+  detailing the various adventures of a couple of young children. Their
+  many adventure are told in a charming manner, and the book will please
+  young girls and boys."--Montreal Star.
+
+Pen's Venture. A Story for Girls. By Elvirton Wright. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  Something Pen saw in the condition of the cash girls in a certain
+  store gave her a thought; the thought became a plan; the plan became a
+  venture--Pen's venture. It is amusing, touching, and instructive to
+  read about it.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+FAIRY BOOKS.
+
+The Blue Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. Profusely illustrated, 12mo,
+cloth, price $1.00.
+
+  "The tales are simply delightful. No amount of description can do them
+  justice. The only way is to read the book through from cover to
+  cover."--Book Review.
+
+The Green Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. Profusely illustrated,
+12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
+
+  "The most delightful book of fairy tales, taking form and content
+  together, ever presented to children."--E. S. Hartland, in Folk-Lore.
+
+The Yellow Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. Profusely illustrated,
+12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
+
+  "As a collection of fairy tales to delight children of all ages, it
+  ranks second to none."--Daily Graphic.
+
+The Red Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. Profusely illustrated, 12mo,
+cloth, price $1.00.
+
+  "A gift-book that will charm any child, and all older folk, who have
+  been fortunate enough to retain their taste for the old nursery
+  stories."--Literary World.
+
+Celtic Fairy Tales. Edited by Joseph Jacobs. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "A stock of delightful little narratives gathered chiefly from the
+  Celtic-speaking peasants of Ireland. A perfectly lovely book. And oh!
+  the wonderful pictures inside. Get this book if you can; it is
+  capital, all through."--Pall Mall Budget.
+
+English Fairy Tales. Edited by Joseph Jacobs, 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "The tales are simply delightful. No amount of description can do them
+  justice. The only way is to read the book through from cover to cover.
+  The book is intended to correspond to 'Grimm's Fairy Tales,' and it
+  must be allowed that its pages fairly rival in interest those of that
+  well-known repository of folk-lore."--Morning Herald.
+
+Indian Fairy Tales. Edited by Joseph Jacobs. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00
+
+  "Mr. Jacobs brings home to as in a clear and intelligible manner the
+  enormous influence which 'Indian Fairy Tales' have had upon European
+  literature of the kind. The present combination will be welcomed not
+  alone by the little ones for whom it is specially combined, but also
+  by children of larger growth and added years."--Daily Telegraph.
+
+Household Fairy Tales. By the Brothers Grimm. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "As a collection of fairy tales to delight children of all ages this
+  work ranks second to none."--Daily Graphic.
+
+Fairy Tales and Stories. By Hans Christian Andersen. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "If I were asked to select a child's library I should name these three
+  volumes, 'English,' 'Celtic,' and 'Indian Fairy Tales,' with Grimm and
+  Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales."--Independent.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+FAIRY BOOKS.
+
+Popular Fairy Tales. By the Brothers Grimm. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "From first to last, almost without exception, these stories are
+  delightful."--Athenæum.
+
+Icelandic Fairy Tales. By A. W. Hall. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "The most delightful book of fairy tales, taking form and contents
+  together, ever presented to children. The whole collection is dramatic
+  and humorous. A more desirable child's book has not been seen for many
+  a day."--Daily News.
+
+Fairy Tales From the Far North. (Norwegian.) By P. C. Asbjornsen. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "If we were asked what present would make a child happiest at
+  Christmastide we think we could with a clear conscience point to Mr.
+  Jacobs' book. It is a dainty and an interesting volume."--Notes and
+  Queries.
+
+Cossack Fairy Tales. By R. Nisbet Bain. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "A really valuable and curious selection which will be welcomed by
+  readers of all ages.... The illustrations by Mr. Batten are often
+  clever and irresistibly humorous. A delight alike to the young people
+  and their elders."--Globe.
+
+The Golden Fairy Book. By Various Authors. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "The most delightful book of its kind that has come in our way for
+  many a day. It is brimful of pretty stories. Retold in a truly
+  delightful manner."--Graphic.
+
+The Silver Fairy Book. By Various Authors. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "The book is intended to correspond to 'Grimm's Fairy Tales,' and it
+  must be allowed that its pages fairly rival in interest those of the
+  well-known repository of folk-lore. It is a most delightful volume of
+  fairy tales."--Courier.
+
+The Brownies, and Other Stories. By Juliana Horatia Ewing. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Like all the books she has written this one is very charming, and is
+  worth more in the hands of a child than a score of other stories of a
+  more sensational character."--Christian at Work.
+
+The Hunting of the Snark. An Agony in Eight Fits. By Lewis Carroll,
+author of "Alice In Wonderland." 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75
+cents.
+
+  "This glorious piece of nonsense.... Everybody ought to read
+  it--nearly everybody will--and all who deserve the treat will scream
+  with laughter."--Graphic.
+
+Lob Lie-By-the-fire, and Other Tales. By Juliana Horatio Ewing. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Mrs. Ewing has written as good a story as her 'Brownies,' and that is
+  saying a great deal. 'Lob Lie-by-the-fire' has humor and pathos, and
+  teaches what is right without making children think they are reading a
+  sermon."--Saturday Review.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+By Right of Conquest; or, With Cortez in Mexico. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by W. S. Stacey. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.50.
+
+  "The conquest of Mexico by a small band of resolute men under the
+  magnificent leadership of Cortez is always rightfully ranked among the
+  most romantic and daring exploits in history. 'By Right of Conquest'
+  is the nearest approach to a perfectly successful historical tale that
+  Mr. Henty has yet published."--Academy.
+
+For Name and Fame; or, Through Afghan Passes By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of
+  excitement of a campaign, but, what is still more useful, an account
+  of a territory and its inhabitants which must for a long time possess
+  a supreme interest for Englishmen, as being the key to our Indian
+  Empire."--Glasgow Herald.
+
+The Bravest of the Brave; or, With Peterborough in Spain. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations by H. M. Paget. 12mo cloth, olivine edges,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--to
+  enforce the doctrine of courage and truth, mercy and loving kindness,
+  as indispensable to the making of a gentleman. Boys will read 'The
+  Bravest of the Brave' with pleasure and profit; of that we are quite
+  sure."--Daily Telegraph.
+
+The Cat of Bubastes: A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred cat
+  to the perilous exodus from Asia with which it closes, is very
+  skillfully constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is
+  admirably illustrated."--Saturday Review.
+
+Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of 'Quentin Durward.' The
+  lad's journey across France, and his hairbreadth escapes, makes up as
+  good a narrative of the kind as we have ever read. For freshness of
+  treatment and variety of incident Mr. Henty has surpassed himself."
+  --Spectator.
+
+With Clive in India; or, The Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olvine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital importance,
+  and he has embroidered on the historical facts a story which of itself
+  is deeply interesting. Young people assuredly will be delighted with
+  the volume."--Scotsman.
+
+In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations by J. Schönberg. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat Mr.
+  Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the audacity and
+  peril they depict. The story is one of Mr. Henty's best."--Saturday
+  Review.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+The Lion of the North: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of
+Religion. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by John Schönberg. 12mo,
+cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great deeds
+  of the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. Mackey,
+  Hepburn, and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as those deserve
+  to live whose disciplined bands formed really the germ of the modern
+  British army."--Athenæum.
+
+The Dragon and the Raven; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle
+  between Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid
+  picture of the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the
+  ravages of the sea-wolves. The story is treated in a manner most
+  attractive to the boyish reader."--Athenæum.
+
+The Young Carthaginian: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing stays
+  the interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on a stream whose
+  current varies in direction, but never loses its force."--Saturday
+  Review.
+
+In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest and
+  most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a
+  boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly put one side."--The
+  Schoolmaster.
+
+With Wolfe in Canada; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a great
+  power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, and as no
+  pains are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic details, his
+  books supply useful aids to study as well as amusement."--School
+  Guardian.
+
+True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of Independence. By G.
+A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soldiers
+  during the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son
+  of an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the
+  hostile red-skins in that very Huron country which has been endeared
+  to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook."--The Times.
+
+A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by W. B. Wollen. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. The
+  episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein--graphic, exciting,
+  realistic, and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the
+  formation of an honorable, manly, and even heroic character."
+  --Birmingham Post.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+The Lion of the North: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of
+Religion. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by John Schönberg. 12mo,
+cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great deeds
+  of the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. Mackey,
+  Hepburn, and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as those deserve
+  to live whose disciplined bands formed really the germ of the modern
+  British army."--Athenæum.
+
+The Dragon and the Raven; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle
+  between Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid
+  picture of the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the
+  ravages of the sea-wolves. The story is treated in a manner most
+  attractive to the boyish reader."--Athenæum.
+
+The Young Carthaginian: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing stays
+  the interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on a stream whose
+  current varies in direction, but never loses its force."--Saturday
+  Review.
+
+In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest and
+  most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a
+  boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly put one side."--The
+  Schoolmaster.
+
+With Wolfe in Canada; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a great
+  power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, and as no
+  pains are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic details, his
+  books supply useful aids to study as well as amusement."--School
+  Guardian.
+
+True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of Independence. By G.
+A. Henty With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soliders
+  during the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son
+  of an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the
+  hostile red-skins in that very Huron country which has been endeared
+  to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook."--The Times.
+
+A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by W. B. Wollen. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. The
+  episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein--graphic, exciting,
+  realistic; and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the
+  formation of an honorable, manly, and even heroic character."
+  --Birmingham Post.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+The Lion of St. Mark: A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth Century. By G.
+A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Every boy should read 'The Lion of St. Mark.' Mr. Henty has never
+  produced a story more delightful, more wholesome, or more vivacious."
+  --Saturday Review.
+
+Facing Death; or, The Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the Coal Mines.
+By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth,
+olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The tale is well written and well illustrated, and there is much
+  reality in the characters. If any father, clergyman, or schoolmaster
+  is on the lookout for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is
+  worth his salt, this is the book we would recommend."--Standard.
+
+Maori and Settler: A Story of the New Zealand War. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Alfred Pearse. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "In the adventures among the Maoris, there are many breathless moments
+  in which the odds seem hopelessly against the party, but they succeed
+  in establishing themselves happily in one of the pleasant New Zealand
+  valleys. It is brimful of adventure, of humorous and interesting
+  conversation, and vivid pictures of colonial life."--Schoolmaster.
+
+One of the 28th: A Tale of Waterloo. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations
+by W. H. Overend. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Written with Homeric vigor and heroic inspiration. It is graphic,
+  picturesque, and dramatically effective ... shows us Mr. Henty at his
+  best and brightest. The adventures will hold a boy enthralled as he
+  rushes through them with breathless interest 'from cover to cover.'"
+  --Observer.
+
+Orange and Green: A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The narrative is free from the vice of prejudice, and ripples with
+  life as if what is being described were really passing before the
+  eye."--Belfast News-Letter.
+
+Through the Fray: A Story of the Luddite Riots. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by H. M. Paget. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Mr. Henty inspires a love and admiration for straightforwardness,
+  truth and courage. This is one of the best of the many good books Mr.
+  Henty has produced, and deserves to be classed with his 'Facing
+  Death.'" --Standard.
+
+The Young Midshipman: A Story of the Bombardment of Alexandria. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  A coast fishing lad, by an act of heroism, secures the interest of a
+  shipowner, who places him as an apprentice on board one of his ships.
+  In company with two of his fellow-apprentices he is left behind, at
+  Alexandria, in the hands of the revolted Egyptian troops, and is
+  present through the bombardment and the scenes of riot and bloodshed
+  which accompanied it.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+In Times of Peril. A Tale of India. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations.
+12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The hero of the story early excites our admiration, and is altogether
+  a fine character such as boys will delight in, whilst the story of the
+  campaign is very graphically told."--St. James's Gazette.
+
+The Cornet of Horse: A Tale of Marlborough's Wars. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.
+
+  "Mr. Henty not only concocts a thrilling tale, he weaves fact and
+  fiction together with so skillful a hand that the reader cannot help
+  acquiring a just and clear view of that fierce and terrible struggle
+  known as the Crimean War."--Athenæum.
+
+The Young Franc-Tireurs: Their Adventures in the Franco-Prussian War. By
+G. A. Henty. With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "A capital book for boys. It is bright and readable, and full of good
+  sense and manliness. It teaches pluck and patience in adversity, and
+  shows that right living leads to success."--Observer.
+
+The Young Colonists: A Story of Life and War in South Africa. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "No boy needs to have any story of Henty's recommended to him, and
+  parents who do not know and buy them for their boys should be ashamed
+  of themselves. Those to whom he is yet unknown could not make a better
+  beginning than with this book."
+
+The Young Buglers. A Tale of the Peninsular War. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.
+
+  "Mr. Henty is a giant among boys' writers, and his books are
+  sufficiently popular to be sure of a welcome anywhere. In stirring
+  interest, this is quite up to the level of Mr. Henty's former
+  historical tales."--Saturday Review.
+
+Sturdy and Strong; or, How George Andrews Made his Way. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations. 12mo. cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The history of a hero of everyday life, whose love of truth, clothing
+  of modesty, and innate pluck, carry him, naturally, from poverty to
+  affluence. George Andrews is an example of character with nothing to
+  cavil at, and stands as a good instance of chivalry in domestic
+  life."--The Empire.
+
+Among Malay Pirates. A Story of Adventure and Peril. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Incident succeeds incident, and adventure is piled upon adventure,
+  and at the end the reader, be he boy or man, will have experienced
+  breathless enjoyment in a romantic story that must have taught him
+  much at its close."--Army and Navy Gazette.
+
+Jack Archer. A Tale of the Crimea. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Mr. Henty not only concocts a thrilling tale, he weaves fact and
+  fiction together with so skillful a hand that the reader cannot help
+  acquiring a just and clear view of that fierce and terrible
+  struggle."--Athenæum.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+Friends, Though Divided, A Tale of the Civil War. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.
+
+  "It has a good plot; it abounds in action; the scenes are equally
+  spirited and realistic, and we can only say we have read it with much
+  pleasure from first to last."--Times.
+
+Out on the Pampas; or, The Young Settlers. By G. A. Henty With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "A really noble story, which adult readers will find to the full as
+  satisfying as the boys. Lucky boys! to have such a caterer as Mr. G.
+  A. Henty."--Black and White.
+
+The Boy Knight: A Tale of the Crusades. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Of stirring episode there is no lack. The book, with its careful
+  accuracy and its descriptions of all the chief battles, will give many
+  a school-boy his first real understanding of a very important period
+  of history."--St. James's Gazette.
+
+The Wreck of the Golden Fleece. The Story of a North Sea Fisher Boy. By
+Robert Leighton. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.
+
+  A description of life on the wild North Sea.--the hero being a
+  parson's son who is appreciated on board a Lowestoft fishing lugger.
+  The lad has to suffer many buffets from his shipmates, while the
+  storms and dangers which he braved on board the "North Star" are set
+  forth with minute knowledge and intense power. The wreck of the
+  "Golden Fleece" forms the climax to a thrilling series of desperate
+  mischances.
+
+Olaf the Glorious. A Story of the Viking Age. By Robert Leighton. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  This story of Olaf the Glorious, King of Norway, opens with the
+  incident of his being found by his uncle living as a bond-slave in
+  Esthonia: then come his adventures as a Viking and his raids upon the
+  coasts of Scotland and England, his victorious battle against the
+  English at Maldon in Essex, his being bought off by Ethelred the
+  Unready, and his conversion to Christianity. He then returns to Pagan
+  Norway, is accepted as king and converts his people to the Christian
+  faith.
+
+To Greenland and the Pole. A story of Adventure in the Arctic Regions.
+By Gordon Stables. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.
+
+  The unfailing fascination of Arctic venturing is presented in this
+  story with new vividness. It deals with skilobning in the north of
+  Scotland, deer-hunting in Norway, sealing in the Arctic Seas,
+  bear-stalking on the ice-floes, the hardships of a journey across
+  Greenland, and a successful voyage to the back of the North Pole. This
+  is, indeed, a real sea-yarn by a real sailor, and the tone is as
+  bright and wholesome as the adventures are numerous.
+
+Yussuf the Guide. A Story of Adventure in Asia Minor. By George Manville
+Fenn. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  This story deals with the stirring incidents in the career of a lad
+  who has been almost given over by the doctors, but who rapidly
+  recovers health and strength in a journey through Asia Minor. The
+  adventures are many, and culminate in the travellers being snowed up
+  for the winter in the mountains, from which they escape while their
+  captors are waiting for the ransom that does not come.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS
+
+Grettir the Outlaw. A Story of Iceland. By S. Baring-Gould. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "This is the boys' book of the year. That is, of course, as much as to
+  say that it will do for men grown as well as juniors. It is told in
+  simple, straightforward English, as all stories should be, and it has
+  a freshness and freedom which make it irresistible."--National
+  Observer.
+
+Thousand Years Ago. The Adventures of a Roman Boy. By A. J. Church.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Prof. Church has in this story sought to revivify that most
+  interesting period, the last days of the Roman Republic. The book is
+  extremely entertaining as well as useful; there is a wonderful
+  freshness in the Roman scenes and characters."--Times.
+
+Nat the Naturalist. A Boy's Adventure in the Eastern Seas. By George
+Manville Fenn. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.
+
+  Nat and his uncle Dick go on a voyage to the remoter islands of the
+  Eastern seas, and their adventures are told in a truthful and vastly
+  interesting fashion. The descriptions of Mr. Ebony, their black
+  comrade, and of the scenes of savage life, are full of genuine humor.
+
+The Log of the Flying Fish. A Story of Peril and Adventure. By Harry
+Collingwood. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.
+
+  "This story is full of even more vividly recounted adventures than
+  those which charmed so many boy readers in 'Pirate Island' and 'Congo
+  Rovers.' ... There is a thrilling adventure on the precipices of Mount
+  Everest, when the ship floats off and providentially returns by force
+  of 'gravitation.'"--Academy.
+
+The Congo Rovers. A Story of the Slave Squadron. By Harry Collingwood.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The scene of this tale is laid on the west coast of Africa, and in
+  the lower reaches of the Congo; the characteristic scenery of the
+  great river being delineated with wonderful accuracy. Mr. Collingwood
+  carries us off for another cruise at sea, in 'The Congo Rovers,' and
+  boys will need no pressing to join the daring crew, which seeks
+  adventures and meets with any number of them."--The Times.
+
+Boris the Bear Hunter. A Tale of Peter the Great and His Times. By Fred
+Wishaw. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "This is a capital story. The characters are marked and lifelike, and
+  it is full of incident and adventure."--Standard.
+
+Michael Strogoff; or, The Courier of the Czar. By Jules Verne. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The story is full of originality and vigor. The characters are
+  lifelike, there is plenty of stirring incident, the interest is
+  sustained throughout, and every boy will enjoy following the fortunes
+  of the hero."--Journal of Education.
+
+Mother Carey's Chicken. Her Voyage to the Unknown Isle. By George
+Manville Fenn. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Undoubtedly one of the best Mr. Fenn has written. The incidents are
+  of thrilling interest, while the characters are drawn with a care and
+  completeness rarely found in a boy's book."--Literary World.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT. 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Katie Robertson, by Margaret E. Winslow
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@@ -0,0 +1,8134 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Katie Robertson, by Margaret E. Winslow
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Katie Robertson
+       A Girls Story of Factory Life
+
+Author: Margaret E. Winslow
+
+Release Date: December 10, 2007 [EBook #23795]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KATIE ROBERTSON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+KATIE ROBERTSON
+
+A GIRLS STORY OF FACTORY LIFE
+
+By MARGARET E. WINSLOW
+Author of "Miss Malcolm's Ten," "Three Years at Glenwood," etc.
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1885,
+By Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+To the many boys and girls who are in early years earning an honorable
+support for themselves, or else assisting their parents by working in
+factories; to the multitudes of young church members, who may be glad of
+some practically helpful suggestions in surmounting the difficulties and
+resisting the temptations incident to their new lives; to mill-owners,
+who feel their solemn responsibility, as in the sight of God, for the
+intellectual and spiritual welfare of their operatives; and chiefly to
+the young Christian manufacturer who has been the model from which the
+picture of "Mr. James" has been copied,--this story, whose incidents are
+mostly true ones, is dedicated.
+
+That the Holy Spirit may make use of it to inculcate in young hearts a
+sense of honorable independence, a conviction of the dignity of
+faithfully performed work, and, above all, an earnest and irrevocable
+choice of God's blessed service and an entire committal of their ways to
+him, is the sincere prayer of
+
+                                                            THE AUTHOR.
+
+SAUGERTIES, July 1, 1885.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+KATIE ROBERTSON.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+A NEW DEPARTURE.
+
+
+"But, mother, it isn't as if I were going away from home, like the Lloyd
+girls; you might have a right to cry if that were the case."
+
+"I know, dear; it's all right, and I ought to be very thankful; but I'm
+a foolish woman. I can't bear to think of _my_ little girl, whom I have
+guarded so tenderly, going among all those girls and men, and fighting
+her way in life."
+
+"I don't think I shall be much of a fighter," laughed Katie, looking at
+her diminutive hands; "and why is it any worse to go among the boys and
+girls in the factory than among the boys and girls in school? You never
+minded that."
+
+"That was different--you weren't doing it for money. O me! what would I
+have thought when I married your father if any one had told me that his
+child, his _girl_ child, would ever have to earn her bread!"
+
+"Well, mother, I won't go," said the girl, her bright looks fading away,
+"if you don't want me to; but I don't know what Mr. Sanderson will
+think, he tried so hard to get me into the mill, and it was such a favor
+from Mr. Mountjoy. You _said_ you were very thankful."
+
+"So I was, so I am; but--but you don't understand, and perhaps it's
+better you should not. I'll try not to grumble."
+
+This was promising more than Mrs. Robertson was able to perform perhaps,
+for she was a chronic and inveterate grumbler. But she had some excuse
+in the present circumstances, for Katie was, as she said, her baby, and
+the "apple of her eye." Married when quite young to the handsome and
+intelligent young village doctor, she certainly had not expected ever to
+be placed in a position where her children, her girls at least, would
+need to earn their own bread. But in a few short years the doctor died
+of a contagious disease he had taken from one of his patients, and as he
+had not yet begun to accumulate anything, his young widow was left with
+her three children to struggle along as best she could. How she had done
+it God and herself only knew. The little house was her own, the sole
+patrimony left by her own father. The horse and buggy, the medical
+library and valuable professional instruments, medicines, etc., were
+sold at a fair valuation; and the money thus secured, deposited in the
+bank, had served as a last resource whenever the barrel of meal failed
+or the cruse of oil ran dry. For the rest, Mrs. Robertson was employed
+by her neighbors to help turn and put down carpets, cover furniture,
+etc. etc., light jobs requiring judgment and skill rather than strength,
+for which her friends, who never placed her in a menial capacity, gladly
+paid double the sum they would to any one else. She was also a capital
+nurse, and in this position rendered herself very valuable in many
+households, and for such services she was even more generously
+remunerated; so that somehow she managed to keep her head above water
+while her children were small, and feed, clothe, and send them to school
+as they grew older.
+
+Her children were, of course, the one source of consolation left to the
+poor widow, and many a long evening's work was both shortened and
+lightened by golden dreams of their future prosperity and success.
+
+When her eldest boy Eric was twelve, and when Alfred, the second child,
+was only ten, a friend made interest with Mr. Sanderson, superintendent
+of the bookbindery, auxiliary to the Squantown Paper Mills, to give the
+two boys steady employment, and since that time, four years ago, their
+earnings, small but certain, had greatly helped in the family expenses.
+Both were noble, manly fellows, with, as yet, no bad habits. They
+brought their mother all that they earned, and were quite content to
+pass their evenings with her and their little sister. Katie, who was now
+thirteen, had always attended the public school in the village, of
+course helping her mother with the housework and sewing. She was a
+delicate little creature, small for her years, but bright and
+intelligent, a general favorite with the village children as well as
+with her Sunday-school teacher, Miss Etta Mountjoy, who was not so
+very many years older than herself.
+
+Katie was a very lady-like looking girl, and did not seem fitted to do
+very hard work, nor to mix among rough people, but she was an
+independent little thing who knew very well how poor her mother was and
+how hard both she and her brothers had to work. She knew that her
+breakfasts, dinners, and suppers cost something, and that it took money
+to buy the good shoes and neat, whole dresses in which her mother always
+kept her dressed, and she resolved in her own wise little head to find
+some way of contributing to the family stock. It was some time before
+she saw her way clear to do this, but at last she took counsel of a
+school-fellow whose sister worked in the folding-room of the Squantown
+Paper Mills and found that even a young girl might earn considerable in
+this way. So, without telling any one at home of her plans, she, one
+evening, presented herself before Mr. Sanderson and requested to be
+taken into the bindery.
+
+"What can you do, little puss?" said this gentleman, quite surprised.
+"You look about large enough to play with dolls, like my Nina."
+
+"I'm almost fourteen," said Katie, drawing herself up to her full height
+and trying to look sedate. "I'm two years older than Nina; I'm as old as
+your Bertie, Mr. Sanderson, and I _must_ make some money."
+
+"Must you, indeed?" said he, beginning to be more interested. "Don't I
+know your face? Let me see. Why, it can't be--yes, it is Katie
+Robertson! How time flies! It seems to me only yesterday that your
+father died, and you were a baby; but Bertie was one, too, then, that's
+a fact. How time does fly, to be sure! So you want to get into the
+bindery where your brothers are, I suppose?" Katie nodded. "Well, now,"
+continued he, "it's most unfortunate, but there isn't a vacancy
+anywhere; we have five or six applicants now waiting for a chance. Why
+don't you try the mill?"
+
+"The mill!" said Katie, "the paper-mill? But I don't know any one there;
+how could I go and ask strangers?"
+
+"I think you're brave enough to ask any one," said Mr. Sanderson. "I
+suppose you'd find it hard, though, and perhaps no one would believe
+that you were old enough or strong enough to work. Your looks are
+against you, little one; and then, Mr. Mountjoy did not know your father
+as I did; he came here afterward. Let me see. Perhaps I might have some
+influence. Will you trust your case in my hands?" And, as the girl
+nodded, he continued: "Come here about this time to-morrow evening, and
+I will report progress. Perhaps I may have some good news for you, but
+don't be too sure. It isn't so easy to get into the mill either; there
+are always a great many applicants. You'll come?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Katie, and went away in a state of disappointed
+uncertainty. It was not quite so easy to earn money as she had supposed.
+
+The little girl looked very mysterious all teatime, and threw out
+several hints that quite mystified her brothers about Mr. Sanderson and
+the bindery. But no one guessed her secret, and the next afternoon, just
+as she was beginning to think of putting on her hat and running down to
+get her answer, who should come into the gate but Mr. Sanderson himself.
+
+Mrs. Robertson was greatly frightened when she saw him. She was one of
+those persons who always look on the dark side of things, and she feared
+her boys had got into trouble and would perhaps lose their situations.
+She trembled so that she could hardly put on the widow's cap, in which
+she always appeared before strangers (although it was now six years
+since the doctor had left her and gone home to heaven), and said to her
+daughter:--
+
+"That's always our luck! Just as soon as things seem to be going
+straight with us, some terrible misfortune is sure to happen; we're the
+most unfortunate family in the world."
+
+The poor lady forgot that, with the one exception of her husband's
+death, her life had been one of unmingled, as well as undeserved,
+happiness; and even in that loss her three children had been spared to
+her, friends had been raised up to help her, and there had never been a
+day when she and her children had not had enough plain food to eat and
+plain clothes to wear. It is thus that we are all apt to dishonor God by
+dwelling upon the one thing which in his providence he has seen fit to
+take away, and forgetting to thank him for all the many other blessings
+he has given us.
+
+But Katie was full of expectation and suppressed delight. She was the
+opposite of her mother, and always expected good news, and she felt sure
+that Mr. Sanderson would not have taken the trouble to come himself,
+except to tell her that he had secured a place for her. Her eyes danced
+as she let him in, and she looked inquiringly in his face. But he said
+nothing, except:--
+
+"Good-evening, Katie. I would like to see your mother a few moments." So
+she ushered him into the "front room," so seldom used, and went to
+summon her mother, waiting outside the door till she should herself be
+called in to the consultation.
+
+When Mr. Sanderson told Mrs. Robertson that he had called to say that he
+had been successful in his application to Mr. Mountjoy, who had agreed
+to take Katie into the "rag-room" of the paper-mill, in consideration of
+his interest in her mother, she was completely taken by surprise and
+inclined to be offended with both gentlemen for their interference, as
+she thought it, with her business; but when she heard that the
+application came from the child herself, while greatly surprised, she
+could not but feel grateful to them for their trouble, and expressed
+herself so, while she nevertheless decidedly declined to allow Katie to
+accept the position, saying she was altogether too young and too
+delicate, and that she would not have her daughter disgraced by working
+for her living.
+
+"For the matter of that," said Mr. Sanderson, "I shall be glad to have
+my Bertie take the place if you don't want it for Katie. I have a large
+family to bring up, and I want my girls and boys both to be independent.
+I hadn't thought of it for Bertie quite yet, but your Katie reminded me
+last night of how old she is; and I see she is none too young to begin."
+
+This put a little different face on the matter, for Mrs. Sanderson and
+Mrs. Robertson had been intimate friends when girls, in precisely the
+same rank in life, although one had married a doctor and the other the
+overseer of the bookbindery. Moreover, Mr. Sanderson was known to be
+very well off and quite able--had he judged it best--to bring up his
+girls in idleness, as useless fine ladies. Perhaps it would not be such
+a disgrace, after all, and they did sorely need the money. Katie was not
+dressed as her father's child should be, and toil as she might, even
+with the boys' wages the widow could not make more than sufficed to keep
+up the little home. Then, too, her child would have to do something for
+herself when she grew up; she would have no one to look to but herself,
+and though teaching would be perhaps a more genteel way of support, it
+was a very laborious one, and would make it necessary to go away from
+home, as the Lloyd girls were going to do, and to remain away for
+several years, first at some higher institution of learning and then at
+the Normal School, and where would the money come from to pay the
+tuition fees, traveling expenses, and board bills?
+
+All this passed through Mrs. Robertson's mind as Mr. Sanderson reasoned
+with her and showed her the foolishness of her objections, and finally
+the impatient Katie was called in, and informed that she might "try it
+for a while"; and then the visitor was thanked for his trouble, and
+took his leave.
+
+This all happened a week ago. The intervening time had been spent in
+putting Katie's simple wardrobe in order and in making home arrangements
+by which Mrs. Robertson would not miss her daughter more than she could
+help, in those various little services which she had been wont to
+render. The last day had now come; to-morrow the new life was to begin,
+and Katie was clearing up the breakfast things for the last time when
+the conversation with which our story commences took place.
+
+"I wish it was not in the rag-room," said Mrs. Robertson, by-and-by,
+when Katie, having finished her dishes and swept up the room, drew her
+seat to her mother's side and took up her work--the ruffle of the last
+of the six mob-caps she was to wear at her work.
+
+"Why?" said her daughter, to whom the factory was just now a sort of
+enchanted palace, any one of whose rooms was delightful to contemplate.
+
+"It's such a low, dirty place, I'm told, and there's so many common
+women and girls there."
+
+"Well, I needn't talk to them, I suppose. I needn't be common, at any
+rate, and I can't get dirty in those great long-sleeved aprons and these
+nice little caps. You don't know how smart I'm going to be, and won't
+you be proud of your big girl when she brings home her first
+three-dollar bill, all earned in one week? Eric will see that a girl's
+worth something, after all, and Alfred sha'n't make fun of me any more."
+
+Mrs. Robertson did not say anything else just now; she did not like to
+be always checking the exuberance of her child's spirits with the dull
+forebodings of her own, but she could not see the paper-mill through the
+same halo that invested it in Katie's eyes. She knew there were snares
+and temptations, besides disagreeable and hard work to be met and
+encountered there, and she feared that the child's future disappointment
+would be proportioned to the brightness of her present hopes. Still, as
+the matter was determined upon, she knew it was right to make the best
+of it, and she tried to talk pleasantly and at least seem to sympathize
+with her daughter's enthusiasm.
+
+So passed the day, and at night when the boys came home they were
+called upon to listen for the hundredth time to all the rose-colored
+plans, and were pressed to declare that there could be nothing in the
+world more delightful than working in a factory.
+
+But the boys could not see it in that light any more than their mother.
+They were as content to work as are most men and boys who seem to take
+it for granted that it is in the course of nature for them to earn their
+bread by the sweat of their brow, but they had been at it long enough to
+have lost the sense of novelty and to understand that it was work and
+not play which their sister was undertaking.
+
+"Won't you be sick of it!" said Alfred, in answer to one of Katie's
+outbursts, "and long, when Saturday comes, to go out nutting with the
+girls, or off on a hay-ride, or something! You'll wish you were free
+before you've been a slave many months, or I'm no prophet."
+
+"Well, she shall be free if she wants to," said Eric, kindly. "Our only
+little sister sha'n't work if she don't want to; we can take care of
+her, Alfred, can't we?"
+
+"But I do want to work," said Katie; "I know I sha'n't get tired, or if
+I do get tired of the work, I sha'n't of getting the money; for, boys, I
+mean to be a rich, independent woman, and help take care of mother. You
+needn't suppose that I'm going to be dependent upon you."
+
+"All right, young lady," said Alfred, "only I think you'll sing a
+different tune before many months are over."
+
+"The tune you ought to sing just now, children," said Mrs. Robertson,
+"is 'Good-night.' You all have to go to work very early, and Katie is
+not used to it. Good-night, darling, and don't forget to ask God to
+bless you and shield you in your new undertaking."
+
+"I asked him that night to make Mr. Mountjoy listen to Mr. Sanderson and
+give me the place," said Katie, with a rising color; "don't you think he
+heard me and answered my prayer? It seems as though he had just made it
+all straight and plain. I feel just like thanking him to-night; and,
+mother, don't you worry so much. Don't you think Jesus is strong enough
+to take care of me anywhere if I ask him to?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," said the mother, almost ashamed of her forebodings, and
+rebuked, as she had many a time been, by the bright, hopeful faith of
+her child. Surely when she looked at the bright, happy, healthy faces of
+her children, she too had ample cause for thankfulness, and for
+continued trust in the divine love which had carried her safely through
+so many emergencies and had promised never to leave or forsake her or
+hers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ENTERING.
+
+
+"Hallo, Katie, wake up, wake up!" and Eric rattled the knob of his
+sister's door. But he was compelled to do so many times before he heard
+a sleepy "What's the matter?"
+
+"Matter? Why, it's high time you were up if you mean to get to the
+factory this morning."
+
+"It's the middle of the night," said Katie, yawning.
+
+"Indeed, it is not. It's after five o'clock, and work begins at
+half-past six. You haven't a moment to spare if you want to dress
+yourself, get your breakfast, and get to the mill in time; it's farther
+off than the bindery. Come, be a brave girl, and jump up quickly."
+
+Thus adjured, the little girl jumped out of bed--but how cold and dark
+it was! although Eric had left the lamp in the hall outside. One of
+Katie's failings--not an uncommon one among girls and boys--was a great
+dislike to getting up early in the morning, and her mother had always
+humored her in the matter, getting up herself and giving the boys their
+breakfast early, and then waking her little girl just in time to eat her
+own and get to school at nine o'clock. Even then it was sometimes a
+difficult task.
+
+The young work-woman had not included the necessity of getting up so
+very early in the morning as one of the many anticipated delights of her
+new position. This first taste of it seemed, on the contrary, quite a
+hardship. Still, when she was once out of bed, there was a certain
+romance in dressing by lamplight, and she knelt down by her bedside to
+offer her morning prayer, with a strange feeling of mingled awe and
+thankfulness.
+
+Katie Robertson was a Christian girl, and was really desirous to please
+the blessed Saviour who had done so much for her. She could not remember
+the time when she did not love him; but for the last few years, since
+she had grown older and begun to understand things better, she had felt
+a longing desire to be like him and to please him in her life and
+actions. She found time to open her little Bible this morning and read
+one or two verses by the light of the lamp. They were these:--
+
+"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths";
+"Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or _whatsoever_ ye do, do all to
+the glory of God," and "I can do all things through Christ who
+strengthens me."
+
+And then she prayed earnestly that she might in these "ways" upon which
+she was entering always "acknowledge" God, be faithful to her work, do
+it "to the glory of God," and have the strength which the Lord Jesus
+Christ has promised to give to those who ask him, to resist temptation
+and stand up for truth and righteousness in the new life which lay
+before her. She prayed, also, that her heavenly Father would give her
+some work to do for him among her companions in the mill, and then she
+went downstairs.
+
+Breakfast was all ready, and it seemed quite funny to eat it by
+lamplight; but by the time it was over it was pretty light outside, and
+when, warmly wrapped up, Katie left the house with her brothers there
+was a rosy flush over the snow which sparkled and glistened, and the
+young factory-girl set out in high spirits for her first day's work.
+The boys escorted her as far as the great gates, where a good many other
+girls and boys were waiting among a crowd of men and women, and then ran
+back to be in time at the bindery, which was a little nearer home.
+
+It was rather cold waiting outside, and, if the truth must be told, our
+little girl felt just a trifle homesick among so many strangers, for as
+yet she had not seen a familiar face, and something seemed to rise in
+her throat that she found hard to swallow; but just as she felt that she
+_must_ have a good cry, and at the same time resolved that she wouldn't,
+the great steam-whistle shrieked, the bell in the tower rang, the gates
+opened from the inside, the gathered crowd rushed in, and all along the
+road might be seen flying figures of men, women, boys, and girls,
+hurrying to be in their places at the commencement of work and thus
+avoid the fine imposed upon stragglers. There was a pause of a few
+moments in the paved inside court while the inner doors of the great
+brick building were opened, and then the incoming crowd entering in
+various directions, scattered among the different corridors and left the
+"new girl" standing alone and bewildered at the entrance.
+
+In front of her stretched a long, narrow hall, clean and fresh
+(Squantown Paper Mills were new and built after the most approved
+models), with doors opening from it at intervals on both sides. Some of
+these doors were open and some were shut; into some the work-people were
+constantly disappearing, as though the doors were mouths that opened
+suddenly and swallowed them up, and into some of the open ones Katie
+peeped timidly and turned back disconsolately as she discovered that
+they only afforded entrance to similar corridors, pierced by similar
+rows of doors.
+
+At length the last straggler had entered, gone his way, and disappeared,
+and dead silence reigned. Katie felt as though she were alone in the
+universe, and almost wondered if she were to be left there forever, when
+a short, sharp, deafening whistle echoed through the hall, and at the
+same instant the great building vibrated from top to bottom, the roar of
+machinery swallowed up the silence, and the day's work began.
+
+Immediately afterward a side door, close to where our little girl was
+standing, opened, and out of it came the foreman of the mill, who had
+been up to this moment in the office, receiving his orders for the day.
+
+"Hallo, you!" he said crossly, seeing a girl standing idle in the hall;
+"why don't you go about your business? Go to work if you belong here; go
+home if you don't! No idlers or beggars allowed here, so close to the
+office door, too. Come, run away quickly."
+
+"If you please, Mr. Thornton, I've come to work in the mill, in the
+rag-room, but I don't know which way to go."
+
+"Oh!" said the foreman, "you're a new hand, eh? Rather a small one. It
+seems to me Mr. Mountjoy will end by having a nursery rather than a
+mill, but he knows his own business best, I suppose. New hands are not
+in my department, however. Mr. James," he called, reopening the office
+door and putting his head in again, "here's some work for you."
+
+The "new hand" expected now to have an interview with the awful Mr.
+Mountjoy, Miss Etta's father, of whom she had heard so much, but had
+never yet seen, and began to tremble a little in anticipation. But,
+instead, a rosy-faced, light-haired young man appeared, to whom the
+foreman made a slight bow, and then went away. This was Mr. James
+Mountjoy, Miss Etta's brother, and the only son of the proprietor of the
+mill. Katie had heard her brothers, who were in his Sunday-school class,
+talk about him, but had never seen him before.
+
+"Your name, little girl," he said pleasantly, as he ushered her into the
+office.
+
+"Katie Robertson, sir. Mr. Sanderson"--
+
+"Oh, I know; Mr. Sanderson recommended you to my father. You look almost
+too small to work. Can you do anything?"
+
+"I can cook, and wash dishes, and help mother, and sew; I was in the
+first class at school"--
+
+"That is not any of it precisely the kind of work we do here," said the
+young gentleman, pleasantly; "but no doubt you are a quick little girl,
+and if you are used to doing some kinds of work others will not come so
+hard to you. But you must understand in the beginning that work in a
+factory is work, not play; work that cannot be laid aside when one is
+tired of it, or when one wants to go on an excursion or to do something
+else. It is work, too, for which you are to be paid, and it would be
+dishonesty not to do it faithfully as in the sight of God. Our rules are
+no stricter than they must be for the best good of the work and the
+comfort and protection of all, but we _expect_ them to be obeyed. You
+will remember that. There must be no playing or whispering in work
+hours, and you must always be on time. We want all our work-people to be
+happy, and I am sure that the best kind of happiness comes from fidelity
+to duty. Can you be a _faithful_ little girl?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Katie, with a slight blush, though she did not feel at
+all afraid of him; "I am trying to please God everywhere, and I am sure
+he will help me to do so here."
+
+"I am glad to hear you say that," said the young man, with a smile. "If
+every man, woman, and child in this factory were really trusting in God
+and trying to please him, we wouldn't need so many rules and the work
+would not be so hard. One thing more: I believe you are to be in the
+rag-room; that is a dirty place, in spite of all our efforts to keep it
+clean and well ventilated; you won't find it very pleasant there always,
+but perhaps you can learn to _endure_ for Christ's and duty's sake; and
+every one has to begin at the bottom, you know, who means to climb to
+the top of the ladder."
+
+During the latter part of this talk the gentleman and the child had been
+ascending flight after flight of broad, open staircases, as well as
+several narrow, spiral ones, crossing machinery-rooms, where great arms
+and wheels and screws, in constant motion, made the little girl shudder,
+and threading narrow passages and outside balconies, where the broad
+raceway foamed and roared fifty or sixty feet beneath them. Katie had
+never been inside of the great paper-mill before, though she had always
+admired its fine proportions and handsome architecture from the outside.
+She was surprised now to see how really beautiful everything was. The
+floors were laid in wood of two contrasting colors; the balusters were
+of solid black walnut; there were rows and rows of clear glass windows
+in the rooms and corridors, while the machinery was either of shining
+steel or polished brass. In some of the rooms were girls tending the
+ruling and cutting and folding machines, and occasionally one would nod
+to Katie, but no one spoke except where the work rendered it necessary.
+
+At last the room next to the top of the vast building was reached, and
+there Mr. James opened a door and ushered Katie into a room which
+extended the whole length of one side of the building. The windows, of
+which there were fifteen, were wide open, but for all that the air was
+so thick with dust that at first Katie drew back with a sense of
+suffocation.
+
+"I told you it would not be pleasant," said Mr. James, "but this is your
+appointed place. Be a brave girl, and when you are used to it it won't
+seem so bad."
+
+The sense of suffocation was caused by the particles of dust with which
+the air was heavily laden, and which flew from the piles of rags which
+over fifty girls were busily engaged in sorting, putting the
+dark-colored ones by themselves, the medium-colored by themselves, and
+the white ones--or those that had been white--into large boxes. As soon
+as these boxes were filled they were placed on wheelbarrows and emptied
+into long slides by men who waited for them and returned the boxes. Mr.
+James explained to his young companion that these slides emptied their
+contents into great vats in the room below, where after lying some days
+in a certain purifying solution they were boiled with soda to loosen the
+dirt, thoroughly washed by machinery, and passed into great copper
+kettles, where they were boiled to a pulp and ground at the same time,
+horizontal grindstones reducing them to the finest powder. He also
+showed her that the dust was rendered much less hurtful than it would
+otherwise have been by a great fan kept constantly at work on one side
+of the room, which drove it out of the windows in front of the girls,
+who were thus not compelled to breathe it unless they turned directly
+around facing the blast, as Katie had done on entering the room. He then
+put her under the care of a pleasant-faced woman, whose duty it was to
+oversee the little girls, saw that she had a comfortable seat, shook
+hands with her, and went away.
+
+Mr. James was by no means called upon to be so polite to a "new hand";
+most employers would have told the child which way to go and then left
+her to shift for herself, or at best have sent a man or boy to show her
+the way. Perhaps he would have done so with some girls, but he saw that
+the child was timid and homesick, and knew that a few kind words would
+go a great way toward making her feel at home and happy, and would serve
+as an offset against the disagreeable first impressions of the rag-room,
+and the weariness of regular work undertaken for the first time.
+
+Why should he care to have one of his factory girls "feel at home and
+happy"? some one will say; his relations with them are only those of
+business: so much work for so much money; it was nothing to him what
+they thought or felt. Mr. James Mountjoy did not feel so. He thought
+that his father and he were placed in this responsible position and
+given the care of several hundred human souls expressly that some good
+work might be done for them. He felt that human beings are more
+precious than machinery, and that happiness is an important factor in
+goodness. He looked upon his work-people as those for whom he must give
+account, and tried to act in all his dealings with them "to the glory of
+God." Had he been actuated by the purest selfishness and the most
+approved business principles, he could not have chosen a wiser course;
+for men and women treated as friends become almost of necessity
+friendly, and seeing their own interests cared for were all the more
+likely to care for those of their employer. Katie Robertson certainly
+never forgot Mr. James's judicious kindness on the morning of her
+entrance into the mill; he was to her the kindest, sweetest, and most
+lovable of gentlemen. She felt ready to do anything he should tell her
+and to keep every rule he might make. Then, too, he was a Christian, and
+understood all about what she meant when she had said God would help
+her; surely it must be very easy to be good and resist temptation in a
+place with such a master, and she felt like thanking God that, in spite
+of the suffocating dust, "the lines had fallen to her in such very
+pleasant places."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE FIRST DAY.
+
+
+Left to herself Katie looked timidly round. It is always an ordeal to
+meet so many strangers for the first time, and our little friend was
+beginning to feel quite forlorn, when Miss Peters, the superintendent of
+the rag-room, came to her and began to show her about the work to be
+done; how, besides the rags being sorted, the buttons were to be taken
+off and the larger pieces cut into small ones by pulling them
+dexterously along and between two great sharp knives set on end for the
+purpose. Katie had already covered her clean dress with the long-sleeved
+blue apron and her hair with the little mob-cap her mother had provided,
+and at once commenced her work, not at all seeing or noticing the
+scornful looks that passed between some of the girls whose ragged finery
+and dirty hair-ribbons full of dust and "_flue_" presented a lively
+contrast to her own neat and suitable equipment. We may observe, in
+passing, that before long this simple method of protection so commended
+itself to some of the more sensible girls and their parents that many of
+them adopted it and mob-caps and overalls became quite the fashion in
+the mill.
+
+Katie was a smart little girl and could work very quickly when she set
+about it; of course to-day she was anxious to show how much she could
+do, and her piles and boxes were fuller than those of any girls near her
+by the time of the warning whistle, which indicated that in half an hour
+the dinner-bell would sound. Then there was a bustle in the room. The
+piles were taken away in long and deep barrows which men wheeled into
+the room, the boxes were carried off, emptied into the vats, and brought
+back again; some of the girls swept the floor and tables by which they
+stood; talking was permitted in this half-hour, and such a Babel as the
+tongues of forty or fifty girls suddenly unloosed can make may be better
+imagined than described. The "new hand" took advantage of the interval
+to divest herself of her cap and apron, and putting on her hat, after
+washing her hands in one of the row of basins provided for the purpose,
+appeared as neat and nice for her homeward walk as she had done in the
+morning when she came.
+
+Such was not the case with most of the girls, whose fluffy, disordered
+appearance as they issued from the rag-room was proverbial.
+
+At precisely twelve o'clock the great bells began to clang and the
+steam-whistle to shriek, and the long corridors and stairs echoed to the
+tramp of many feet as the hundreds of men, women, boys, and girls rushed
+down and out, and scattered in every direction toward the many homes
+where dinner was awaiting them.
+
+Eric and Alfred met their sister just outside of the door, and the three
+were soon at home, Katie talking so much and so fast all the way, that
+her brothers, as they said, "could hardly get in a word edgewise." Many
+of the mill operatives carried their dinner with them and spent the noon
+hour in gossip with each other, but Mrs. Robertson was careful both of
+the bodies and souls of her children. She knew that the former would be
+much more vigorous if every day they had a warm, comfortable, if
+frugal, meal at noontide, and thought that the latter would be kept pure
+and unsullied much longer if not exposed to the kind of talk apt to pass
+between idle men and women of all grades and associations in society. So
+ever since they first went into the bindery, the boys had regularly come
+home to dinner, and were much the better, not only for it, but also for
+the quick walk in the open fresh air.
+
+Poor Mrs. Robertson had passed a lonely morning. She was used to being
+alone while her daughter was at school, but that was different; she had
+conjured up all sorts of dangers and disagreeables that the girl might
+have to encounter, and she rather expected to see her brought in on a
+board bruised and maimed from some part of the machinery into which she
+had fallen or been entangled. But when Katie came rushing in like a
+whirlwind, in high spirits, with glowing cheeks and a splendid appetite,
+which yet she could scarcely take time to gratify, so full was she of
+enthusiastic talk concerning the beauty and grandeur of the mill and the
+kindness of Mr. James, her mother felt rather ashamed of her
+forebodings.
+
+Never had a dinner tasted so nicely; never had the little girl, to her
+remembrance, eaten so much. She was in such a hurry to be off again, so
+as not to be late, that the boys declared she would not give them any
+time to eat at all, and again predicted that in a month's time things
+would not be so rose-colored.
+
+In the afternoon a surprise awaited the little factory-girl. Hardly had
+work recommenced as the silence of voices and the noise of machinery
+followed upon the long steam-whistle, than Mr. James again appeared,
+followed by another "new hand." She was a tall, stout girl; in reality
+just about Katie's age, but looking several years older, dressed in a
+light-blue cashmere, considerably soiled and frayed. Her hair, which was
+"banged" low over her forehead, was braided in a long tail behind, and
+tied with a bunch of tumbled red ribbons, and around her neck was a
+chain and locket intended to resemble gold. The girls all looked at her
+inappropriate costume, most of them with envy and admiration, a few with
+pity for a girl who knew no better than to come to factory work in so
+very unsuitable a dress, and Katie looked up in some surprise to find
+that the new comer, who had been placed next to her, was her old school
+companion, Bertie Sanderson.
+
+Miss Peters came forward pleasantly, showed the new girl how to do her
+work just as she had showed Katie in the morning, and glancing at her
+dress, suggested that another time a similar protection to that of her
+companion would be advisable, and then left her to herself.
+
+Scarcely was her back turned than Bertie, looking round the room with
+great disgust, turned to Katie and said:--
+
+"Isn't it hateful? Just think of _us_ made to work among factory-girls.
+I don't see what my father could have been thinking of!"
+
+Katie made no answer, but pointed to Miss Peters, and then to the rule
+for silence which was hung up conspicuously on the wall.
+
+"Nonsense!" said Bertie, "that don't mean me. I'm daughter of Mr
+Sanderson, the overseer of the bindery, don't you know? It's kind of
+funny that I should be in the rag-room among all the common girls,
+anyhow; but father said I'd got to begin work, and he guessed what
+wouldn't hurt you wouldn't hurt me. But for the thought that you were
+here I wouldn't have come at all, no matter what pa said. Ma don't think
+it genteel. I don't see what made you come; don't you think it's
+disgusting?"
+
+"No," said Katie, "I wanted to come, and I think the factory is
+magnificent; besides, I want the money."
+
+"So do I," said the other, "and pa said I should have all I earn till
+there's enough to get a silk dress. I do want a silk dress so, don't
+you?"
+
+"No," said Katie, "I don't care;" but at this moment Miss Peters came
+toward them, saying,--
+
+"No talking, girls; you are new hands, or I should have to fine you;
+every time a girl speaks it's a penny off of her day's wages, but I'll
+let you off this time. Bertie, you haven't done a thing yet."
+
+Katie blushed, for though she had not stopped work a single moment, she
+had been tempted by her companion into breaking the rules; but Bertie
+looked up insolently at the superintendent as she slowly took up some
+of the rags, and muttered in a low tone, which was heard by most of her
+neighbors:--
+
+"Who's going to mind you? You're only a servant-girl, anyway;" for Miss
+Peters had, in her early life, "lived out."
+
+Whether Miss Peters heard or not Katie could not be sure, but she
+thought she saw a heightened color in the young woman's face, and was
+just going to ask her companion how she could be guilty of such
+rudeness, when she remembered the rule in time, checked herself, and put
+her finger significantly on her lips.
+
+As to Bertie, she stared round the room, working a little now and then,
+and talking aloud to herself as she could get no one to talk to her.
+Miss Peters was very indignant; but thought it best to take no notice
+just yet; for, as the girl had said, she was Mr. Sanderson's daughter,
+and she did not know just how far it would do to enforce rules in her
+case.
+
+The girls in the rag-room were dismissed at five o'clock, so, as the
+bindery did not close till six, Katie did not have the company of her
+brothers on her homeward walk, Bertie taking their place, and talking
+all the way about the indignity of working in a factory and the hardship
+of having to work at all. She told about her cousins in the city, who
+were quite fine ladies, according to Bertie's account, doing nothing but
+play on the piano and do fancy-work. They were coming with their mother
+to make a visit in the summer, and how ashamed she should be to appear
+before them in the character of a paper-mill girl. The girl talked about
+her father in anything but a respectful manner, but seemed to find
+comfort in the thought of her silk dress. She had never had one yet, and
+it had long been the goal of her ambition. What color did Katie think
+would be becoming to her? How would she have it made? how trimmed?
+
+"I'll tell you what, Katie," she said, "let's take our money when we get
+it and get silks exactly alike; then we can wear them to Sunday-school
+together, and the other girls will see that it isn't so mean to be
+factory-girls after all. Even Miss Mountjoy herself can wear nothing
+finer than silk, if she does always look so stuck up."
+
+But Katie failed to be infected with a desire for a silk dress. She had
+never worn anything but the plainest and poorest clothes, though they
+had always been whole, clean, and neatly made; her temptations did not
+lie in that line. She had insisted on beginning to work in order to help
+her mother support the family, and to make it a little easier for them
+all to get along. She admired pretty things, of course, as all girls do,
+but she had an intuitive feeling that Sunday-school was not the place in
+which to show off fine clothes. Bertie's chatter did not please her, and
+though they were old friends, or rather companions, having been to both
+school and Sunday-school together for some years, she was glad when they
+parted at the corner house, which had once been the doctor's, and she
+could go home to her mother.
+
+For the little girl was tired by this time; she had got up much earlier
+than usual and had been on her feet all day, and besides the reaction of
+so much excitement, even though it had been of a pleasurable nature, was
+calculated to produce depression. Her mother was out when she got home,
+and there was nobody to welcome her but the gray cat, which did so,
+however, with the loudest of purrings, and the lounge in the warm room
+looked so comfortable that the tired little worker took pussy in her
+arms, lay down there, and began to think. She was not quite satisfied
+with her "first day." The factory was quite as nice as she had expected,
+and Mr. James was nicer; but had she remembered "in _all_ her ways to
+acknowledge God" and "to do all to his glory"? She was afraid not; she
+had broken the rules once, and had listened to Bertie's chatter, while a
+desire had arisen in her heart, not for a silk dress, but for plenty of
+money, for a fine home, for a piano, and all the things that some girls
+had, and she had been tempted to think it hard that some people should
+have so much and some so little. Was God quite just to let it be so?
+
+But, as she lay upon the lounge, rested by its soft cushions, warmed by
+the fire, and soothed by the purring of the cat, she began to be ashamed
+of such thoughts. How many comforts, how much happiness God had given
+her! A nice home, a loving mother, plenty to eat and wear, and health
+and strength to earn enough to make them all so much more comfortable.
+She knew that all good things come from God, and if he had not put it
+into the heart of Mr. Sanderson to speak to Mr. Mountjoy for her, she
+could not have got the situation in the mill. The forty cents she had
+earned to-day was directly God's gift, and so would be all the money
+that ever came to her in the future. She ought to be a very thankful
+little girl, and she was quite ashamed of her questionings. So she
+dropped down upon her knees by the lounge, and asked God to forgive her
+for the sake of Jesus, and lying down again soon fell fast asleep.
+
+When she awoke it was dark; the boys had come home; her mother had come
+in so quietly as not to awaken her daughter, tea was quite ready, and it
+was a very pleasant scene that her eyes, now entirely rested, opened
+upon, and a very happy, thankful little girl came to the table to eat
+the nice supper which awaited her.
+
+After tea she and her brothers played games for some time; then Mrs.
+Robertson took her mending-basket, which was always very full, and Katie
+got her thimble and helped, while Eric read aloud from a book of
+"Stories from History." And so closed the first day of Katie Robertson's
+"factory life."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
+
+
+Miss Etta Mountjoy was a young lady of the period. She was the youngest
+of Mr. Mountjoy's children, and the baby and pet of all. Her mother died
+when she was about five years old, and since then she had always done
+exactly as she pleased; her father would not control her, and her eldest
+sister, who took charge of the family in her mother's place, could not.
+It was well that the girl had no evil tendencies and was, upon the
+whole, well-principled, warm-hearted, and good-natured, or she might have
+gone very grievously astray. As it was, she was now at seventeen a
+bright butterfly, flitting from one to another of the flowers of life,
+and sipping as much honey as she could from each. She was fond of all
+sorts of bright, pretty things, handsome clothes and jewelry included.
+She liked to sing and she liked to dance, to go to parties when there
+were any, and to attend concerts and theatres when she went to town; in
+a word, she was fond of "having a good time," as Americans express it,
+whenever and wherever she could get a chance.
+
+Nor did Miss Etta mind work. She was a girl of energy, who would
+willingly walk miles to attend a picnic or climb a mountain, and she did
+not hesitate to work for hours on a trimming for her dress, or even some
+more useful piece of sewing. She was always having _furores_ for
+something; at one time it was gardening, when she coaxed her father to
+have a good-sized piece of ground dug up and laid out for her, and
+actually raised, not flowers, as one would expect, but quite respectable
+vegetables, hoeing the beans, corn, and cabbages herself, and weeding
+out the cucumbers, lettuce, and radishes with persistent fidelity.
+
+At another time she had a poultry-mania, and a chicken-house with the
+most approved nests, warming-apparatus, etc., was constructed for the
+little lady, and here she daily set the hens, fed the chickens, and
+collected the eggs, selling them to her father at exorbitant prices.
+Again, cooking absorbed her time and gave occupation to her energies;
+and the family were treated to strange compounds of her concocting,
+while the old servant who reigned supreme in the kitchen was in the
+depths of despair at the number of dishes and pans she was called upon
+to clear up, the waste and breakage that went on, and the general
+disorganization of her lifelong arrangements.
+
+Happily, or unhappily, these moods never were of long duration. The
+reading-mania lasted just long enough for a handsome bookcase to be
+stocked with histories, biographies, etc.; a few volumes of poems were
+dipped into, several novels read, and a big history attacked, when the
+mood changed into a passion for skating, and the remainder of the winter
+was consumed in preparing a fancy costume, getting the most approved
+club-skates, and learning to keep upright upon them; but by the time so
+much was accomplished, the ice broke up and Miss Etta was obliged to
+find some other occupation. Art came next in the list of the girl's
+absorbing avocations. A studio was fitted up, canvas stretched upon
+easels, pencils sharpened, and quite a creditable beginning made upon
+some pictures which showed considerable native taste and ability.
+
+Just now Sunday-school teaching had taken the place of all other things,
+and Etta Mountjoy devoted the energies of her many-sided nature to her
+class. There had been more than one person opposed to entrusting so
+sacred a work to so light-minded and trivial a girl. Her brother James
+considered it nothing short of sacrilege, and her oldest sister Eunice
+reasoned with her very gravely, and tried to show her that, in order to
+teach the truths of God, one should have some personal knowledge of
+them, and that the only acceptable motive for religious work was a
+sincere desire to please God and benefit the souls of those whom Christ
+came to save. But Etta was not accustomed to be guided by her brother
+and sister; she went to her father, told him she wanted to take a class
+in Sunday-school, and of course he said "Yes." Then she went to the
+superintendent and made known her request, saying it was at her father's
+desire, which, as he was book-keeper at the paper-mill, would, she knew,
+have great weight.
+
+Mr. Scoville paused, hesitated, and finally resolved to consult the
+pastor, promising Etta her answer before Sunday came round. He would
+have given an unqualified refusal had the petitioner been any one else
+than his employer's daughter.
+
+Mr. Morven, the pastor, however, thought differently. He had known the
+young girl ever since she was a very little one; he knew there was no
+positive evil in her, and though he had not heretofore suspected her of
+any serious thought, he looked upon her request as an indication of
+good, and said that perhaps the very familiarity with sacred things
+which teaching a Sunday-school class would necessitate might be as
+beneficial to the teacher as to the scholars. So Mr. Scoville, though
+rather against his better judgment, sent a note to Miss Etta granting
+her request, having in his mind a certain class of little ones just out
+of the infant class, the teacher of which had announced her intention of
+leaving the school. When he went to see this teacher, however, he found
+she had changed her mind, and there was no other class available except
+one composed of seven "big girls," of whom Katie Robertson was one. Of
+course, Mr. Scoville could not go back on his word, so Miss Etta
+Mountjoy was formally installed as teacher of one of the most important
+classes of the school.
+
+Most of the girls liked her; some were seized with a violent admiration,
+if not of her, of her beautiful hats, delicate kid gloves, and all the
+_et cetera_ which go to make up the toilet of a modern young lady.
+Others liked her fresh, frank manner and sympathy with them and their
+interests. Indeed, she was so nearly on their own level as to age that
+there was no room for condescension on this account; while, as to
+position, where was there ever an American girl of any age who
+acknowledged to social inferiority? Katie alone felt, though she could
+hardly explain it, the want of something in her new teacher which had
+been peculiarly characteristic of the old one, who was a plain, elderly
+woman, without much education,--namely, personal love and devotion to
+the Lord Jesus, showing itself in an earnest desire that her scholars
+might also learn to love and serve him. This good teacher's prayers had
+been answered, and her efforts blessed, in Katie Robertson's case, and
+hence the girl knew how to appreciate the difference.
+
+In some ways, however, Etta agreeably disappointed all their
+expectations. She set herself to study and prepare her lessons with an
+energy that carried all before it; consulted commentaries, studied
+dates, compared contemporary history, committed to memory schedules, and
+looked out illustrations, all of which she imparted to her class till
+its members far surpassed all the others in the school in their
+knowledge of scripture geography and history and biography. They could
+give complete lists of the patriarchs, the judges, the kings of Israel
+and Judah, and the major and minor prophets; and they never failed with
+the dates of the deluge, the "call of Abraham," the Exodus, the
+Captivity, and all the periodic points by which the Bible is marked and
+mapped off in the voluminous Sunday-school literature of the day. As to
+distinctively religious teachings, every scholar had the catechism
+verbatim, ready to recite at a moment's notice, and a failure in the
+"golden text" was unknown. To be sure, other teachers in her vicinity,
+whose classes failed to win the unqualified praise accorded to hers, did
+say that Miss Etta never failed to prompt her scholars if there seemed
+to be any hesitation; but perhaps that was due to a tinge of jealousy in
+consequence of all the prizes given at a quarterly examination,
+including one for the teacher, having been won by this "banner class."
+
+All this was very well in its way. There is certainly no harm in knowing
+all we can about the Bible; it helps us to understand and appreciate it,
+and to answer the objections which foolish infidels are constantly
+bringing against it; but the girls, especially Katie, missed the pointed
+application; the showing how every wrong thing is sin; how sin must be
+punished; how Jesus has borne the punishment, and so is ready and
+willing to forgive the sin; how he loves all men, even though they are
+sinners, and is ready to give them strength to resist temptation and
+conquer sin, if they will diligently seek the aid of his Holy Spirit--in
+Bible words, to make them "whiter than snow." These are the true themes
+of Sunday-school teaching; the one end to be aimed at is so to bring up
+the children in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord," as that when
+they come to years of discretion they shall gladly confess him as their
+Master, and become noble, intelligent, active Christian men and women.
+Lacking this, all outside things are, as the apostle says, "sounding
+brass and a tinkling cymbal."
+
+The only positive harm which Miss Etta did to her class was to foster in
+some of the girls a great admiration for dress and an ardent desire to
+imitate their teacher in this respect. Since the days of Eve a taste for
+dress has always been an inherent part of a girl's constitution, and is
+apt to become one of her greatest temptations, especially if she be a
+poor girl, as were most of these, and must procure cheap imitations of
+finery; or, if even these are beyond their reach, indulge in
+discontented repinings, which are really rebellion against God.
+
+Squantown Sunday-school was a very pleasant one. Quite unlike the usual
+oblong wooden building, which in many country places serves for a
+secular school during the week and a Sunday-school on Sunday, it was a
+pretty gothic brick building, handsomely fitted up with folding-seats, a
+reed organ, and an uncommonly good library. A nice carpet was upon the
+floor, and pretty illuminated texts painted upon the walls; the windows
+were narrow and pointed, with little diamond-shaped panes, and when
+opened gave a near view of the minister's garden full of bright-hued
+flowers, and a more distant one of softly outlined blue mountains, whose
+tops, capped in summer with snowy clouds and in winter with veritable
+snow, formed apt illustrations to thoughtful teachers of the "mountains
+that stand round about Jerusalem," and symbolized the protecting love
+and care of the Lord for his people.
+
+The beautiful Sunday-school building was largely due to the efforts of
+Mr. James, who had his father's well-filled purse to draw from; and he
+had interested himself in getting the scholars together, as well as in
+introducing among them all modern improvements. He was greatly
+interested in his class of big boys, over whom his influence was most
+beneficial. Nearly all of them had already confessed Christ, and were
+mostly manly Christians, exercising a good influence upon the other boys
+in the mill or bindery, to which they, as well as nearly all the members
+of the school, belonged.
+
+Miss Eunice Mountjoy was also engaged in the Sunday-school, having
+charge of the Bible-class, which contained all the oldest scholars, some
+of them quite young men and women. She was a very different sort of
+person from her youngest sister. Fully twelve years her senior, she
+looked and seemed much older than she really was, and no one had for
+years thought of calling her a "girl," although now she was only
+twenty-nine. When she was quite a girl her mother had died, leaving her
+with the care of all her sisters and her brother, to whom she had,
+indeed, done a mother's part. Her chief aim in life had always been to
+"do all to the glory of God," and to her Bible-class she gave her most
+earnest efforts and her warmest prayers. Her influence was great at
+home, in the mill, and throughout the town of Squantown, though, as far
+as possible, she obeyed the scripture injunction not to let her left
+hand know what her right hand was doing. She always invited the female
+members of her class to take tea with her every Wednesday night; the
+boys and young men being expected to come afterward, remain a little
+while, and then escort their sisters, cousins, and friends home. These
+little meetings were very pleasant; sometimes pretty fancy-work--to be
+sold for the benefit of the class missionary fund--was done; sometimes
+clothes were cut out and made for some of the poorer factory children,
+or some fatherless baby, while Miss Eunice read aloud some interesting
+book; sometimes when the topics suggested by last Sunday's lesson had
+proved too voluminous for the time of the session, they were taken up
+and discussed on Wednesday; sometimes difficult points in next week's
+lesson were anticipated. In this way the teacher became really
+acquainted with the members of her class, their dispositions,
+temptations, and interests; she gained their confidence, and was often
+able to advise and assist them in many ways, and they learned to look
+upon her as a friend to whom they might apply in time of need. And, as
+a secondary benefit, the girls learned a great deal in the way of
+cutting out, basting, and other mysteries of needlework calculated to
+prove very useful to them in their future capacity of wives and mothers.
+
+Eunice had often wished that the same plan could be pursued in the other
+elder classes; but their teachers, who were mostly employed in some
+capacity in the mill, could hardly spare the time, and Etta certainly
+was not fitted for the work. As an experiment, however, on the first
+Sunday after Katie entered the mill she came over to her sister's class
+and invited all the girls, or as many as chose to do so, to join hers on
+Wednesday afternoon next, saying she had something of interest and
+importance to talk about. As the invitation was one that seemed to place
+those to whom it was given in the rank of grown-up girls, it was at once
+gladly accepted, especially as most of the girls had never been inside
+of Mr. Mountjoy's house and grounds, and would gladly see the luxury of
+which they had heard so much.
+
+There was a great deal of talk after the close of the session about the
+invitation and the proposed meeting, and some curiosity was expressed
+as to the "important thing" Miss Eunice was to talk about. One or two of
+the girls said they were sorry they had accepted the invitation; they
+didn't like "to have religion poked at them"; they guessed they wouldn't
+go. Before the appointed day, however, curiosity got the better of these
+fainthearted ones, and not a girl of Etta's class was wanting when the
+time arrived.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE TEA-PARTY.
+
+
+At exactly six o'clock some twenty young girls of various ages assembled
+at "the great house," as Mr. Mountjoy's grand mansion was called in the
+village. They could not come earlier, as most of them worked in the
+mill, which they could not leave till five or half-past five;
+consequently they all arrived at about the same time. They were received
+with perfect politeness by the servant, who opened the door and ushered
+them, as she would have done any other visitors, into the spare-room,
+prettily furnished in blue and white satin, with white lace hangings and
+silver ornaments. Here they laid aside their hats, and taking their
+little work-baskets, descended to the great drawing-room, whose
+splendors considerably surprised the younger girls; the older ones were
+used to it. At the door Miss Eunice with Etta, the latter arrayed in a
+wonderful costume, met and received their guests, and after lingering
+for a while among the paintings, engravings, nicknacks, etc., led them
+to an inner room, the windows of which overlooked the garden in summer,
+and a door from which opened into a greenhouse, now full of blooming
+flowers.
+
+This was the family sitting-room, generally the abode of Miss Eunice,
+for Etta was too much of a butterfly to stay anywhere, and Rhoda, the
+middle sister, now about twenty, was an artist, entirely devoted to
+painting, spending her days and a great part of her nights in her
+studio, and caring nothing for any of the interests connected with our
+story. It was luxuriously furnished, more with a view to comfort than to
+show, and as the girls sank into the easy sofas or into the deep stuffed
+chairs, or else made themselves comfortable upon low seats and divans,
+the contrast with their own bare homes and hardworking life was enough
+to call forth many a sigh of rest and enjoyment. Work was then produced,
+the usual inquiries after parents and sisters, invalids and home-keepers
+asked and answered, with a little other familiar conversation, when Miss
+Eunice said: "I think, girls, as we have finished the book upon which
+we have been so long engaged, we will not commence another to-day, but
+devote our thoughts to a subject about which I have been thinking a
+great deal, and which your pastor agrees with me in thinking of very
+great importance to be brought before you. I mean a public confession of
+Christ as your Saviour and Master."
+
+Some of the girls looked grave, some blushed, some were confused. Katie
+Robertson glanced up expectantly, for this was an opportunity she had
+long been on the lookout for, and longed to hear more about it. One of
+the elder girls said:--
+
+"But, Miss Eunice, nobody ought to join the church who is not
+converted."
+
+"That is very true, but is it not equally true that all who are
+converted ought to join the church, as you express it, or, as I prefer
+to say, confess their Saviour? It is only a mean soul which is willing
+to accept gifts and favors and never openly acknowledge its gratitude
+for them. I wouldn't care for the friendship of any one who was ashamed
+to own me before other people; and I wouldn't think much of a soldier
+who did not show his colors and put on the uniform of his country."
+
+Katie felt her face flush; for was she not one of these very secret
+friends--one of the soldiers who had not as yet put on the uniform? Not
+that she had really been ashamed to do so, but the subject had not been
+very prominently brought to her notice, and when she had thought of it
+at all it had seemed such a strange, awful, public step for so young a
+girl to take. She felt so unworthy; it seemed a thing for old people to
+do, not for little girls. But Miss Eunice had thrown a new light upon
+the subject, and it looked differently from what it had ever looked
+before.
+
+"But if we are not Christians, Miss Eunice, you wouldn't like us to act
+a lie."
+
+"God forbid, Mary; did you ever think that you _ought_ to be a
+Christian?--ought to be in that state which will make it possible for
+you to obey the simple command of Christ to confess him before men?"
+
+"A command, Miss Eunice?"
+
+"Yes, a command accompanied by both a promise and a threat. 'Whosoever
+shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father
+which is in heaven, but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I
+also deny before my Father which is in heaven.'"
+
+"But still," persisted the first speaker, "if one isn't converted."
+
+"And what is to prevent one's being converted. Don't you think God is
+willing to give you grace sufficient to enable you to do and be all that
+he commands you? The greatest mistake young people can make is to
+suppose that they must wait, and not take the first step toward a
+religious life till something mysterious comes to them and lifts them
+into it almost against their own will."
+
+"Not _against_ our own wills; I am sure everybody wants to be saved."
+
+"Yes, dear, against their own will, for if any one wills to be a
+Christian, she can be one at once. I must insist upon it, because it is
+our Saviour's own teachings. He says: 'Ye will not come unto me that ye
+might have life'; and so I am sure that if any one does not have life,
+spiritual life, it is because she _will_ not come unto him."
+
+"I'd like to come," said one girl, timidly, "but I don't see exactly
+how."
+
+"I dare say most of you would. Mr. Morven and I have been talking it
+over. He feels that the time for a spiritual harvest among our people,
+especially among our carefully taught Sunday scholars, has about come,
+and he thinks that, with a little more definite help and teaching, many
+of you would be glad to come to Jesus, and be enrolled as his followers
+now, instead of waiting for that indefinite sometime which may never
+come. I have a book here which, in words so simple that the youngest
+girl here can understand, explains how we may come to Christ by
+repentance and faith in his sacrifice upon the cross, etc. It is
+pleasantly written and illustrated with anecdotes. I think you will all
+like it, and I propose to read a little of it aloud every Wednesday
+afternoon for the next month, and at the close of the reading we will
+have a little familiar conversation on this, the most important of all
+topics. As most of the girls in my sister's class are of quite
+sufficient age to understand what it means to be a Christian and
+honestly to consider their own duty in this respect, I shall be very
+happy to see them also, and any others of their friends, either in the
+Sunday-school or from outside. Girls, this is a very important subject,
+and I trust you will think of it conscientiously and decide upon your
+own individual duty as in the sight of God. If you fail to make a right
+use of this season, another similar opportunity may never be given you.
+Let us commence by asking God's blessing upon our reading and thinking,
+and the presence of that Holy Spirit without whose aid we can never come
+to any decision that will be pleasing to him."
+
+Miss Eunice then knelt down while all the girls knelt around her, and
+prayed in low tones that the influences of the Holy Spirit might be
+poured out upon all present; that they might have wisdom to see their
+duty at this solemn moment and grace to do it; that they might not be
+self-deceived, but really surrender their hearts into the hands of their
+Saviour, and, putting their whole trust in him, be willing to confess
+him before men, that he might confess them before the angels and his
+Father.
+
+Some serious talk followed, and then tea was announced, after which the
+conversation became general, and at nine o'clock the girls and their
+brothers and friends, who had come for them, went home quietly, and for
+the most part wrapped in serious thought.
+
+Etta Mountjoy had never felt so strangely in her life. She had always
+known that some people were professing Christians; nay, she had, during
+her visits to the city, and even at home, seen people, even young girls,
+come forward and take upon themselves the vows of Christ. Perhaps it may
+have occurred to her that "sometime" she should do so, but to be
+deliberately called upon to consider her own immediate duty in the
+matter had not happened to her before. Once or twice, indeed, when she
+was much younger, "Sister Eunice" or "Brother James" had attempted to
+speak to her upon the subject, but she always turned away from it in
+such a flippant way that both felt she was in no proper frame for the
+consideration of so solemn a theme, and of late they had foreborne to
+mention it. It was with a view, perhaps, of interesting her sister quite
+as much as her sister's scholars that Eunice had invited them upon the
+present occasion, knowing that the young girl's lively interest in her
+class would induce her to be present if its members were, and to her
+great joy and thankfulness she was not disappointed. Etta had never
+heard her sister pray before, though the Wednesday afternoon meetings
+were often thus opened, and it seemed to her something almost awful to
+hear the language which she had always associated with a grave minister
+and a solemn church service spoken reverently, it is true, but quite
+familiarly, by her sister.
+
+Then, too, the question with which the reading closed: "Will _you_ now
+thus confess Christ?" How could she answer it? Was she in a fit state
+for so solemn an action, she, a butterfly flitting from one avocation to
+another, with no thought or aim beyond pleasing herself? She knew she
+was not. She had given up the child-habit of "saying her prayers," and
+she had never learned really to pray. Until she took that class she had
+not, for some years, voluntarily opened her Bible, and now she knew that
+all her energetic study of the technicalities of the Holy Word had in it
+no grain of desire to please or glorify God. Even her devotion to
+Sunday-school teaching, usually supposed to be Christian work, had in it
+no leaven of Christianity, being only self-pleasing from end to end.
+Etta was sufficiently clear-sighted to see all this. She knew that she
+never thought of God. His approval or disapproval was all one to her,
+and while she had never denied or openly scoffed at religion, and had no
+reason to doubt the truths of its facts and doctrines, she was, so far
+as anything practical went, not a Christian at all. What had she to
+"confess"? And yet, how strange it would seem if some of those to whom
+she stood in the position of teacher, who of necessity looked up to and
+imitated her, should become Christians and church members, when she had
+never taken the same stand. Stranger still, and worse, if they should be
+deterred from what seemed to them a duty by the example of their
+Sunday-school teacher. Etta had never been placed in such a dilemma
+before, and she heartily wished either that her sister had not invited
+her class, or that the class had not accepted the invitation, and that
+the girls would never come again, and yet she hardly liked to advise
+them not to do so.
+
+"I don't like that kind of a party at all," said Bertie Sanderson, when
+the group of younger girls were well out of hearing of the house. "She
+just got us there under false pretences, calling it fun and turning it
+into a sort of church. We get prayers enough, in all conscience, on
+Sundays."
+
+"I'd rather have Miss Etta talk to us about the patriarchs and the
+stories and all that," said Matilda Eckart, who was a good scholar, or
+would have been if she had not, by the necessities of her family, been
+forced to work in the mill. "I like to learn things; still I like Miss
+Eunice, too. She's real sweet, and maybe we ought to do as she says."
+
+"Nonsense!" said another girl, Helen Felting by name, "Miss Etta isn't a
+Christian, and she's her own sister and three or four years older than
+we are. I don't want to be any better than she is. My, ain't her dress
+lovely, all silk and velvet, and such an exquisite shade! fits so, too,
+just as if it was her skin!"
+
+"Did you see her ear-rings?" said another. "Real diamonds, all set
+round with pearls, and _such_ a chain and locket!"
+
+"I don't care," said Bertie; meaning, of course, that she did care very
+much. "We girls haven't got so much money and we can't have real things.
+I like my chain and locket just as well (which she didn't, for she was
+quite keen enough to understand the difference), but I won't go there
+again till I get my silk dress made;" and she glanced disgustedly at the
+light-blue cashmere which, as it was her best dress, she chose to wear
+on all occasions, and which looked already much the worse for its week
+in the rag-room at the mill.
+
+Katie Robertson did not speak at all, except to answer the questions of
+Eric, who had come for her, as to whether she had had a pleasant time
+decidedly in the affirmative. She was thinking very deeply. We have seen
+that our Katie was a faithful, conscientious little girl, loving God
+sincerely, trusting in her Saviour, and striving to please him and grow
+like him. She loved to study the Bible, which she knew was his word, and
+to pray to him in her own simple language every night and morning; nay,
+often at other times when she felt the need of his help, or had
+something she wanted to tell him about. She had not asked herself any
+hard questions yet about whether she were a Christian or not. She knew
+she was her mother's Katie because she loved her mother and wanted to
+please her, and she knew she was God's child because she loved him and
+wanted to please him. She often did things, and said things, and thought
+things that she knew were displeasing to both, but she did not want to
+do so. She was always very sorry, she always asked to be forgiven and
+believed she was, for did not her mother say so each time, and had not
+her heavenly Father promised so once for all in the Bible?
+
+But this afternoon the thought had really come to her that she _ought_
+publicly to confess herself a Christian; and yet she shrank from it, she
+hardly knew why. She was afraid she might afterward do something which
+would disgrace such a holy profession; and yet, if her Saviour commanded
+it, as he certainly did, that made it a duty, and, of course, she ought
+to obey, trusting him to help her keep all the promises as he had
+promised to do. He would like it, too, so much; it would be easier
+afterward to resist temptation and to "stand up for Jesus" among her
+companions.
+
+Katie's thoughts were very busy ones, and by the time she came in sight
+of her home she had decided that, if her mother and the pastor had no
+objection, she would give in her name among those who were, at the first
+opportunity, to confess Christ.
+
+The Wednesday afternoon meetings were continued throughout the spring
+and early summer, and were attended by all the members of Miss Eunice's
+class, nearly all those of her sister's, and five or six other girls who
+accepted the kind invitation of the former. There was always the same
+hospitality, always the same warm welcome, and always the same grave but
+happy earnestness on the part of the young lady on whom God had laid
+this great work. As the warm days came on, the meetings were adjourned
+to the velvety, close-shaven lawn, where chairs and rustic seats were
+clustered under the shade of a great, wide-spreading tree, and the
+sweet, holy themes of reading and conversation seemed all the sweeter
+that they were henceforth associated with blue sky, bright flowers,
+white clouds, green leaves, and the other things made by the God who was
+even now calling these young hearts into his service.
+
+Miss Eunice went through with a pretty thorough course of reading upon
+sin, repentance, faith in Christ, renunciation of all evil, walking
+obediently in God's holy will and commandments, which is another name
+for holy living, and as she prayed constantly for God's blessing upon
+her efforts, she had great cause for thankfulness in the hope that many
+of these young souls thus brought, for the first time, face to face with
+their personal responsibility toward God, and his loving provision for
+their salvation, really chose the "better part," which no man can take
+away from us,--"passed from death unto life," and in publicly
+confessing Christ made no false profession.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A DISCOVERY.
+
+
+Meanwhile work in the mill was becoming an old story and, as such,
+decidedly monotonous. The glamour had passed by, and Squantown Paper
+Mill had ceased to be an enchanted palace and become a prosaic place of
+daily toil. Such disenchantments are always more or less painful, and
+Katie's high spirits declined proportionally. It was well that
+principles of self-support, independence, and duty to God, underlay her
+enthusiasm, or it would soon have died away, being choked to death by
+the dust from the rags.
+
+The little pile of money that was ready to be carried home every
+Saturday night at first did a great deal toward rekindling the old
+enthusiasm. The first week it was only two dollars and forty cents, but
+on the second it had risen to three dollars, fifty cents a day being the
+regular price paid to the "rag-room girls." By this time the "new hand"
+was new no longer, and she had learned to work so fast as to accomplish
+the amount usually done in a day in a much shorter time, and then Miss
+Peters told her she might go home.
+
+Mr. Mountjoy, or rather "Mr. James," upon whom all arrangements
+concerning the work-people devolved, was not one of those employers who
+consider that they have bought all the time of their employees. He had a
+right to a fair day's work in return for a fair day's wages, but if any
+one was industrious enough to do more than this, the time thus gained
+was his own to use as he liked. Many of the elder workers did use it in
+the mill, receiving extra pay for extra work, when, as sometimes
+happened, there was extra work to be done. Some of her companions made
+as much as a dollar a day in this way. But Mrs. Robertson was gifted
+with good sense, and knew that her child's young strength must not be
+overtaxed and thus the development of the future woman be stunted. So
+Katie came home generally about four o'clock, and had plenty of time to
+rest, to help her mother about the house, to keep up some of her old
+school studies, and to read the very valuable and interesting books of
+which the Sunday-school library was composed. Her mother took her money
+and kept it for her, hoping thus to have enough for the summer outfit
+she would so soon need. The child would gladly have done extra work in
+order to make extra money, she knew so well how much it was needed, but
+her mother was inexorable, and she was forced to submit.
+
+As to Bertie, she never finished her day's work at all. Her time was
+largely spent in looking out of window, studying the dresses and ribbons
+of the other girls, making signs to her companions, and whispering to
+her neighbor whenever Miss Peters's back was turned. She hated her work
+and would have given it up long ago, at least as soon as the silk dress
+had been procured, and her mother would have very injudiciously
+purchased it long before the money had been earned, but that her father
+was resolute. The mill would have dispensed with her society as soon as
+her idleness and inefficiency were seen, except that Mr. Sanderson was
+her father, and it was thought best to show due consideration to him.
+
+"Dear me! how hateful it all is," said Bertie, with a yawn, one day
+during the half-hour when talking was permitted. "Are you not heartily
+sick of it, Katie?"
+
+"It's a little monotonous, I own," said the girl addressed, "but then,
+no work is play, I suppose. Maybe we'll get promoted to the folding-room
+soon, and it will be much nicer there."
+
+"It isn't a bit nicer. It's work anywhere, and I hate work. I never mean
+to do a bit of it that I can help. Ma says pa'll have money enough to
+make us all rich, and I want to be a lady." "Ma" had been a factory-girl
+herself, which was perhaps one reason why Bertie despised the business.
+She had married the foreman of the mill, who had now risen to be
+overseer of the bindery, and yearly laid up a large portion of his
+salary, while her sister had married a city grocer, who was spending all
+he made as he made it, and his children were growing up to be useless,
+fine ladies, and a positive injury to their country cousins.
+
+"But while you do work you might do it faithfully, not spend time for
+which you are paid in idleness, and crowd in rags with the buttons all
+on, which will be sure to spoil the machinery when they come to be
+ground."
+
+"Bah! what difference does it make? I'm paid for my time. Provided I
+stay here all day, they haven't a right to claim anything more."
+
+"But, Bertie, they have. Don't you remember the text which is painted on
+the wall at the foot of the corridor?
+
+  "'Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.'"
+
+"It seems to me just like stealing to waste time that we're paid for, or
+not to do work entrusted to us just as well as we possibly can."
+
+"Oh, well, you're one of the saints, you know. If it's saintship to be
+rude and call other people thieves I'm glad I'm a sinner, that's all. I
+guess we'll catch the saint in a slip before long, don't you, girls?"
+said she, appealing to several other idlers who naturally congregated
+around a bird of the same feather as themselves.
+
+Bertie and Katie did not walk home together any more. The former, never
+having finished her work, was always obliged to remain in the mill till
+the closing-bell rang, while the former went home, as we have seen, at
+four o'clock, and at noon she was generally met by her brothers.
+
+"Eric," she said on the day of the above conversation, "do you think
+it's right to idle and talk instead of doing your work?"
+
+"We can't in the bindery; the machine won't let us. Everything would go
+to thunder if we looked off."
+
+"But suppose you could, and nobody knew anything about it?"
+
+"They couldn't fine you if they didn't know," said Alfred, whose ideas
+of the righteousness of law were modified by the possibility of escaping
+its penalty.
+
+"What difference would that make?" said Eric. "God would know."
+
+"Yes," said Katie, "I always wish the words 'Thou God seest me,' were
+written up on the walls of the mill. It helps you not to get tired and
+want to stop."
+
+"Do you ever want to stop, Katie?" said her brother, tenderly.
+
+"Yes, lots of times, It's just the same thing day after day, no change,
+no variety, the dust suffocates you, and it's so hard to get up in the
+morning, and"--
+
+"Sho!" shouted Alfred, "I thought you'd sing a different tune after you'd
+been in the factory a little while. Don't you remember I told you
+so?"
+
+"Katie," said Eric, "you remember _I_ told you that you should not work
+one moment longer than you wanted to. A girl with two strong brothers to
+support her need not work for her living unless she chooses to. Do you
+want to stop now?"
+
+"I _want_ to, ever so much," said the girl, "but I don't _mean_ to. Do
+you think I am a baby to begin a thing and then leave it off again?
+There's just as much reason as there ever was for my earning money. I'm
+not going to be dependent upon you, and mother is growing older every
+day. Do you remember what the Bible says about those who put their hands
+to the plough and look back? I don't mean to be one of those; and I mean
+to pray every day," she said more softly, "that I may be more patient
+and persevering."
+
+Eric understood her, and even Alfred respected his sister the more for
+what he could not understand.
+
+"I wish I knew some way of making money faster," said Katie to her
+brothers soon after; "a great deal, I mean. Mother wants any quantity of
+things--blankets, and kitchen utensils, and table things, and she hasn't
+a bonnet fit to go to church in. It takes about all we can make to feed
+us all, and if there is any left she always uses it to buy things for us
+instead of thinking about herself."
+
+"I wonder how it is mothers never think of themselves," said Alfred.
+"They are always fussing to make us happy, and we don't do things for
+them at all."
+
+Katie thought of the words:--
+
+                  "As one whom his mother comforteth,"
+
+which had been in last Sunday's lesson, but did not say them aloud, only
+it was a comfort to her to think of the other holy words which say of a
+mother and her child: "She may forget, yet will not I forget thee." No
+matter how much a mother may love, God loves us better still.
+
+One day about that time, Bertie Sanderson, following her usual custom
+of looking around the room instead of at her work, saw something that
+caused her to start, open her eyes very wide, and then mutter
+half-aloud:--
+
+"Oho! the saints are not so saintly after all. It's dishonest to look
+around the room, is it? I wonder what you call that!"
+
+"Bertie Sanderson, talking, as usual," said Miss Peters, marking the
+fine upon the slate which she always carried with her," and Katie
+Robertson, too," noting a sudden flush upon the face of the latter.
+"I _am_ surprised."
+
+"I did not speak," said Katie, respectfully, but with some confusion.
+
+"There's no harm in talking to yourself," said Bertie, in the rude tone
+which she usually addressed to Miss Peters.
+
+"Were not those girls talking, Gretchen," said the superintendent,
+appealing to a stout German who worked near the others.
+
+"No, ma'am, I believe not; at least, Katie wasn't. I heard Bertie say
+something, but Katie did not answer, but"--
+
+"Never mind," said Miss Peters, who had got all she wanted,--a chance
+to fine Bertie whom she hated,--"attend to your work," and she passed
+on, never noticing the hand which Katie, having hastily thrust it into
+her pocket, continued to hold there.
+
+The work proceeded in silence, and, as Katie went home at four o'clock
+as usual, Bertie did not have an opportunity to speak to her about the
+strange thing she had noticed. She did, however, say to Gretchen, as
+they separated: "Did you see that?"
+
+"What?" said the German, innocently.
+
+"Oh! nothing, if you did not see it." Bertie was going to tell her
+companion what she had seen, but on second thoughts decided to keep her
+discovery to herself, that she might have more power over the "saint,"
+whom she was beginning to absolutely hate.
+
+But Gretchen had seen exactly what Bertie had, only she did not think it
+her business, and as it was not, did not choose to speak about it, but,
+German fashion, went about her own business.
+
+What had the two girls seen? What was it that made Katie Robertson's
+face such a study as she walked home at a much slower pace than was her
+wont? What was it that lay in the depth of her pocket, where her hand
+rested for greater security. What did she put away in the drawer that
+contained her treasures, going directly to her room for the purpose,
+instead of rushing first of all to the sitting-room to see if her mother
+were at home.
+
+Only a crisp fifty-dollar bill! Katie had never seen so much money at
+once before. How beautiful it looked; how much it represented of comfort
+and luxury; how many things it would buy that she knew were wanted by
+her mother and the boys! She deposited her treasure carefully at the
+bottom of a little pearl box which had been her mother's, and was the
+only really pretty thing which she possessed, and then went downstairs
+to lie on the sofa, think about and plan for spending it.
+
+Where had Katie suddenly got so much money? and why did she so earnestly
+desire to keep the possession of it a secret? She _thought_ the answer
+to the latter question lay in her desire to surprise her mother, and was
+not at all conscious of another feeling that lay as yet quite dormant
+and unaroused. As to the former, that is easily answered. After cutting
+off the buttons of an old vest, just as the little girl was preparing to
+cut it in smaller pieces, the pocket opened, and out fluttered a
+crumpled paper, which on being opened proved to be a fifty-dollar bill.
+Some careless gentleman, no one could tell whom, no one could tell when,
+had stuffed it into the pocket and forgotten all about it. Strange that
+the vest should have gone through all the vicissitudes common to old
+clothes, worn possibly by a beggar, condemned to a dust-heap, fished
+out, sorted, sold, packed, sold again, and transported to the factory,
+passing through a dozen hands, to any one of whose owners the money
+would have been so useful, and there it had lain unnoticed till it
+fluttered out into the very hands of Katie Robertson, who needed it so
+much.
+
+What castles in the air the little girl built as she lay there in the
+twilight!--dresses and bonnets for her mother; new suits for each of the
+boys; a new tea-set, with table-cloth and napkins. Never in the world
+did a fifty-dollar bill buy half so much in reality as this one did in
+imagination; which, by the way, is a very pleasant way of spending
+money, since it does not at all diminish the amount, which may be all
+spent over and over again in a variety of ways. But strangely enough,
+while everything needed by the others, even to a new ribbon to tie round
+pussy's neck, was remembered, Katie's catalogue of articles to be bought
+contained nothing in the world for herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+STRIFE AND VICTORY.
+
+
+No thought had as yet suggested itself to Katie concerning her right to
+the money which had thus come into her possession, and as she lay there
+planning the things she was going to get with it, she enjoyed to the
+full the dignity of ownership. How glad her mother would be when there
+was a decent water-pail in the house, plates enough of one kind to go
+round, and a table-cloth that was not nearly all darns! Then her mother
+should have a new shawl and bonnet, and each of the boys a straw hat and
+a bright necktie, and she would have something to put in the plate every
+Sunday in church, and to add to the missionary collection of the
+Sunday-school class. Perhaps, even, she could give something toward a
+present that the girls were talking of giving to Miss Eunice.
+
+But just then an idea, so painful that at first she turned away from
+it, struck her, and a question that she did not want to answer suggested
+itself to her mind. Had she a right to keep the money? Was it really
+hers? Of course it was, said inclination; whose else could it be? She
+had _found_ it, no one else; if she had not picked it up it would have
+gone in with the rags to be boiled and ground up into paper again, or it
+might have been swept away among the dust and waste paper, and no one
+been the better or wiser. "Findings is keepings" was a familiar
+school-boy proverb; was it the right principle or not?
+
+Katie tried to persuade herself that it was. Nevertheless, she was glad
+that, as she supposed, no one had seen her find the bill, and that her
+mother as yet knew nothing about the finding. Also, she did not plan out
+any more ways of spending the money.
+
+Katie was so silent all teatime that her brothers continually rallied
+her upon her preoccupation, and her mother, fearing she must be sick,
+sent her to bed very early. To this the little girl did not object, as
+she wanted to be alone to think over the question that was so
+perplexing her brain.
+
+Before getting into bed, our young friend opened her drawer, took out
+the box, gazed lovingly at the bill for a time, then put it away, and
+knelt to say her evening prayer. What was the matter to-night? For
+almost the first time since she had known what prayer really was, she
+could not pray. Her thoughts would not be controlled; they kept
+wandering away to the finding of that bill. She wondered whether any one
+had seen her find it, what use she should put it to, and if it were
+really hers after all. She knew it was wrong to think of other things at
+such a solemn moment, and felt guilty and condemned. Her conscience
+troubled her; it seemed as though God were angry with her. So far the
+finding of the money had not been a very happy event for its finder. It
+often happens that secular things, the things we are interested in in
+our daily lives, will come in between us and our prayers, and we cannot
+get rid of them. Young Christians especially are greatly troubled in
+this way, and have many weary fights in the attempt to control their
+thoughts. They have an idea that prayer is such a sacred thing, and God
+is so holy, that they must only talk to him about religion, and use
+pretty much the same words which they hear in church, and when they
+cannot do this, they either fall into the habit of _saying_ such words
+formally without in the least thinking of their meaning, or else they
+are wretched and self-condemned because of what are called "distractions
+in prayer." But there is a more excellent way, even to take all the
+things that really interest us directly to "our Father which art in
+heaven," and tell him all about them. He encourages us to do so when he
+says, "casting _all_ your care upon him," and "in everything by prayer
+and supplication make your requests known unto God." If we are really
+his children we may be sure that nothing is too small to interest him
+which _rightfully_ interests us, and if it is not a right interest there
+is no surer way of finding that out, and gaining the victory over it,
+than by bringing it to the light of his Holy Spirit and asking him for
+strength to dispose of it as we ought.
+
+Had Katie thus taken the money which she had found directly to the
+Lord, she would soon have understood all her duty concerning it. Her
+desire would have been only to do his will, and she would have gone to
+sleep as peacefully as a little child who trusts its mother to manage
+for it just as she sees to be for the best. But this she did not dare to
+do, partly because she had not yet learned to understand how God
+"careth" for his children in all little things, and partly because down
+at the bottom of her heart she was not quite ready to do his will--that
+is, she _hoped_ that it would be right for her to keep the money, and
+hoped this so strongly that she could not look fairly on the other side
+of the question. Nearly all night--or it seemed so to a little girl who
+was generally asleep by the time her head touched the pillow--she lay
+tossing from side to side, troubled by a dozen different sides of the
+question. And when she did get to sleep it was to dream confused dreams
+of thieves being taken to prison, and of being one of them herself.
+
+As soon as it was light, for the long days had come now, the tired
+little girl sprang from her bed, and dressed herself, in a very unhappy
+frame of mind. She must decide very soon now, and she began to see more
+and more clearly that that money did not belong to her, but to the owner
+of the vest in which she had found it. To be sure, she could not now
+find the original owner, but Mr. Mountjoy certainly owned it, because he
+had bought the rags. It was one thing, however, to see this, and quite
+another to decide to give up to him who had so much the little that was
+so much to her. All the pleasant planning must go with it; all the
+things she had desired for her mother and the boys. She was sure she had
+not been selfish; it was not for herself she wanted money at all. From
+force of habit she opened her Bible and read the first words she saw,
+which were these: "Thou desirest truth in the inward parts." And again
+the words flashed upon her: "Thou God seest me."
+
+What did God see? Did he see "truth in the inward part" of her heart?
+Was she prepared in _all_ her ways to acknowledge him? his right to her
+and all that was hers?
+
+Then she knelt down and did what she ought to have done the first
+thing--told him, who understands and pities us "like as a father pitieth
+his children," all about it, and asked him to forgive, to pity, and to
+direct her. And now it all came to her, for God always keeps his word,
+and he has promised to give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him, and
+further that that blessed Spirit when he comes shall "guide us unto all
+truth."
+
+Whoever was the owner of that bill, she was not. It belonged to God
+primarily, but he had given the disposal of it into the hands of him who
+owned the rags. If she kept it, at least without telling him that she
+had found it, she would be a _thief_! There was but one right way for
+her, and that was to take it at once to him, tell him where she had
+found it, and leave him to do as he thought best. To her mind there was
+little doubt what he would do. People did not generally give away their
+money, especially such large sums as fifty dollars seemed to her. All
+her air-castles must fall to the dust, and the house must go on with the
+old things as before.
+
+Nevertheless, it was with a sense of absolute relief that Katie folded
+that bill away in her little purse, and dropped it far down into her
+pocket. If the "eyes of the Lord were in every place," they saw it
+there, and they saw, too, into her heart, and saw there that the purpose
+of doing his will had, by his grace, triumphed over her own desires, and
+that was enough to make her once more the happy, bright Katie Robertson.
+
+She was almost late at the mill this morning; had only just time to get
+to her place as the short whistle sounded, and of course there was no
+time to speak to Mr. Mountjoy. She commenced her work at once, and
+continued it very diligently, never once looking around at the other
+girls, so full was she of her own thoughts. Thus she did not see the
+significant looks which Bertie cast at her from time to time, nor the
+signs which she made to some of the other girls who, in their turn,
+became curious and significant, and lost several pennies in fines,
+because they could not help asking each other what was the matter.
+
+Bertie had not exactly told the story as she knew it, but had
+insinuated to one and another that she knew something that nobody else
+knew about Katie Robertson; that, if she chose to tell all she knew,
+people would not think her such a saint; that, for her part, she did not
+believe in saints; when people pretended to be very religious they were
+sure to be dishonest, etc. etc. She made such a mystery of her news that
+the girls to whom she had made her half-confidence were worked up to a
+great state of excitement, and the others were devoured with curiosity
+to know what it could all be about.
+
+But Katie worked quietly on. She had plenty of opportunity to change her
+determination had she desired to do so, and indeed the temptation to
+keep the money herself and say nothing about it presented itself again
+and again to her mind. But now she knew it to be a temptation, and she
+was strong to resist, because she had committed herself to One who was
+mighty and his strength was made perfect in her weakness.
+
+As soon as the noon-bell rang and the work-people all poured along the
+corridors and out at the open doors, Katie knocked at the office door
+and was told to "Come in!" by Mr. James, who happened to be alone
+inside. Without a word the girl walked up to his desk and laid the bill
+down beside him.
+
+The young man started, stared, and finally said:--
+
+"Where did you get this?"
+
+"I found it in the rags, sir."
+
+"When?"
+
+"Yesterday afternoon."
+
+"Why did you bring it to me?"
+
+"Because I think if it belongs to anybody it does to you, it was found
+among your rags."
+
+"Why did you not bring it to me at once?"
+
+"Because--because I didn't think at first, and I wanted it _so_ much."
+
+"Did you?" said he, gravely. "You know the Bible says: 'Thou shalt not
+covet'?"
+
+Katie started; had she been breaking one of the commandments, after all?
+Not the one about stealing, of which she had thought, but another.
+
+"I didn't mean to do that," said she, in a low voice, "but we do want
+things so much--mother, I mean. We are so poor."
+
+"Are you?" said the young man, in a sympathizing tone. "Well, you are
+an honest little girl to bring it to me at all. A great many would not
+have done so, and I should have known nothing about it. Didn't you think
+of that?"
+
+"Yes, sir; but God knew it, and that made all the difference. Besides, I
+don't think I was quite honest; if I had been, I should have come to you
+the first minute, and not thought about keeping it at all."
+
+"Then you did have a little struggle about it?"
+
+"Oh, yes, sir, I hardly slept all night. I didn't know what to do at
+first, and then I didn't want to do it."
+
+"But God gave you the victory," said the young man, reverently.
+
+"I understand all about that, and how sweet it is to be helped by him,"
+Katie added.
+
+"Now," continued he, "I think he sent you that fifty-dollar bill
+himself; first to try you, and then that you might help your mother to
+buy all those things that you and she are so much in need of. It isn't
+mine, for when I pay two cents a pound for old rags I do not buy fifty
+dollar bills. Take it, and be just as happy with it as a thankful heart
+can make you. Good-morning; I must hurry home to dinner."[1]
+
+A gladder little girl than Katie Robertson it would be hard to find. The
+love of money is said to be the root of all evil, and so money itself
+sometimes is, but that is according to how it is gotten and how used.
+
+This bill would have been a root of bitter evil to the girl had she kept
+it, in spite of an enlightened conscience, which told her to give it up;
+and it would have been a root of evil to the young man, had he taken it,
+as by the letter of the law he had an undoubted right to do, when he
+knew the little girl needed it so much more than he did. As it was, it
+was a seed of joy to both of them. Mr. James went home full of the joy
+which is so like to Christ's joy, in having been kind to another at his
+own expense; and Katie's heart could hardly hold the glad thankfulness,
+both to him and to her heavenly Father, that filled it to overflowing,
+and that was all the gladder because it was rooted in an approving
+conscience, at peace with itself and at peace with God.
+
+The precious piece of paper was displayed to the wondering mother and
+brothers at the dinner-table that day. The story, or so much of it as
+Katie could bring herself to relate, was told, and all enjoyed in
+anticipation the comforts it was able to procure; but the best thing it
+accomplished was to teach its finder where to go in time of perplexity
+and temptation and in whose strength to be "more than conqueror."
+
+-----
+[Footnote 1: 1 This whole occurrence is a positive fact.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+TEMPLES.
+
+
+It was a lovely June Sunday. The seats of Squantown Sunday-school were
+even more crowded than usual; the girls' side looking like a flower-bed
+in its variety and brilliancy of color. Bertie Sanderson was there in
+her new silk,--a brilliant cardinal,--looking strangely unsuitable to
+the season; Gretchen, the German, in her woolen petticoat and jacket,
+which she had not been long enough in the country to discard for summer
+attire; the other girls in spring suits, and Katie Robertson in a lovely
+pale-blue lawn and a white straw hat trimmed with the same color. It was
+the prettiest costume the little girl had ever possessed, and as it was
+all bought with her own earnings she may be pardoned for being very much
+pleased with it. And yet it was as simple and inexpensive a summer
+outfit as any one could have, and certainly was not fitted to excite the
+hateful thoughts to which it was giving rise in Bertie's mind--Bertie,
+clad in her unsuitable finery! This finery had not been the success that
+Bertie expected. To be sure, it was a silk dress, and the brightest
+color she could procure, but it had been made by the Squantown
+dressmaker, and entirely lacked the fit and finish of Etta Mountjoy's
+dresses, besides being in direct contrast to the delicate, harmonious
+colors which the latter wore--a contrast which her admirer and would-be
+imitator was quick to perceive when her own brilliant coloring had been
+selected and it was too late to change. The disappointment made her
+cross, and inclined her still more to look for flaws in Katie, whom she
+began to hate as natures not sanctified by the grace of God are apt to
+hate those who are trying to do his will, and are thus a constant rebuke
+to them.
+
+"Just look at her finery," said Bertie to her nearest neighbor, as Katie
+entered, looking as fresh and sweet as a June rose, "and her mother so
+poor. I could tell a story about how she got it that would make Miss
+Etta open her eyes, and Miss Eunice, too, for all she makes such a pet
+of the saint."
+
+"What in the world do you mean?" said the other; but Bertie shook her
+head and looked mysterious, of course thus exciting the curiosity of the
+other tenfold.
+
+"Do tell me," she said.
+
+"We know what we do know, don't we?" said Bertie, provokingly, appealing
+to Gretchen, who nodded, but did not speak.
+
+"Now, you're real mean," said the other, one Amelia Porter by name. "I
+know something I won't tell you, that's all."
+
+Just then the bell tapped for silence, and the rest of the conversation
+was carried on in whispers, the only part which was heard being Amelia's
+astonished "Stole it? You don't say so! I never would have thought of
+such a thing."
+
+But Katie did not hear. She was not thinking about her dress at all. The
+lesson was to her a very interesting one--the oft-repeated story of the
+tongues of fire that came down upon the early church, symbolizing the
+mighty power of the Holy Spirit to enkindle divine emotions, enthusiasm,
+and praise, and to make human tongues as flames of fire.
+
+Miss Etta explained (for she had taken pains to study it up) how, in
+the early, times one Sunday in June was observed in commemoration of
+this descent of the Holy Ghost, and how, on that day, the new
+Christians, who of course were originally heathen, having been at first
+subjected to a long course of training, were baptized. They were called
+_catechumens_, because they were catechised or questioned, and
+_candidates_ because they wore long white robes, _candidus_ being the
+Latin word for white, and by degrees the day came to be called
+Whitsunday. Furthermore, Miss Etta told all about the Whitsuntide
+festivals of old English times in the days of the corrupt church, when
+festivities of the most riotous kind took place on the two days
+following Sunday; and the girls left the school, if not impressed by the
+holy teachings of the lessons, very full of a certain knowledge of that
+kind which St. Paul says "puffeth up," and prepared to pass a brilliant
+examination on the history and customs of Whitsuntide.
+
+Very different was the pastor's sermon of that morning, which several of
+our girls remembered all their lives. Its text was:--
+
+                "Ye are the temples of the Holy Ghost."
+
+And the speaker showed first what the temples of old times were; not
+places of meeting, as our churches to a great extent are, but
+dwelling-places, homes where God, or rather "the gods," were supposed to
+_live_. This idea was the one used as an illustration by St. Paul in the
+text, which means that _God_ has made all human hearts to be his home
+and dwelling-place, and that if we will let him, not barring the doors
+with sin and filling up the inside with other things, he will live there
+always; or, as our Lord Jesus says: "If any man will open unto me, I
+will come in unto him and will sup with him;" and in another place,
+"will abide with him." Then he explained so that the youngest of his
+audience could understand what are the sins that bar the door against
+our blessed Saviour, and how we set up idols upon the altars of God's
+temple, by worshiping dress, vanity, pride, revenge, worldliness, and
+our own way, and showed how nobody can really worship God and have him
+abiding in his holy temple who yields obedience to anything or cares for
+anything more than his will. He said it was an awful thing to _defile_
+the temple of God by such things as drinking, smoking, and swearing, or
+even by evil thoughts and dishonest intentions, by selfish motives and
+unkindness in word or deed.
+
+He closed his sermon in these words:--
+
+"My hearers, every one of you is a temple of the Holy Ghost, built and
+fashioned with exquisite skill, for his own chosen dwelling-place. See
+to it that ye defile not this temple, and if it be in any wise already
+defiled, from without or within, at once seek the double cleansing,
+which flows from the Cross on Calvary, that thus your sacred temple may
+be washed whiter than snow. Dethrone the idol _Self_ which has so long
+usurped the place of God upon its altar, and let him rule alone. And
+remember that every other human soul is likewise a sacred temple, no
+matter how defiled and degraded it has become by yielding itself
+willingly to the dominion of sin. Strive to do all that in you lies, by
+kind, persuasive words, by example and effort, to cleanse the degraded
+and polluted temples, and so do all in your power to exalt the dominion
+and worship of God in all the human souls which he has made."
+
+The impression made by this sermon upon its hearers was in accord with
+the character and religious development of each.
+
+James Mountjoy resolved to be more active and energetic in all efforts
+to improve the condition of his work-people, to raise the fallen, to
+reclaim the sinful, to set a better example and raise a higher standard
+of moral excellence, that the human temples over whom he had influence
+might be better fitted for the abiding presence of their heavenly Guest.
+Some of the more thoughtful of his boys resolved that smoking, drinking,
+and swearing should no longer, even in a slight degree, defile the
+"temples" entrusted to their keeping.
+
+Eunice Mountjoy made a more entire consecration of herself than ever
+before to God's service, praying that there might be no hidden idols in
+her temple; that self and self-seeking might be forever cast out, even
+as our Lord cast out the money-changers and traffickers from the temple
+at Jerusalem; that God's will in all things might be hers, and that she
+might devote not a part only, but _all_ her time, all her faculties,
+all her influence to his service in doing good to others, and thus
+"worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."
+
+Katie Robertson felt that she had understood some things to-day as never
+before. What but the presence of the Holy Spirit in her heart had
+enabled her to see the right and strengthened her to do it, and thus
+come off victorious over temptation? She remembered how the Holy Ghost
+is symbolized by a pure white dove, and she longed that her temple
+should also be a soft, white nest full of pure desires and kindly
+thoughts, and that nothing she might do or say in her daily life, among
+her companions or at home, should grieve that blessed heavenly
+inhabitant.
+
+Even Bertie Sanderson had been struck with the sermon. If her heart was
+indeed a temple of the Holy Ghost, how was she defiling it? Envy,
+hatred, and malice were allowed to run riot there; love of dress and
+vanity were the idols enthroned on the altar; pride, disobedience,
+irreverence, contempt of rightful authority, idleness, and
+unfaithfulness were barring the door and keeping the loving Saviour,
+who stood knocking there, from coming into his own.
+
+Bertie felt uncomfortable; the Holy Spirit was speaking to her, and she
+could not help but hear. But to hear and to obey are two very different
+things. The girl knew that she could unbar the closed door of her heart
+if she chose. One earnest, sincere prayer would bring the omnipotent aid
+of the Spirit to cast out the evil things and cleanse the defilement.
+But she did not _want_ them cast out; she loved them too well. It would
+be all very well to have Christ's love, pity, forgiveness, and
+protection, and to be sure of heaven when she died; but to be a
+Christian--a saint she would have called it--now, to give up the things
+that most interested her, and live a life of self-denial and
+obedience,--she had no idea of doing any such thing. So, to drown the
+voice that she could not help hearing but did not mean to obey, she went
+off on a Sunday afternoon's excursion with some of the boys and girls,
+received a sharp reprimand from her father for so doing, and went back
+to her work on Monday morning more rebellious, more hardened, more idle,
+more malicious than before.
+
+The blessed Holy Spirit is always longing to have us come to Christ and
+walk in his holy and happy ways. He watches for an opportunity to speak
+to us, and does speak, again and again, inclining us to give up sin and
+choose holiness, offering us, if we will do so, all the help we need.
+But he will not _force_ us to obey his gentle call. If we _will_ not
+listen and obey, he lets us go off on our self-chosen path, ceases to
+speak audibly to us, and patiently waits for another and more propitious
+season. Bertie Sanderson, that June Sunday, greatly "grieved the
+Spirit."
+
+But not so did Etta Mountjoy. This young lady, ever since that first
+Wednesday when she attended her sister's tea-party, had thought more
+seriously than she had ever thought before. The duty of being a
+Christian had come home to her during Eunice's talk and prayer, and at
+the same time she had felt that she was not, and had never tried to be,
+one. She had seen this still more clearly during the subsequent
+meetings, from which her duty to her own class would not permit her to
+be absent. Dishonesty and hypocrisy were not Etta's vices; she could
+not pretend to be what she was not, and yet she could not shake off the
+impression that she _ought_ to give herself to Christ and openly confess
+his name. She tried to put the subject out of her thoughts; but still,
+as she listened, day by day, she grew more and more dissatisfied with
+herself, her own character, her aims in life. The preparation of her
+Sunday-school lessons became a dreaded task, for it was impossible to
+minutely consider the shells of sacred things and not at the same time
+take cognizance of the spiritual kernels which they envelop, and these
+spiritual realities made her uncomfortable and more and more
+dissatisfied with herself.
+
+This Sunday's sermon had gone to the very quick of Etta's conscience,
+painting as with a finger of light what she ought to be and what she
+was. God had made her for his own temple and dwelling-place; made her
+fair, outside and within; endowed her with intellectual and spiritual
+gifts, and with wealth, station, and influence, giving her opportunities
+for culture and usefulness far greater than most of those who surrounded
+her. It was not chance or accident, but God, who had given her all
+this, and he demanded, as he had a right to demand, in return, her love,
+her obedience, her service. Had she given him these? Never once in her
+whole life. She had set up upon his altar in the midst of his beautiful
+temple the idol of self-pleasing, and never in her whole seventeen years
+had she acted from any other motive than to please herself. It was
+sacrilege, it was idolatry, it was dishonesty; and so were all the
+actions which had come from such a corrupt source.
+
+Etta was too clear-headed to suppose that any sudden change of practice,
+which it was in her power to commence now, would make any difference.
+She might obey mechanically, but she could not _make_ herself _love_,
+and she did not love, God. His service was a weariness, prayer a
+formality, the Bible a dull, uninteresting book. She did love a light,
+gay, frivolous life; she saw no attractiveness in one of self-denial and
+holy living.
+
+She went directly to her room on reaching home, refused to go down to
+dinner, sat behind the shaded blinds, and thought till thought became
+insupportable; and then, having come to one settled determination, put
+on her hat, covered her tear-stained face with a veil, and walked down
+the hill to the parsonage, and rang the bell with a nervous jerk.
+Whatever Etta did she did with a will; she made no halfway decisions.
+
+The servant who admitted "Miss Etta" showed her into the pastor's study,
+where after a time he joined her, looking a little surprised at
+receiving such a visitor on Sunday afternoon. Etta's peculiarities,
+however, were well known, and he concluded she had some new project in
+her head, in which she desired his assistance and, as usual, could not
+wait a moment to put it into execution. He was rather surprised by the
+tear-swollen eyes and the resolute expression of face, and after
+courteously welcoming his visitor, waited somewhat impatiently to hear
+what she had to say.
+
+"I came," said the girl, with her usual directness, "to ask you to give
+my Sunday-school class to some one else."
+
+"Tired of holding your hand to the plow, and beginning to look back
+already, eh?" he said.
+
+"No, sir, it isn't that; but I am not fit to teach any class; certainly
+not such a one as this. I don't myself know what those girls ought to
+learn; besides, I'm not a fit character for them to imitate."
+
+"Not a fit character? What can you mean?"
+
+So far Etta had spoken quite steadily, but now there came a tremor into
+her voice, a mist before her eyes, and a choking sensation in her
+throat, that would not let her speak.
+
+He waited a few moments, then said gently: "Try to tell me about it, and
+I will help you if I can."
+
+Encouraged by something fatherly in the clergyman's voice, the girl at
+last found courage to commence her story; and having broken the ice, her
+words came fluently enough, as she tried to make him understand how
+utterly self-seeking and godless her life and character were; how the
+temple that should be God's was barred against him, and filled with
+idols and idolatry.
+
+"This must be the Holy Spirit's teachings," said he, gravely; "for, so
+far as I know, you are no worse or more careless than most girls of
+your age."
+
+But this thought was no comfort to her thoroughly aroused conscience,
+nor did the minister suppose it would be. He continued:
+
+"Now that you see how bad things are, you are going to change them, are
+you not? You will open the barred doors that our blessed Lord wants to
+enter, and let him henceforth be your one object of worship and
+obedience, will you not?"
+
+"How can I?" said the astonished girl. "I can't _make_ myself like
+things."
+
+"No; but it is the Holy Ghost who desires to come into his holy temple,
+and where he comes he brings healing, cleansing, and regenerating power.
+What we have to do is to let him do his work, not hindering him by our
+self-will and disobedience, not even trying to _feel_ as we think we
+ought to feel."
+
+"But I am not worthy to have him come to me. For seventeen years I have
+been sinning against him and grieving him. Even if I were made right all
+at once, I could not undo all that."
+
+"But Jesus can," he said solemnly. "Have you forgotten the cross, and
+all that it means? Have you forgotten that he died to bear the penalty
+of sin, and that for his sake the worst sinners can be forgiven? We are
+none of us worthy to come to him, or, which is the same thing, to have
+him come to us; but he is the 'propitiation, sacrifice, and satisfaction
+for the sins of the whole world'; it is not what you can do or be, but
+what he has done and is. Believe that he loves you, and died for you,
+and is your Saviour, and you cannot help loving and trusting him and
+letting his Spirit do with you as he will."
+
+Was that all? So simple, so easy, and yet an hour ago it had seemed so
+impossible to be a Christian. She did not speak for some minutes; then
+she said:--
+
+"Have I nothing at all to do?"
+
+"A great deal by-and-by; only one thing to-day."
+
+"And that is?"
+
+"To be sure that you are in earnest, that you are thoroughly ashamed of,
+and sorry for, the past, really anxious to be delivered from sin and
+made holy, and resolutely determined obediently to follow where God
+leads the way."
+
+"I believe I am in earnest," said she, simply. "Won't you pray for me,
+sir?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, my child," said the minister, laying his hand on her head.
+"God bless you, and make you very happy in his love, and useful in his
+service."
+
+"You will provide a teacher for my class?" said Etta, as somewhat later
+she rose to take her leave.
+
+"Why, no; unless you are really tired of it. I think you had better go
+on as you have commenced."
+
+"I am not fit to be a Sunday-school teacher."
+
+"I am not fit to be a minister; but God, in his providence, has seen fit
+to make me one, and so I trust him to give me the strength and wisdom I
+need. If you will do the same, you will become a very successful and
+efficient Sunday-school teacher; and this is a good way in which to
+consecrate your talents and opportunities to his service. Now, good-by;
+I must prepare for the evening service. Whenever you want help, advice,
+or sympathy, be sure you come to me."
+
+Etta went home in a new world of thought and feeling. She seemed to
+herself scarcely to be the same girl; but in fact she was not thinking
+particularly about herself. God's love in desiring to save sinners,
+Christ's love in dying for them, the love of the Holy Spirit in being
+willing to come and abide with them, filled all her soul, and she was
+not _trying_ to love this triune God, but loving him with all her might,
+because she could not help doing so. How strange it is that we go on
+from year to year, trying to be better, trying to feel right, trying to
+make ourselves holy, instead of just opening the door of the temple of
+our heart and believing that Jesus Christ loves us, and _because_ he
+loves us will make us all that he wants us to be.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+UNDER A CLOUD.
+
+
+Meanwhile there were some changes at the mill. Katie Robertson had been
+promoted to the folding-room, which was on the lower floor, and where
+the work was not so heavy, though the payment was much better. She now
+received seventy-five cents for a regular day's work, and might often
+have made a dollar if her mother would have allowed her to work a half
+or quarter day extra. This promotion came soon after the occurrence of
+the fifty-dollar bill, which, no doubt, had something to do with the
+higher place in Mr. James's estimation, which the little girl held in
+consequence. He took occasion to inquire of Miss Peters concerning her
+work, and heard such a good account of her industry, capability, and
+faithfulness that he felt sure she might be trusted with pleasanter
+occupation and that which needed greater skill.
+
+To enable our young readers who have never seen the process of
+paper-making to understand the change in our heroine's surroundings, we
+will tell them in a few words how paper is made.
+
+As, of course, is universally known, rags, straw, old rope, poplar pith,
+etc., are the materials used. The best writing-paper is made of linen
+rags, which are for the most part imported from Germany. For ordinary
+writing and printing paper cotton rags are used, while straw and hemp,
+and even wool, go largely into the construction of manilla and wrapping
+paper. The linen rags and the woolen ones are generally sorted out in
+the places where they are gathered, at which time the others are all
+packed into bales, when, after passing through various hands, they are
+brought to the different paper-mills. Here the bales are hoisted to the
+top loft of the building, where they are broken and their contents
+turned over and over and subjected to a fanning process which removes a
+large part of the dust. They are then passed through slides down into
+the rag-room, where, as we have seen, they are sorted, cut in pieces,
+and the buttons taken off. They are cut again, in the next room to
+which they are carried, by a revolving cylinder whose surface is covered
+with short, sharp knives, acting on each other much like the blades of
+scissors. From here they are passed into the interior of a long,
+horizontal, copper boiler containing a solution of soda and some other
+chemical substances, and boiled for several days, at the end of which
+time, the dirt being thoroughly loosened, the boiling mass is passed
+through a long slide into vats, through which a constant stream of water
+is flowing, and so thoroughly washed that it becomes as white as snow
+and looks like raw, white cotton. It is then taken into another room,
+packed into a "Jordan engine," and ground into an almost impalpable
+pulp. This pulp is passed into other vats thoroughly mixed with water,
+blueing, and some other substances calculated to give it a hard finish,
+and then conveyed by pipes to the drying-room, where it is distributed
+over the surface of fine wire netting stretched on cylinders and looking
+much like "skim milk." It is now passed from cylinder to cylinder,
+dropping the water with which it is mixed as it goes, and gradually
+taking, more and more, the consistency of paper. At one stage--if it is
+to be writing-paper, which was chiefly manufactured at Squantown
+Mills--a certain amount of glue is poured upon it by means of little
+tubes which are over the cylinders, and this gradually becomes pressed
+into the fibre, giving the paper the shining surface to which we are
+accustomed. This is called _sizing_. At another stage the wire netting
+is changed for a blanket which passes over the cylinders and keeps the
+weak, wet paper from friction, as well as from any chance of breaking.
+Steam is now introduced into the cylinders, and the drying process goes
+on so rapidly that, at the end of the long room, the pulp issues from
+between the two last cylinders in sheets of firm, dry, white paper,
+which are cut off in lengths by stationary knives, and caught and laid
+in place by two boys or girls who sit at a table just below. So complete
+and perfect is the machinery that, in addition to the two boys, only one
+man is needed in the room, and he only to watch lest either of the
+machines gets out of order, or lest the paper should accidentally break.
+
+It is quite fascinating to watch the thin pulp as it gradually becomes
+strong paper, and Katie one day overheard a gentleman visitor, to whom
+Mr. James was explaining the process, say something that she never
+forgot:--
+
+"It makes me think of God's way of dealing with human souls. He takes
+them, polluted and sinful, from the gutters and the slums of life, cuts
+and fashions them till they are in a condition to be used; then washes
+out their stains by his precious blood, grinds, moulds, dissolves, and
+manipulates them, till they come out pure, innocent, white paper, on
+which he can write just what he pleases."
+
+"Yes," said Mr. James. "I have often thought out that analogy, but you
+have not yet seen the whole process. No saint is completed till he has
+gone through the polishing and finishing of his life and character. You
+will see how we polish and finish our paper in the next room."
+
+In the next room were great steel rollers, at each of which two women
+were employed, as this work was generally considered too hard and
+steady, as well as too particular, for the girls and boys. One of these
+women places a sheet of paper between the rollers at the top; the engine
+turns them, carrying the paper round and round between them, and the
+other woman takes it out at the bottom, beautifully polished by the
+pressure.
+
+It is then carried in great piles to the ruling-machines, which stand at
+the other end of the room, and there other girls and women act as
+"feeders" and "tenders." The sheets are carried under upright,
+stationary pens, filled with blue or red ink, and ruled first on one
+side and then on the other, the machine never letting go of the sheets
+till the ruling is perfectly dry.
+
+The paper is now finished, but it must be prepared for being taken away
+and sold; so great piles of it are placed on barrows, and it is carried
+by the "lift" down to the lowest room of all, called the "folding-room,"
+and this is a very gay, busy scene.
+
+Multitudes of girls are at work here, and everything is so clean that no
+checked aprons or mob-caps are needed. Some of them count out the paper,
+first into quires, and then into reams and half-reams. Others fold the
+sheets with an evenness and rapidity that only long practice can give;
+others, again, stamp each sheet in the corner with a die; and still
+others fold the reams--after they have been pressed together--into the
+pretty, colored wrappers prepared for them, sealing them with wax, and
+putting the packages, two together, into heavy brown papers, which are
+closed with the label peculiar to the special brand of paper.
+
+There was plenty of work for everybody, and there was, moreover, a
+variety, and Katie felt very much elated at her promotion when she first
+came into the gay, pleasant folding-room.
+
+But the poor girl was destined to meet with a very bitter
+disappointment. Perhaps the most severe trial of her life awaited her in
+that pleasant room. She had only been there a few days when she became
+aware that she was looked upon with suspicion. The superintendent
+watched her closely, and carefully verified the accounts she gave of her
+work. The girls with whom she tried to make acquaintance turned away,
+and either answered her in monosyllables or else declined speaking at
+all, and often when she came in suddenly before work had commenced two
+or three who were mysteriously whispering together would suddenly stop
+and look curiously and strangely at her. Once or twice she overheard
+some disconnected words, of which the following are specimens: "What was
+it really?"--"You don't say so!"--"Dishonesty!"--"I never should have
+thought it!"--"Are you sure?"--"Bertie Sanderson!"--"She saw it
+herself," etc. etc. Katie, having no key to these disjointed sentences,
+could make nothing of them, but she felt that she was what school boys
+call "sent to Coventry," and had not the least idea why.
+
+The fact was that Bertie, whose jealous dislike was greatly increased by
+Katie's promotion, while she herself remained in the rag-room, had
+uttered her innuendoes to all who would listen to her, till it was
+pretty generally understood throughout the mill that Katie Robertson was
+a thief, who appeared in unbecoming finery bought with ill-gotten gains.
+The rumor never took sufficient definiteness of shape to reach the girl
+so that she could confute it and explain its origin. Of course, she was
+not likely to tell any one in the mill about the finding of the
+fifty-dollar bill and what had passed between Mr. James Mountjoy and
+herself, since it was largely to her own credit, nor had he ever thought
+of mentioning it, for a somewhat similar reason. So the report traveled
+from one mouth to another, losing nothing in its passage, and poor Katie
+was obliged to endure the general avoidance and reprobation as best she
+might. It was a hard trial and one in which she had no one to sympathize
+with her, for Mrs. Robertson's gloomy disposition inclined her children
+to keep from her anything that might add to her unhappiness, and somehow
+she did not feel like making confidants of the boys. But hard as the
+trial seemed in the passing, it was, in the end, good for our heroine,
+for it drove her to the only Friend who knew all about it, who knew that
+she was innocent of the charge, whatever it might be, and pitied and
+loved her, whoever else might cast her out. The things which drive us
+close to Him, no matter how hard they seem, are really blessings in
+disguise. Katie had now but one friend in the mill, a slight, pale
+girl, who stood by the folding-table next to herself. She had only just
+come to the mill, was intimate with no one, and, so far, had not heard
+the story, whatever it was, about Katie Robertson. Her name was Tessa.
+Her father, who had been a traveling organ-grinder, was taken sick and
+died very suddenly at Squantown. His little dark-eyed girl, who
+accompanied him, was left perfectly destitute and in a most desolate
+condition. She was at first taken care of in the poor-house, but as she
+grew older, and it was thought best that she should do something for her
+own support, Mr. Mountjoy had been appealed to, and had given her a
+place in the mill. Not in the rag-room, however, for she had such a
+delicate constitution that it was supposed she never could stand the
+dust. Her work consisted in pasting the fancy paper over the edges of
+little "pads," intended for doctors' use in writing their prescriptions,
+and when she was tired she was allowed to have a seat. She could not
+make much, but what she did receive sufficed to pay for her room in the
+factory boarding-house, and Tessa was as happy as she could be without
+her father.
+
+The Italian girl had conceived a strong admiration for our bright
+little Katie, and by degrees the two girls became great friends. Tessa's
+love was the silver lining to the cloud under whose shadow her companion
+lived.
+
+But the heaviest part of the cloud was that the story reached Miss Etta.
+She had noticed the general avoidance of Katie by the other girls in her
+class, and was very much at a loss to account for it, for to her this
+scholar had always seemed the best and brightest of them all, and she
+could see no change in her reverent, attentive behavior, her carefully
+prepared lessons, and her evident understanding and enjoyment of the
+spiritual truths which they contained. This latter point she could
+appreciate better than before, and she often shrank in humility from
+attempting to teach Katie anything, feeling herself better fitted to be
+the pupil. But the girls evidently did not feel so. What could be the
+matter?
+
+One day, when all had left the Sunday-school, except Bertie, she stopped
+her and asked her directly why neither she nor the other girls were
+willing to sit next to Katie Robertson, and why they all looked at her
+so significantly when she came in or went out.
+
+Bertie flushed, whether with joy or shame it would have been hard to
+say, and at first would not answer; but on her teacher's insisting, said
+that she didn't want to tell tales, etc.
+
+The young lady saw that nevertheless her scholar was running over with
+her secret and longing for an opportunity to divulge it, and, had she
+been a little older and more experienced, she would not have given her
+the opportunity. But Etta was very curious, and, moreover, thought she
+had a right to know all that concerned her Sunday scholars, so she
+waited until her patience was rewarded by the whole story--that is, the
+version of it that Bertie's vindictive fancy chose to give.
+
+She learned that Katie had been seen by two of the girls in the mill to
+_steal_ a large sum of money, which she had appropriated to the use of
+herself and family; that by degrees one after another had heard of it,
+and that of course honest girls who had their own way to make did not
+like to associate with a thief.
+
+On being asked who the girls were that had seen the action, and why
+they had not at once given information concerning it, Bertie declined to
+give any answer to the first part of her question, and professed entire
+ignorance concerning the latter; only she said: "All the girls knew, and
+of course couldn't associate with a sly thief, especially when she gave
+herself the airs of a saint."
+
+Etta was very much troubled. She could not believe such a story of her
+best pupil, and yet how could she contradict it? Without names and
+particulars she did not know how to set about investigating the truth;
+nor did she like to ask any one's advice, and thus cast suspicion upon
+the child.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+NOVEL-READING.
+
+
+"What makes you so tired to-day, Tessa?" said Katie, one morning when the
+"rules" allowed the girls to speak.
+
+"I don't know; I always do feel so in the mornings. It's awfully hard to
+get up. Don't you find it so?"
+
+"I did at first, but I am getting used to it now. By the time I am
+dressed I am wide-awake and fit for anything. I don't see why you should
+feel so; I am afraid you're sick."
+
+"Oh, no; only stupid and sleepy; I'll wake up by-and-by," and Tessa drew
+from her pocket a thin, square volume which was tightly rolled up. The
+noon-whistles sounded just then, and Katie saw her companion curl
+herself up on a box in the corner and at once lose herself in her book.
+
+She still sat there when her friend returned, rosy and refreshed after
+her warm dinner and two brisk walks, and, as there were still a few
+moments before work must be resumed, the latter walked across the room
+and playfully took the book from the other's hand.
+
+"Don't! oh, please, don't!" said Tessa. "Time's most up, and I _must_
+know what became of Sir Reginald!"
+
+"You _must_ eat your lunch. Look, here it lies untasted beside you.
+Tessa, you will certainly be sick if you go on in this way."
+
+But Tessa did not listen; she had again firmly grasped the book, and was
+greedily devouring its contents quite dead to outside things, till, the
+bell ringing, Katie jogged her shoulder, and she walked slowly across to
+the table where both girls worked, her eyes still upon her book. There
+she set it up, still open, against a pile of packages of paper, and all
+the afternoon kept casting furtive glances at it, often letting her work
+drop and her hands hang idle, while she followed the fortunes of the
+fascinating Sir Reginald.
+
+Katie was in an agony; she loved Tessa, and did not want her to get into
+trouble, as she would certainly do if her proceedings should be observed
+by the overseer. Besides, was it honest thus to use time paid for by an
+employer?
+
+But she had no chance to speak to her companion, for as usual she
+finished her work and went home, and whether her companion received a
+reprimand from the overseer for not having completed her daily task she
+did not know. Probably she did not, for it was an understood thing that
+Tessa was not so strong as the other girls, and therefore so much must
+not be expected of her.
+
+The next day it was the same thing. Tessa looked tired out before the
+day's work began, and well she might, for she had sat up nearly all
+night to dispose of Sir Reginald, and now "The Fair Barmaid" had taken
+his place. Again the girl went without the uninviting lunch she had
+brought from her boarding-house, and again, as before, the fascinating
+novel divided her attention with her work. This afternoon she was
+detected by the overseer, who spoke a few words of reprimand and ordered
+her to put the book away, which she did unwillingly and with heightened
+color. It came out again, however, the moment the closing-bell rang;
+and, to make up for lost time, was assiduously read during the homeward
+walk, and took the place of both supper and sleep till almost daylight
+the next morning.
+
+Poor Tessa! she had inherited from her ancestry that love of romance and
+adventure which, in their own sunny land, makes the Italians rival the
+Orientals in their love of hearing and telling stories. The more
+thrilling these stories are, the fuller of passion and crime, the better
+they seem to suit the tastes of these fervid and excitable natures. And
+she was alone; there was no one to counsel her, no one to love her, no
+one even to talk to in the long evenings she must of necessity spend in
+her bare room at the factory boarding-house, hot and stifling in summer,
+cold and bare in winter. She had been taught to read at the poor-house
+school and a stray dime novel happening to fall in her way, her
+imagination, waiting for something on which to feed itself, seized upon
+the unhealthful food, and gratified taste quickly ripened into
+insatiable appetite. The girl read everything she could lay hold of, and
+there is always plenty of such literature close at hand and ready to be
+devoured. Novels at five cents apiece are sold by the million at country
+stores, railway-depots, and news-stations. Ephemeral in their nature,
+every one who owns them is ready to lend, give, or throw them away, and
+when books fail there are always quantities of "story-papers," full of
+the wildest, most improbable, and often vicious tales.
+
+Tessa bought when she had any spare pennies, borrowed and begged when
+she had not; read by daylight, and twilight, and lamplight, sitting up
+as long as the miserable boarding-house lamps would hold out, and became
+so immersed in her world of romance as to become almost oblivious to
+outward things.
+
+To do the little girl justice, she was too innocent to understand half
+the wickedness which in this way was brought before her notice, but none
+the less was she being gradually demoralized by this evil habit. Her
+appetite failed, she scarcely took any exercise, she became nervous and
+excitable to a degree, her work was neglected, and, worse still, she was
+becoming familiarized with ideas, suggestions, and thoughts that should
+never come within the comprehension of pure-minded girls. As to her
+work, she was fast losing all interest in, indeed all capacity for,
+that, and it was whispered among her superiors that but for her utterly
+friendless condition it would be expedient to supply her place in the
+mill with some more profitable work-woman.
+
+"Miss Eunice," said Katie, at the next Wednesday afternoon meeting, "is
+it wicked to read novels?"
+
+"What a wholesale question," said Miss Eunice. "It is not _wicked_
+exactly to do a great many things which it would be better on the whole
+to let alone--tipping one's chair up on two legs, for instance."
+
+Katie blushed, righted her chair, and said: "I mean wrong; is it wrong
+to read novels?"
+
+"Not all novels, certainly; that is, not all _fiction_. The best writers
+of our day throw their thoughts into that form, and our knowledge of
+history, philosophy, science, and character comes largely from this
+source. Our Saviour sanctified fiction by giving his highest and deepest
+lessons to his disciples in parables. If you mean that kind of novels,
+read in moderation, I should decidedly say no."
+
+"She means dime novels," said one of the girls.
+
+"Oh, 'Headless Horsemen' and 'Midnight Mysteries,' fascinating maidens
+carried off by desperate ruffians. I am thankful to say that I have no
+personal acquaintance with that sort of thing; but, girls, let me ask
+you a few questions. May I?"
+
+"First, let all who read, or ever have read, what are called 'sensation
+stories' raise their hands."
+
+A great many hands went up--more than the questioner liked to see.
+
+"How many find such books help them in their work, make the factory seem
+pleasanter, and themselves more contented?"
+
+Not a hand was raised, and the girl who had spoken before said:--
+
+"I never can work half as well in the morning when I have been reading
+stories at night. I hate the sight of the factory, and wish I was a
+princess, or a splendidly dressed young lady with oceans of gold and
+jewels, like those in the books."
+
+"Another question: Do books of this kind help you to pray, make the
+Bible more interesting, and incline you to loving service for the
+Saviour who has died that you might be saved?"
+
+No one answered. The girls looked both surprised and shocked, and Miss
+Eunice continued:--
+
+"On the contrary, I dare say many of you remember times when the
+thrilling interest of an exciting story has made you utterly forget your
+prayers, or at any rate has made church and Sunday-school and the homely
+duties of a Christian life seem tame and flat by comparison. Is it not
+so?"
+
+Many bowed assent.
+
+"Now for my last question: Would you be willing that your fathers and
+brothers or the young men of your acquaintance should read all of these
+books with you, every passage, and could you, without blushing, read
+them aloud to your pastor or to me?"
+
+No answer.
+
+"There is another aspect of the question," continued the teacher. "Your
+employers pay you a stipulated sum in return for a certain amount of
+work to be done in a certain amount of time. They have a right to expect
+you to give your best skill, your closest attention. Do you think it is
+quite _honest_ either to use a part of that time in reading foolish,
+useless, or hurtful books, or to come to your work so exhausted and
+preoccupied by them as to be unfitted for performing your part of the
+contract?"
+
+"I do not desire to coerce you, or even to bind your consciences by any
+promise, but I leave you to consider all I have said, and I think if you
+do so honestly and prayerfully you will come to the conclusion that for
+you who hope you have found your Saviour,--nay, I will say for all,
+inasmuch as you all ought to be Christians,--the reading of this kind of
+books and stories is among those works of the flesh and the devil which
+you are called to renounce."
+
+Katie had got the answer she had asked for, and besides she was well
+furnished with arguments to bring to bear upon Tessa the first
+opportunity she should have of talking with her, and that, she
+determined, should be very soon.
+
+When the girls and their escorts had gone home that evening, the two
+sisters lingered to talk a little over the question that had so
+interested their scholars. It was a new thing for them to have any
+common interest, and Eunice hailed it as a good omen that her sister
+should consult with her about anything. Etta had not yet confided to her
+elder sister her new hopes, purposes, and feelings. She was an
+independent girl, who had always thought and acted for herself, and
+there had never been anything like sisterly familiarity between the
+eldest and youngest of the Mountjoys. The distance between them was too
+great, and perhaps the elder, in filling the position of a mother to her
+little sister, had at first assumed a little too much of the authority
+of one. She had grown wiser now, and did not attempt to force the young
+girl's confidence; but she could not but be conscious of a change. There
+was an increased gentleness of manner and sweetness of tone, a
+thoughtful consideration of others, and deference to her own wishes
+which she had never seen before. Her continuing to attend the Wednesday
+meetings, and her serious attention when there, were good signs; so was
+Etta's voluntary attendance at the Sunday evening service, a thing that
+had never happened before, and Eunice began to hope that the solemn,
+earnest realities of life would yet become precious to her
+light-hearted, wayward sister.
+
+This evening they talked over the novel grievance, and the temptations
+to which the mill-girls were exposed, and Etta proposed a plan for their
+benefit, which, when matured and digested, besides being supported by
+Mr. Mountjoy's purse and his son's executive ability, eventuated in the
+conversion of an unused loft in the mill into a library and reading-room
+for the girls and such of their brothers and friends as knew how to
+appreciate its benefits by behaving like gentlemen.
+
+The books were chosen with great care, and were the best of their kind
+to be had--popular science, history, and biography, with a large, a very
+large, proportion of such fiction as had a tendency to elevate and
+instruct, while it interested, its readers. The books were not to be
+taken from the building, except upon rare occasions and under peculiar
+circumstances; but the reading-room, which was nicely carpeted, well
+warmed, and furnished with long tables and comfortable chairs, was open
+during the noon intermission and for two hours every evening, and good
+behavior was the only condition demanded for enjoying both its social
+and literary privileges. The library soon became a very popular
+institution, and the sale and consumption of sensational literature
+decreased proportionally.
+
+Before separating for the night, Etta said: "Did you notice the girl who
+asked the question about novels?"
+
+"Katie Robertson? Yes; I have had my eye on her for a long time. She
+seems the most promising subject of your class."
+
+"So I have always thought; but I have had a terrible disappointment in
+her. No one would suppose it, but I have recently heard that she is a
+thief, and that to a large amount. The child, innocent as she looks, has
+actually stolen fifty dollars from our mill."
+
+"That is absolutely impossible! I will not believe it. Who told you so,
+Etta?"
+
+"One of the class. Bertie Sanderson. She was not at all willing to tell
+tales on her companion, but I questioned her and found it is as I say.
+She assures me that all the girls know about it, and that two of
+them--she did not give their names--saw the theft."
+
+"Why did they not inform about it at once?"
+
+"So I asked her; but she did not seem to know, and also declined giving
+the names of the two girls. That was a little more honorable than I gave
+Bertie credit for being."
+
+"A little more deceitful, possibly," said Eunice, who had no high
+opinion of Bertie Sanderson; "yet, if she were herself one of these
+girls, she would, I suppose, have been glad to say so. Where do you
+suppose this child found fifty dollars to steal? Money is not kept loose
+around the mill, and the girls do not have access to the office. There
+is something we don't know about this, Etta. The subject ought to be
+investigated. Have you spoken to James?"
+
+"No, I don't want to prejudice him against Katie, if she should be
+innocent; but I fear that is hardly possible, after what Bertie said."
+
+"I should be more inclined to suspect Bertie herself. Where do you
+suppose she got that flashy silk dress she wears?"
+
+"Isn't it horrid! I wonder those girls don't see how vulgar their cheap
+finery is."
+
+"Perhaps they try to copy their teacher," ventured the elder sister,
+whose exquisitely neat style of dress was always remarkable for its
+plainness and simplicity when she came in contact with her Sunday
+scholars. But Etta was not yet sufficiently humbled to take reproof from
+that source, and she abruptly left the room. All the same, however, she
+thought and prayed a great deal upon the subject, and the next Sunday
+surprised her class by appearing before them without an unnecessary
+ribbon or ornament.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+TESSA.
+
+
+Katie Robertson remained in the mill that Saturday afternoon, although
+her work had long been completed, till the bell rang for five o'clock,
+that being the hour for the Saturday dismissal. Then she said to
+Tessa:--
+
+"Come and take a walk with me. There's a full hour before tea, and I
+don't believe you've ever seen the Fawn's Leap. Have you?"
+
+"No," said her companion, "I have never been anywhere in Squantown. They
+would not let us go, in the poor-house, and since I've been in the mill
+I've been too tired after work was over."
+
+"Are you very tired now?"
+
+"Not so very; I did not sleep much last night."
+
+"Was it a _very_ interesting story?" said the other, archly.
+
+"Oh, yes," said Tessa, becoming at once very much excited; "she,
+Amanda, I mean, married the most elegant count, and he took her to his
+castle, and she had pearls and diamonds and silks and satins, and never
+had to do a thing all the rest of her life; and only think, Katie, she
+was a mill-girl in the beginning, just like us." The sentence finished
+with a sigh.
+
+"Would you like a count to come and carry you off to a castle by-and-by,
+and give you all those things?"
+
+"Oh, indeed, yes; when the light goes out, and I can't read any more I
+lie awake thinking about it, and wondering if such a count will ever
+come along. He might, you know, any day."
+
+"Does that make the mill seem any pleasanter in the morning?"
+
+"No! no! I hate the mill. It looks so rough and bare, and the girls all
+seem so common. I feel like crying to have to spend so many hours
+there."
+
+"And then you can't do your work well. I know just how that feels. Miss
+Eunice says it isn't _honest_ to do anything that will unfit us for the
+work we are paid for doing."
+
+This was a new definition of dishonesty to Tessa, but she only said:--
+
+"Who's Miss Eunice?"
+
+"Oh, she's the teacher of the Bible-class; the nicest, most splendid
+lady in the Sunday-school, except, of course, Miss Etta. She's our
+teacher, you know, but she's so young she seems just like one of
+ourselves."
+
+"Do you go to Sunday-school?" said Tessa opening her eyes. "I thought
+only little children went. Father said it was so in Italy."
+
+"But everybody goes here. There's great big girls, quite young women, in
+Miss Eunice's class. Tessa," said Katie, struck with a sudden idea,
+"what do you do with yourself on Sundays?"
+
+"I read," said the person addressed; "read all day long. I lie on the
+bed in my room, and forget how hot it is and how lonely, and then when
+it gets dark I remember beautiful Italy and cry."
+
+"What a lonely life," said Katie, sympathetically. "Why don't you go to
+church?"
+
+"We never went to church, my father and I. He said the church had
+ruined Italy, and he was not a Catholic any more."
+
+"But we're not Catholics. Oh, I wish you would come to our church and
+our Sunday-school! It's just as nice!--there's Miss Etta, and Bertie and
+Gretchen and Cora, and two or three more, and on Wednesday Miss Eunice
+invites our class and hers to tea, and reads to us, and we have a
+society and work for missions and--oh, it's so nice!" said enthusiastic
+Katie.
+
+"Do you go to Sunday-school just to have nice times?" and Tessa opened
+her black eyes very widely.
+
+"No," said her friend, more soberly; "I think I go there to learn more
+about Jesus, and how to love him more and serve him better. Some of us
+hope to join the church soon."
+
+Tessa asked some questions that led to a long talk which lasted till
+they had reached the Fawn's Leap, which was a beautiful little waterfall
+shooting down between two high rocks, from one of which to the other a
+fawn was reputed to have sprung. It was a very lovely spot, and the two
+girls threw themselves upon the grass to rest, while the Italian drew
+long inspirations of delight.
+
+"It makes me think of home," she said; "the old home in Italy. We
+lived, my father and I, close to a waterfall just like this, among the
+mountains. After my mother died my father did not want to stay there, so
+he went to Naples and bought an organ, and we came to America in a big
+ship, and wandered about, and then"--her voice broke down then and she
+said: "Oh, Katie, I am so lonely! if I only had a home like yours, with
+people in it to talk to and to be kind to me, I should not want to read
+so many stories. I don't believe they _are_ good for me." This was in
+reference to all Miss Eunice's talk about the evils of novel-reading as
+repeated by Katie.
+
+A sudden thought struck the latter.
+
+"Tessa," she said, "it must be awfully lonely at your boarding-house in
+the evenings and on Sundays. I wish you could come and live with me. I
+have no companions but the boys, and to have you would be just
+splendid."
+
+"Do you think I could? Do you think your mother would let me? Oh, Katie,
+you can't really mean it!"
+
+Katie had not taken her mother into consideration. Of course, she could
+not be sure of her approbation of such a plan, but she promised to ask,
+and went on planning how nice it would be--how the two girls could share
+Katie's room and bed; how they could go to the mill together. "And
+then," said she, "you could go to Sunday-school with me, Tessa."
+
+But here Tessa drew back. She had no clothes, she said, fit to go to
+church in--only her working-dress and the straw hat which she wore every
+day to the mill.
+
+"Go in that. Miss Eunice says God doesn't care what we wear when we go
+to church."
+
+"But the girls do, and I care more about them."
+
+This rather shocked Katie, but she did not see her way out of the
+difficulty, and mentally resolved to "ask mother": that way out of all
+difficulties which is first to suggest itself to a young girl's mind.
+
+"There is the sun setting," said Tessa.--"It must be ever so late. I
+sha'n't get any supper; they never keep anything for us at our
+boarding-house."
+
+"Oh, yes, you will! you are coming home with me; mother will have
+something ready for both of us. I told her where we were going, and she
+promised she would keep our supper for us, no matter how late it was.
+Besides, it will be a good chance to ask her about our plan."
+
+So Tessa consented, nothing loth, and when she saw the fair, white
+cloth, with the clear glasses and bright, shining china, the delicate
+slices of white bread, the wild strawberries, and fresh brown
+gingerbread, and contrasted it with the bare table, the stoneware badly
+chipped, and the great piles of coarse provisions, into which the
+boarders dipped their own knives, she felt as though she had suddenly
+got into paradise.
+
+Katie had told the home party about her Italian companion, and her
+apparent friendlessness, and all had taken such an interest in her that
+when the boys heard their sister ask and receive permission to bring her
+home to tea, and their mother's promise to make some soft gingerbread,
+they resolved to contribute their share toward the festival, and the
+strawberries, to gathering which they had devoted their afternoon
+holiday, were the result.
+
+It was a very happy tea-party. Katie was in high spirits, her mother
+gentle and hospitable, the boys courteous and gentlemanly. Tessa had
+never been in such society before, and yet there was in her a native
+grace and refinement--due, perhaps, to the artistic atmosphere in which
+she was born--that prevented her from doing anything rude or awkward, or
+seeming at all out of place.
+
+After tea the boys brought out the games, and the visitor showed herself
+quick to learn and eager to enjoy. The heavy, half-sorrowful look went
+out of her face, which became full of fun as her eyes sparkled and
+danced, and she pushed back her long black hair.
+
+When the clock struck nine Mrs. Robertson said:--
+
+"It is time for young folks who have to get up early to go to bed. The
+boys will see you home, dear; but perhaps you would like to stay and
+have prayers with us first."
+
+"Oh, yes, I am sure she would," said Katie, seeing that her friend
+seemed not to know how to answer this proposition. So Eric handed his
+mother the books, and she first read a chapter in the Bible, and then
+kneeling down, with her little flock around her, read an evening prayer,
+commending them all to the love and protection of their heavenly Father.
+It all seemed very sweet to the visitor, who had never been present at
+such a service before. She could not probably have told how she felt,
+but a longing desire came over her to stay where everything seemed so
+near the gate of heaven, and she said impulsively:--
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Robertson, if you would only keep me always!"
+
+Then Katie said:--
+
+"Mother, why can't Tessa live with us? There's plenty of room for her
+with me; and she has nobody belonging to her--nothing but a horrid room
+in the factory boarding-house, where nobody cares for her, and she has
+to read novels all the evening and all Sunday, and that makes her sick.
+It would be so nice to have her go to the mill with me every day, and to
+Sunday-school on Sunday--only she hasn't any clothes that are fit,
+and"--
+
+"My dear, do stop to take your breath," said the astonished mother, "and
+let me get some idea of what you are talking about. Do I understand
+that you want Tessa to come and live here? I should much like to have
+her do so, my child, but you know--don't think me unkind, Tessa--that we
+are poor people, and find it hard to fill the four mouths that must be
+filled."
+
+"Oh, I didn't mean that," said the girl, timidly, and turning crimson.
+"Of course, I wouldn't let you and Katie support me; but I could pay you
+my board, just as I do at the boarding-house. I suppose it would be
+more, but perhaps I could work harder and earn something extra, as some
+of the other girls do."
+
+"How much do you pay now?"
+
+"Two dollars and a half a week."
+
+"And you have only three dollars! Katie makes five."
+
+"Yes, I know; she works fast. Perhaps I could if there was any
+use--anything to do it for. I didn't need any money. They gave me my
+clothes at the workhouse, and I bought books with the other
+half-dollar."
+
+Both girls looked very beseechingly at Katie's mother, and Eric, who
+had taken a great fancy to the dark-haired girl, added his entreaties;
+but she said:--
+
+"I can not answer you to-night; I must think about it and pray over it.
+I will let you know when I have made up my mind. Now you must go home,
+dear; Eric will go with you. Good-night, and God bless you."
+
+Tessa felt the kiss that accompanied these words down to the bottom of
+her heart. No one had ever kissed her before, so far as she could
+remember, except her father, and she longed most ardently to be taken
+into this home.
+
+Katie followed her to the door and whispered: "Tessa, I shall ask God to
+make mother decide the way we want her to. You ask him, too. You know it
+says in the Bible: 'If any two of you shall agree on earth as touching
+any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them.'" But Tessa did
+not yet understand about "asking God." She only stared and bid her
+friend good-night.
+
+The next morning as she sat rather disconsolately on the doorstep of the
+boarding-house, not knowing exactly what to do with herself, for in
+consequence of last night's visiting she had neglected to provide
+herself with a new book, Katie came by and greeted her brightly. She
+looked so sweet and fresh in her simple Sunday dress that it was not to
+be wondered at that Tessa, in her soiled mill-clothes, again refused to
+accompany her friend to Sunday-school.
+
+"You shall have my library book, any way. I don't care to get another
+to-day, and mother says you are to come round this afternoon to get her
+answer."
+
+The book was a pleasant story, and though it lacked the species of
+morbid excitement to which the girl had accustomed herself, it filled up
+the time agreeably, and gave her a glimpse of a higher, purer plane of
+life than any with which she was as yet familiar. Some precious truths
+concerning the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the happiness of
+serving him, were woven into it, and served as the indestructible seeds
+which were yet to ripen in the girl's spiritual life. At about four
+o'clock she put on her hat, and full of mingled anxiety and hope, made
+her way to the corner house which seemed to her so much like heaven.
+
+Meanwhile, Mrs. Robertson had thought the matter over in every
+direction. She did not at first like the idea of increasing the home
+party, or of introducing into it any element that might prove
+discordant. She dreaded to have Katie or the boys come under any
+influence that might counteract the earnest, religious training she was
+endeavoring to give her children. But there seemed to be nothing
+vicious, or even common, about Tessa; she was sweet and well-mannered,
+and so friendless and forlorn that it would be a positive charity to
+take her in. Then, too, the girl had evidently had no religious teaching
+and was profoundly ignorant about spiritual things. Perhaps this was
+missionary work sent to her very hands. She might at least try it for a
+while. The board to be paid would make it possible to do so, and if the
+plan were not a success, or proved hurtful to her own children, to whom
+she owed her first duty, she could but send the girl back to her present
+lodgings.
+
+So, when Tessa came she was told, to her great joy, that her request
+was granted, and she might commence her new life on Monday. A very
+serious motherly talk followed, and among other things the new boarder
+was obliged to promise never to introduce sensational literature into
+the house.
+
+Mrs. Robertson agreed to take Tessa for two dollars a week, on condition
+that she would assist Katie with the housework before and after
+mill-hours. The half-dollar a week thus saved would soon procure a
+simple Sunday outfit, and enable her to accompany her friend to
+Sunday-school and church.
+
+Katie, with some of the remains of her precious fifty dollars, insisted
+on advancing this; and on the first Sunday morning the young Italian,
+looking very pretty but rather shy, took her place in Miss Etta's class,
+and was at once enrolled among its members.
+
+Mrs. Robertson never had cause to regret her kind-hearted decision.
+Tessa was devotedly attached to Katie, and followed, rather than led,
+her friend. She was shy with the boys at first, but soon came to show
+them the same sisterly feeling that their sister did. Her wit,
+quickness, and power of story-telling soon made her a valuable addition
+to the family circle, while the genial home influences and good fare so
+told upon herself that her extreme delicacy soon disappeared, and she
+became capable of as much work or endurance as Katie herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+GRETCHEN.
+
+
+German Gretchen was absent from the mill one morning. No one noticed it
+except Miss Peters, who marked her down for one less day's wages. The
+young girl, who had drifted into the manufacturing town, as so many do,
+in search of work, had never been a favorite or attracted particular
+attention. She was a fair work-woman, obeyed rules, and went her way to
+the boarding-house when night came; but she made no friends either there
+or at the mill, and it would scarcely have been noticed had she
+disappeared altogether. Somehow she had floated into Sunday-school, and
+been placed in the class which afterward became Etta Mountjoy's, but
+here her apparent stolidity made her perhaps the least interesting of
+all the girls. Perhaps this was in part owing to the fact that one is
+not likely to be very talkative in a strange language.
+
+But Gretchen had a heart, although no one in Squantown had yet found,
+or cared to find, it. It was safe at home in the fatherland, where the
+house-mother and father had as much as they could do to put enough black
+bread to support life into the mouths of the five little children, too
+young to do as she had done, when she accompanied a neighbor's family,
+who were emigrating to seek their fortune in the New World. These
+neighbors had gone to the far West, and not caring to be burdened with a
+possibly unproductive member of their party, had left the little girl in
+the hands of a German employment agency, through which she had found her
+way to Squantown Mills.
+
+Gretchen had many homesick hours when she would have given a great deal
+more than she possessed to be at home again sharing the poverty and
+hardships of the Old World, but she expressed her feelings to no one.
+Indeed, she knew no one to whom she could have expressed them. She did
+her day's work faithfully, receiving her regular payment of fifty cents,
+and occasionally a little more, which little she resolutely put away at
+the bottom of her box, to be sent home to her mother and the little
+ones when there should be a good opportunity.
+
+But now Gretchen was absent from her work one, two, three, four days. It
+was Miss Peters's duty to report all absentees on Saturday night, and
+she did so after the hands had been paid off and gone home. The
+book-keeper noted the absence in his pages, asked if work was so
+pressing as to make the appointment of a substitute necessary or
+advisable, and being answered in the negative quite forgot to inform his
+employer of the girl's absence.
+
+But when Sunday came, and Gretchen was absent from the place in the
+class which she had so regularly occupied, it was a different thing.
+Etta, among her other activities, had from the first been a good visitor
+of absentees. Indeed, when her scholars lived with their families, as in
+the case of Katie and one or two of the other girls, she had made more
+visits and laid down the law more than was quite agreeable in all cases.
+Now, with her newly awakened sense of responsibility toward the immortal
+souls placed under her charge, she had begun to watch over them as one
+who must give account of their souls. She had several times thought of
+looking up Gretchen, in order to become acquainted with her
+surroundings, etc., but had not yet put her design into execution, and
+now the girl's absence from the class gave her teacher the very
+opportunity she desired.
+
+As soon as tea was over, in the long June twilight, Etta put on her hat,
+and walked down the hill upon which the grand house stood to the valley,
+in which was the long row of boarding-houses occupied by such of the
+mill-hands as had no homes in the place. It was stiflingly hot down
+here, though it had been cool and fresh on the high ground above, and
+the young lady, who had not often visited the purlieus of the mill, felt
+as though she could scarcely breathe, and did not wonder that men sat at
+the open windows in their shirtsleeves, and that tired-looking women
+seemed gasping for air. The bare wooden buildings, with their long rows
+of windows and doors all of the same pattern; the smooth, beaten yards,
+all just alike; the swarms of children making it seem anything but
+Sunday-like with their noise; the teeming population, which made the
+tenements resemble ant-hills, and seemed to forbid any idea of privacy,
+looked very dreadful to her.
+
+On the other side of the street was a long row of brick cottages, each
+inhabited by two or more families, the distinctive sign of each being
+the family pig, kept, for greater convenience, in the front yard, from
+which odors, not the most choice in their nature, were constantly wafted
+across the way. In the doorways of most of these lounged Irishmen
+smoking and swearing, in some cases in a state of intoxication; for,
+although the rules of the mill concerning drinking were very strict, and
+no habitual drinker was ever knowingly engaged in it, it was impossible
+to prevent the men from depositing a part of the earnings received every
+Saturday night in the hands of one or two liquor-dealers whom the law
+licensed to sell death and ruin to their fellow-men.
+
+How dreadful, thought the young lady, to be compelled to spend one's
+life in such wretched surroundings. Is it any wonder that the women
+become hopeless slatterns, and that the children grow up in vice and
+sin? How thankful I ought to be to the heavenly Father who has
+surrounded me with such different influences! how I wish I might do
+something to raise and elevate these, and give them a few of the
+blessings of which I have so many!
+
+Etta Mountjoy had grown since that early June Sunday when she had
+visited her pastor in such sorrow and perplexity. She had read and seen
+and thought more and more of the wonderful love of our heavenly Father
+in surrounding her with so many blessings and in sending his only Son to
+be her Saviour and friend. She looked back upon the life of
+self-pleasing she had so long led with sorrow amounting to disgust. How
+could she have been so ungrateful? How could she have failed to love One
+so altogether lovely? She was learning now to find pleasure in prayer,
+and the Bible, which had been to her such a dull book, began to be more
+interesting than any story which she had formerly devoured. And she was
+trying, faintly and with many relapses, it is true, to take up her
+neglected duties, especially those which had been most distasteful to
+her, and perform them steadily "as unto the Lord." Out of all this was
+springing up in her a desire to do something for Christ--something which
+would be, if not a return for his favors, at least a token of her
+gratitude to him. To-night just such an opportunity as she had desired
+came to her hand.
+
+If Etta had only known it, the dwellings of the operatives at Squantown
+were palatial compared to those into which the working-classes are
+huddled in cities; for here the many windows opened upon pure fresh air
+and green fields, the little yards were scrupulously clean, and vines
+clambered up the sides of the doors and windows, even to the roofs. The
+fare, plain as it was, was not tainted by exposure in a city market, or
+by being hawked about the city streets, and the price of living was no
+higher than the wages received in the mill enabled the people to pay.
+
+The young teacher had the number of the house at which her scholar
+boarded written down in her class-book, and at that number she at once
+knocked. No one came for some time, but at last repeated raps brought
+the woman who kept the house, and who might perhaps be excused for her
+want of greater promptitude on the ground of having so many dishes to
+wash after the boarders' tea.
+
+In answer to Miss Etta's inquiries the woman answered civilly enough,
+for it would not do to offend one of "the family," that Gretchen's room
+was the back garret; that she believed the girl had been sick for a day
+or two, but she had not had time to look after her, though she had sent
+her little boy up with her meals. The child couldn't have eaten much,
+for the tray came down almost as it went up. She had been trying to find
+time to go upstairs all day, and was just meaning to do so now that her
+dishes were done. She would go up now, and let the young lady know how
+her scholar was.
+
+"Let me go with you," said Etta; but the request was only a form, as the
+girl usually did just as she pleased without waiting for anybody's
+permission, and, indeed, the woman of the house knew no reason why, on
+this occasion, she should not follow her own inclination.
+
+Three flights of stairs were climbed, a long narrow hall, studded with
+doors on each side, traversed, and Mrs. Doyle opened one in the
+southwest corner of the house, where, the sun having beaten on the
+sloping roof all the afternoon, the temperature was something fearful.
+The room was small, for Mr. Mountjoy had built the boarding-houses, and
+desired to try the experiment of each inmate having a separate room
+instead of a great many men or women being herded together in open
+dormitories. It contained simply a cot, a wooden chair, and a table upon
+which stood conveniences for washing and the untasted supper. On the cot
+lay the German girl, blazing with fever and tossing about in the
+greatest discomfort. At first she did not know her visitors, and seemed
+a little frightened at seeing the room so full. But presently,
+recognizing her Sunday-school teacher, she grasped her hand and drew her
+down to the side of the bed, pointing to her German Bible, in which she
+had been trying to study her Sunday-school lesson.
+
+Etta was touched, and began to think there might be some interest in
+even the plain, undemonstrative Gretchen. She bent down to ask her some
+questions about her sickness, during which Mrs. Doyle hurried to throw
+the one window wide open, and to make the disordered room fit to be
+seen.
+
+"The child is very ill, I am afraid," said Etta, coming across to the
+window and speaking to the woman in very low tones; "don't you think
+so?"
+
+"Yes, I am afraid she is," said the person addressed, uneasily, for
+severe illness in a large, crowded boarding-house is no light matter.
+She and her children were dependent upon their boarders, and a sudden
+panic might empty the house.
+
+"Can't you send for a doctor, Mrs. Doyle? Papa will gladly pay him, I
+know."
+
+"Yes; Johnny could run, I suppose, but he'd be sure to tell somebody,
+and I wouldn't like it to get about till we know what it is, any way."
+
+"Please go yourself, then. It's after tea, and there isn't much to do."
+
+"But suppose the girl gets worse, and begins to scream and frightens the
+boarders."
+
+"Oh, I '11 stay with her till you come back. I'd rather; I shall be so
+anxious to hear what the doctor says. Please go, Mrs. Doyle, and
+hurry."
+
+Etta Mountjoy had a way with her that could not be resisted by most
+people, and even Mrs. Doyle, not overgifted with the milk of human
+kindness, could not refuse her. So she went downstairs, and only
+stopping to put on her bonnet and tell her eldest daughter to go on with
+the preparations for breakfast,--which always had to be made over
+night,--as she was going out for a little while, walked swiftly down the
+street.
+
+Etta sat on the hard chair by the patient's bed, and for some time
+watched the tossing limbs, heavy breathing, and flushed, excited face.
+She was not used to sickness. Indeed, she had never seen it since her
+mother died, so long ago that she could not remember the pain and the
+suffering, but only the terrible results, which were pale, cold death,
+the coffin, the funeral, and the grave.
+
+Did all severe sickness end in death, she wondered? Was this strong,
+healthy girl about to die? And if so, was she ready? She had never
+thought of the possibility of death in connection with any of her
+scholars. Had she taught them the things which alone could be of value
+to them when they came to stand face to face with a holy God? What
+advantage then would be familiarity with dates, with geography, and with
+catechisms? How would they then blame her for not having pointed them to
+the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world? The
+responsibility of undertaking to deal with human souls, upon which she
+had so thoughtlessly rushed, now seemed to her something terrible. True,
+she had not then known or understood anything about it; but,
+nevertheless, it now seemed to her a great sin, and an earnest prayer
+for forgiveness rose up from her heart, accompanied by another for the
+salvation of the sick girl before her.
+
+Meanwhile the moments rolled slowly by: the sick girl tossed and moaned;
+the church-bells rang for evening service, first merrily, as glad to
+call the people to the house of God; then slowly, as loth to stop while
+any more stragglers might be induced to come; then with one or two long
+sobs for those who, in spite of all persuasion and all "long-suffering
+patience," wilfully stay outside, stopped, and the silence was only
+broken by the shouts of the noisy children below. Even these ceased at
+last, and as the sunset glow faded--flame red changing to pale yellow,
+and that again to cool, sombre gray--the time of waiting seemed to the
+unskilled watcher well-nigh interminable.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+SHIP-FEVER.
+
+
+Presently Gretchen spoke. Her voice was thick, her accent even more
+foreign than usual, and at first the listener could not understand the
+words. But she put her ear close down to the bed and made out:--
+
+"Miss Etta, am I going to die?"
+
+"I don't know," said Etta, bewildered; "I hope not."
+
+"I'm not afraid," said the German, "but--but it looks all so strange
+and dark. You didn't use to tell us about Jesus, and I couldn't rightly
+understand the minister; but don't it say _here_," putting her hand upon
+the Bible by her side, "that he will save everybody that comes to him?"
+Her teacher nodded. "Coming to him is asking him, isn't it?" Another
+nod. "Then, please, Miss Etta, ask him for me. I can't. I can't seem to
+think. Ask him _now_."
+
+Poor Etta! never in her life had she been so confused. She had only
+just learned to pray for herself. She had not yet overcome the reticence
+which we all feel concerning our own interest in spiritual things
+sufficiently to tell her own sister of her experience and purpose--how
+could she bring herself to do this hard thing which her scholar asked of
+her? But the scholar had a human soul, and that soul might be very near
+to eternity. How could she refuse to do this thing which, by the very
+nature of her position toward her, the scholar had a right to ask?
+
+Then an idea struck her, and opening her hymn-book,--for she had
+expected to attend the evening service after ascertaining the cause of
+her scholar's absence,--she knelt close to the window, and in the
+fast-fading light read in a tone of reverent supplication the hymn
+commencing,--
+
+                "Just as I am, without one plea,
+                 But that Thy blood was shed for me,
+                 And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,
+                   Oh, Lamb of God, I come!"
+
+Every word of the hymn was prayer, and Etta felt grateful for this help
+in doing what would have otherwise seemed to her impossible. She threw
+her whole soul into the last line of each verse, and could not but hope
+that Gretchen, who lay quite still now, though saying nothing, was
+following and saying in her heart,--
+
+                       "Oh, Lamb of God, I come!"
+
+After this there was silence and darkness, and Etta continued to kneel
+with her face hidden on the window-sill, praying silently that God would
+indeed save this soul, teaching it that which heretofore she had been
+unable and unworthy to teach. The effort at obedience to what was so
+evidently her duty had greatly strengthened the girl; she felt that God
+was with her in the still room, and the glad joy of those who against
+their own inclinations work for him began to spring up in her soul.
+
+The doctor and Mrs. Doyle found her thus, and springing to her feet,
+Etta came over to the bed to hear what the former thought about
+Gretchen.
+
+Judging from Mrs. Doyle's account, the doctor seemed inclined to make
+light of the case, until he had made a careful investigation, and then
+he looked very grave, and asked where the patient had come from, and
+how long she had been in this country. Hearing that it was nearly a year
+since she crossed the ocean, and that she had worked for eight months in
+Squantown Paper Mill, he looked still more puzzled, and finally
+said:--
+
+"I really can't account for it, but it certainly is a case of
+ship-fever; a very bad case, too."
+
+Mrs. Doyle's consternation was extreme. She muttered something about
+having her children to care for, shut the door tight, and went hastily
+downstairs, leaving the doctor and the delicately bred young girl to
+decide what was to be done in the situation.
+
+Doctor Bolen looked at his companion in somewhat quizzical perplexity.
+Here was a patient dangerously ill with a contagious disorder, at the
+top of a house swarming with human beings. She must have care and close
+watching, and the only person within reach to give it was a girl whose
+gay light-heartedness and instability were well known in the town. Had
+she known what to do, she was too young and delicate for such a task.
+And should she take the infection--what then? Would the wealthy
+mill-owner thus expose his youngest child, and, as every one knew, his
+idol?
+
+"I must get hold of some responsible person," he said at last, aloud,
+but more to himself than to his companion. "But whom? I don't know of a
+nurse that would come even from the city. Besides, it would cause a
+panic to do so, and a panic is the most likely thing in the world to
+cause the infection to spread. Mrs. Doyle, it is clear, is frightened
+out of her senses, and she can't be expected to risk her children and
+her livelihood for a stranger. One of the Irishwomen across the way
+might take care of her for money; but then she'd talk, and the whole
+gang would be frightened. I don't really know which way to turn." But
+Etta answered instantly with the intuitive perception for which she was
+noted:--
+
+"There's Eunice."
+
+Why had he not thought of it? Eunice Mountjoy, with her calm, cool head,
+her perfect unselfishness, her entire devotion to the good of others;
+Eunice, who was known and blessed wherever throughout the village there
+was sickness, suffering, or want; Eunice, who had many a time helped
+him out of a perplexity,--Eunice was the very person. But how should he
+get hold of her?
+
+"I will go," said Etta, to whom he expressed the wonder.
+
+"No! You are too young, and at the same time too old, to go through this
+manufacturing village alone after dark."
+
+"Then you go, and I will stay here, for I suppose Gretchen must not be
+left alone."
+
+"Of course not. She may become delirious at any moment, and there is no
+saying what she may do. She does not know us now. Would not you be
+afraid to stay with her?"
+
+"No," said Etta, steadily. "Tell me just what to do and I will do it."
+
+"But you might take the infection. Have you thought of that?"
+
+"God will take care of me," said she, with a rising color; and the
+doctor, remembering how he had found her, thought that perhaps he could
+not do better than to leave her under such protection.
+
+He was gone a long time, a very long time, it seemed to Etta, whose
+patient became very restless and needed constantly to be soothed and
+coaxed back to bed when she sprang up and insisted--in German--on going
+to her mother. Her teacher, at such times, bathed her face with the warm
+water the doctor had brought, or gave her a sip of cold water which had
+been left when the tea-tray was carried away, spoke to her in soothing
+tones, and finally sang hymns, which seemed to quiet her better than
+anything else. She had sung all she knew and was commencing the
+_repertoire_ over again, when a heavy step, followed by a lighter one,
+came along the passage, and presently Dr. Bolen appeared, followed, not
+by Eunice, as her sister had expected, but by Katie's mother, Mrs.
+Robertson! There was no time for questionings. The doctor gave Mrs.
+Robertson his directions, and then, leaving the patient to her, he took
+the young girl's arm and led her from the room, down the stairs, and out
+into the street, where the cool night air seemed wonderfully refreshing.
+
+"I would not have exposed you thus," he said, "if there had been any
+other way. Do you feel very tired, very much exhausted?"
+
+"Oh, no," she said bravely, for the air had greatly revived her. "I
+don't believe it will hurt me a bit. It's time I learned to do something
+besides amuse myself, you know. I've never been of much use in the world
+yet, but I mean to be."
+
+"You have great capacities and opportunities for usefulness," said he,
+gravely, "but you know none of us is sufficient for these things."
+
+"I am asking God to help me," she said in a low tone. "Don't you think
+he will?"
+
+"No one ever sought his help in vain. I am glad you are setting out in
+the right way. All success be with you. Now you must attend to my
+directions and obey me exactly. As soon as you get home take off every
+garment you have on; throw away or burn up everything that can't be
+washed, take a warm bath, and go to sleep as soon as you can, and,
+remember, you are not to go near my patient again till I give you
+permission. Will you promise?"
+
+Then he told her how sensibly Eunice had planned that Mrs. Robertson,
+who often went out to nurse the sick, should be engaged to take care of
+Gretchen; that to-morrow a certain empty house belonging to Mr.
+Mountjoy should be fitted up as a temporary hospital, and the sick girl
+moved there that the battle of life and death might be fought where
+there were not crowds of people to take the infection. He also cautioned
+Etta not to spread a report concerning the nature of Gretchen's disease,
+as a panic might result which would be not only deleterious to her
+father's business interests, but also disastrous to the lives of
+multitudes of the employees of the mill.
+
+By this time they had reached the door of Etta's home, and Dr. Bolen
+bade the girl good-night, after reiterating his directions.
+
+Eunice came to her sister's room that night after she was in bed to see
+if the doctor's orders had been complied with. She gave her such a
+caress as her undemonstrative nature rarely gave way to, and it somehow
+opened Etta's heart and mouth as well. A long talk followed, and Eunice
+heard a great deal that made her very happy to hear. Etta begged her
+pardon for the many times she had refused obedience to one standing
+toward her almost in the position of a mother, and promised to be more
+docile and helpful for the future. Both felt that the sisterly bond
+which had been so weak between them was linked afresh to-night, and that
+they were now sisters in reality because they were one in Christ.
+
+The next day Eunice's plan was fully carried out. The vacant house,
+which had been for some months without a tenant, was swept out and
+furnished with a few necessary articles, and Gretchen, now entirely
+delirious, was taken there in a close carriage, and Mrs. Robertson
+established as resident nurse. The good woman fretted and grumbled a
+good deal at leaving her home and her children,--whom, of course, she
+could not see for a long time,--but she _was_ a good woman in spite of
+her grumbling. She was a very experienced nurse, and here was service
+for the Master from which she dared not turn away. Katie, assisted by
+Tessa, was fully competent to manage the house and cook what they and
+the boys needed to eat, so she resolutely accepted the trust.
+
+Eunice and Etta went down to the empty house early in the morning, and
+both worked hard, with a woman who had been hired to do so, to get the
+rooms in readiness, but when all was prepared, they went home, for Dr.
+Bolen said there was no use for either to be unnecessarily exposed to
+infection. He did not want more patients than were sent him in the
+natural course of events.
+
+Great pains were taken to keep the whole matter quiet. Katie and Tessa
+and the boys were cautioned not to speak about it, and the removal of
+the patient was effected during the forenoon when all the factory
+"hands" were safe in the mill. But the precautions were useless. Before
+the next night there were four more patients in the temporary hospital,
+all from the rag-room, and the consternation was extreme. Many refused
+to work, and the mill was in danger of being forced to stop just in the
+middle of filling some very important contracts, when the doctor, taking
+his own life in his hands, as doctors must, made a thorough
+investigation of the rag-room, where all the cases had occurred, and
+found the contagion to be in a bale of rags imported from Ireland, which
+had not received the usual overhauling before being brought to the mill.
+These were all collected and burned, and the room thoroughly fumigated,
+the operatives receiving full wages for the days they were thus shut out
+from work, and one good result of the fever was that henceforth the
+bales were all opened and smoked in a separate building before they ever
+entered the mill at all.
+
+The contagion did not spread any farther after this, and the hands
+returned without more delay to the mill. Mr. Mountjoy sent to the city
+for an experienced hospital nurse, and promised to pay all the expenses
+of the illness, in addition to the wages of those who were thus
+prevented from earning anything. The "hospital" was supplied from the
+kitchen of the "great house," and both Eunice and her young sister found
+full occupation in the preparation of dainties and food for the sick.
+
+The interest in the five sick girls was intense, and when one--a poor,
+sickly little thing--died, every one felt as though death had come very
+close, and many were compelled to listen to the voice which said:--
+
+                       "Prepare to meet thy God."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+GOOD FOR EVIL.
+
+
+"Bertie Sanderson has not been in the mill for a week," said Tessa to
+Katie, as the two friends walked home together one hot afternoon. "One
+of the rag-room girls said so. I wonder if she has the fever!"
+
+"That's not likely; the girls are all getting better," said her
+companion.
+
+"Yes; but she's been absent for more than a week," persisted Tessa.
+"Let's go round that way and inquire."
+
+But Katie, somehow, shrank from this. While she knew nothing with
+absolute certainty, she could not help feeling that Bertie was in some
+way connected with the general avoidance of herself by the girls of the
+Sunday-school class, and the evident suspicion with which both Miss
+Eunice and Miss Etta regarded her. What her former companion could have
+said or done, she had no idea; but the sense of an undefined something
+had made her of late keep as far as possible from Bertie. She was about
+to say with her usual impulsiveness:--
+
+"No; I hate Bertie! Don't let's go near her," when she remembered all
+her purposes of doing Tessa good and setting her a Christian example. Is
+it Christian to cherish a dislike of another because one has reason to
+suppose that other has done one an injury? Katie's enlightened
+conscience knew it was not. It was not like him who said:--
+
+"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which
+despitefully use you and persecute you;" and who, by acting in strict
+accordance with his own teachings, "left us an example that we should
+follow in his steps."
+
+For a few moments the little girl said nothing as she walked silently by
+the side of her companion; then, having during those silent moments sent
+up an earnest prayer that the hateful feelings might be taken away from
+her heart, that so she might become more like Christ, she answered by
+turning her steps in the other direction.
+
+The two girls found, as Tessa had suggested, that Bertie had indeed
+taken the fever, and was very ill in her own comfortable home. Dr. Bolen
+had suggested her being removed to the temporary hospital, and being
+cared for by the competent nurses there; but her mother would not hear
+of it. She was always a very foolish woman, had been very much opposed
+to her daughter's going into the mill, and now told her husband that
+this fever was all the result of his obstinacy, and she hoped he enjoyed
+having murdered his own child. Now, however, she meant to have her own
+way. Her Bertie, who was every bit as good as the city young ladies, her
+cousins, was not to go to an empty house and be nursed with a lot of
+common mill-girls. If her mother couldn't take care of her, she should
+like to know who could--which would have been unanswerable if Mrs.
+Sanderson had known how to nurse anybody--a thing of which she was
+profoundly ignorant. So poor Bertie had a hard time of it, and daily
+grew worse instead of better; and as if this were not enough, Mrs.
+Sanderson never thought of isolating the patient, or of keeping the
+other children from her, and before long the third child, a boy of six
+years old, was taken down with the fever also, and the incompetent
+mother had her hands more than full with the care of her house, the two
+patients, and two fretful, badly trained little children, with only
+Nina, who had never been taught to do anything in the world, to help
+her.
+
+Matters were in this state on the evening when the girls called, and
+poor Mrs. Sanderson, coming to the door, without an atom of prudence or
+caution, insisted on dragging in Katie at least, because in her wild
+delirium Bertie had been incessantly shouting her name. Katie was
+impulsive, not very old or experienced, and had, moreover, been always
+taught to obey grown people, so without a thought of possible danger to
+herself, she followed the woman into the house, while Tessa waited for
+her outside, and was soon standing by the bedside of her old
+acquaintance.
+
+She would never have known Bertie Sanderson. The long, disorderly hair,
+as well as the disfiguring "bangs," had, by the doctor's orders, all
+been shaved off; the round, rosy cheeks were pallid and sunken; the
+solid frame was wasted almost to a skeleton, and there was a fierce,
+wild look in the eyes alternated with an expression of intense fear.
+
+Katie stood aghast, and even as she looked the wasted lips suddenly
+shrieked out:--
+
+"Katie, Katie Robertson! Send her here. I want to tell her something."
+
+"I am here," said Katie, as soothingly as she could, for her fright.
+
+But Bertie took no sort of notice of her; evidently did not recognize
+her at all, and went on:--
+
+"It wasn't a lie! I did see her find it and put it in her pocket. That's
+being a thief, isn't it? It was money--a great deal of money. I saw a
+five and a nought. It wasn't a lie, I tell you! She did steal it!
+Katie's a thief, for all she's so saintly."
+
+Katie started. This, then, was the mystery; this was the secret thing
+that had been setting so many against her. She had never in all her
+speculations concerning the general avoidance thought of this as a
+cause. Bertie must have seen her find that fifty-dollar bill and put it
+in her pocket. But even if, from mere idleness, she had repeated the
+story to her companions, had she told simply what she really saw, could
+it be called stealing? And if Miss Eunice or Miss Etta had heard it they
+would naturally have spoken of it to their brother; he would have told
+the facts as he knew them, and that would have made matters all
+straight.
+
+Bertie must have altered her tale in some way, exaggerated it, or
+suppressed a part. What for? Could her companion be so malicious as
+simply to desire to make her unpopular and to prevent the young ladies
+from looking upon her with approbation? She could not understand it. Of
+course she could not, for malice and jealousy were entirely foreign to
+Katie's nature, even if she had not been striving "in all her ways to
+acknowledge" her Saviour. She did wish, however, that she had thought of
+mentioning her good fortune and Mr. James's kindness at the time, that
+all this trouble might have been avoided.
+
+Meanwhile Bertie began to moan and cry and call for Katie; and the
+latter, after speaking in vain again and again, turned to go.
+
+"Oh, don't go away!" said Mrs. Sanderson, imperatively. "She'll know
+you by-and-by; and I can't stand her calling for you; besides, if you
+can just stay with Bertie and give her the medicine and drink, I might
+get a chance to see to Alf., who is most as bad as she is, and see what
+Nina's doing with those children; they've been screaming this half-hour.
+I don't believe she's given 'em a mite of dinner, and I guess there
+ain't anything in the house for supper. You just stay where you are."
+
+Not a thought had selfish Mrs. Sanderson for the fact that she was
+exposing a neighbor's child to the same evil which had overtaken her
+own. Nor in Katie's inexperience did she think of it either; but she did
+feel very indignant at the tone of command and very much inclined to
+rebel.
+
+Moreover, she did not want to stay and take care of a girl who had
+behaved so shamefully toward herself. One by one the bitter things she
+had been forced to endure through this girl's treachery and
+deceitfulness came to her remembrance--the avoidance of her companions,
+the disapprobation and suspicion of the overseer, the changed manner of
+her Sunday-school teacher, the tears she had shed in secret, and the
+discouragement she had felt in her efforts to be good; and a sense of
+indignation possessed her which for a moment made her feel almost glad
+that the girl had thus got her deserts.
+
+But this feeling was not of long continuance. The Good Spirit, who was
+leading Katie along the paths of righteousness, would not allow her to
+turn aside from them because for the moment the way seemed unpleasant
+and opposed to her natural inclinations. Unheard by outward ears, but
+heard quite plainly in her heart, he whispered words that made the
+little girl pause and think a second time before she refused to do as
+she was commanded. Here was a good opportunity of being like Christ. He
+forgave his enemies. He was kind to the unthankful and the evil. He gave
+up his life that those who hated and persecuted and finally killed Him
+might be saved. This thought decided her.
+
+"Let me speak a word to Tessa first," she said; "then I'll stay."
+
+She then told her waiting companion how ill Bertie was, and how Mrs.
+Sanderson was overwhelmed with so many to see to, and wanted her to
+stay and help. She asked Tessa to get tea for the boys and send one of
+them for her at bedtime, all of which her friend promised faithfully to
+attend to, and went her way.
+
+When Katie returned to the sick-room, Mrs. Sanderson actually thanked
+her, and then went off, glad to attend to other responsibilities, and
+the young nurse was left with the excited, tossing patient. Strangely to
+herself, she did not feel the least anger or bitterness toward her now,
+in spite of all her unkindness to herself. The words which had been in a
+recent Sunday-school lesson, "I was sick and ye visited _me_," came
+again and again to her mind, and it hardly seemed to be Bertie to whom
+she was called to minister. She had no experience in sickness, but to
+some people nursing is an intuitive gift, and Katie inherited it from
+her mother. Her touch was cool and light. She seemed to know by instinct
+when the patient needed drink or change of position. She smoothed the
+disordered bed, shook up the pillows, turned the cool side uppermost,
+closed the open blind through which the western sun was blazing into
+the sick girl's eyes, and finding a large newspaper lying on the floor,
+made a fan of it, keeping off the flies and creating a current of air,
+till by degrees the tossings and cries ceased, the wildly staring eyes
+closed, and Bertie fell into a light, though restless, sleep.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Sanderson had come home from the bindery, and seemed
+surprised to find Katie sitting so quietly by his sick child. He
+remonstrated with his wife--in another room--for exposing a stranger to
+such danger of infection; but when she asked him what she was to do with
+two sick children and three well ones on her hands, and who was to get
+the meals for them all, he had no answer to give, only he set about
+making the fire and getting supper himself, holding the baby on one arm
+and telling Nina what to do about setting the table. When all was ready
+he sent Katie down to her supper and himself watched the two sick
+children,--which, now that one of them slept, was quite
+possible,--resuming his watch after he had had his own. Mrs. Sanderson
+declared that she was completely "beat out," as well she might be, poor
+woman, and dropping on the lounge in the sitting-room was asleep in a
+moment, while Katie coaxed Nina to help her wash the dishes, clear up
+the room, and put the two younger children to bed.
+
+By this time Dr. Bolen came in, looked at his patients, and said that,
+though Bertie was certainly not better, sleep was the best thing for her
+and should be encouraged as much as possible. Alf., he thought, would do
+well. Then seeing Katie and not recognizing her, he asked where that
+other girl came from and what she was doing there. Mrs. Sanderson
+explained, dwelling emphatically upon Bertie's cries for her friend and
+the soothing influence her presence had exerted.
+
+"That's all very well," said the doctor; "but how am I going to excuse
+it to her mother if she gets the fever, and what am I going to do with
+another patient upon my hands and no one to nurse her?"
+
+"Oh, well, there's no harm done. She's only been here a little while,
+and her brother's coming to take her home before long."
+
+"Not quite so fast, my good lady. She has been exposed to the fever
+already, and if she goes home now, may communicate it to her two
+brothers or the other girl that boards with them. Then her mother would
+be sure to go home to take care of them, and there would be an end of my
+hospital and my quarantine. No; she must either go to her mother and
+take her chance there, or she must stay here till we see whether she has
+escaped the contagion."
+
+"Please, let me stay here," said Katie, who had overheard this
+conversation. "I don't think I shall have the fever, but I am sure I can
+be of use to them all."
+
+"Wouldn't you like to go and be with your mother?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I'd like to, but I'd _rather_ stay here; because, because
+they need me, and"--the rest of the sentence was spoken low as if
+without being intended for any one to hear, but both the doctor and Mr.
+Sanderson heard it and marveled at the words. They were:--
+
+"Even Christ pleased not himself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+CONSCIENCE.
+
+
+Mr Sanderson would not allow Katie to sit up late. Indeed, she could not
+have kept awake, and would have been of little use if she could. She
+shared Nina's bed in the room where the younger children slept, but lay
+awake thinking, long after that irresponsible little girl was asleep by
+her side. Everything seemed so strange. It was the first night she had
+ever spent away from her own home, and she could not help wondering how
+Tessa and the boys were getting along, and what they had for supper. She
+thought of her mother and of the anxiety which, when she heard where she
+was, she would feel about her; and she wondered if she should have the
+fever, and if she did if she should die, as one of the patients at the
+hospital had already done. Then she wondered if Bertie would die, and a
+strange sort of awe came over her at such a thought in connection with
+one who had been her playmate ever since she could remember. It made
+death seem very near, and she wondered if she were fit to die. But that
+thought did not trouble her much. Nothing, either in life or death, can
+really hurt those who love Jesus and trust in his protection. She asked
+him to make her ready to die when he chose, and then, being of a very
+hopeful, cheerful nature, began to think of other things.
+
+How could Bertie have circulated those stories about her? And, what was
+more important, how could she set herself right in the eyes of the other
+girls, and especially in those of Miss Eunice and Miss Etta? She could
+not go and say to the latter: "I know Bertie called me a thief, but I am
+not one," and then tell the story just as it was. They might not believe
+her, and if they did it would be betraying Bertie, and that would not be
+kind, particularly now that the latter was so ill. Or if she could have
+told the young ladies and, with the help of Mr. James, made it all
+straight with them, she could not go around to all the girls and explain
+what to them were half-defined suspicions. Even if she told the story
+of the fifty-dollar bill and her version of it were believed, they might
+very naturally think that there was something else, and that Bertie
+would scarcely have based her charge of theft on so slight and easily to
+be explained a circumstance as that. What should she do? It was dreadful
+to live under such a cloud; to have people consider you wicked when you
+are desiring and trying with all your might to be good, and not be able
+to right yourself at all. Again a feeling toward Bertie arose in the
+girl's heart that would have been hatred but for her companion's present
+condition, and which she felt to be wrong even as it was. For the
+thought of Jesus and how he forgave his enemies made her feel ashamed of
+herself, till she got out of bed and, kneeling down in the moonlight,
+prayed to be made more like him and to be willing to suffer wrongfully,
+if need be, with patience, rather than to feel wrong or to do anything
+unkind. And then, as she got into bed again, the scripture words with
+which she had commenced her factory life came back to her with new
+force:--
+
+"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." And
+then those others in the thirty-seventh Psalm: "Commit thy way unto the
+Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. He shall bring
+forth thy righteousness as the light."
+
+That was the safest way. She might leave it to God to take care of her
+reputation. He could manage it though she could not, and some time
+everybody would understand just how it was, and know she was not a
+thief. Meantime she could afford to wait his time.
+
+The next morning Mr. Sanderson promised to send word to the mill about
+Katie's absence and its cause, and when he left for the bindery his wife
+came downstairs to see to things, and she took her place in the
+sick-room, while Nina went to sit with Alf. Mrs. Sanderson was surprised
+to see how much Katie had managed to do before breakfast and in the
+interim between, exciting in Nina quite an ambition to wash dishes and
+"clean up." The little children had been nicely washed and dressed and
+were, when their mother went down, sitting on the kitchen doorstep with
+a kitten between them, over which, for a wonder, they were neither
+fretting nor quarreling. The breakfast things were all put away, the
+floor swept, and there was a general look of comfort which had not
+existed in that house for more than a week. The poor tired woman sank
+into a rocking-chair, saying to herself, "I don't see how it is some
+people's children are so handy. Mine don't ever do anything they can
+help. It's some people's luck." It never came into Mrs. Sanderson's head
+that the "luck" of good, efficient children is largely dependent upon
+the sensible training given them by their mothers.
+
+The doctor, when he came, found Bertie much easier, if not absolutely
+better. He could not tell quite yet if there were any likelihood of her
+recovery, but the quieter she could be kept, and the more sleep she
+could get, the more chance she would have. He told Katie she was a
+famous nurse, and he should trust her to keep the room still, dark, and
+cool, and to soothe her friend as much as she possibly could. He
+furthermore told her that he had seen her mother, who approved of her
+remaining where she was, though of course she was very anxious lest she
+should take the fever and very sorry that she had gone to the house in
+the first place.
+
+"I promised to watch you closely," said he, "and the moment I saw any
+symptoms, take you to her to be nursed. But I don't believe you will
+have it if you take care of yourself. You are in the path of duty, and I
+have often observed that those who are there seldom come to any harm."
+
+It seemed a very long day to restless, active Katie, and yet in one
+sense it was a relief from the steady, monotonous work in the mill.
+Bertie was so quiet at first that she was able to wait upon her and
+Alf. both, and let Nina go down to help her mother get dinner. But after
+a while she began to toss and mutter, and then came those wild cries for
+Katie Robertson; that she had something to tell her; that she hadn't
+told a lie, for Katie was a thief.
+
+When or how the change came the watcher hardly knew, but all at once she
+became aware that Bertie lay looking directly at her, and that there was
+full recognition in her eyes. Neither girl spoke for a moment; then
+Bertie said with a kind of shudder:--
+
+"Am I dead?"
+
+"No, indeed," said the other, not without some effort to speak
+cheerfully. "You are going to get well now; only keep still and don't
+tire yourself."
+
+"I am going to die," said Bertie, slowly; "and I can't die, I am so
+wicked. Katie, I said dreadful things about you. I made all the girls
+hate you, and Miss Etta, too; but it wasn't quite a lie, for I did see
+you take the money."
+
+"Yes," said Katie, quietly, "I did find a fifty-dollar bill in an old
+vest, and I suppose you saw me; but why didn't you tell _me_ you saw it,
+instead of telling the girls? Then I could have explained all about it?"
+
+"I don't know," said Bertie, uneasily. "Yes, I do; that's another lie,
+and I don't mean to tell lies _now_, I didn't want to have it explained.
+I wanted the girls to dislike you as much as I did."
+
+"Why?" said Katie, astonished.
+
+"Oh, well, you preached to me, and pretended to be a saint, and Miss
+Etta and everybody thought you were so good, and"--
+
+"Shall I tell you about that bill now?"
+
+"Yes, do!"
+
+So Katie told her companion just how it happened, and it was all so
+simple that she wondered how she could have made such a story of it.
+
+"I wonder you didn't keep the bill, and not take it to Mr. James," she
+said. "I should."
+
+"I did have a little fight about it," said Katie, blushing. "It was a
+great temptation. I'm not so very good, but"--
+
+"But what?" said Bertie, eagerly, looking at her.
+
+"I think the Lord Jesus helped me. I asked him, and he says he will help
+us to be good."
+
+"Do you think he would help me?"
+
+"I am sure he would. O Bertie, do ask him! I am so glad!"
+
+"Are you?" said the sick girl, dreamily. But the effort to talk or think
+longer in her weakened state was too great. She seemed to float away
+again, and by degrees the same wild look came into her eyes, the
+tossings began again, and the low mutterings and sharp cries. It was
+very painful both to see and hear, but Katie was glad to notice that her
+own name no longer mingled in the confused talk, and the consciousness
+of wrong-doing toward herself seemed to have passed away.
+
+In the evening the doctor said that the patient had had a relapse, and
+questioned her young nurse very particularly as to whether she had shown
+any consciousness; and being told that she had seemed for a little while
+to be quite herself, he asked if she had spoken. Katie said that she had
+talked quite rationally about something that had distressed her for some
+time, but she did not say what that something was.
+
+"Bad," said he; "you should never let a fever patient talk, no matter
+how much she may try. But I mustn't scold you, I suppose; you are too
+young for such a responsibility, and your friend there is extremely
+ill."
+
+Then he went downstairs and consulted Bertie's parents, and the result
+was that a letter was written to the city aunt begging her to come and
+help take care of the two sick children. The doctor wrote it himself,
+stating as delicately as he could the extreme urgency of the case, the
+inefficiency of the mother, the dangerous illness of the children, and
+the impossibility of securing any assistance in the care of them except
+that of an inexperienced little girl, who was herself in constant danger
+of being added to the list of patients.
+
+In answer to this appeal, after a couple of days, Mrs. Jamieson, who, if
+a silly, overindulgent mother, was a much more efficient woman than her
+sister, made her appearance in Squantown, and under her supervision
+matters were soon in a better condition, and Katie was no longer needed.
+She had made herself extremely useful, however, and all the family were
+unfeignedly obliged to her. The children could not bear to have her go,
+and Mr. Sanderson insisted upon giving her as much money as she would
+have earned during the days she had been absent from the mill. Dr. Bolen
+said she showed no signs of having taken the infection and it would be
+quite safe for her to go home if she would change all her clothes for
+those which Eric took to the bindery and Mr. Sanderson carried home,
+leaving everything she had worn in the sick-room behind her, and then
+would take a long walk, where the wind could blow her hair about and
+freshen her up thoroughly.
+
+Tessa and Katie had a long, long talk that night. The former had many
+things to tell of what had happened both in the mill and at home during
+the absence of the latter; how the rag-room had been closed and
+fumigated, the foreign rags all burned, and the girls and Miss Peters
+enjoyed a three days' holiday without having it deducted from their
+wages; how the old cat had presented the household with a lovely family
+of downy kittens, for which Alfred had made a little house in a box out
+in the yard; and how both boys had been very patient toward her cookery,
+laughing at her mistakes and helping her with their superior knowledge;
+and how they had stayed at home and played games with her every evening,
+thus preventing her from taking to novels again to cheer her loneliness,
+as she should otherwise have felt tempted to do.
+
+Then Katie told Tessa all about the fifty-dollar bill, of which she had
+never heard before and Bertie's unkindness in setting everybody against
+her; and Tessa said she had heard the rumors, and often tried to make
+the girls tell her what they meant, but the only thing she could find
+out was that Katie was dishonest.
+
+"I wonder you were friends with me, then," said Katie. "I should think
+you would have avoided me, just as all the other girls did. Weren't you
+ashamed to associate with a thief?"
+
+"Oh, Katie, you know I couldn't believe such a thing of you!--you who
+have been my best friend--the only real friend I have ever had."
+
+"But why didn't you tell me what you had heard, and ask me to explain
+it? You see how easily I could have done so."
+
+"Somehow I didn't like to. It seemed like doubting you even to repeat
+the lies. I knew they were lies all the time, and I loved you better
+than anybody else in the world. What consequence was it to me what other
+people said about you?"
+
+How to clear the matter up, neither of the girls knew. For it would be
+still more cruel and dishonorable, as they thought, to tell what Bertie
+had done, now that she had confessed it herself and was lying so low.
+But Katie had learned to "commit her way unto the Lord," and she was not
+troubled any more about the matter.
+
+"I should think you'd hate Bertie," said Tessa, with Italian intensity.
+"I don't see how you could bring yourself to stay there and take care of
+her when you knew how much she had injured you. I should have felt like
+putting poison into her drink or smothering her with the pillows."
+
+"No, you wouldn't," said the other, laughing, but immediately becoming
+grave again. "You couldn't hate any one who was dying, and besides, it
+wouldn't be like Jesus."
+
+"I don't understand."
+
+"Don't you see? Jesus gave up his life for sinners, for those who were
+his enemies. It makes me love him whenever I think of it, and I want to
+be like him. This was a good chance, and I think he helped me to
+overcome all kind of hard feeling. I only longed to do everything I
+could to make her more comfortable."
+
+"I wish I could love Jesus as you do. My father used to tell me
+religion was just the priests deceiving silly women, and reminded me how
+the robbers and beggars in Italy would kneel before the crucifixes, shed
+tears as they said their prayers, and then turn away and be just as
+wicked as before. But to you it all seems real, and it, or something,
+makes you just the best girl I ever saw. But I can't feel so."
+
+"Yes, you can; our Lord Jesus says '_whosoever_ will, may take of the
+water of life freely,' and 'him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise
+cast out.' You must be one of the 'whosoever.' O Tessa, I only wish
+you'd come!"
+
+But Tessa did not answer, and Katie, thinking her asleep, soon followed
+her example.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+DECIDING.
+
+
+It was about four weeks later in the season. Miss Eunice's "tea-party,"
+which had not been held for a long time, was gathered at the great
+house; not now in the pleasant sitting-room, but on the still pleasanter
+shaded lawn, where the girls occupied pretty rustic seats, while the tea
+was spread on little green tables, around which they were grouped as
+inclination prompted them.
+
+All the members of both classes were there, with the exception of Bertie
+Sanderson; and there were quite a number of new faces. Some were present
+who had lately stood very close to death, and others whom the solemn
+thought induced by the public catastrophe had led to seek for a better
+life than one of mere amusement. All were glad to come together again;
+but there was a subdued tone in the gladness, and some voices were not
+as gay and careless as they were a month ago.
+
+The fever had passed away. There had been no more cases, and only that
+one death. The rag-room girls and the invalids had gone back to their
+work; the hospital was closed; Mrs. Robertson had returned to her
+family, with for once a thankful heart. For, besides that she had been
+very well paid for her services and loss of time, the pestilence had
+spared her own dear ones; and they were all there to welcome her as she
+came back to her home.
+
+Moreover, she had become very much attached to Gretchen and the other
+girls whom she had attended during their illness, and hated to let them
+go back to the tender mercies of Mrs. Doyle and the other boarding-house
+keepers, where they would be sure to be not only uncomfortable and badly
+fed, but also very much neglected in case of any new illness which might
+easily result from their weak, enfeebled condition. Her motherly heart
+thought a great deal about the matter, and her thoughts finally ended in
+her fitting up a large garret-room, which had never been occupied, with
+four little white beds and other necessaries and conveniences, and
+taking the four convalescents home with her as permanent boarders. The
+girls, while paying no more than they had heretofore done, profited
+greatly by the change. They had plain and wholesome, because
+well-cooked, food, plenty of cleanliness and fresh air, besides the
+elevating and refining influence of a home where Christian living was
+inculcated, not so much by precept as by practice. God "setteth the
+solitary in families," not boarding-houses or institutions; but that is
+the only true family which takes care "in all its ways to acknowledge
+him." If such families all over our land would open the arms of their
+exclusiveness each to take in one or more of the waifs and strays of
+life, and throw around them the arms of Christian love, they would be
+taking a long step toward answering their own daily prayer of
+
+          "Thy kingdom come ... on earth as it is in heaven."
+
+Katie and Tessa were pleased, girl-like, with the addition to their
+family party, and, though the boys grumbled a little at first, being, as
+boys are apt to be, a little shy of girls' society, they soon became
+used to the change and glad to enjoy the evening occupations that were
+rendered possible by so large a number.
+
+It had always been a source of great anxiety to the widow, lest her
+boys, deprived of a father's watchful authority, would, as they grew up,
+wander off at night, fall under bad influences, learn evil habits, and
+grow up worthless, dissipated men. But thus far she had been successful
+in keeping Eric and Alfred at home with her and their little sister, and
+now, just when the restlessness common to their age might have drawn
+them away, a new interest was presented in the shape of a "home reading
+society," which held its sessions on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
+nights; Wednesday evening being devoted to Miss Eunice's "tea-party,"
+Friday to the church service, and Saturday to games.
+
+Mrs. Robertson had plans of a more solid nature for the winter, but till
+the warm summer weather was over, this seemed enough. The books read
+were historical stories, biographies, and the like, taken from the mill
+library by special permission. The boys were generally the readers,
+while the girls were encouraged by their motherly landlady to repair and
+keep their clothes in order, a branch of womanliness apt to be much
+neglected by factory operatives, who often marry and enter upon family
+duties without even knowing how to hold a needle.
+
+Of course, the widow's time was now so fully occupied that she could not
+go out to work in families, as she had been wont to do, but the money
+paid by her boarders more than compensated for that. Her heart, as well
+as her hands, was quite full, and having no time to brood over her
+fallen condition, she did not worry and grumble so much as formerly, and
+was happier than she had ever been since the doctor died and left her to
+battle with the world alone. And thus she learned to realize the truth
+of that scripture:--
+
+"He that watereth shall be watered also himself."
+
+Bertie Sanderson did not die with the fever, though all around her, even
+the doctor, had at one time quite given up all hope of her recovery. She
+slowly struggled back to life, and as soon as she was able to bear the
+journey her aunt took her to the city with her for more complete rest
+and change. Katie did not see her again; for, having once got away from
+the infected house, it was not thought best either for her brothers at
+home, or her companions in the mill, that she should risk exposure
+again. She often longed to know the state of her former companion's mind
+on recovering her senses. If she remembered that exciting conversation;
+if she were really penitent for what she had done; and if she had taken
+her companion's advice and sought the forgiveness and strength of her
+Saviour. But no one could tell her. Indeed, there was no one she could
+ask, for she felt intuitively that Mrs. Sanderson was not a person to
+understand this sort of thing, and she could not summon courage to ask
+Bertie's father. Of one thing she was sure, however--her companion had
+not as yet openly confessed her share in the reports which had so
+affected Katie's reputation, and she must still wait in patience till he
+to whom she had "committed her way" should make it clear.
+
+The reading for this Wednesday afternoon had been exceedingly solemn. It
+was about the danger of being "almost persuaded" to do one's duty, and
+then leaving it undone; the uncertainty of another opportunity
+presenting itself, and the importance of deciding for Christ _now_. At
+its close Miss Eunice had said:--
+
+"My dear girls, we have in the weeks that have gone by carefully
+considered the subject of religion and God's claims upon every one of us
+for the consecration to him of our hearts and our lives. We have seen
+that the steps we are called upon to take are repentance, that is,
+forsaking sin in intention as well as being sorry for it; a steadfast,
+living faith in Christ Jesus as our Saviour, and a resolute
+determination to spend the rest of our lives in his service by keeping
+his commandments and doing his will.
+
+"We have learned, also, that of ourselves we are none of us sufficient
+for any of these things, but that God is ready--nay, anxious--to give us
+his Holy Spirit in answer to our asking, and that this Holy Spirit will
+work in us the repentance and faith, as well as give us the strength to
+carry it out amid all the temptations of our daily lives. To-day's
+lesson has been upon the importance of deciding, and the danger of
+delay, in such a serious matter. I think the lessons of the past few
+weeks have helped to impress this latter fact upon us; and I am glad
+that our pastor has just written me a note to ask that all of you who
+have made up your minds to confess your Saviour openly at our communion
+Sunday, the first week in September, which will be just two weeks from
+to-day, will send him your names at once. He desires to see and talk
+with each one of you separately, that he may satisfy himself of your
+being in a fit condition for so important a step. I have a paper here on
+which you may write your names; but before you do I want you to examine
+your own hearts faithfully and as in the sight of God, to see whether
+you honestly and sincerely 'repent you of your sins past, have a lively
+and steadfast faith in Christ our Saviour, and intend to lead a new
+life, following the commandments of God and walking from henceforth in
+his holy ways, that so you may not be guilty of making a deceitful and
+false profession.' And now let us pray."
+
+The girls all knelt down, and their teacher prayed that these dear girls
+might have a right judgment in all things, and decide, "not lightly nor
+after the manner of dissemblers with God," to confess Christ for their
+Saviour, and give themselves to him in the way of his appointment. Then
+there was silence for many minutes, that all kneeling there might
+carefully examine their own hearts and make this most important decision
+of their lives in the very realized presence of God himself.
+
+After this the tea-table conversation was not a very gay one, and the
+girls went home uncommonly early, many of them before leaving writing
+their names upon the sheet of paper which their teacher presented. To
+some it seemed too awful a thing to do; to others, as to Katie
+Robertson, the awe was softened by the glad sense that Christ was
+pleased with this act of acknowledging him; and still others were
+greatly strengthened by this first act of self-committal, from which
+they would now be ashamed to draw back.
+
+"Fifteen names; God bless them all!" said Miss Eunice, as she looked
+over the paper with her sister, whose own name headed the list. "I am so
+glad! And yet there are two or three more that I would like to see
+there; perhaps they will decide yet. But, Etta, what shall we do with
+this one?"--pointing to Katie Robertson's.
+
+"I don't know, unless we consult Mr. Morven." For the young lady had
+begun to realize the help and strength there is in talking over
+spiritual matters and difficulties with one well qualified to give
+advice and help; and many a deeply interesting one had followed that
+first Sunday afternoon's conversation between Etta and her pastor.
+
+"We might do that," said the elder sister, musingly. "And yet, I hardly
+like to, either; for, you see, we don't know anything definitely against
+the child, and I should be sorry to create a prejudice against her
+should she prove to be innocent. At the same time, I do not like to take
+the responsibility of assenting to the public religious profession of a
+girl who has such an accusation as theft hanging over her."
+
+"I have almost a mind to tell her the report, and ask her what it means.
+I have somehow shrunk from doing so because it seems an absolute insult,
+and whenever I see the child I can not believe there is any truth in the
+story. I wish I knew more particulars."
+
+"Who was your informant? Oh, I remember!--Bertie Sanderson--and she is
+out of the way now, and can't be questioned."
+
+"I never believed in, nor liked, Bertie; but I don't think she is bad
+enough to invent such a slander, making it out of whole cloth. She said
+Gretchen knew; but I never thought of asking her. She is as truthful as
+the day."
+
+"I would ask her," said her sister. "And there she is by the gate--come
+back for something, maybe."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+CLEARED.
+
+
+Gretchen came slowly up the lawn, and stood for a moment shyly by the
+side of Miss Eunice.
+
+"Is there anything I can do for you, my child?" said the young lady,
+pleasantly, desiring to put her at her ease.
+
+"Please, will you write my name there?" she said, pointing to the list.
+"I can't write English letters, and I was ashamed to have the other
+girls know."
+
+"That is nothing to be ashamed of," said Etta. "I don't believe any of
+the other girls can write German letters. But, Gretchen, do you honestly
+want to give yourself to your Saviour, and to live so as to serve and
+please him?"
+
+"Yes, Miss Etta. I shall never forget the night you prayed for me when I
+was so sick. You said the Lord Jesus would hear the prayer, and take me
+if I came to him. I think he did so, and I have been coming to him
+again and again, ever since. He has been good, so good to me, saving me
+from dying and making me get well from that terrible sickness. The more
+I read about him in my Bible, the more I love him and want to honor him.
+But, Miss Etta, it was you who told me about him, and I shall never
+forget that night."
+
+Etta's eyes filled with glad tears, while her sister added the sixteenth
+name to the list, and she clasped the hard, red hand with a feeling of
+sisterhood, for which she could hardly account.
+
+Gretchen's sickness had greatly improved her appearance, toning down her
+overbright color, and giving her a look of greater delicacy. Mrs.
+Robertson and Katie had managed to exchange the dark woolen petticoat
+and jacket for a simple summer dress such as the other girls wore; while
+contact with the others in the friendly home life had brightened up her
+intellect, and her new, deeper feelings and desire after a spiritual
+life had given her a certain earnestness of expression which made the
+homely German features very pleasant to look upon.
+
+She was just going away after thanking both her teachers in a quaint,
+formal manner, when Etta said:--
+
+"Gretchen, I don't want you to tell tales about your companions, and you
+need not answer unless you wish to do so, but I have been told that you
+know facts concerning a rumor about Katie Robertson, that I very much
+desire to find out. Can you, honorably, tell me anything about it?"
+
+"Some of the girls don't like her; I don't know why. She's always a very
+nice girl to me, and so good to her mother!"
+
+"But the rumor is that she is dishonest, and that you saw her steal
+something."
+
+"I saw Katie steal?" said Gretchen, very slowly. "Never, never in my
+life. Oh, I know," a light breaking over her face at a sudden
+recollection. "Bertha and I both saw her find a bill in an old
+vest-pocket one day, and put it in her own. Bertha spoke about it to me,
+but it wasn't my business. Finding isn't stealing."
+
+"It isn't quite honest to keep what we find," said Miss Eunice. "We
+should try to restore it to the owner."
+
+"But how could she find the owner?" said Gretchen, eagerly. "He might
+be away over in Germany, or--or anywhere."
+
+"That is true," said Etta, thoughtfully. "It's strange! I can't believe
+that Katie's dishonest."
+
+"Oh, she isn't; I'm sure she isn't! I only wish I could prove it; but
+this is all I know about the matter."
+
+"Well, dear, thank you for saying what you have said. Don't say a word
+about it among your companions. I know I can trust you that far, and I
+will find out the mystery somehow. Good-night, Gretchen. God bless you
+in your new service," and Miss Eunice kissed her, little German
+factory-girl though she was.
+
+"Find out the mystery? Of course we can; just as easy as possible, now,"
+said Etta. "All we've got to do is just to ask James if such an
+occurrence ever happened in the mill."
+
+And Mr. James Mountjoy promptly coming in at that moment, both sisters
+appealed to him, and heard in return a very simple statement of the
+whole affair.
+
+"Why didn't you tell us?"
+
+"I did mean to. I thought it so noble in the child. Five girls out of
+every six would have put the money into their pockets, and said nothing
+about it. It was very brave in her, too, to tell me how she had been
+tempted to keep it."
+
+"I know why he did not tell," said the elder sister, looking fondly at
+her brother. "Five employers out of six would have accepted the money as
+their right, and the finder have been none the better for it. Our James
+is not apt to trumpet his own praises."
+
+The young man colored, and said:--
+
+"I think Katie Robertson is an uncommonly fine girl. I was struck by
+something she said the day she entered the mill. I asked her if she
+thought she could be a faithful little girl, and she said she was trying
+to please God everywhere, and she was sure he would help her here. I
+think she has acted up to that idea ever since. I have watched her from
+time to time, and I can not find that she has ever been guilty of
+disobedience to rules, or any kind of underhand behavior. Her work has
+always been faithfully done, and her example has been of great use in
+keeping order among the others. Sanderson is enthusiastic in his praises
+of her bravery and womanly unselfishness. He says she came to his house
+at the risk of her own life, and helped his poor, tired-out wife take
+care of the two sick children with as much earnestness, and almost as
+much skill, as a professional nurse. She stayed there till the aunt from
+the city came, thus losing five days' work. I offered her the wages for
+those days when I found it out, but she told me Mr. Sanderson had given
+her the amount, and she did not want to be paid twice over."
+
+"And this is the girl we have been suspecting of dishonesty!" said Etta.
+"We really owe her something to make amends. What a little wretch that
+Bertie Sanderson must be! I really think her parents ought to be told
+all the circumstances."
+
+All this while a pile of unopened letters, brought by the evening mail,
+was lying upon the centre-table. The young gentleman turned them over,
+took possession of several which were directed to himself, and then,
+handing Etta one which he said was for her, left the room.
+
+"Who can it be from?" said the young lady, eyeing the strangely folded
+and badly directed epistle, without opening it, as is the manner of so
+many people.
+
+"I'd see if I were you," said her sister; and seeing that this was good
+advice, Etta took it, glanced at the signature, and exclaimed:--
+
+"Bertie Sanderson! what a coincidence!"
+
+The letter was as follows:--
+
+    NEW YORK, August 15, 18--.
+
+    My Dear Miss Etta,--I don't know how to write letters very
+    well, but I must tell you something that is upon my mind. It is
+    about Katie Robertson. You remember I told you she was a thief,
+    and I told all the girls she was dishonest. I didn't _know_
+    that she was; I only saw her find a fifty-dollar bill among the
+    rags one day, and put it in her pocket. I didn't know what she did
+    with it, and I didn't try to find out, because I was jealous and
+    hated her. She used to tell me it was dishonest to break rules,
+    and talk, and idle, when one was paid for working, and I felt kind
+    of glad to think I had found her out in being dishonest too. I
+    told the girls about it--not all, but just enough to make them
+    think her a thief, because at first they all seemed to think so
+    much more of her than they did of me, and I told you just the same
+    thing when you asked me. I tried to tell father when he used to
+    praise up Katie Robertson's independence and industry, and wish I
+    would follow her example. You see, it was all because of her that
+    he put me in the mill. But somehow I couldn't tell him. I was
+    afraid.
+
+    You see, Miss Etta, I have been a very wicked girl, and when I got
+    so sick I was afraid to die. I tried to think I hadn't told a lie,
+    because I _did_ see her find the money, and I _didn't_
+    know what she had done with it; but I knew I had "borne false
+    witness," and I hadn't "loved my neighbor as myself." I knew, too,
+    that nobody could go to heaven with a heart full of malice and
+    hatred, and I wanted to tell Katie all about it, and ask her to
+    forgive me, and when I got wild I kept calling for her. Then she
+    came and stayed and took such good care of me, I've been ashamed
+    since I knew about it; but I didn't know her or any one then, only
+    one day my wits seemed to come back to me and I told her all about
+    it, and she explained so simply how she had found the money and
+    taken it to Mr. James, and Mr. James had told her to keep it, that
+    I saw in a moment that it was only because I wanted to think her
+    bad that I didn't find out just how it was long before.
+
+    I felt so bad then, Miss Etta, because I thought I was surely
+    dying, and going before God with all that unforgiven sin upon me,
+    and Katie talked so sweetly about Jesus and his forgiveness and
+    help that I thought I'd like to try. But then I didn't know
+    anything for a long time till I woke up and found my aunt there,
+    and they said I couldn't see Katie again, because she might get
+    the fever or carry it to her brothers.
+
+    I was dreadfully unhappy, even after I came here, not only about
+    this, but because of all the other bad things I've done all my
+    life. I've been selfish and vain, and unkind and untruthful and
+    dishonest, and I almost wished I had died when I was sick, only
+    then I could not have gone to heaven, and I never could have
+    cleared Katie.
+
+    Since I have been here I have been to church a good deal with my
+    cousins, who are Congregationalists, and are both going to join
+    the church. There is a daily service, and there have been a large
+    number of conversions. I have talked a good deal with my aunt, and
+    I really do want to commence over again and be a good girl. Aunt
+    Anna says that Jesus died so that the very worst sinners might be
+    forgiven, and I think he will forgive me. She wants me to stay and
+    be received with her daughters here, but I'd rather join the dear
+    church in Squantown, with the other girls, if you think I might.
+
+    But I want Katie and all the girls to know just how bad I have
+    been and just how sorry I am. Please tell them all that I have
+    said, and write and tell me if you think I might join the church,
+    when I've been so wicked.
+
+    Give my best love to Miss Eunice and ask her to forgive me, too.
+
+    Your affectionate Sunday scholar,
+                                                 BERTHA SANDERSON.
+
+"I think we may join in the joy of the angels in the presence of God
+over the one sinner that repenteth," said Miss Eunice, as her sister
+finished this long and evidently earnest letter. "I think you may safely
+write to the dear child to come home and commence her new life among us.
+Your class is greatly blessed, my sister, and I think when we remember
+what it has done for Gretchen and Bertie, we may well thank God for the
+ship-fever as for an angel in disguise."
+
+The next Sunday Etta Mountjoy detained her class a few moments after the
+school session, and read to them the whole of Bertie's letter.
+
+It was received with various expressions of surprise, which were greatly
+augmented when the whole story of the fifty-dollar bill was told.
+
+"I have brought this all before you, girls," she said, "not to make you
+think hardly of Bertie. She has suffered too much and is too evidently
+sincerely sorry for me to do that. I want you to rejoice with me in her
+repentance, and when she comes back, to receive her with full
+forgiveness and sympathy, and aid her in her efforts to lead a new life.
+I thought you ought to know how well one little girl among us has
+behaved under the most unjust suspicions and great unkindness. Not one
+of us has understood Katie Robertson. She has known for four weeks, from
+Bertie's statement to her, what was the real reason of our avoidance and
+suspicion, and she has never opened her mouth to explain the true state
+of the case and clear herself, as she might easily have done, because by
+so doing she would have been obliged to tell of the unkindness and
+malice of her companion.
+
+"I think we all ought to ask her pardon for being so ready to condemn
+her unheard and to believe what was whispered against her; and, more
+than that, we ought to be very thankful to the Lord for giving her such
+a grand victory over herself."
+
+Katie blushed and could find nothing to say, as one after another the
+girls and their teacher shook hands with her and kissed her; but it was
+a very happy heart the little girl carried home with her that bright
+Sunday.
+
+"Tessa," she said, "it's all true, every word:
+
+                "'Commit thy way unto the Lord,
+                And He _shall_ bring it to pass.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+SEALED.
+
+
+The first Sunday in September was the most beautiful day of the
+season--calm, still, and sunshiny. The August heats were abated, but no
+touch of chill had yet come into the air. It was still summer, but
+summer's fierceness had passed by. When the bell of the little gray
+stone church rang out in joyous tones, multitudes of people, in bright
+Sunday attire, and with expectant faces, came out of the cottages and
+boarding-houses and, singly or in groups, wound their way up the hill.
+
+Factory operatives are not, as a rule, a very church-going population,
+and the church was not wont to be overcrowded; but to-day the pews and
+seats are all full, and so are the extra benches and chairs taken from
+the Sunday-school room and placed in the aisles. Every one in Squantown
+who possesses a sufficiently decent wardrobe in which to appear in a
+place of worship has turned out to-day. For to-day many of the boys and
+girls are to stand forth with many of their older friends, and confess
+themselves upon the Lord's side, while their pastor prays that upon them
+may fall a fuller measure of that Good Spirit, who alone can enable them
+to stand firm amid the many temptations by which they are surrounded,
+and while their brethren, who are older in the faith, promise to give
+them all the sympathy and help which it is in their power to bestow.
+
+The church has been decorated for the occasion with a wealth of late
+summer flowers. Geraniums, scarlet, coral, pink, and white, dahlias of
+every variegated hue, asters, zinnias, heliotrope, ferns, golden-rod,
+and a multitude more are entwined around the pulpit or wreathed above
+windows and doors. Pure white day-lilies load the air with perfume, and
+rare exotics from the gardens of the "great house" stand in exquisitely
+arranged baskets upon the communion-table.
+
+The music, intended to do special honor to the occasion, is somewhat
+elaborate, considering that the choir is composed of the older boys and
+girls from the Sunday-school, and is therefore not so good as usual from
+an artistic point of view; but it is better than artistic in that it is
+intended to do honor to the occasion, and is in many instances the
+sincere thank-offering of hearts glad to give to their Saviour the "dew
+of their youth."
+
+It was the endeavor, not only of the clergyman, but also of the whole
+Mountjoy family, to banish all class distinctions from the church, and
+to make rich and poor, as they sat together before God, "the maker of
+them all," feel that they were all one family; that all had a common
+ownership of, and interest in, the beautiful building and the
+well-conducted services.
+
+Thus the factory-girls went to the woods on Saturday afternoon for
+golden-rod and ferns; the humblest families robbed their cottage gardens
+of the few bright flowers they contained; and the boys gave willing
+assistance to Etta and her class in arranging and putting up the
+decorations. The whole congregation joined in singing the hymns and such
+of the chants as were familiar, and rarely had the singing been
+heartier.
+
+The service was over and the sermon, and then, as the last hymn was
+sung, the call was given for the candidates to come forward in answer to
+the reading of their names. How many of them there were! Even those who
+had prayed most earnestly and labored most actively were surprised at
+the result. There were six of the elder girls composing Miss Eunice's
+Bible-class (the others were already communicants); four of her
+brother's boys; Etta and her whole class of seven,--making eighteen from
+the Sunday-school. But there were also quite a number of young men who
+worked in the factory, who had been largely won by James Mountjoy's
+honor and integrity, added to manly Christianity; and some young women,
+and even elder ones, with one or two heads of families, who had been led
+by the indefatigable efforts of the pastor thus to openly acknowledge
+Christ.
+
+The girls were not as a rule dressed in any particular manner. Etta,
+indeed, and one or two others, were in white, because it happened to be
+more convenient and suitable, but neither Mr. Morven nor Miss Eunice
+wished to have the consciousness of dress interfere with the solemn
+thoughts of self-dedication and renunciation of the world appropriate to
+the occasion. Even with Bertie Sanderson, who had come home a few days
+before, "old things had so passed away," that she wore a simple blue
+gingham, much plainer, and at the same time much more becoming, than the
+costume in which she had originally appeared at the mill. The solemn
+questions were asked and answered; the personal vows taken; earnest,
+solemn prayers uttered and words of wise counsel said, to be long
+remembered and heeded and acted upon in life's coming battles; and then,
+with a burst of joyful song, the solemn service was over, and those
+engaged in it went out from the sacred precincts to fulfil the vows and
+exercise the grace among the common scenes and homely details of daily
+life. To many, nay, to most, life would not be one continuous communion
+service; the holy awe would of necessity fade away; the hymns and
+prayers be exchanged for the harsh wrangle and barter of a work-day
+world; temptation was awaiting many of those new church members in
+unexpected places, and the evil nature within, not yet wholly subdued by
+divine grace, would make the pathway of holiness a very narrow one,
+along which untrained feet would often stumble. But the memory of this
+hour would always be, to those who cherished it, a shield against
+temptation, a counter-charm against the wiles of the evil one; and since
+the Saviour whom they had that day openly avouched to be their Lord and
+God had promised "never to leave or to forsake them," only victory could
+follow those who confided entirely in him.
+
+"Tessa," said Katie, when the two girls were alone together that
+afternoon, "I didn't know you were going to join the church till this
+morning. Why didn't you tell me before?"
+
+"Well, you see I didn't make up my mind till yesterday afternoon. Then I
+went to Miss Etta, and she took me to Mr. Morven, and he took my name
+and encouraged me to come."
+
+"What made you think of it?"
+
+"You first. I didn't see how you could be so gentle and patient when
+everybody was condemning you and thinking evil of you. Then I watched
+you at your work, and saw how faithful you were, whether any one saw you
+or not, just as if you felt that God was looking at you, and you wanted
+to please him."
+
+"So I did. I took for my text, in the mill, the verse: 'In all thy ways
+acknowledge him.'"
+
+"Then," continued Tessa, "when you wanted me to give up reading those
+novels I was real mad at first. I thought you had no right to find fault
+with what I did, and that it was very mean in you, who had a comfortable
+home and a mother and two brothers, to want to take away the only
+pleasure from me who had nothing. But when you talked with me so
+sweetly, and when you asked me to come and live with you, and your
+mother took in the stranger that no one knew anything about and treated
+me just like one of her own children, I knew that you did it just out of
+kindness, and I tried to see what made you so kind."
+
+"I don't think I'm kind," said Katie, "but I do want to be."
+
+"The only reason I went to Sunday-school and church with you,"
+continued her friend, "was to find out what it was that made you so
+different from the other girls, and there I heard all about Jesus, so
+different from what the priests used to say at home. There were no
+crucifixes, no pictures in the church, as there were in Italy, and yet
+he seemed to be more real than he ever did there, and I found myself
+beginning to love him almost before I knew it."
+
+"I'm so glad!"
+
+"So am I; but I don't think I ever quite saw what he was, how he laid
+down his life, for his enemies I mean, till you went to take care of
+Bertie, at the risk of your own life, and stayed there when you knew how
+badly she had treated you, and never said a word afterward for fear it
+would hurt her. It showed me just how he cares for all of us and wants
+to help us, even those who don't like him and don't want to take his
+help, and I made up my mind to give myself to him and take him for my
+Saviour that very night when you asked me to."
+
+"Why didn't you tell me?"
+
+"Somehow I couldn't. I couldn't talk about such things; they seemed too
+sacred. And one reason I didn't give in my name with the others that day
+at Miss Etta's was because I was afraid Miss Eunice or somebody, the
+minister, perhaps, would ask me questions."
+
+"Didn't you want to talk to the minister?"
+
+"No; it seemed like going to confession, and that I promised my father
+I'd never do. Besides, I didn't think I was good enough."
+
+"Why, we're none of us good enough, Miss Eunice says."
+
+"I know; I listened to all the readings and the talk and the lectures,
+and by-and-by I got to see things that I hadn't understood before, and
+how it is not because we are good and strong, but because we're sinful
+and weak, that we need a Saviour and all the influences of the church.
+And so, just at the very last moment, I prayed for bravery enough to
+tell Miss Etta, and she went with me to Mr. Morven, and he told me I was
+just the one to come, if I really loved the Lord Jesus ever so little
+and wanted to do his will. He was just as kind and gentle, and it wasn't
+a bit like confession, for he didn't ask me any string of questions and
+didn't say the absolution--just talked to us both, prayed, and sent us
+home. I'm so glad I decided. I never felt so happy in my life before."
+
+"Nor I," said Katie. "It doesn't seem as if anything ever could be hard
+or hateful again."
+
+So felt a good many young hearts that quiet Sunday night as they
+returned from the evening service, where the pastor preached a special
+sermon to those of his flock who had just openly enlisted in the army of
+the Cross, welcoming them once more into the "communion of saints,"
+pointing out the responsibilities they had assumed and the difficulties
+in their way, but at the same time congratulating them on the assured
+strength and aid which were promised to make them "more than conquerors
+through him who hath loved us."
+
+And as life glided by, bringing its inevitable portion of care and
+suffering to each, no one of that band was ever sorry, as he looked back
+to the services of that bright September Sunday, that young hands and
+young hearts had then been laid trustingly into the hands of their
+Saviour, and that they set out upon life's journey clad in the
+invincible armor of faith.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+AFTERWARD.
+
+
+The soft, sweet summer-time had quite passed away. Bright autumn had
+followed, with its glory of gorgeous leaves and piles of golden fruit.
+November's fierce blast had begun to toss the leafless branches, and
+Thanksgiving day was at hand.
+
+Nearly three months had passed since our young friends had stood forth
+to receive the seal of their discipleship. Three months of testing time
+they had proved to be--months in which the true attitude of the souls of
+those who had then presented their bodies as a living sacrifice might
+become plain both to themselves and their friends.
+
+No greater mistake can be made than for young people to suppose that the
+recommendation of their Sunday-school teachers, their pastor, or even
+their parents, is an assurance that they are really fit subjects for a
+confession of Christ. All these, it is true, are watching them, both in
+their actions and in the tempers which they thus exhibit, as those that
+must give an account for their souls; but only God can see the
+heart--only themselves can know whether they are sincere in their
+purpose to love and serve him.
+
+Young girls are very easily influenced. Often they come forward in the
+church because a good many of their companions are coming and they do
+not want to be left behind; sometimes because it makes them of temporary
+importance; and sometimes simply because of the transient excitement,
+without any thought of the solemn vows they are going to assume and the
+new life which in the future they are to be expected to lead. And this
+in spite of all the instructions given and the watchful care exercised
+by pastor and friends. No wonder, then, that the first few months after
+a public profession are anxious ones to all those who have had any part
+in smoothing the way thereto for their young friends.
+
+And yet, let no girl or boy be discouraged from taking a stand which is
+both duty and privilege by these remarks. All that God demands of those
+who confess Christ--or, as it is popularly incorrectly called, "make a
+profession of religion"--is _sincerity_ of heart and purpose; _sincere_
+sorrow, no matter how slight, for past sin; _sincere_ faith in the
+sacrifice of Christ, to atone for and forgive sin; _sincere_ purpose of
+obeying God's commandments for the future, with _sincere_ consciousness
+of weakness added to _sincere_ trust in the all-sufficient strength of
+the Holy Ghost. Every boy or girl old enough to think is capable of this
+sincerity; and thus every one is bound to obey the express command of
+his Saviour and confess him before men.
+
+But, of course, if the confession be not sincere, in a very short time,
+when the novelty and excitement have worn away, the interest in sacred
+things will wear away also, and very soon something will be said or done
+that will be a dreadful disgrace to the confession thus carelessly or
+wickedly made.
+
+Still another mistake is often made by young people, and this is one
+calculated to do great mischief, as it is often made by those who are
+sincerely desirous of serving God. For weeks preceding the open step
+they have devoted a great deal of time to meetings, prayer, and
+Bible-reading, and their interest in these things has almost put secular
+ones out of their heads. But when that long-anticipated day is over,
+they feel somehow that the end is reached, instead of looking on this
+end as only the first step in a newer and better life. Other duties and
+interests resume their relative importance. There are not so many
+meetings to go to, Bible-reading becomes more hurried, prayers are less
+fervent, and all at once the young communicant falls into some open sin
+and is filled with grief and remorse.
+
+Oh, if every boy and girl, every man and woman, who has been brought
+into outward and inward communion with Christ, would only realize that
+he or she is to go _onward_, never ceasing to pray and strive against
+evil; ever pressing on for more and more of the Holy Spirit; striving
+each day to be more and more like Christ,--then would be realized what
+is meant by the words of the wise king: "The path of the just is as the
+shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
+
+"Don't you think it would be nice to have a Harvest Home Festival for
+the Sunday-school on Thanksgiving?" said Etta Mountjoy to her brother
+and sister one autumn afternoon.
+
+"I never saw one," said Eunice, whose duties as housekeeper had kept her
+rather closely confined at home for some years.
+
+"Oh, I have. When I was at Altona last fall, the church was decorated
+with grain and grasses and fruits, and even vegetables. It was just
+lovely!"
+
+"I should think it might be," said James; "and I don't see why we should
+not have one if Mr. Morven has no objection. But it will be a good deal
+of work to carry it through successfully, and I hate that sort of thing
+when it's a failure."
+
+"I don't mind work," said Etta. "I want something to do--something for
+the church, I mean; and the girls do, too--something to take the place
+of our readings and talks. Sometimes I wish it were not all over, but
+there were something still to look forward to."
+
+"Do you mean that you are sorry that you are really admitted to the
+communion of the Church, and have openly placed yourself on the Lord's
+side?"
+
+"No! Of course not," said the girl, blushing. "But things are getting
+flat. I want something new; you know I always did."
+
+"Yes," said her brother; "we all know, Etta. But, seriously, I trust my
+little sister will never be tired of the blessed service and fellowship
+into which she has been so recently admitted. You know what is written
+about those who put their hands to the plow and look back."
+
+"Oh, I don't mean to look back; I don't want to. I'd rather belong to
+the church and work for Christ than anything else in the world. What I
+want is work. Don't you see?"
+
+"Well, dear, if you think you can manage the work I'll find the money,
+though I don't suppose it will cost a great deal."
+
+So it came to pass that those bright autumn Saturday afternoons were
+spent by Etta and her girls in the woods, where, with the aid of such
+boys as could get away from their work, a store of scarlet, golden, and
+variegated autumn leaves was laid in, with late ferns and hardy
+brackens, curious bits of moss, seed-vessels, and dried grass being
+added to the store. These were all taken to Mrs. Robertson's, whose
+large garret was offered for their reception and preservation, and after
+tea the girls ironed and varnished the leaves which could not be
+detached from the boughs, and pressed the smaller ones between the
+leaves of newspapers, which were collected for the purpose from
+neighbors, the younger Sunday scholars who were not in the mill being
+thus employed.
+
+Then, on Wednesday evening, at Miss Eunice's "tea-party," which of
+necessity was held indoors, now that darkness came early and the nights
+were chill, the girls of the two classes covered pasteboard stars,
+crosses, crowns, and monograms with leaves and mosses neatly stitched
+on--bound rich yellow wheat stalks into sheaves, and made plumes and
+tassels of dried grasses and seeds.
+
+Merry chatter helped the work forward. Miss Eunice did not wish her
+girls to look upon religion and the church's service as a thing of
+gloom. She knew that God has "given us all things richly to enjoy," and
+that the way to hallow pleasure and prevent its being hurtful is "in
+_all_ our ways to acknowledge him."
+
+Moreover, these social, familiar talks, when every one was off her
+guard, afforded capital opportunities of studying character with a view
+to affording to the young pilgrims such aid and advice as might be
+useful to them in their heavenward journey.
+
+Of all the young work-women, Tessa showed the most taste and ingenuity
+in the grouping of leaves and arranging of ferns, and her beautiful
+combinations constantly called forth the admiration of both companions
+and teachers. The little Italian received their commendations very
+meekly, but did not thereby escape exciting the jealousy of Bertie
+Sanderson, who, on putting together some very fiery leaves without any
+attempt at toning down, received from Miss Eunice a few gentle
+suggestions concerning shadow, high lights, etc. "It's too mean," she
+whispered to her nearest neighbor, as she took her seat, "that beggar
+from the poor-house gets more notice than all the rest of us put
+together."
+
+Her companion stared, for she was one of those girls who had almost
+made up her mind to become a Christian, but had remained undecided till
+too late, because she had an idea that a person could not dare to join
+the church till she was as holy as an angel.
+
+"There's Katie Robertson, too," continued Bertie; "she'll be sure to be
+praised, if her work's hideous. That's what it is to be a favorite."
+
+"Why, Bertie," said the other, "you're real spiteful. I think Katie's
+just the nicest girl. Anyway, I couldn't talk as you do if I had joined
+the church."
+
+"But you ought to have joined the church because it was your duty," said
+Bertie, who could very clearly see the mote in her sister's eye, in
+spite of the beam in her own. "You will be a Christian soon, won't you?
+It's so nice."
+
+"Not I. If religion don't make people better than you are, I don't want
+anything to do with it; I'd rather stay as I am," was the sincere, if
+not very polite, answer. And then Bertie's conscience awoke, and she
+began to see what harm she was doing. She was very uneasy all the rest
+of the evening, and still more so when, at its close, Miss Eunice asked
+her to stop a few moments, as she had something to say to her.
+
+Miss Eunice had overheard the conversation we have recorded, and had
+noted the cross, spiteful expression of the girl's face, and had grieved
+much as she saw her Saviour thus "wounded in the house of his friends."
+She spoke seriously to Bertie so soon as they were alone, and found the
+latter already repentant and quite willing to acknowledge her fault.
+
+"But what am I to do, Miss Eunice? I _am_ jealous, and I _do_ feel
+hateful sometimes. I don't want to feel so, but I can't help it. If I
+didn't speak, I should feel it all the same."
+
+"But, my dear, you have promised, in the most solemn way, to renounce
+'the devil and all his works.' Pride, malice, envy, jealousy are
+emphatically works of the devil."
+
+"I know, Miss Eunice; and I thought it would be all taken away. The
+minister in the city told us that Jesus is 'the Lamb of God, who taketh
+away the sins of the world.' I thought if I came to him he would take
+mine away."
+
+"So he has, so he will. Try to understand me. When he hung upon the
+cross he bore the penalty due to the sins of the whole world, and of
+course to yours. In that sense he has already taken them away. But in
+another sense, that of your daily life, your _character_, he will take
+the evil of that away just as fast as you will let him."
+
+"Let him? How do you mean? I am sure I want to be good."
+
+"Yes, in a lump, altogether, you want to be good, very good; but without
+any trouble or self-denial. You didn't want to keep from saying those
+spiteful things about Tessa and Katie a little while ago, or he would
+have helped you do it. You didn't want the jealous, envious feelings
+taken out of your heart _just then_, or he would have taken them."
+
+"How, Miss Eunice?"
+
+"_Whatsoever_ you ask in prayer, believing, ye _shall_ receive," said
+she.
+
+"But do you mean I ought to have kneeled down to pray then, just that
+moment, before all the girls?"
+
+"It is not necessary always to kneel down when we pray; though it is
+best to do so when we can. There are often times when our work would
+suffer, or when we are so surrounded by others that it would be
+impossible. But a few earnest words spoken in the silence of our own
+hearts will always bring our strong, loving Saviour to our help; and we
+may, _every time_, no matter what our temptations are, be 'more than
+conquerors through him who hath loved us.'"
+
+"Every time? Oh, Miss Eunice!"
+
+"Yes, every time. You know we constantly ask the Lord 'to keep us each
+day _without_ sin.' How can we utter such a prayer in faith if we don't
+believe that it can be granted?"
+
+"Yes; but temptations are so sudden, and take you just where you're the
+weakest."
+
+"I know. And therefore we should be fully armed beforehand. Bertie, did
+you read your Bible and pray this morning?"
+
+"No!" said the girl, flushing. "I always mean to; but it's so dark in
+the mornings now, and mill-time comes so soon. It's just as much as I
+can do to get there in time, any way."
+
+"Yet you find time for your breakfast?"
+
+"I couldn't live without eating."
+
+"Nor can you live spiritually without feeding daily upon Christ, through
+the study of his Word and prayer. I would sooner go without my breakfast
+than without my early communion with him. Bertie, there are 'no gains
+without pains.' If you are really desirous, as I believe you are, to
+overcome your own evil habits and tendencies, and grow to be like
+Christ, you _must_ begin every day with prayer for his help; you must
+watch yourself and your surroundings, and in the moment of temptation
+you must turn instantly to him who says that he is 'a very present help
+in trouble,' and who has promised to 'supply all our need according to
+his riches in glory.'"
+
+Poor Bertie! A hard fight was before her. Fourteen years of unresisted
+pride, jealousy, and ill-will had formed habits that were hard to
+break--fourteen years of caring for no one's pleasure but her own. In
+brief, fourteen years of worshiping herself had helped to form a
+character which would need a good deal of chiseling before it should
+grow into an image of Christ. But he had undertaken the work. Miss
+Eunice had shown her how to avail herself of his offered help, and as
+she took her teacher's advice, we may be sure that in the end she gained
+the victory.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+A WARNING.
+
+
+So the short, bright autumn days and the long, chill evenings passed
+quickly and pleasantly away. All were busy and happy, and were beginning
+to find that in spite of conflicts and self-denials "wisdom's ways are
+pleasantness and all her paths are peace." The preparations for the
+Thanksgiving festival progressed rapidly, but before the time came to
+put the plans in execution a very terrible thing happened in Squantown.
+Faces turned white, voices were hushed, work was suspended at the mill,
+in the stores, and even upon farms. One home, where a loving mother
+bowed in deepest agony, was shrouded in gloom, while others were filled
+with the sympathy of mourning.
+
+The Mountjoys first heard the news at Sunday-school, where Etta found
+her class so full of the horror that they could attend to nothing else.
+The stories of the girls were confused, and differed as to details, but
+their teacher elicited from them the facts, which were as follows:--
+
+Harry Pemberton, one of the best hands in the mill, one of the
+pleasantest young fellows in Squantown, so the grown-up girls thought,
+the very idol of the widowed mother who had only him, had gone out with
+some companions on a Saturday night "spree" to a high cliff in the
+neighborhood. They carried with them a barrel of beer and some bottles
+of whiskey, of which, however, the others drank but little. A foolish
+bet was made between him and one of the elder men, as to which could
+drink the most "lager," and the others, soon tiring of the contest, left
+the two with the bet still undecided. The sequel was involved in
+mystery, for the other man, who was a stranger in the place, had
+disappeared, and when the bright autumn sun shone out on Sunday morning,
+it showed to the early passers-by the dead body of poor Harry, bruised,
+broken, and disfigured, at the foot of the cliff. Whether the beer they
+had taken made him and his companion quarrelsome and he was pushed over
+in a fight, or whether Harry, stupefied, fell asleep on the edge and
+rolled over in his unconsciousness, was never known. The boon companion
+never came back to testify, and the coroner's jury brought in a verdict
+of "accidentally killed."[2]
+
+On Wednesday the mills were closed, that all might have an opportunity
+of attending the funeral services, which were intensely solemn and
+impressive. Harry had at one time been a member of Mr. James's
+Bible-class, and during the recent religious interest his former teacher
+and employer had more than once urged upon him to break away from the
+evil companions and bad influences by which he had allowed himself to be
+surrounded, and take his stand on the Lord's side, finding in the church
+and its associations help to become a noble and good man. At one time he
+had seemed to be almost persuaded, and his friend had great hopes of
+him, but his companions and their influence had proved to be too strong.
+He had gone back to his evil ways, trusting, perhaps, to "a more
+convenient season," which, alas! never came to him.
+
+The clergyman detailed these facts to his hearers, among whom were, of
+course, all the young men of the place; and while delicately avoiding
+hazarding any suggestions as to the present or future condition of their
+unfortunate companion, pressed upon all present the importance of
+calling upon the Lord "while he may be found," and the awful risk of
+delay.
+
+"No one could have supposed," said Mr. Morven, "when poor Harry trifled
+with the most important of all questions, his soul's salvation, and put
+off his final decision till some 'more convenient season,' that that
+season would never come to him."
+
+Of all the young men of Squantown he had seemed the least likely to be
+suddenly called into eternity. Yet he had been, in a condition, too, in
+which any one would least like to be found when called suddenly to stand
+before God and answer for the deeds done in the body. Who would be
+called next? Was that one all ready? Therefore, he once more urged upon
+his hearers, "Prepare to meet thy God." Nor did the earnest pastor fail
+to draw attention to the lessons concerning the use of intoxicating
+liquors, in any form or degree, which the occasion so plainly afforded.
+It was not as an habitual drunkard that Harry Pemberton met his fate,
+nor was it from the use of what is usually denominated "strong drink."
+Lager beer, considered and spoken of by many as "a temperance beverage,"
+was responsible for the mischief, and the thoughtless joke of careless
+young men had hurried one of them, known to all present as a boy of
+great promise, uncalled into the immediate presence of God. Perhaps a
+better object-lesson for total abstinence could not have been found,
+since it is the occasional drinkers, who are not as yet bound by the
+chains of almost irresistible habit, to whom alone such an appeal can be
+made with any prospect of success. Poor Harry had been precisely one of
+these, and probably no young man in Squantown had considered himself
+farther from meeting death as the result of intemperance.
+
+This sad and sudden death made a great impression upon James Mountjoy.
+Always a perfectly _temperate_ man, as became an earnest, devoted young
+Christian, he had never been known as a _temperance_ man, that is, an
+advocate of total abstinence principles, and an active worker in the
+cause. But he now was deeply impressed with his responsibility and duty
+in this respect; and accustomed to turning good impressions at once to
+their legitimate results,--good actions,--he, with his father's full
+consent, called a meeting of all the men connected with the mill, that
+night, and presented to them a total-abstinence pledge, which he was the
+first man to sign.
+
+"I have always," said he, "been opposed to such pledges. I thought a
+Christian communicant might be trusted to use all these things in
+moderation, and that it was, somehow, an undervaluing of his church
+privileges, to say nothing of his manhood, to bind himself by anything
+else. I will confess, also, to having occasionally enjoyed a glass of
+wine or champagne. But I have completely changed my mind. Who knows what
+might happen to me, in some unguarded moment, if I should continue to
+tamper with that which is in its very nature a deceiver? But, even
+supposing I were to escape all evil consequences, some one weaker or
+less favored than I am might be influenced by my example to take that
+which would injure him in body or soul. St. Paul said he would 'eat no
+more meat and drink no more wine while the world standeth,' if it should
+cause his brother to offend, so I have resolved that not another drop of
+anything that can intoxicate shall ever pass my lips, and if it will be
+any help for any of you to make or keep to a similar resolution, I will
+be the first to 'sign away my liberty,' as pledge-signing is foolishly
+called." And he wrote _James Mountjoy_ in clear letters at the head of
+the paper.
+
+A great cheer greeted the action, and many men and boys pressed forward
+to follow their young employer's example. Elderly men they were, some of
+them, who had tried again and again to break off a habit which they felt
+to be injuring them and defrauding their families, and who found a great
+moral support in being thus associated with others, one of whom stood in
+such relation to themselves. Others were young men who greatly admired
+and emulated Mr. James, and who had heretofore justified themselves in
+acquiring a taste for whiskey on the ground that the young gentleman
+was known occasionally to indulge in ale and champagne. And still others
+were boys, who liked to do what their elders did, by way of appearing
+manly, and whose adherence, given to the right side of the question,
+before they had had an opportunity of acquiring a taste for intoxicants,
+was a great gain on the side of righteousness.
+
+Eric and Alfred were among these latter, and though neither had as yet
+spent an evening away from home, nor, to her knowledge, knew the taste
+of liquor, their mother, when she was told of it, gave hearty thanks
+that another safeguard against evil had been thrown around her boys.
+
+Some of the men declined to sign the pledge, one saying in a surly
+manner that he was not going to be coerced into doing a thing of this
+kind. Mr. Mountjoy paid for his work, not his principles, and he should
+eat and drink just what he liked. To him James replied, pleasantly, that
+he did not wish to coerce any one. Those who were conscientiously
+opposed to signing a pledge would, of course, not be expected to do so,
+but he had no doubt he should have the unanimous support of all present
+in whatever efforts might be made to put down the growing evils of
+intemperance.
+
+James Mountjoy never did anything by halves. He at once threw himself
+earnestly into the temperance reform; supplied himself with books and
+papers, and became thoroughly conversant with all phases of the
+question, wondering, as he did so, how as a Christian man he could so
+long have overlooked his duty in this matter. Resolved to do so no
+longer, he at once commenced a series of temperance meetings, inviting
+speakers and lecturers to come to Squantown and make the people
+intelligent total abstainers. He did not select so much men who were
+noted for their fervid oratory, nor yet reformed drunkards who often
+divert their audiences with amusing accounts of their past performances
+while under the influence of strong drink, but plain, common-sense
+business men, who put before their hearers in simple terms the evils
+that the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol work to the
+purses, bodies, and souls of any community.
+
+He also added to the library at the factory reading-room a number of
+valuable works on the nature and effects of alcohol; and before the
+winter was over had the pleasure of seeing a very marked change in the
+condition of the factory people as the result of his efforts.
+
+-----
+[Footnote 2: An actual occurrence.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+THE DO GOOD SOCIETY.
+
+
+Meanwhile the girls at Miss Eunice's tea-party had been busily
+discussing the funeral and its sad cause.
+
+"What an awful thing intemperance is!" said one of the elder girls.
+"Even women sometimes drink to excess; and how many others suffer from
+its effects in their husbands and fathers. I wish we girls could do
+something to put it down."
+
+"You can," said Etta. "If every girl in the land were to set her foot
+down against having anything to do with young men who drink, there would
+soon be a change. I am resolved," she said, in her old impetuous way,
+"never to associate with any young man, no matter how good or elegant he
+may be, who even tastes wine occasionally."
+
+"That is a rash resolve, Etta," said her sister, "and one that I fear
+you will find it hard to carry out. Yet, what you say is right, in the
+main. Girls do not enough realize the great responsibility of their
+influence over young men."
+
+"No," said Agnes Burchard, with a sigh. And several remembered how much
+she had been seen with poor Harry and what jokes had been made about
+their intimacy. "I always knew that Harry Pemberton drank occasionally;
+but I thought it manly, and like--like Mr. James."
+
+No one answered this rather unfortunate remark; but presently Katie
+Robertson said:--
+
+"Don't you think, Miss Etta, people ought to begin with the boys--before
+they have learned to drink, I mean."
+
+"A good suggestion, Katie, since an ounce of prevention is said to be
+better than a pound of cure. How would you set about doing it?"
+
+But Katie, having thus drawn all eyes upon herself, blushed, and did not
+feel like speaking. So Miss Eunice came to her rescue:--
+
+"We might organize some kind of a society, of which the boys and younger
+girls could be members. It would be some trouble to keep it up, but it
+would be directly in the line of that service to which you pledged
+yourselves, girls, that bright first Sunday in September."
+
+"Delightful!" said Etta, to whom every new thing always seemed so. "A
+boys' and girls' temperance society, with a pledge that they shall never
+in their lives taste anything that can intoxicate. Then they will grow
+up temperance boys and girls from the start."
+
+"There are two objections to pledging children--that is, very young
+ones," said Eunice. "The first is, from the unwillingness often felt by
+their parents; and the other, that many of them do not fully understand
+what they are about, and as they grow older often break their pledge, on
+the ground that they are not bound by a promise made when they were too
+young to understand it."
+
+"Well, some of them keep it, and that's so much gained."
+
+"Yes; for them. But to break solemnly made vows is always an injury to
+one's character. Besides, if we make a total-abstinence pledge the
+condition of joining our society, we shall not get the Irish boys, who
+most need our work. Their parents will not let them come. Why not word
+our pledge in such a way as to secure everybody's influence on the side
+of temperance, without making it a personal thing? It will be sure to
+react upon the individual."
+
+"I think there are some things that boys do besides drinking that are
+just as bad--smoking and swearing, for instance," said one of the girls.
+
+"And I think it's just as bad for girls to be hateful and unkind," said
+Bertie, to the surprise of some who knew her, but did not know what a
+brave fight she was making to overcome her long-indulged faults.
+
+"Let's make it a pledge to be kind and thoughtful," said one of the
+girls.
+
+"Not to be vain," said another.
+
+"And let's all belong," said a third. "So the boys won't think we're
+just preaching to them."
+
+So the result of all the talk was that a meeting for all the children in
+the place was held the first bright Saturday afternoon, Etta presiding,
+assisted by such of her girls as had finished their day's work at the
+mill. It happened to be a bright afternoon, warm for the season, and no
+one felt any inconvenience in staying out of doors, where they sat in
+groups around the lawn, while their young hostess explained the purpose
+for which she had called them together.
+
+"We know you all want to be good men and women," she said; "brave,
+noble, and helpful. Our idea is not primarily to amuse you or make you
+happy, but to help you to learn to be helpful and useful to others. We
+want to form among ourselves a society, whose object is to do all the
+good that its members possibly can--not trying to have a good time, but
+to make somebody else happier and better every day. Who wants to join
+us?"
+
+Instantly every hand in the little group went up.
+
+"Yes, I thought so," said the young lady. "But now I wonder who are
+willing to take a good deal of trouble about it, and really put
+themselves out of the way to make other people happy. Those who are
+willing and mean to persevere not getting tired and giving up the whole
+thing after a little while, may have the privilege of joining our
+society by signing their names to our pledge."
+
+She then read the following pledge slowly, pausing to explain every word
+which might seem hard to be understood by the younger children:--
+
+"We, the undersigned, pledge ourselves to be truthful, unselfish,
+cheerful, and helpful; to use our influence always for the right, and
+never to fear to show our colors. We will always use our influence
+against intemperance, the use of profane language or tobacco, disrespect
+to the old, ill treatment of the young or unfortunate, and cruelty to
+animals."[3]
+
+Nearly all present were eager to sign it; those who could write their
+names doing so, and the others looking on with great satisfaction while
+theirs were written by some one else. Thus a society was formed which,
+for want of a better name, was called the "Do Good Society."
+
+Etta was unanimously elected president; four girls of her class were
+the officers. Meetings were to be held the first Saturday in every month
+in the Sunday-school room, on which occasions those present were to
+report attempts at carrying out the principles of the society as well as
+all successes in doing so.
+
+To this society and its welfare Etta Mountjoy devoted herself, throwing
+into its concerns the whole activity of her versatile nature; making its
+meetings so interesting, and imparting to it so much bright life and
+activity, that it soon became the most popular institution in Squantown.
+
+The society's first meeting was held one week after its organization. It
+was raining softly, and the grass was damp and the air chilly; so the
+children, nearly a hundred of whom were present, were glad to come into
+the shelter of the pretty Sunday-school room, and while swelling with
+the importance of being "a society," wait to see what "Miss Etta" would
+do when she came. The girls were getting a little restless, and the boys
+had begun to drum rather impatiently upon the floor, when the young lady
+appeared, carrying in her hand a curious-looking box with a slit in the
+top and a basket mysteriously covered down, which she deposited on the
+desk, not as yet answering the questions which were spoken by the many
+pairs of bright eyes before her.
+
+The first thing the president did was to tell the children that they
+might sing "Hold the Fort," which they did with such extraordinary force
+and enthusiasm that they exhausted the excitement which was seething
+within them, and sat quite still while the basket was unpacked and Etta
+took from it a bottle of whitish-looking fluid, a clear glass goblet,
+and a pure white egg. Then she gave them a little temperance talk,
+reminding them of the sad death of poor Harry, which was known to them
+all, and telling them that even when people did not drink enough liquor
+to make them either stupid or quarrelsome, _any_ quantity of it taken
+into the stomach injures it very much.
+
+To make them understand this she broke the egg-shell and dropped the
+white of the egg into the goblet, holding it up and showing them how
+soft and clear it was. Then, uncorking the bottle, she told them it
+contained alcohol, the substance that is found in all intoxicating
+drinks, even the weaker ones, such as wine and beer.
+
+"Now, watch," she said; and as she poured two or three drops of the
+liquid into the glass the interested eyes saw the egg grow white and
+hard, and at last become tough and leathery. "This," she said, "is just
+what happens when people drink anything that contains alcohol. The brain
+is a substance like the white of an egg. The alcohol acts upon it in the
+same way it has acted upon the white of this egg--it _cooks_ it! The
+brain of a drunkard becomes _cooked_--tough and leathery. The man cannot
+think as clearly as other men. His mind becomes degraded." The children
+all expressed their astonishment, and after they had talked a little
+while, their teacher said:--
+
+"I am sure you don't want people to injure their brains in this way, and
+so you will be ready to keep that part of your pledge which says we will
+'use our influence against intemperance,' of course."
+
+"Yes, yes!" was shouted out by dozens of voices, and many hands went
+up. One boy said:--
+
+"How about tobacco?"
+
+"Oh, we'll talk about that next time. Now I want you to sing again, and
+then we will investigate the contents of this box," proceeding to unlock
+it as she spoke.
+
+When the second hymn was over Miss Etta drew out several folded papers,
+and handing; them to the secretary, who had come in since the beginning,
+asked her to read them aloud.
+
+"Remember, children, that neither you nor I know who wrote them. They
+have no signatures. Perhaps some of the children wrote them themselves,
+perhaps they got their parents to do so. All we want to know is that
+they are accounts of how some of our members have tried to be unselfish
+and helpful to other people during the week that has past. I hope every
+meeting we shall have a number of such papers to read. You can any of
+you write them, and slip them into this box, and our secretary will read
+them to us. But be sure that you don't put any names to them and that
+what you write is true."
+
+                               PAPER I.
+
+Last Friday I was going home from school when I saw two big boys hit
+against an old woman, who was carrying along a heavy basket. I don't
+know whether they did it on purpose, but they both began to laugh as the
+basket upset, and the apples which were in it rolled all over the road.
+I was just going to laugh too, the old woman looked so funny and
+helpless, but I thought of our society, and I stooped down and picked up
+all the apples and helped carry home the basket. The other boys laughed
+at me and called me a baby. I wanted to swear at them dreadfully, but I
+remembered what our pledge said about "profane swearing," and I just
+held my tongue.
+
+                              PAPER II.
+
+Mother wanted me to take care of the baby while she got supper the other
+afternoon, but I wanted to go in the woods with Allie and get nuts. I'd
+promised her ever so long, and this was the last chance, it's so near
+winter. I was just going to say "No" to mother, and tell her babies were
+a nuisance, when I noticed how tired she looked, and thought how she was
+always doing things for all of us. Then I remembered our pledge, and I
+took the baby and tried to be "cheerful and helpful" in amusing her,
+setting the table between whiles. And in the evening, mother said she
+did not know how she could have got along without me, she had such a
+headache all the afternoon, but now she felt quite rested.
+
+                              PAPER III.
+
+Five of us girls are going to form a bee. We haven't much time, but we
+can take one evening each week, and we're going to make skating-bags for
+our brothers and some of the other boys, so that they can keep their
+skates clean and bright. We mean to hurry, so as to get them ready by
+the first frosty weather.
+
+There were several other papers, but these specimens are enough to show
+the kind of work the Do Good Society was engaged in, and the nature of
+the reports brought in from time to time. They were sometimes very
+funny, and Miss Etta felt a little inclined to laugh as they were read,
+but little by little they were educating the children to be unselfish
+and helpful, and that, next to being godly, is the best thing in the
+world.
+
+-----
+[Footnote 3: Condensed from the pledge of the Lookout Legion.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+THANKSGIVING DAY.
+
+
+The long-anticipated Harvest Home Festival arrived at last. All
+Wednesday evening, and far into the night, the boys were busy, under
+Etta's directions, in putting up the carefully prepared colored leaf
+emblems, and arranging the grasses, fruits, and vegetables. Over every
+pointed window was a garland of variously colored grasses, mixed with
+bearded golden grain, and between each, one of the leaf emblems was
+lightly tacked to the wall. From each gas-burner depended a rustic
+basket, made of twisted sticks dipped in a cheap solution of gilt
+powder, and filled with purple and white grapes, mixed with scarlet and
+golden apples. Bouquets of ferns and grasses graced pulpit and baptismal
+font. Against either end of the communion-table leaned a wonderfully
+constructed cornucopia, from whose capacious mouth seemed to be pouring
+out green squashes, yellow pumpkins, red and white beets, brown
+potatoes, cabbages, cauliflowers, parsnips, and golden ears of corn,
+packed in with cereals and nuts. On the table itself was a mighty pile
+of all the fruits attainable so late in the season, and the decorations
+were completed by a cross nearly six feet in height, composed entirely
+of white everlasting flowers, placed in the window just above.
+
+It was great fun to arrange all these pretty things, and the fun might
+have degenerated into irreverence, but for the presence of Mr. Morven,
+who occasionally said a few words concerning the sacredness of the
+place, and managed to give the whole affair the appearance of a happy
+service of the Lord and his church, so that each boy and girl went away
+with a share of the gladness of those who work for God.
+
+The Thanksgiving congregation was an unusually large one. The mills were
+closed, of course, and many of the work-people who, perhaps, would have
+hesitated at the idea of spending their rare holiday time in a church,
+thought better of it when they remembered that doing so would certainly
+please their employer. Not a very worthy motive, certainly. But there
+are many motives which draw people to the house of God, not all of which
+will bear close inspection. None the less, however, are they thus
+brought under hallowed influences, and it may be that germinating seed
+will be thus sown in their hearts, which the wayside birds will not
+quite carry away.
+
+The Methodists, who usually held Sunday services at the school-house,
+three miles off, held none on Thanksgiving day, and were glad of a good
+opportunity to see and attend the pretty new stone church on the hill.
+Many of the neighboring families in the country round had city visitors
+come to "spend Thanksgiving." And more than all, the fame of the harvest
+decorations had spread far and wide, so that curiosity helped to fill
+the church to overflowing. Mr. Morven was glad of the opportunity to
+show how religion claims a place even in our festivities and helps to
+brighten all our joys. He was especially desirous that the children and
+young people should never look upon Christ's service as a thing of
+gloom. He dwelt upon Thanksgiving day as an essentially national
+festival, reminding his audience how it had originated when the Pilgrim
+fathers met at the close of the first year of their hard life among New
+England rocks to thank the God, in whose name and by whose power they
+had laid the foundations of the new commonwealth on this side of the
+sea. Then he told how the observance had gradually spread from State to
+State; at first being appointed by the State Governor, on such day as
+seemed to him fittest. Till at last, the wise and lamented President
+Lincoln sent out a Thanksgiving proclamation, and appointed a uniform
+day for the whole, great, reunited people.
+
+"For what we are to give thanks, in addition to our great public
+blessings," continued the preacher, "each one of us must look into his
+individual life and surroundings to discover. These beautiful
+decorations remind us of our indebtedness as a people for an abundant
+harvest, not only of the grains and cereals which support our lives, but
+also of the delicacies which make that life one of rich enjoyment. But,
+my friends, this is Cain's sacrifice. Let us beware lest, as in his
+case, it take the place of Abel's, and we learn to care more for the
+things of our perishing life than for those eternal glories to which the
+great sacrifice of which Abel's was typical is our only title. For
+myself, as pastor of this church, I find special occasion for
+thanksgiving in the large number who have, during the past year,
+publicly given themselves to Christ, nearly all of whom, as I have every
+reason to hope, have set out in earnest upon their heavenward
+pilgrimage. These souls are a seal to my ministry among you, and for
+them I gladly to-day render unto the Lord thanksgiving. An added cause
+of thanksgiving to me personally is the able and earnest corps of
+assistants who are here holding up my hands. Surrounded by mill-owners
+whose first object is not so much money-making as the elevation of the
+men, women, and children in their employ; with Eunices and Louises, who
+labor with me for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom in young human
+hearts, and with a society of little folks whose purpose is to follow
+their Great Master by going about to do good, I feel myself well
+sustained in my responsible position; and, as I look forward to the
+cares and duties of another year, I 'thank God and take courage.' And no
+doubt, as you look down into your own hearts and back on the events of
+the past year, you also see much cause for thanksgiving. Some of you
+remember how, when you tossed on beds of fever, God's presence rebuked
+the death-angel and you came back to a new and, as we trust, a better
+life. Many of you know how, while the pestilence raged around you, both
+you and your loved ones were safe from his fiery breath. Others of you
+can recall how, when the swift punishment that sometimes visits those
+who do not like to retain God in their knowledge and seek their own
+pleasure rather than his service came among us, it was not your boy,
+your brother, your dear one who met with a fearful and sudden death.
+Even such of you as have been called to suffer during the year that is
+gone by, to resist temptation, to conquer sin, to mourn over loved ones,
+or to meet poverty and distress, know that, having received help of the
+Lord, you continue unto this day. His strength has assured the hard-won
+victory, his presence has lightened the gloom, his hand wiped away the
+tear, his bounty fed the hungry. In all things he has more than kept his
+promises, and I call upon you this day to
+
+                "'Render unto the Lord thanksgiving.'"
+
+The afternoon was devoted to the Harvest Home Festival, and a very
+pretty and successful service it was.
+
+Long before three o'clock the main body of the church was filled with
+parents, friends, and anxious spectators, many of whom had never been
+inside of a church before. The front seats had been reserved for the
+Sunday-school, whose members marched in singing as a processional:--
+
+                   "Come, ye thankful people, come,
+                    Raise the song of Harvest Home,"
+
+at the close of which the whole congregation rose and sang:--
+
+             "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."
+
+A brief opening service followed, the infant class chanting the Lord's
+prayer, the verses of Psalm lxv being read alternately by boys and
+girls, after which Psalm cxxi--
+
+             "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills"--
+
+was sung by the whole school.
+
+The infant class then came forward, and standing in a group before the
+desk recited each a text, which the superintendent called:--
+
+               "Autumn Leaves from the Tree of Life."
+
+The verses were selected with great taste and care, and the little ones
+did their part well. The following are some of those selected:--
+
+    Exodus xxvi, 16.
+    Leviticus xxii, 10.
+    Psalms l, 19; cxlv, 14; cxxxvi, 1, 25.
+    Isaiah lv, 10.
+    1 Corinthians x, 26.
+    Hebrews xiii, 2.
+    Revelations xix, 5.
+
+The very little folks here closed their part of the performance with a
+"Harvest Song," in which they had been well drilled.
+
+Then the older classes arose and recited selected portions of Scripture
+in unison, class by class.
+
+Eunice Mountjoy's class gave "The harvest feast." Deut. xvi, 13-15.
+
+Etta Mountjoy's class: "The harvest fruits are the gift of God." Psalms
+cxv, 10-15.
+
+James Mountjoy's boys: "Trust in the giver of the harvest." Luke xii,
+22-28.
+
+Another boys' class: "The harvest of the world." Rev. xiv, 13-17.
+
+Still another: "The harvest of the tares." Matthew xiii, 37-43.
+
+And then the whole school sang:--
+
+                     "What shall the harvest be?"
+
+Then the recitations commenced again.
+
+First class: "Men compared to fruit-trees." Matt, vii, 16-20.
+
+Second class: "Different kinds of fruit." Gal. vi, 1-10.
+
+Third class: "The curse of unfruitfulness." Matt, xxi, 18-20.
+
+Fourth class: "Danger of setting the heart upon earthly fruits."
+Luke xii, 15-21.
+
+Fifth class: "Necessity of labor in harvesting." Prov. x, 3-5.
+
+Sixth class: "Now, the harvest time." John iv, 35-38.
+
+Whole school in unison: Psalm cl, entire.
+
+The festival was closed by the singing of the hymn:--
+
+                   "Praise to God, immortal praise,
+                    For the love that crowns our days,"
+
+as the children marched back to the schoolroom.[4]
+
+The whole performance was considered a great success. The superintendent
+and his young assistants received many congratulations, and the parents
+carried their little ones home well satisfied with their share in the
+exercises.
+
+-----
+[Footnote 4: The above programme was actually carried out in a country
+school of the writer's acquaintance, and is given in full for the
+benefit of others who may be inclined to try a similar festival.
+It may bevaried and prolonged by the introduction of poetical passages
+concerning autumn, etc.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+SERVICE.
+
+
+The first meeting of the "Do Good Society" had proved so successful that
+another was appointed for next week, at the request of the little
+members. Mr. Morven came in and opened the meeting with a prayer this
+time, after which he retired while the children were singing their first
+hymn. Then the president read and explained the pledge again, and asked
+all who had not done so already to sign it, after which she again
+produced the box with a slit in the cover, into which she asked every
+one to drop the papers on which they had written whatever they would
+like to have read to the society.
+
+There was a little tittering, a little rustling, some blushing, and
+considerable hesitation, after which a good many of the girls and some
+of the boys came up in a confused mass, and dropped some folded papers
+into the box.
+
+"Now," said Miss Etta, when all was quiet again, "I call upon the
+secretary to read what is on these papers without the names,--for that
+is the Bible way of not letting our right hand know what the left
+does,--and if any of our little members, who don't know how to write,
+have anything to report to the society, they may get some of the bigger
+ones to write it down for them. Here are some slips of paper and pencils
+I have provided on purpose."
+
+Then there was another pause and some more rustling, whispering, and
+laughing, and some more curiously written and folded papers were dropped
+into the box.
+
+These are what the secretary read:--
+
+                                  I.
+
+I was coming home from school one day when I saw old Mr. Kelly trying to
+push his wheelbarrow of potatoes up the hill. He looked so weak that I
+thought I would help him, so I called Jim Byers, and we took hold of the
+wheelbarrow and wheeled it all the way to his door, where we emptied the
+potatoes into a barrel and put them away in the cellar. It was great
+fun!
+
+"No doubt, it was," said Miss Etta.
+
+                                 II.
+
+Kittie always calls me names when she gets mad, and I always used to
+think of the worst I knew to call her in return; but I thought I
+wouldn't since I belong to the Do Good Society. So the next time she got
+mad, and began to call names, I said: "Don't, Kittie, dear, let's love
+each other. Here's a beautiful piece of lace to make a _fichu_ for your
+doll!" She hasn't called me names since.
+
+"Of course not; who could?" was the comment.
+
+                                 III.
+
+I met four boys with cigarettes in their mouths one day. They all took
+off their hats to me, but I looked the other way, as if I did not see
+them. "Hallo," said one of them, "--is getting stuck up." "No, I ain't
+stuck up; but I've promised not to encourage the use of tobacco." The
+boys all laughed at me, but they threw away the cigarettes, for all
+that.
+
+"Who wouldn't be laughed at to accomplish such results?"
+
+                                 IV.
+
+My sister will tag onto me, wherever I go. She wanted to go nutting with
+me and some other fellows. I was just going to tell her we didn't want
+babies, when I remembered the pledge, so I took her along. She picked up
+as many nuts as any of us. And she didn't cry a bit, even when she fell
+down and scratched her hand dreadfully. I sha'n't call her cry-baby any
+more.
+
+                                  V.
+
+I work on a farm. The man I work for gives us beer sometimes. Last
+Saturday night he offered me some. I wouldn't take it. "Why?" said he.
+"Because I have promised to use my influence against the use of liquor.
+I can't drink it."
+
+                                 VI.
+
+Four of us boys have given up swearing. It's hard work, though,
+sometimes--we're so used to it.
+
+"Yes, it's hard work to give up any bad habit," said Etta. "But God will
+help us if we ask him, and the sooner we begin, the easier it will be."
+
+                                 VII.
+
+I wanted to buy, oh, such a lovely book! But I spent the money for
+crackers, and took them down to the poor little Ryans, whose mother is
+dead. I enjoyed seeing them eat them a great deal more than I should
+have enjoyed the book.
+
+                                VIII.
+
+I wanted to stay in bed awfully one morning. I do hate to get up! But I
+thought about poor old Mrs. Payne, and how cold she would find it to get
+up and make her fire in the dark, so I jumped right out of bed, ran down
+to her cottage, made the fire, and set the tea-kettle over, and got back
+in time for breakfast, after all.
+
+                                 IX.
+
+I finished my work in the mill real early on Wednesday, because I wanted
+to be first at Miss Eunice's. But Jennie Ray is so slow that she never
+gets through hers till the last minute, so I turned to and helped her,
+and we both got away at half-past five. I didn't get to Miss Eunice's as
+early as usual, but Jennie did, a great deal earlier; so I didn't care.
+
+The following were from the little children:--
+
+"I helped mother wash the dishes."
+
+"I set the table."
+
+"I took care of the baby."
+
+"I picked up apples."
+
+"I made the fire," etc. etc.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+"These are all very little things," said the president, as she detected
+a smile upon the faces of some of the older girls and boys "But if they
+are done really for the sake of 'doing good,' and pleasing God, they are
+just as great to him as the 'cup of cold water,' which he says 'shall
+not lose its reward.'"
+
+"Here are some questions which were asked me last week after the
+meeting," said Etta, as she finished reading the papers. "I wonder if
+the girls to whom I gave them have found answers."
+
+1. "Why is it wrong to drink beer?"
+
+Several hands were raised and several answers given; such as:--
+
+"Because it makes people drunk."
+
+"Because it killed Harry."
+
+Eric Robertson produced the following slip, which he had cut from a
+paper, and read it aloud:--
+
+"Beer is regarded by many in this country as a healthy beverage. Let me
+give you a few of the ingredients frequently used in its manufacture.
+The adulterations most commonly used to give bitterness are gentian,
+wormwood, and quassia; to impart pungency, ginger, orange-peel, and
+caraway. If these were all, there would be small need of warning the
+young against the use of beer on account of its injurious ingredients,
+but when there are added, to preserve the frothy head, alum and blue
+vitriol; to intoxicate, cocculus indicus, nux vomica, and tobacco; and
+to promote thirst, salt,--then indeed does it become necessary to
+instruct and warn the innocent against the use of this poisonous
+beverage."
+
+2. "Are cigarettes good for boys?"
+
+No one answered, and Etta said:--
+
+"Boys think it manly to smoke, but it isn't. It's very dirty and very
+unhealthy. I heard of a little boy only twelve years old, who died very
+suddenly, and when the doctors examined him after his death they found
+the coats of his stomach all eaten up with tobacco, and yet he had only
+smoked cigarettes. Cigarettes are made of a little tobacco, a great deal
+of cabbage-leaves, old leather, and dirty paper, with snuff and ginger
+and _strychnine_, a deadly poison, to flavor them. The oil of
+tobacco itself is rank poison. Two or three drops of it put on the
+tongue of a dog or a cat will kill it in a few minutes. Besides, the
+smell of tobacco lingering in a boy's clothes or breath is very foul and
+disgusting. And worse than all, the effect of smoking is to create a
+thirst which pure, cool water does not satisfy, and those who begin by
+smoking or chewing tobacco are very likely to end by drinking beer and
+whiskey, and finally becoming drunkards."
+
+Then questions to be answered at the next meeting were called for, and
+the following were given:--
+
+1. Is it wrong to wear pretty clothes?
+
+2. Why shouldn't people be selfish?
+
+3. Is it swearing to say "good gracious!" and "mercy on us!"?
+
+Miss Etta did not answer these, but wrote them down in her note-book,
+saying she would look up the subjects by the next meeting, and she
+wanted the members of the "Do Good Society" all to do the same, and then
+they could compare their answers.
+
+The last part of the programme to-day was the reading of a story by the
+president. She half-read and half-told about a young man named Harry
+Wadsworth, who, although he was only a clerk in a railroad company,
+managed, by giving all his spare time and thought, to do so many kind
+things for other people, that when he died they all set about to honor
+his memory by each doing kind things for others, and others again
+followed their example, till thousands of people were all busy in
+hundreds of different places, doing just as much as they could to help
+other people and to discountenance everything evil, and to throw their
+influence on the side of everything good.
+
+Harry Wadsworth had four mottoes, which they all adopted. They were:--
+
+                     "Look out and not in.
+                     "Look forward and not back.
+                     "Look up and not down.
+                     "Lend a hand."
+
+Miss Etta also told them that all sorts of clubs and societies, chiefly
+composed of children, had grown out of this story, and that they were
+called by different names; such as, "Wadsworth Clubs," "Lend a Hand
+Societies," "Look Out Guards," and "Look Up Legions."
+
+One of these Wadsworth clubs, a class of great, rough, overgrown boys in
+a New York mission school, had supported a sick companion for a whole
+winter out of the savings of their own scanty earnings. Another, a group
+of rich Boston girls, kept three or four families of poor children
+constantly dressed in the clothes which they made themselves. A third
+had originated the idea of sea-side homes for sick city children.
+
+"Our Do Good Society is to be like one of these," she said; "only we
+must have for our motive something higher than just kindness to other
+people. We must do good for Jesus' sake; because he does good to us and
+because we want to please him by doing good to his other children. And,
+boys and girls, we sha'n't be doing it the right way at all, if we are
+the least bit proud of what we do and take any glory to ourselves about
+it. We can not even think any good thing without the aid of the Holy
+Spirit; certainly we can not perform any righteous action. So we must
+always remember to ask for his presence, his direction, and his
+strength, and in this, as in all our other ways, acknowledge him."
+
+The Do Good Society set in motion a good many other things; for the
+younger members, who had more time at their disposal, began to conceive
+a passion for performing helpful acts, and they ferreted out cases of
+distress which were often far beyond their power to relieve, but which
+thus got into the right hands.
+
+For instance, when the children reported the case of the
+poverty-stricken Ryans, Miss Eunice set her "tea-party" to work to make
+a set of clothes for the unexpected twin-baby, for whom there was no
+provision, and sent a strong poor woman, whom her father paid, to take
+care of the helpless little ones till some better and more permanent
+arrangement could be made. When the boys found Harry Pemberton's mother
+without "oven wood," which the strong arms of her unfortunate boy used
+to prepare, they set about to gather and cut up enough to last her all
+winter; and in doing so made the further discovery that she had neither
+tea, sugar, nor flour in the house. This they reported at the next
+meeting of the society, and the result was that abundance of provisions
+of all kinds found their way into the poor old widow's dwelling, and she
+was well cared for the short remainder of her sad life. Even Bertie
+Sanderson caught the infectious enthusiasm, and devoted the money sent
+by her city aunt to get her a velvet hat and feathers, just like her
+cousins, to procuring a warm woolen dress and hood for a little girl in
+the neighborhood, who could not go to school without it. She wore her
+old felt all winter with content that would have been impossible a year
+ago.
+
+Many opportunities of doing good offered themselves as the winter came
+on and sped away. There was what is called a crisis in the paper trade.
+A great deal more had been manufactured than could possibly be used,
+and no new orders were coming in. All that Mr. Mountjoy could do was to
+go on making paper in the hopes of selling it in better times. But as no
+money was coming in, it was hard to find enough with which to pay so
+many work-people. Many mill-owners closed their factories at once, thus
+throwing hundreds of workmen who had families dependent upon them out of
+employment. Mr. Mountjoy was advised to do this, but he could not bear
+to be the cause of so much suffering, and his son would not hear of it.
+
+As the only other thing that was possible, he called them all together
+one day at the close of the day's work, and explained the situation to
+them, asking them if they would rather accept a much lower rate of
+wages, or have the mill close altogether and go elsewhere in search of
+work.
+
+There were some blank looks as men and women thought how hard it had
+been to live at even the present rate of wages, but when the young man
+showed them that even his proposal was only possible at a great
+sacrifice to himself and the family, there was not a murmur. Everybody
+accepted what must be, and though as the winter went on there was much
+poverty and privation, there was no bad feeling, no signs of that
+terrible desolation, so dreaded at such times--a strike.
+
+The Mountjoys dismissed all their servants but one, the three daughters
+cheerfully doing each a share of the housework, and assisting in the
+preparation of broths, gruels, and other things needed for the sick and
+poor, who greatly missed the higher wages which their natural protectors
+had been earning. Neither girl bought a new article of wearing apparel,
+and Etta decidedly declined to make her usual winter visit to the city,
+saving thus a considerable sum of money and much still more valuable
+time for the blessed service to which she had devoted herself.
+
+And so the storm was weathered, and when work recommenced in the spring
+with even better prospects and at the old rates of remuneration, every
+one was glad; but no one had really suffered, thanks to the "Do Good
+Society" and the consecrated hearts that were faithfully endeavoring to
+acknowledge God "in all their ways."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+EDUCATIONAL.
+
+
+With so many interests to fill her leisure hours, as well as such a
+pleasant and restful home, our little Katie continued to bear the
+confinement and hard work of the mill better than her friends had
+expected she would. Though she grew rapidly taller, she did not become
+either pale or thin. She continued to like her work, and became more and
+more of a favorite, both with her companions and her employers. The
+affair of the fifty-dollar bill had been thoroughly explained, and for a
+time Katie was looked upon quite as a martyr heroine. She was a little
+in danger of being spoiled by the attention she received, and but for
+the remembrance of how nearly she had yielded to the temptation to do
+wrong, her Christian character might have been seriously injured.
+
+Poor Bertie, however, had a hard time of it when she first went back to
+the mill. Of course, it had been impossible to right her companion
+without implicating herself, and it was hard for her to meet the
+significant looks and tones of some of the other girls, who did not
+believe in the new saintship and did very much despise the old malice
+and deceit.
+
+Although forgiven for the guilt of her sin, the poor girl had to find
+that she could not avoid all its punishment. No one can; and though God
+may forgive us freely for the sake of his dear Son, and give us a new
+heart or a new purpose of action, we shall still have to suffer many of
+the consequences of the wrong we have done, and it can never be quite as
+though we had never sinned, which fact it would be well to remember
+_before_ we are led into evil.
+
+Many a time the poor girl, quite unaccustomed to control herself, would
+almost break out into some furious response to an unkind word or implied
+taunt, and remember just in time that she was pledged to the Lord's
+service and must not disgrace his cause. A swift, silent prayer for help
+then would always bring the promised aid of the Holy Spirit, and so by
+degrees Bertie learned to conquer herself and to lead others to see
+that her repentance was sincere and her faith genuine. Katie's
+friendship was a great blessing to her at this time. Katie had entirely
+forgiven her treacherous friend's part in the affair which had caused
+her so much sorrow. She remembered only her dangerous illness, and that
+they were both now fellow-Christians and members of the same church. She
+was anxious to do all in her power to help Bertie in her struggle
+against the sins of her heart and the bad habits of her life, and, as is
+apt to be the case when we forgive and try to help any one, she soon
+came to love her very much. And this friendship and support served, more
+than anything else, to reinstate Bertie in the good graces of the other
+girls.
+
+It was stated some time since that Mrs. Robertson had other plans with
+reference to her family of girls and boys, which she intended to put in
+operation when the long winter evenings came. This was the formation of
+a class for regular study, of at least one or two of the branches which
+her own children had attended to at school. But these plans were
+afterward merged in those of the young manufacturer.
+
+The mill-girls, although they had generally had fair common-school
+advantages before they commenced work, were, of course, from that time
+totally deprived of them. They knew how to read, write, and "do
+examples" in the simpler rules of arithmetic. Perhaps this would be
+quite education enough for those girls who are to pass their lives in
+factories of the older world. But it is not so in America, where
+everybody reads and everybody thinks, where no one is stationary, no
+position permanent--where the operative of to-day is the employer of
+to-morrow--where many a girl steps from a position of toil and honorable
+self-support into that of mistress of a mansion, and is called to
+dispense a hospitality which in other lands would be called princely. In
+our as yet unsettled mode of existence, education is the one thing
+needful, because education is the only thing of which the "chances and
+changes" of life can not strip us--the only thing which will adapt
+itself gracefully to any position, from the cottage and tenement-room to
+the presidential chair.
+
+Eunice and James Mountjoy had often talked over the loss of educational
+advantages to which boys and girls entering the mill at so early an age
+were of necessity subjected, and this winter they took their youngest
+sister into confidence. The result was the commencement of a "night
+school," held, however, from four o'clock till seven. The mill was now
+only working three-quarters time, so these three hours remained to be
+filled up, and no one objected to putting off supper an hour for this
+purpose.
+
+The school-house did double duty--the day scholars departing just as the
+more advanced classes assembled, and the trustees gladly gave the use of
+the building for so beneficent a purpose. But it was not to be expected
+that the poor young overworked teacher could do double duty too. She
+was, in fact, only a girl, not much in advance of the "night scholars,"
+either in age or acquirements, and well calculated to profit with them
+by superior advantages. Another hired teacher was not to be thought of,
+for the school committee were not entrusted with spare funds, and the
+Mountjoys, who might have furnished a teacher's board and salary upon
+ordinary occasions, were this winter taxed to the utmost strain their
+finances would bear.
+
+In this dilemma Etta made the startling proposition of becoming teacher
+herself.
+
+"You!" said Eunice, in astonishment. For to her, her sister always
+seemed the little child whom her dead mother had confided to her care.
+"You're not old enough. I thought of offering myself, but really my
+hands are full, I can't do another thing."
+
+"I should think not," said James. "You do everything for us all. You
+need four hands for what you do already. But why should not Etta? You
+don't need her help in the afternoons, and surely she ought to be
+competent."
+
+"I am afraid"--
+
+"I know," broke in the girl. "You are afraid I will get tired of it, and
+drop it as I have done so many things. You've a right to think so. But
+you know I have a new motive and a new strength now. Eunice, what is the
+use of my superior education, if I can't do something with it for the
+Lord? It seems to me that this is one of the 'ways' in which I can
+'acknowledge him.' Won't you let me try it?"
+
+"If papa will consent," said her sister. And that settled it, as they
+all knew; for Mr. Mountjoy always consented that Etta should do exactly
+as she pleased. He only stipulated that her brother should always be on
+hand to bring her home, as during the winter months the school would not
+be over till after dark.
+
+Etta proved--as all knew she would prove--a very efficient and
+interesting teacher. It was quite amusing to her brother, when he
+sometimes came for her half an hour before school was over, to see the
+quiet dignity with which she kept the great rough boys in order. But the
+work soon became too much for her alone. The "night school" grew into
+such a popular institution that it had more pupils than one person could
+properly attend to in the short space of three hours. So Mr. James
+arranged his time at some personal sacrifice to himself, and managed to
+take some of the classes. While, to the great astonishment of all,
+Rhoda, the middle sister, came out of her shell sufficiently to
+volunteer to give drawing lessons to such of the boys and girls as
+should show any decided talent or inclination. There is something
+contagious in beneficence. Those surrounded by its atmosphere are sure,
+sooner or later, to take the infection. Of course this school was better
+for the children than any plan of Mrs. Robertson's devising could have
+been, and her whole family were among its most enthusiastic and
+energetic members. Gretchen learned to write English, and Tessa to read
+and care for better things than sentimental fiction. And Eric, while far
+outstripping her in his studies, seemed to find great pleasure in
+assisting in hers, helping her over difficulties, and carrying her books
+to and from the school. But by far the brightest of the scholars were
+Katie and Alfred Robertson. They both learned so easily, and exhibited
+so much enthusiasm in the pursuit of knowledge, that once Eunice
+Mountjoy said to Mrs. Robertson:--
+
+"It seems almost a pity that your children should be obliged to perform
+mill-work. My brother says that Alfred shows quite an uncommon taste
+for natural science, especially chemistry. And I think our little Katie
+would, after a few years' study, make a capital teacher, and you know
+she would make a great deal more money in that way than she ever can in
+the mill, with much less expenditure of time and strength."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Robertson, with a sigh. "I never thought that my
+husband's children would have to work for a living."
+
+"Working for a living is not degrading, Mrs. Robertson. The doctor
+himself did that."
+
+"Of course. But he did it as a gentleman--not in a mill."
+
+"My father and brother, too, earn their livings in a mill, and neither
+they nor we feel at all degraded by it," said Eunice, quietly. "Only, if
+your boy has talents which will fit him for a profession beneficial to
+the human race, like that of his father's, it seems almost a pity that
+they should not be cultivated. Depend upon it, self-support is always
+honorable, for man or woman, and we should consider our work high or
+low, not because it is considered 'genteel' or not, but because it does
+or does not do the most good. I wish that something could turn up to
+help both Alfred and Katie to better educations, for I believe they
+might thus do a great deal more good."
+
+And Mrs. Robertson wished so too. But she was wise enough not to say
+anything to her children about it.
+
+Better things were in store for the children, however, than their
+mother's heart had dared to hope for; and for once she felt thoroughly
+ashamed of her murmurings and want of faith. One evening toward spring,
+when the merry group came from school more noisily than usual, and, as
+usual, greatly in want of their delayed supper, they were all slightly
+astonished to see a light in the window of the seldom-used sitting-room.
+They noticed, as they went in, a strange hat in the hall.
+
+"What can your mother be doing in the best room?" said Tessa, as she and
+Katie reached their own room.
+
+Tessa was always inquisitive, and the sight of a strange man's hat had
+greatly excited her curiosity.
+
+"I am sure I don't"--but at that moment the girls were interrupted by
+Alfred, who rushed in without knocking, and shouted, though quite out of
+breath with excitement:--
+
+"Katie! Katie! Mother wants you! Come quick! Who do you suppose is here?
+It's Uncle Alfred--all the way from California! Isn't it splendid?"
+
+"I didn't know we had an uncle in California, did you?" said Katie.
+
+But there was no opportunity for her brother to answer, as by this time
+they had reached the parlor door, which stood open now, and both
+children were warmly embraced by a gentleman whom at first neither of
+them could see.
+
+"What an old man I must be," said the gentleman, as he released them,
+"to have three such grown-up people for nephews and nieces! And it seems
+only the other day since Eric and I, and you too, Linda, were no bigger.
+Yet they were all born after I went away. Such a little time!"
+
+"But many sad things have happened since then, Alfred. It seems to me a
+very long time since your brother Eric went away never to come back,
+and left me to battle with the world with no one to help me feed and
+educate his children."
+
+There was a slight tone of reproach in the widow's tone as she said
+this, but the returned brother did not seem to notice it, as he said
+reverently:--
+
+"No one but God. You would have told me in the old days when I didn't
+believe it or care for it that you could not have a better or more
+efficient friend; and now that I do believe it, I am sure that you have
+found it true."
+
+"Yes, I have," said the mother, looking with thankful pride upon her
+well-grown boys, and bright and healthy, if diminutive, little girl.
+"God has been very good to us, and I have every reason to think well of
+his protecting care."
+
+"And the children," said their uncle, "have they too learned to trust in
+their Saviour and do his will?"
+
+"Eric and Katie have. Alfred is, I am afraid, a little too much like his
+uncle of old times."
+
+"I am sorry to hear that. He loses so much of the joy of youth and the
+strength of growing up into true manliness. I hope he will never have
+cause to be as sorry as his uncle is that he did not give his Saviour
+'the kindness of his youth.' But we will have plenty of time to talk
+about all these things by-and-by. Just now I am as anxious for my supper
+as these young folks must be. I remember of old, Linda, what a good
+supper you can give a hungry traveler, and I don't suppose I need an
+invitation."
+
+"Why, no!" said his hostess, with a little flush of embarrassment. "Only
+you must prepare yourself for a somewhat large tea-party, and not of a
+very aristocratic kind. For, you know, I keep a sort of factory
+boarding-house."
+
+"One who has camped with California miners is not likely to be very
+fastidious," said Mr. Robertson. "But I suspect if your boarders are
+companions of this niece of mine, they will be good enough company for
+me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+OUT INTO THE WORLD.
+
+
+"So you wouldn't like to be my little girl and go to school and be
+educated for a lady," said Mr. Alfred Robertson to his niece, a few days
+after he had made his unexpected appearance among his relatives.
+
+"I'd like to go to school and study, of course," said Katie. "Uncle,
+don't think me very rude or ungrateful, but I wish you would send
+Alfred."
+
+"Why, rather than yourself?"
+
+"Because Alfred is a boy, and he wants to be a doctor like father. He
+never told mother, because he thought it would make her feel badly. He
+knew she hadn't any money to send him to school or college, so he just
+worked on at the mill, though I know he hates it."
+
+"But, little girl, it would cost a great deal of money to send a boy
+through college and support him while he was studying a profession. Have
+you thought of that?"
+
+"I don't know, sir. I don't know much about money. You are not rich
+enough to do it then? I'm so sorry," and there was a tone of great
+disappointment in the young voice.
+
+"I am rich enough perhaps, but"--
+
+"Oh, sir! Alfred would be sure to pay it back as soon as he became a
+doctor. I could begin to pay you now. I make six dollars a week in the
+mill as it is, and I could make more if mother would let me work over
+hours. Alfred wouldn't like to take charity, and I wouldn't like to have
+him."
+
+Her uncle laughed. "So it is because she is an independent little piece
+that she does not want to go to school and learn to be a lady," said he.
+
+"I'd like very much to learn to be a _teacher_," said she. "Miss Eunice
+thinks that teachers can do a great deal of good, and I could make money
+to help mother with, just as well or better than I can in the mill."
+
+"Well, you shall go to school on your own terms. You shall have the
+education anyway, and do what you like afterward. And since you are so
+very independent, I will lend you the money and you may pay it all back
+to me when you begin to make your fortune by school-teaching. Is it a
+bargain?"
+
+The little girl blushed with delight, threw her arms around her kind
+uncle, giving him a kiss by way of thanks, and rushed off to tell her
+wonderful news to her mother. But she found it was not quite such news
+as she expected it to be. Mr. Robertson and his sister-in-law had talked
+it all over after the little folks were in bed, and he had definitely
+offered to give the two children the education which their mother had so
+greatly desired. He had amassed considerable property during his
+seventeen years' sojourn in California, and having no children of his
+own, was anxious to make up to those of his brother for his long
+neglect.
+
+"I never thought anything about my duty toward them," he said, "until
+God brought me to myself, and showed me what a sinner I was, and then
+brought me to himself, and showed me what a Saviour he is. Then I began
+to remember all my neglected duties, and I determined to come home and
+atone for the past as soon as I could."
+
+The proposal of sending Eric, also, to school had been made to him. But
+he gratefully declined. He was almost a man now, and was used to his
+work and liked it. He stood well with his employers, and hoped before
+many years to rise to the position of superintendent of one of the
+departments. His one great ambition was to become such a manufacturer as
+Mr. James. And in the meanwhile he would be at home to watch over his
+mother and contribute to her support. His uncle admired his pluck and
+independence, and did not press his offers farther upon him. Alfred was
+delighted. It was as Katie had said: he had endured the bindery because
+he must, and he was a boy of too good principles to worry over the
+inevitable, or to make people unhappy because of his likes or dislikes.
+But, all the same, he had disliked his work, and longed to do something
+more in accordance with his tastes. Only to Eric and Katie had he
+confided his indefinite longings, and his mother had never guessed how
+much he had desired a change. Now he was full of plans for the future;
+looking forward especially to the days when he should restore his
+father's sign to its old position, fit up the house and office as it
+used to be, and support his mother in ease and comfort once more.
+
+But that was a long way off. A great deal of hard studying had to be
+done first, and Alfred was far behind other boys of his age--in book
+knowledge, at least. Perhaps he had, during his three years' experience
+in the factory, learned a good deal which would eventually prove very
+useful in a profession which dealt with practical details of practical
+things. About one thing he was quite decided. Delicate little Katie
+should never again work for her living. When she left school she should
+be a lady, like Miss Eunice and Miss Etta at the great house, and idle
+all day long if she chose to do so.
+
+"But I don't choose," laughed Katie. "Do you think an independent young
+lady, who has made her own living for more than a year, will ever
+consent to be dependent upon any one, even if he is her brother?
+Besides, who wants to be idle? I am sure Miss Eunice isn't idle; nor
+Miss Etta, now. They are both as busy as they can be all the time; and
+Mr. James, too. Think how much good he does, and all of them!"
+
+"Oh, if you mean _that_ kind of work! Miss Eunice and Miss Etta don't
+get paid for what they do. They don't work for a living."
+
+"I think they do," said Mr. Robertson, who had listened quietly to the
+talk of the children. "I think that every noble, honorable man and woman
+works, and is glad to work, for a living. The old saying that 'the world
+owes us a living' is a very fallacious one. The world doesn't owe us
+anything, and God does not either. Indeed, he has said: 'If any man will
+not work, neither shall he eat.'"
+
+"Everybody does not work--for money, I mean," said Alfred. "Some people
+are gentlemen and ladies."
+
+"If you call idlers gentlemen and ladies, we do not agree as to terms;
+but if you mean, as I suppose you do, that some people, especially a
+large proportion of women and girls, do not formally receive a definite
+amount of money for a definite amount of work, that is true. Don't you
+think, though, that mothers and sisters and wives, who keep house, take
+care of little children, do all the family sewing, care for the sick,
+and attend to the many details of a woman's life, work?--yes, do a great
+deal of work for a very small amount of living? Think of your mother for
+a moment."
+
+"Yes, sir; I see."
+
+"And," continued his uncle, "when ladies devote themselves faithfully to
+good works, Sunday-school work, work among the poor, teaching, etc.,
+they are as really working for their living as if they were in a
+factory."
+
+"It doesn't seem so."
+
+"No, it doesn't seem so, because we have wrong ideas about the nobility
+of labor. If we really believed what the Bible says,--that the servant
+of all is the chiefest of all,--we should value work and workmen just in
+proportion to the use which the work they do is to the community and the
+world. In that sense, Alfred, a doctor's work or a minister's work might
+stand a little higher than a manufacturer's, a teacher's position be
+more desirable than that of a factory-girl, because in all of these
+professions there is more opportunity to do good to the bodies and souls
+of men; and yet I doubt if any are in a position to do more good than
+your Mr. James Mountjoy and his family. And as to being gentlemen or
+ladies, it is just as much your duty and just as possible to be those in
+the rag-room as in a palace, should your lot be cast there."
+
+"It is not considered so genteel," said Tessa, who had not quite
+forgotten the teachings of her novels.
+
+"By whom? Foolish butterflies? or men and women of sense? Gentility
+meant, originally, gentleness: that gentleness which better
+opportunities of education were supposed to give. But so much culture as
+that is now within the reach of every one, and there is no reason why it
+should not exist in the mill and the counting-room, the kitchen and the
+store, as well as in the parlor and the library."
+
+"But after all," said Mrs. Robertson, "there seems something low and
+sordid in working for money."
+
+"That is because we should not work for money--as the motive of work, I
+mean. If every one in the world were a Christian, and did the work which
+came to him to do, upon Bible principles, endeavoring to fulfil the
+precept: 'Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
+glory of God,' and accepted his living, small or great, from his hands,
+just as a little child accepts his from his father's hands, we should
+hear nothing about the degradation of service. Every one would
+constantly say: 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' And we should take
+our daily bread, as well as all the pleasant things of our lives,
+thankfully from him who has given us all things to enjoy."
+
+Mr. Robertson was rather answering his sister and talking a little above
+the level of his auditors, but some of them understood and remembered
+his words. To Katie, henceforth work had an added dignity. It was raised
+even above the high level upon which she had thus far placed it,--that
+of helping her mother,--and became something that she might do for Jesus
+who had done, and was still doing, so much for her. She was quite
+impatient to enter upon those studies which were to fit her for future
+usefulness, and many a time during her school life, when the novelty had
+worn away and her energies might have flagged, she was stirred up to
+new zeal and perseverance by the recollection of this conversation.
+
+To the other girls also this talk about work and compensation was
+beneficial. Perhaps they might have felt a little jealous at Katie's
+apparent elevation above themselves,--even Christian girls have wrong
+feelings sometimes,--but if factory-work could really be done to the
+glory of God as much as teaching could, there was nothing degrading in
+their work, nothing aristocratic in Katie's. God had given her one kind
+of work to do, and them another--that was all. They could please him as
+well as she; and he would give to all alike a great deal more than they
+deserved.
+
+And now began a busy time in the doctor's old house. Brother and sister
+must be fitted out for school with such wardrobes as they had never
+possessed in their lives before. Uncle Alfred's ready purse provided
+these, but he was careful not to destroy the independent spirit of his
+young relatives, and let them consider this as the first instalment of
+his loan.
+
+Katie left the factory at the close of the week, receiving with her
+usual weekly wages an extra five-dollar bill, as a testimonial from Mr.
+James for her uniform faithfulness and the good example she had always
+set in the mill.
+
+"We are sorry to lose you, Katie," he said, "but I am glad that you are
+to be advanced to better work and a wider sphere of usefulness. Wherever
+you go, the prayers of Squantown Sunday-school will go with you, and I
+am sure that you will always find, as you have done already, the truth
+of the words:--
+
+"'Commit thy way unto the Lord, and he shall bring it to pass.'"
+
+Nor did the pleasant incidents stop here. On the Wednesday following,
+Miss Eunice again invited all the girls of her sister's class to unite
+with those of her own. There was no lesson that night, and very little
+work done. All the brothers and friends, who usually acted as escorts,
+were invited to come to tea, and all the members of the "Do Good
+Society." There was room for all, and all had "a splendid time." Games
+were played, and songs sung, and everybody was made to understand that
+this was a farewell party in honor of Katie Robertson.
+
+At nine o'clock Mr. Morven came in, and, with a few pleasant and
+earnest words, presented the little girl with a beautifully bound Bible,
+to the purchase of which every one present had contributed a little.
+
+"I trust," said he, "that our little Katie will make this book 'the man
+of her counsel, and the guide of her youth,' in the new life upon which
+she is entering, and that, as the Saviour to whom she has consecrated
+herself will surely keep his promise 'never to leave or forsake her,'
+she will be faithful 'in all her ways to acknowledge him,' and grow in
+grace as she does in knowledge."
+
+Then, calling his little congregation to join with him, the good pastor
+prayed that the dear Lord would guide and guard this lamb of his through
+"all the chances and changes of this mortal life, and finally bring her
+to his heavenly kingdom."
+
+And so, with loving kisses, and gifts, and solemn words of prayer, they
+sent Katie Robertson out into the world to meet its responsibilities.
+
+The next morning, in the early dawn, she and her brother set out with
+their uncle for the schools in which they were to be fitted for their
+life-work. And as these schools were a long way off, and the journey
+thither rather expensive, it was many months before Squantown saw them
+again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+And now we must draw our story to a close. The reader has become
+acquainted with its characters, and knows about the agencies for good
+which are at work in the manufacturing town of Squantown, as well as the
+influences brought to bear upon the Christian development of our boys
+and girls. The machinery is all adjusted, the power is applied, the
+wheels are in motion--nothing can hinder continued and beneficent work,
+except the possible weariness in well-doing of any of the parts, and the
+failure to look to God in faith for his promised strength, thus cutting
+off the connection with the source of all good things. So long as
+manufacturers and operatives, teachers and scholars, pastors and people
+continue in all their ways to acknowledge God, this will not be the
+case; and the manufacturing village will realize the scriptural idea:
+"Happy is that people that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people
+whose God is the Lord."
+
+We may expect to look ahead and see the boys and girls with whom we are
+acquainted, growing up into good, useful, and happy men and women.
+Bertie Sanderson will, little by little, overcome her natural and
+acquired faults of character. Envy and malice have already received
+their death blow, vanity and idleness will follow in their train. The
+higher interests of Christian love and church-work will dwarf the
+importance of dress and display, and Bertie will grow into a useful
+girl, faithful to, and contented with, her position--a help to her
+mother at home, a good example to Nina and the younger children.
+
+We may expect to see Gretchen growing into a strong, sturdy German
+woman, sending home from time to time the savings of her earnings, which
+will help to make her far-off brothers and sisters very comfortable, the
+deep, though quiet, force of her affections expanding themselves to
+embrace many others on this side of the sea. We may be sure that her
+constant nature, upheld by divine grace, will never lose its hold of
+the Saviour who came to take care of her in answer to her Sunday-school
+teacher's call that Sunday evening when she seemed to be so near to the
+other world.
+
+We may hope to see the other members of Miss Etta's class, Miss Eunice's
+tea-party, and the "Do Good Society," all growing wiser and better as
+they grow older, and becoming more and more Christ-like as they follow
+in his steps. And we may be sure that Etta Mountjoy, cured of her
+erratic moods and wayward temper, first by being anchored to the rock of
+ages, and then by the safeguards and helps which the church of Christ
+throws around its members, will be still foremost in leading the little
+phalanx, her energy and enthusiasm insuring success in every good thing
+undertaken. She will find time for home duties as well as those of a
+more public kind, will be a right hand to Eunice as she continues on the
+even tenor of her way, and the sunshine of home to her father and
+brother James, until some good man discovers the sunshine and bears it
+away with him to be the illumination of another circle and the centre of
+another home.
+
+We may see "Mr. James" still the considerate Christian mill-owner,
+conducting business on the strictest principles of integrity, and
+treating his employees as though of the same flesh and blood as himself,
+for whose bodies and souls he is in some measure responsible. And when
+at length Eunice drops the housekeeping into the hands of "Mrs. James,"
+we may be sure that she, as well as her husband, will continue to "honor
+God with their substance" and "in all their ways acknowledge him."
+
+If we turn our prophetic gaze upon the Robertson family, we shall find
+that the mother thereof is gradually exchanging her grumbling and
+forebodings of evil for hope and thankfulness at the success and good
+prospects of her children, who are profiting largely by the
+opportunities afforded them by their uncle's kindness.
+
+While greatly missing her from her home, the mother does not feel
+Katie's absence as she would have done but for the girl boarders, who,
+while affording her both society and support, give her such ample
+occupation that she has little time to realize her loneliness or to
+indulge in fretfulness. Indeed, Tessa has already forestalled her future
+position, and become to the widow as a beloved daughter. The sweetness
+and softness of the Southern girl fit her to take culture and refinement
+very easily. She quickly assimilates with her surroundings, and models
+herself upon those she loves and admires--who are, in this instance,
+Katie Robertson and Etta Mountjoy. From the first, bold, bright Eric has
+felt the charm of her black eyes, and loved to listen to her soft,
+foreign accent, and it would not be surprising if, when he reaches the
+height of his ambition, and becomes either superintendent of the bindery
+or first foreman of the mill, he should ask Italian Tessa to share both
+his name and his success. But that is a great way off.
+
+Katie is our first friend. With her character and fortune we have the
+most to do. It would be nice, did the limits of our volume allow, to
+follow her into her new school-life, to see how her energy, industry,
+independence, and cheerfulness go with her, rebuking homesickness, and
+causing her to make the most of every moment, and the best of every
+advantage. We should see that her path at school is not all strewn with
+roses, any more than was that at the mill; that different circumstances
+bring different temptations and develop different traits of character.
+We might perhaps find that silly school-girls at first decline to admit
+on terms of perfect equality one who had "worked for her living," and
+was, in their not very elegant parlance, "nothing but a mill-girl."
+Perhaps we might have to chronicle some lonely and sad hours in
+consequence, and some rebellious feelings hard to be kept down.
+
+But Katie's life is in the keeping of One wise enough to arrange all its
+discipline, "as it may be most expedient for her," loving enough to
+sympathize with and comfort her in all times of sorrow and perplexity,
+and able with every temptation to make also a way of escape.
+
+So, guarded and guided, Katie Robertson will be able to live down all
+that foolish and proud girls may say about her, and in the end become a
+favorite, not only with the wise, discriminating teachers, but also with
+warm-hearted, if wrong-headed, companions. We believe that throughout
+life, as in its beginning, she will continue to "seek first the kingdom
+of God and his righteousness," and that, as she daily endeavors "in all
+her ways to acknowledge him," he will "give her the desires of her
+heart."
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
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+
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+  story."--New York Express.
+
+Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There. By Lewis
+Carroll. 12mo, cloth, 50 illustrations, price 75 cents.
+
+  "A delight alike to the young people and their elders, extremely funny
+  both in text and illustrations."--Boston Express.
+
+Little Lucy's Wonderful Globe. By Charlotte M. Yonge. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "This story is unique among tales intended for children, alike for
+  pleasant instruction, quaintness of humor, gentle pathos, and the
+  subtlety with which lessons moral and otherwise are conveyed to
+  children, and perhaps to their seniors as well."--The Spectator.
+
+Joan's Adventures at the North Pole and Elsewhere. By Alice Corkran.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Wonderful as the adventures of Joan are, it must be admitted that
+  they are very naturally worked out and very plausibly presented.
+  Altogether this is an excellent story for girls."--Saturday Review.
+
+Count Up the Sunny Days: A Story for Girls and Boys. By C. A. Jones.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "An unusually good children's story."--Glasgow Herald.
+
+The Dove in the Eagle's Nest. By Charlotte M. Yonge. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Among all the modern writers we believe Miss Yonge first, not in
+  genius, but in this, that she employs her great abilities for a high
+  and noble purpose. We know of few modern writers whose works may be so
+  safely commended as hers."--Cleveland Times.
+
+Jan of the Windmill. A Story of the Plains. By Mrs. J. H. Ewing. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Never has Mrs. Ewing published a more charming volume, and that is
+  saying a very great deal. From the first to the last the book
+  overflows with the strange knowledge of child-nature which so rarely
+  survives childhood; and moreover, with inexhaustible quiet humor,
+  which is never anything but innocent and well-bred, never priggish,
+  and never clumsy."--Academy.
+
+A Sweet Girl Graduate. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "One of this popular author's best. The characters are well imagined
+  and drawn. The story moves with plenty of spirit and the interest does
+  not flag until the end too quickly comes."--Providence Journal.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher. A. L. BURT, 53-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Six to Sixteen: A Story for Girls. By Juliana Horatia Ewing. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "There is no doubt as to the good quality and attractiveness of 'Six
+  to Sixteen.' The book is one which would enrich any girl's book
+  shelf."--St. James' Gazette.
+
+The Palace Beautiful: A Story for Girls. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "A bright and interesting story. The many admirers of Mrs. L. T. Meade
+  in this country will be delighted with the 'Palace Beautiful' for more
+  reasons than one. It is a charming book for girls."--New York
+  Recorder.
+
+A World of Girls: The Story of a School. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of those wholesome stories which it does one good to read. It
+  will afford pure delight to numerous readers. This book should be on
+  every girl's book shelf."--Boston Home Journal.
+
+The Lady of the Forest: A Story for Girls. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "This story is written in the author's well-known, fresh and easy
+  style. All girls fond of reading will be charmed by this well-written
+  story. It is told with the author's customary grace and spirit."
+  --Boston Times.
+
+At the Back of the North Wind. By George Macdonald. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "A very pretty story, with much of the freshness and vigor of Mr.
+  Macdonald's earlier work.... It is a sweet, earnest, and wholesome
+  fairy story, and the quaint native humor is delightful. A most
+  delightful volume for young readers."--Philadelphia Times.
+
+The Water Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby. By Charles Kingsley.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The strength of his work, as well as its peculiar charms, consist in
+  his description of the experiences of a youth with life under water in
+  the luxuriant wealth of which he revels with all the ardor of a
+  poetical nature."--New York Tribune.
+
+Our Bessie. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of the most entertaining stories of the season, fall of vigorous
+  action, and strong in character-painting. Elder girls will be charmed
+  with it, and adults may read its pages with profit."--The Teachers'
+  Aid.
+
+Wild Kitty. A Story of Middleton School. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Kitty is a true heroine--warm-hearted, self-sacrificing, and, as all
+  good women nowadays are, largely touched with the enthusiasm of
+  humanity. One of the most attractive gift books of the season."--The
+  Academy.
+
+A Young Mutineer. A Story for Girls. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of Mrs. Meade's charming books for girls, narrated in that simple
+  and picturesque style which marks the authoress as one of the first
+  among writers for young people."--The Spectator.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street. New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Sue and I. By Mrs. O'Reilly. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "A thoroughly delightful book, full of sound wisdom as well as fun."
+  --Athenaeum.
+
+The Princess and the Goblin. A Fairy Story. By George MacDonald. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "If a child once begins this book, it will get so deeply interested in
+  it that when bedtime comes it will altogether forget the moral, and
+  will weary its parents with importunities for just a few minutes more
+  to see how everything ends."--Saturday Review.
+
+Pythia's Pupils: A Story of a School. By Eva Hartner. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "This story of the doings of several bright school girls is sure to
+  interest girl readers. Among many good stories for girls this is
+  undoubtedly one of the very best."--Teachers' Aid.
+
+A Story of a Short Life. By Juliana Horatia Ewing. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The book is one we can heartily recommend, for it is not only bright
+  and interesting, but also pure and healthy in tone and teaching."
+  --Courier.
+
+The Sleepy King. A Fairy Tale. By Aubrey Hopwood and Seymour Hicks.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Wonderful as the adventures of Bluebell are, it must be admitted that
+  they are very naturally worked out and very plausibly presented.
+  Altogether this is an excellent story for girls."--Saturday Review.
+
+Two Little Waifs. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+75 cents.
+
+  "Mrs. Molesworth's delightful story of 'Two Little Waifs' will charm
+  all the small people who find it in their stockings. It relates the
+  adventures of two lovable English children lost in Paris, and is just
+  wonderful enough to pleasantly wring the youthful heart."--New York
+  Tribune.
+
+Adventures in Toyland. By Edith King Hall. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price 75 cents.
+
+  "The author is such a bright, cheery writer, that her stories are
+  always acceptable to all who are not confirmed cynics, and her record
+  of the adventures is as entertaining and enjoyable as we might
+  expect."--Boston Courier.
+
+Adventures in Wallypug Land. By G. E. Farrow. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price 75 cents.
+
+  "These adventures are simply inimitable, and will delight boys and
+  girls of mature age, as well as their juniors. No happier combination
+  of author and artist than this volume presents could be found to
+  furnish healthy amusement to the young folks. The book is an artistic
+  one in every sense."--Toronto Mail.
+
+Fussbudget's Folks. A Story for Young Girls. By Anna F. Burnham. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Mrs. Burnham has a rare gift for composing stories for children. With
+  a light, yet forcible touch, she paints sweet and artless, yet natural
+  and strong, characters."--Congregationalist.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street. New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Mixed Pickles. A Story for Girls. By Mrs. E. M. Field. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "It is, in its way, a little classic, of which the real beauty and
+  pathos can hardly be appreciated by young people. It is not too much
+  to say of the story that it is perfect of its kind."--Good Literature.
+
+Miss Mouse and Her Boys. A Story for Girls. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Mrs. Molesworth's books are cheery, wholesome, and particularly well
+  adapted to refined life. It is safe to add that she is the best
+  English prose writer for children. A new volume from Mrs. Molesworth
+  is always a treat."--The Beacon.
+
+Gilly Flower. A Story for Girls. By the author of "Miss Toosey's
+Mission." 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Jill is a little guardian angel to three lively brothers who tease
+  and play with her.... Her unconscious goodness brings right thoughts
+  and resolves to several persons who come into contact with her. There
+  is no goodiness in this tale, but its influence is of the best kind."
+  --Literary World.
+
+The Chaplet of Pearls; or, The White and Black Ribaumont. By Charlotte
+M. Yonge. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Full of spirit and life, so well sustained throughout that grown-up
+  readers may enjoy it as much as children. It is one of the best books
+  of the season."--Guardian.
+
+Naughty Miss Bunny: Her Tricks and Troubles. By Clara Mulholland. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "The naughty child is positively delightful. Papas should not omit the
+  book from their list of juvenile presents."--Land and Water.
+
+Meg's Friend. By Alice Corkran. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of Miss Corkran's charming books for girls, narrated in that
+  simple and picturesque style which marks the authoress as one of the
+  first among writers for young people."--The Spectator.
+
+Averil. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "A charming story for young folks. Averil is a delightful
+  creature--piquant, tender, and true--and her varying fortunes are
+  perfectly realistic."--World.
+
+Aunt Diana. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "An excellent story, the interest being sustained from first to last.
+  This is, both in its intention and the way the story is told, one of
+  the best books of its kind which has come before us this year."
+  --Saturday Review.
+
+Little Sunshine's Holiday: A Picture from Life. By Miss Mulock. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "This is a pretty narrative of child life, describing the simple
+  doings and sayings of a very charming and rather precocious child.
+  This is a delightful book for young people."--Gazette.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Esther's Charge. A Story for Girls. By Ellen Everett Green. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "...This is a story showing in a charming way how one little girl's
+  jealousy and bad temper were conquered; one of the best, most
+  suggestive and improving of the Christmas juveniles."--New York
+  Tribune.
+
+Fairy Land of Science. By Arabella B. Buckley. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "We can highly recommend it; not only for the valuable information it
+  gives on the special subjects to which it is dedicated, but also as a
+  book teaching natural sciences in an interesting way. A fascinating
+  little volume, which will make friends in every household in which
+  there are children."--Daily News.
+
+Merle's Crusade. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "Among the books for young people we have seen nothing more unique
+  than this book. Like all of this author's stories it will please young
+  readers by the very attractive and charming style in which it is
+  written."--Journal.
+
+Birdie: A Tale of Child Life. By H. L. Childe-Pemberton. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "The story is quaint and simple, but there is a freshness about it
+  that makes one hear again the ringing laugh and the cheery shout of
+  children at play which charmed his earlier years."--New York Express.
+
+The Days of Bruce: A Story from Scottish History. By Grace Aguilar.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "There is a delightful freshness, sincerity and vivacity about all of
+  Grace Aguilar's stories which cannot fail to win the interest and
+  admiration of every lover of good reading."--Boston Beacon.
+
+Three Bright Girls: A Story of Chance and Mischance. By Annie E.
+Armstrong. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The charm of the story lies in the cheery helpfulness of spirit
+  developed in the girls by their changed circumstances; while the
+  author finds a pleasant ending to all their happy makeshifts. The
+  story is charmingly told, and the book can be warmly recommended as a
+  present for girls."--Standard.
+
+Giannetta: A Girl's Story of Herself. By Rosa Mulholland. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Extremely well told and full of interest. Giannetta is a true
+  heroine--warm-hearted, self-sacrificing, and, as all good women
+  nowadays are, largely touched with enthusiasm of humanity. The
+  illustrations are unusually good. One of the most attractive gift
+  books of the season."--The Academy.
+
+Margery Merton's Girlhood. By Alice Corkran. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "The experiences of an orphan girl who in infancy is left by her
+  father to the care of an elderly aunt residing near Paris. The
+  accounts of the various persons who have an after influence on the
+  story are singularly vivid. There is a subtle attraction about the
+  book which will make it a great favorite with thoughtful girls."
+  --Saturday Review.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher. A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Under False Colors: A Story from Two Girls' Lives. By Sarah Doudney.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Sarah Doudney has no superior as a writer of high-toned stories--pure
+  in style, original in conception, and with skillfully wrought out
+  plots; but we have seen nothing equal in dramatic energy to this
+  book."--Christian Leader.
+
+Down the Snow Stairs; or, From Good-night to Good-morning. By Alice
+Corkran. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Among all the Christmas volumes which the year has brought to our
+  table this one stands out facile princeps--a gem of the first water,
+  bearing upon every one of its pages the signet mark of genius.... All
+  is told with such simplicity and perfect naturalness that the dream
+  appears to be a solid reality. It is indeed a Little Pilgrim's
+  Progress."--Christian Leader.
+
+The Tapestry Room: A Child's Romance. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Mrs. Molesworth is a charming painter of the nature and ways of
+  children; and she has done good service in giving us this charming
+  juvenile which will delight the young people."--Athenaeum, London.
+
+Little Miss Peggy: Only a Nursery Story. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  Mrs. Molesworth's children are finished studies. A joyous earnest
+  spirit pervades her work, and her sympathy is unbounded. She loves
+  them with her whole heart, while she lays bare their little minds, and
+  expresses their foibles, their faults, their virtues, their inward
+  struggles, their conception of duty, and their instinctive knowledge
+  of the right and wrong of things. She knows their characters, she
+  understands their wants, and she desires to help them.
+
+Polly: A New Fashioned Girl. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  Few authors have achieved a popularity equal to Mrs. Meade as a writer
+  of stories for young girls. Her characters are living beings of flesh
+  and blood, not lay figures of conventional type. Into the trials and
+  crosses, and everyday experiences, the reader enters at once with zest
+  and hearty sympathy. While Mrs. Meade always writes with a high moral
+  purpose, her lessons of life, purity and nobility of character are
+  rather inculcated by example than intruded as sermons.
+
+One of a Covey. By the author of "Miss Toosey's Mission." 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Full of spirit and life, so well sustained throughout that grown-up
+  readers may enjoy it as much as children. This 'Covey' consists of the
+  twelve children of a hard-pressed Dr. Partridge out of which is chosen
+  a little girl to be adopted by a spoiled, fine lady. We have rarely
+  read a story for boys and girls with greater pleasure. One of the
+  chief characters would not have disgraced Dickens' pen."--Literary
+  World.
+
+The Little Princess of Tower Hill. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "This is one of the prettiest books for children published, as pretty
+  as a pond-lily, and quite as fragrant. Nothing could be imagined more
+  attractive to young people than such a combination of fresh pages and
+  fair pictures; and while children will rejoice over it--which is much
+  better than crying for it--it is a book that can be read with pleasure
+  even by older boys and girls."--Boston Advertiser.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Rosy. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  Mrs. Molesworth, considering the quality and quantity of her labors,
+  is the best story-teller for children England has yet known.
+
+  "This is a very pretty story. The writer knows children, and their
+  ways well. The illustrations are exceedingly well drawn."--Spectator.
+
+Esther: A Book for Girls. By Rosa N. Carey. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "She inspires her readers simply by bringing them in contact with the
+  characters, who are in themselves inspiring. Her simple stories are
+  woven in order to give her an opportunity to describe her characters
+  by their own conduct in seasons of trial."--Chicago Times.
+
+Sweet Content. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75
+cents.
+
+  "It seems to me not at all easier to draw a lifelike child than to
+  draw a lifelike man or woman: Shakespeare and Webster were the only
+  two men of their age who could do it with perfect delicacy and
+  success. Our own age is more fortunate, on this single score at least,
+  having a larger and far nobler proportion of female writers; among
+  whom, since the death of George Eliot, there is none left whose touch
+  is so exquisite and masterly, whose love is so thoroughly according to
+  knowledge, whose bright and sweet invention is so fruitful, so
+  truthful, or so delightful as Mrs. Molesworth's."--A. C. Swinbourne.
+
+Honor Bright; or, The Four-Leaved Shamrock. By the author of "Miss
+Toosey's Mission." 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "It requires a special talent to describe the sayings and doings of
+  children, and the author of 'Honor Bright,' 'One of a Covey,'
+  possesses that talent in no small degree. A cheery, sensible, and
+  healthy tale."--The Times.
+
+The Cuckoo Clock. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75
+cents.
+
+  "A beautiful little story. It will be read with delight by every child
+  into whose hands it is placed.... The author deserves all the praise
+  that has been, is, and will be bestowed on 'The Cuckoo Clock.'
+  Children's stories are plentiful, but one like this is not to be met
+  with every day."--Pall Mall Gazette.
+
+The Adventures of a Brownie. As Told to my Child. By Miss Mulock. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "The author of this delightful little book leaves it in doubt all
+  through whether there actually is such a creature in existence as a
+  Brownie, but she makes us hope that there might be."--Chicago
+  Standard.
+
+Only a Girl: A Tale of Brittany. From the French by C. A. Jones. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "We can thoroughly recommend this brightly written and homely
+  narrative."--Saturday Review.
+
+Little Rosebud; or, Things Will Take a Turn. By Beatrice Harraden. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "A most delightful little book.... Miss Harraden is so bright, so
+  healthy, and so natural withal that the book ought, as a matter of
+  duty, to be added to every girl's library in the land."--Boston
+  Transcript.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS.
+
+Girl Neighbors; or, The Old Fashion and the New. By Sarah Tytler. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "One of the most effective and quietly humorous of Miss Tytler's
+  stories. 'Girl Neighbors' is a pleasant comedy, not so much of errors
+  as of prejudices got rid of, very healthy, very agreeable, and very
+  well written."--Spectator.
+
+The Little Lame Prince and His Traveling Cloak. By Miss Mulock. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "No sweeter--that is the proper word--Christmas story for the little
+  folks could easily be found, and it is as delightful for older readers
+  as well. There is a moral to it which the reader can find out for
+  himself, if he chooses to think."--Cleveland Herald.
+
+Little Miss Joy. By Emma Marshall. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75
+cents.
+
+  "A very pleasant and instructive story, told by a very charming writer
+  in such an attractive way as to win favor among its young readers. The
+  illustrations add to the beauty of the book."--Utica Herald.
+
+The House that Grew. A Girl's Story. By Mrs. Molesworth. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "This is a very pretty story of English life. Mrs. Molesworth is one
+  of the most popular and charming of English story-writers for
+  children. Her child characters are true to life, always natural and
+  attractive, and her stories are wholesome and interesting."
+  --Indianapolis Journal.
+
+The House of Surprises. By L. T. Meade. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+75 cents.
+
+  "A charming tale of charming children, who are naughty enough to be
+  interesting, and natural enough to be lovable; and very prettily their
+  story is told. The quaintest yet most natural stories of child life.
+  Simply delightful."--Vanity Fair.
+
+The Jolly Ten: and their Year of Stories. By Agnes Carr Sage. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  The story of a band of cousins who were accustomed to meet at the
+  "Pinery," with "Aunt Roxy." At her fireside they play merry games,
+  have suppers flavored with innocent fun, and listen to stories--each
+  with its lesson calculated to make the ten not less jolly, but quickly
+  responsive to the calls of duty and to the needs of others.
+
+Little Miss Dorothy. The Wonderful Adventures of Two Little People. By
+Martha James. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75c.
+
+  "This is a charming little juvenile story from the pen of Mrs. James,
+  detailing the various adventures of a couple of young children. Their
+  many adventure are told in a charming manner, and the book will please
+  young girls and boys."--Montreal Star.
+
+Pen's Venture. A Story for Girls. By Elvirton Wright. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  Something Pen saw in the condition of the cash girls in a certain
+  store gave her a thought; the thought became a plan; the plan became a
+  venture--Pen's venture. It is amusing, touching, and instructive to
+  read about it.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+FAIRY BOOKS.
+
+The Blue Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. Profusely illustrated, 12mo,
+cloth, price $1.00.
+
+  "The tales are simply delightful. No amount of description can do them
+  justice. The only way is to read the book through from cover to
+  cover."--Book Review.
+
+The Green Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. Profusely illustrated,
+12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
+
+  "The most delightful book of fairy tales, taking form and content
+  together, ever presented to children."--E. S. Hartland, in Folk-Lore.
+
+The Yellow Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. Profusely illustrated,
+12mo, cloth, price $1.00.
+
+  "As a collection of fairy tales to delight children of all ages, it
+  ranks second to none."--Daily Graphic.
+
+The Red Fairy Book. Edited by Andrew Lang. Profusely illustrated, 12mo,
+cloth, price $1.00.
+
+  "A gift-book that will charm any child, and all older folk, who have
+  been fortunate enough to retain their taste for the old nursery
+  stories."--Literary World.
+
+Celtic Fairy Tales. Edited by Joseph Jacobs. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "A stock of delightful little narratives gathered chiefly from the
+  Celtic-speaking peasants of Ireland. A perfectly lovely book. And oh!
+  the wonderful pictures inside. Get this book if you can; it is
+  capital, all through."--Pall Mall Budget.
+
+English Fairy Tales. Edited by Joseph Jacobs, 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "The tales are simply delightful. No amount of description can do them
+  justice. The only way is to read the book through from cover to cover.
+  The book is intended to correspond to 'Grimm's Fairy Tales,' and it
+  must be allowed that its pages fairly rival in interest those of that
+  well-known repository of folk-lore."--Morning Herald.
+
+Indian Fairy Tales. Edited by Joseph Jacobs. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00
+
+  "Mr. Jacobs brings home to as in a clear and intelligible manner the
+  enormous influence which 'Indian Fairy Tales' have had upon European
+  literature of the kind. The present combination will be welcomed not
+  alone by the little ones for whom it is specially combined, but also
+  by children of larger growth and added years."--Daily Telegraph.
+
+Household Fairy Tales. By the Brothers Grimm. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "As a collection of fairy tales to delight children of all ages this
+  work ranks second to none."--Daily Graphic.
+
+Fairy Tales and Stories. By Hans Christian Andersen. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "If I were asked to select a child's library I should name these three
+  volumes, 'English,' 'Celtic,' and 'Indian Fairy Tales,' with Grimm and
+  Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales."--Independent.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+FAIRY BOOKS.
+
+Popular Fairy Tales. By the Brothers Grimm. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "From first to last, almost without exception, these stories are
+  delightful."--Athenaeum.
+
+Icelandic Fairy Tales. By A. W. Hall. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "The most delightful book of fairy tales, taking form and contents
+  together, ever presented to children. The whole collection is dramatic
+  and humorous. A more desirable child's book has not been seen for many
+  a day."--Daily News.
+
+Fairy Tales From the Far North. (Norwegian.) By P. C. Asbjornsen. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "If we were asked what present would make a child happiest at
+  Christmastide we think we could with a clear conscience point to Mr.
+  Jacobs' book. It is a dainty and an interesting volume."--Notes and
+  Queries.
+
+Cossack Fairy Tales. By R. Nisbet Bain. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "A really valuable and curious selection which will be welcomed by
+  readers of all ages.... The illustrations by Mr. Batten are often
+  clever and irresistibly humorous. A delight alike to the young people
+  and their elders."--Globe.
+
+The Golden Fairy Book. By Various Authors. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "The most delightful book of its kind that has come in our way for
+  many a day. It is brimful of pretty stories. Retold in a truly
+  delightful manner."--Graphic.
+
+The Silver Fairy Book. By Various Authors. 12mo, cloth, illustrated,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "The book is intended to correspond to 'Grimm's Fairy Tales,' and it
+  must be allowed that its pages fairly rival in interest those of the
+  well-known repository of folk-lore. It is a most delightful volume of
+  fairy tales."--Courier.
+
+The Brownies, and Other Stories. By Juliana Horatia Ewing. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Like all the books she has written this one is very charming, and is
+  worth more in the hands of a child than a score of other stories of a
+  more sensational character."--Christian at Work.
+
+The Hunting of the Snark. An Agony in Eight Fits. By Lewis Carroll,
+author of "Alice In Wonderland." 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 75
+cents.
+
+  "This glorious piece of nonsense.... Everybody ought to read
+  it--nearly everybody will--and all who deserve the treat will scream
+  with laughter."--Graphic.
+
+Lob Lie-By-the-fire, and Other Tales. By Juliana Horatio Ewing. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price 75 cents.
+
+  "Mrs. Ewing has written as good a story as her 'Brownies,' and that is
+  saying a great deal. 'Lob Lie-by-the-fire' has humor and pathos, and
+  teaches what is right without making children think they are reading a
+  sermon."--Saturday Review.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+By Right of Conquest; or, With Cortez in Mexico. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by W. S. Stacey. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.50.
+
+  "The conquest of Mexico by a small band of resolute men under the
+  magnificent leadership of Cortez is always rightfully ranked among the
+  most romantic and daring exploits in history. 'By Right of Conquest'
+  is the nearest approach to a perfectly successful historical tale that
+  Mr. Henty has yet published."--Academy.
+
+For Name and Fame; or, Through Afghan Passes By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of
+  excitement of a campaign, but, what is still more useful, an account
+  of a territory and its inhabitants which must for a long time possess
+  a supreme interest for Englishmen, as being the key to our Indian
+  Empire."--Glasgow Herald.
+
+The Bravest of the Brave; or, With Peterborough in Spain. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations by H. M. Paget. 12mo cloth, olivine edges,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--to
+  enforce the doctrine of courage and truth, mercy and loving kindness,
+  as indispensable to the making of a gentleman. Boys will read 'The
+  Bravest of the Brave' with pleasure and profit; of that we are quite
+  sure."--Daily Telegraph.
+
+The Cat of Bubastes: A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred cat
+  to the perilous exodus from Asia with which it closes, is very
+  skillfully constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is
+  admirably illustrated."--Saturday Review.
+
+Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of 'Quentin Durward.' The
+  lad's journey across France, and his hairbreadth escapes, makes up as
+  good a narrative of the kind as we have ever read. For freshness of
+  treatment and variety of incident Mr. Henty has surpassed himself."
+  --Spectator.
+
+With Clive in India; or, The Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olvine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital importance,
+  and he has embroidered on the historical facts a story which of itself
+  is deeply interesting. Young people assuredly will be delighted with
+  the volume."--Scotsman.
+
+In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations by J. Schoenberg. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges,
+price $1.00.
+
+  "Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat Mr.
+  Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the audacity and
+  peril they depict. The story is one of Mr. Henty's best."--Saturday
+  Review.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+The Lion of the North: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of
+Religion. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by John Schoenberg. 12mo,
+cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great deeds
+  of the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. Mackey,
+  Hepburn, and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as those deserve
+  to live whose disciplined bands formed really the germ of the modern
+  British army."--Athenaeum.
+
+The Dragon and the Raven; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle
+  between Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid
+  picture of the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the
+  ravages of the sea-wolves. The story is treated in a manner most
+  attractive to the boyish reader."--Athenaeum.
+
+The Young Carthaginian: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing stays
+  the interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on a stream whose
+  current varies in direction, but never loses its force."--Saturday
+  Review.
+
+In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest and
+  most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a
+  boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly put one side."--The
+  Schoolmaster.
+
+With Wolfe in Canada; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a great
+  power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, and as no
+  pains are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic details, his
+  books supply useful aids to study as well as amusement."--School
+  Guardian.
+
+True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of Independence. By G.
+A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soldiers
+  during the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son
+  of an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the
+  hostile red-skins in that very Huron country which has been endeared
+  to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook."--The Times.
+
+A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by W. B. Wollen. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. The
+  episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein--graphic, exciting,
+  realistic, and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the
+  formation of an honorable, manly, and even heroic character."
+  --Birmingham Post.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+The Lion of the North: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of
+Religion. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by John Schoenberg. 12mo,
+cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great deeds
+  of the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. Mackey,
+  Hepburn, and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as those deserve
+  to live whose disciplined bands formed really the germ of the modern
+  British army."--Athenaeum.
+
+The Dragon and the Raven; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle
+  between Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid
+  picture of the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the
+  ravages of the sea-wolves. The story is treated in a manner most
+  attractive to the boyish reader."--Athenaeum.
+
+The Young Carthaginian: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations by C. J. Staniland. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing stays
+  the interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on a stream whose
+  current varies in direction, but never loses its force."--Saturday
+  Review.
+
+In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest and
+  most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a
+  boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly put one side."--The
+  Schoolmaster.
+
+With Wolfe in Canada; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a great
+  power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, and as no
+  pains are spared by him to ensure accuracy in historic details, his
+  books supply useful aids to study as well as amusement."--School
+  Guardian.
+
+True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of Independence. By G.
+A. Henty With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soliders
+  during the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son
+  of an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the
+  hostile red-skins in that very Huron country which has been endeared
+  to us by the exploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook."--The Times.
+
+A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations by W. B. Wollen. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. The
+  episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein--graphic, exciting,
+  realistic; and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the
+  formation of an honorable, manly, and even heroic character."
+  --Birmingham Post.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+The Lion of St. Mark: A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth Century. By G.
+A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine
+edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Every boy should read 'The Lion of St. Mark.' Mr. Henty has never
+  produced a story more delightful, more wholesome, or more vivacious."
+  --Saturday Review.
+
+Facing Death; or, The Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the Coal Mines.
+By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth,
+olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The tale is well written and well illustrated, and there is much
+  reality in the characters. If any father, clergyman, or schoolmaster
+  is on the lookout for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is
+  worth his salt, this is the book we would recommend."--Standard.
+
+Maori and Settler: A Story of the New Zealand War. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Alfred Pearse. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "In the adventures among the Maoris, there are many breathless moments
+  in which the odds seem hopelessly against the party, but they succeed
+  in establishing themselves happily in one of the pleasant New Zealand
+  valleys. It is brimful of adventure, of humorous and interesting
+  conversation, and vivid pictures of colonial life."--Schoolmaster.
+
+One of the 28th: A Tale of Waterloo. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations
+by W. H. Overend. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Written with Homeric vigor and heroic inspiration. It is graphic,
+  picturesque, and dramatically effective ... shows us Mr. Henty at his
+  best and brightest. The adventures will hold a boy enthralled as he
+  rushes through them with breathless interest 'from cover to cover.'"
+  --Observer.
+
+Orange and Green: A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The narrative is free from the vice of prejudice, and ripples with
+  life as if what is being described were really passing before the
+  eye."--Belfast News-Letter.
+
+Through the Fray: A Story of the Luddite Riots. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations by H. M. Paget. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Mr. Henty inspires a love and admiration for straightforwardness,
+  truth and courage. This is one of the best of the many good books Mr.
+  Henty has produced, and deserves to be classed with his 'Facing
+  Death.'" --Standard.
+
+The Young Midshipman: A Story of the Bombardment of Alexandria. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  A coast fishing lad, by an act of heroism, secures the interest of a
+  shipowner, who places him as an apprentice on board one of his ships.
+  In company with two of his fellow-apprentices he is left behind, at
+  Alexandria, in the hands of the revolted Egyptian troops, and is
+  present through the bombardment and the scenes of riot and bloodshed
+  which accompanied it.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+In Times of Peril. A Tale of India. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations.
+12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The hero of the story early excites our admiration, and is altogether
+  a fine character such as boys will delight in, whilst the story of the
+  campaign is very graphically told."--St. James's Gazette.
+
+The Cornet of Horse: A Tale of Marlborough's Wars. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.
+
+  "Mr. Henty not only concocts a thrilling tale, he weaves fact and
+  fiction together with so skillful a hand that the reader cannot help
+  acquiring a just and clear view of that fierce and terrible struggle
+  known as the Crimean War."--Athenaeum.
+
+The Young Franc-Tireurs: Their Adventures in the Franco-Prussian War. By
+G. A. Henty. With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price
+$1.00.
+
+  "A capital book for boys. It is bright and readable, and full of good
+  sense and manliness. It teaches pluck and patience in adversity, and
+  shows that right living leads to success."--Observer.
+
+The Young Colonists: A Story of Life and War in South Africa. By G. A.
+Henty. With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "No boy needs to have any story of Henty's recommended to him, and
+  parents who do not know and buy them for their boys should be ashamed
+  of themselves. Those to whom he is yet unknown could not make a better
+  beginning than with this book."
+
+The Young Buglers. A Tale of the Peninsular War. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.
+
+  "Mr. Henty is a giant among boys' writers, and his books are
+  sufficiently popular to be sure of a welcome anywhere. In stirring
+  interest, this is quite up to the level of Mr. Henty's former
+  historical tales."--Saturday Review.
+
+Sturdy and Strong; or, How George Andrews Made his Way. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations. 12mo. cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "The history of a hero of everyday life, whose love of truth, clothing
+  of modesty, and innate pluck, carry him, naturally, from poverty to
+  affluence. George Andrews is an example of character with nothing to
+  cavil at, and stands as a good instance of chivalry in domestic
+  life."--The Empire.
+
+Among Malay Pirates. A Story of Adventure and Peril. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Incident succeeds incident, and adventure is piled upon adventure,
+  and at the end the reader, be he boy or man, will have experienced
+  breathless enjoyment in a romantic story that must have taught him
+  much at its close."--Army and Navy Gazette.
+
+Jack Archer. A Tale of the Crimea. By G. A. Henty.
+With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Mr. Henty not only concocts a thrilling tale, he weaves fact and
+  fiction together with so skillful a hand that the reader cannot help
+  acquiring a just and clear view of that fierce and terrible
+  struggle."--Athenaeum.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS.
+
+Friends, Though Divided, A Tale of the Civil War. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.
+
+  "It has a good plot; it abounds in action; the scenes are equally
+  spirited and realistic, and we can only say we have read it with much
+  pleasure from first to last."--Times.
+
+Out on the Pampas; or, The Young Settlers. By G. A. Henty With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "A really noble story, which adult readers will find to the full as
+  satisfying as the boys. Lucky boys! to have such a caterer as Mr. G.
+  A. Henty."--Black and White.
+
+The Boy Knight: A Tale of the Crusades. By G. A. Henty. With
+illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00.
+
+  "Of stirring episode there is no lack. The book, with its careful
+  accuracy and its descriptions of all the chief battles, will give many
+  a school-boy his first real understanding of a very important period
+  of history."--St. James's Gazette.
+
+The Wreck of the Golden Fleece. The Story of a North Sea Fisher Boy. By
+Robert Leighton. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.
+
+  A description of life on the wild North Sea.--the hero being a
+  parson's son who is appreciated on board a Lowestoft fishing lugger.
+  The lad has to suffer many buffets from his shipmates, while the
+  storms and dangers which he braved on board the "North Star" are set
+  forth with minute knowledge and intense power. The wreck of the
+  "Golden Fleece" forms the climax to a thrilling series of desperate
+  mischances.
+
+Olaf the Glorious. A Story of the Viking Age. By Robert Leighton. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  This story of Olaf the Glorious, King of Norway, opens with the
+  incident of his being found by his uncle living as a bond-slave in
+  Esthonia: then come his adventures as a Viking and his raids upon the
+  coasts of Scotland and England, his victorious battle against the
+  English at Maldon in Essex, his being bought off by Ethelred the
+  Unready, and his conversion to Christianity. He then returns to Pagan
+  Norway, is accepted as king and converts his people to the Christian
+  faith.
+
+To Greenland and the Pole. A story of Adventure in the Arctic Regions.
+By Gordon Stables. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.
+
+  The unfailing fascination of Arctic venturing is presented in this
+  story with new vividness. It deals with skilobning in the north of
+  Scotland, deer-hunting in Norway, sealing in the Arctic Seas,
+  bear-stalking on the ice-floes, the hardships of a journey across
+  Greenland, and a successful voyage to the back of the North Pole. This
+  is, indeed, a real sea-yarn by a real sailor, and the tone is as
+  bright and wholesome as the adventures are numerous.
+
+Yussuf the Guide. A Story of Adventure in Asia Minor. By George Manville
+Fenn. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  This story deals with the stirring incidents in the career of a lad
+  who has been almost given over by the doctors, but who rapidly
+  recovers health and strength in a journey through Asia Minor. The
+  adventures are many, and culminate in the travellers being snowed up
+  for the winter in the mountains, from which they escape while their
+  captors are waiting for the ransom that does not come.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+BOOKS FOR BOYS
+
+Grettir the Outlaw. A Story of Iceland. By S. Baring-Gould. 12mo, cloth,
+illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "This is the boys' book of the year. That is, of course, as much as to
+  say that it will do for men grown as well as juniors. It is told in
+  simple, straightforward English, as all stories should be, and it has
+  a freshness and freedom which make it irresistible."--National
+  Observer.
+
+Thousand Years Ago. The Adventures of a Roman Boy. By A. J. Church.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "Prof. Church has in this story sought to revivify that most
+  interesting period, the last days of the Roman Republic. The book is
+  extremely entertaining as well as useful; there is a wonderful
+  freshness in the Roman scenes and characters."--Times.
+
+Nat the Naturalist. A Boy's Adventure in the Eastern Seas. By George
+Manville Fenn. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.
+
+  Nat and his uncle Dick go on a voyage to the remoter islands of the
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+
+The Log of the Flying Fish. A Story of Peril and Adventure. By Harry
+Collingwood. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.
+
+  "This story is full of even more vividly recounted adventures than
+  those which charmed so many boy readers in 'Pirate Island' and 'Congo
+  Rovers.' ... There is a thrilling adventure on the precipices of Mount
+  Everest, when the ship floats off and providentially returns by force
+  of 'gravitation.'"--Academy.
+
+The Congo Rovers. A Story of the Slave Squadron. By Harry Collingwood.
+12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The scene of this tale is laid on the west coast of Africa, and in
+  the lower reaches of the Congo; the characteristic scenery of the
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+  carries us off for another cruise at sea, in 'The Congo Rovers,' and
+  boys will need no pressing to join the daring crew, which seeks
+  adventures and meets with any number of them."--The Times.
+
+Boris the Bear Hunter. A Tale of Peter the Great and His Times. By Fred
+Wishaw. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "This is a capital story. The characters are marked and lifelike, and
+  it is full of incident and adventure."--Standard.
+
+Michael Strogoff; or, The Courier of the Czar. By Jules Verne. 12mo,
+cloth, illustrated, price $1.00.
+
+  "The story is full of originality and vigor. The characters are
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+
+Mother Carey's Chicken. Her Voyage to the Unknown Isle. By George
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+
+  "Undoubtedly one of the best Mr. Fenn has written. The incidents are
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+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
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