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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExeter Times, 1909-05-27, Page 6,1i1 Ullexpoeted Coufossioii; Or, The Story of Miss Percival's Early Life. y CHAPTER VI.—(Cont'd) "+7h, what a fright!" murmured Airs. Cushman, in a despairing aside to Donald; "can I ever bear to have her around l" Tho young man made no response to the observation, but, after as- sisting her to enter the carriage, he reached over and warmly clasp- ed Esther's hand, for he knew she trust have caught the rude remark. "My good little friend," he said, looking kindly into her sad eyes, "I shall not forget you, nor all that you have done for mc. I am afraid 1 shall not see you again, at pre- sent, as I have a great deal to do before I leave New York ; so I must say good-bye to you now; but 1 shall surely seek you out upon any return." "Alt ! you are. going to flit again V' said Mrs. Cushman, inquiringly. "Yes; I sail the first of April, to join my father and mother." "Indeed! Cannot you drop in some evening before you go? Madge would be very glad to sco you, I am sure," said the wily mother. "Thanks; I fear it will not bo possible, the time is so short, else I should surely come to make a. forewell call upon Miss Esther," gravely replied Donald, as, lifting his hat to both ladies, ho bowed himself away. "‘that a rude, vicious, disagree- able woman," he muttered, as he went his way ; ''that poor girl will fare hard at her hands, or I am much mistaken." Meantime, the Cushman carriage went rolling rapidly uptown, while Mrs. Cushman began to question Esther curiously about her life, her journey across the country, and re- ,g:trding her two recent compan- ions, and the accident that had de- tained them so long in her home. Esther responded with quiet bre- vity, tolling what she thought best, and withholding what she did not care to divulge. Sho was very glad, however, when they stopped before the elegant mansion which was to be her future home, and sho was released front the inquisition. But as they were about to alight, a messenger approached and hand - cd Mrs. Cushman a cable message. she did resent the coldness, the in - d' face blanched with sudden the fact that life and its duties must ' hand's business difference, almost contempt, which "Well, then, when you are not' engaged witIi Daisy there will bel flume sewing that 1 shall want you I to do; and now, while we are talk -I ing about it, we may as well go to, the sewing room to see what there is to 0o done, and I will give you some work for to -day, or you will bo getting homesick bitting :!round idle." And, rising, the calculating wo-. man led the way to tho seam- stress' quarters, where she laid out work enough to keep the girl busy, with her other duties, for a week. Esther's heart sank within her as u heiiever her glance rested upon she began to realize what was be- them. e- th� Frank, at first followed his sis-' fore her; for she at last understood that she was to be made a drudge ter's rudeness, openly poking fun in the fancily. at her plain face, "owl's eyes," I Mechanically she took up a piece "elephant's tusks," and "gawky of work just assigned to her, and clothes," until one night she found sat down to make a beginning, him alone in the library, weeping while Mrs. Cushman swept out of bitterly over the loss of his father, the room, intent upon other inter- when—her great heart full of sym- ests, but with a feeling of secret pathy for him, and ignoring his satisfaction over having so easily previous insults—she sat down, and accomplished ,.er purpose regard - began to talk with him, gradually ing her husband's ward. drawing his thoughts from his There were bitter thoughts in the grief, ending by letting hint beat heart of the lonely orphan as her her six games at Russian back- glittsring needle flew in and out gammon, and sending hien to bed of the towel she was hemming. inexpressibly comforted, and as- For two years past her life had sert•ing to himself that she was a been a ceaseless round of drudg- ery, jolly girl, in spite of ery, with no opportunities for ei- being so awfully homely." From ther study or recreation, and now that hour he was her firm friend it seemed as if her bondage was and ally; while Daisy, intuitively to bo continued indefinitely. seeing beneath the surface, as lit-, She was to have tho caro of a tie ones sometimes will, had re- fractious, pampered child, who was cognized a friend, and began to ;to be dressed and undressed as love her from the very first. I many times a day as her fastidi- But it is impossible to describe ous mamma might desire. Site was the feeling of desolation and home- to be attended when she went out sickness that surged over the heart upon the street, and amused in the of the lonely girl in her new home, house. Even her steals were to be during that first trying week after, presided over in the nursery by Es- her arrival. ' ther, who was thus indirectly in- Sho actually moaned herself to formed that she +vas no longer to sleep night after night, and felt occupy her place at the table with as if life were not worth the liv- the family. To her this was the inti. She felt utterly friendless most galling of all, for she was both and wretched. Mrs. Cushman re- proud and sensitive. pelted her ; she had seemed to res -1 And when not engaged in the ca- lize, front the moment of their meet- parity of nurse, she was to act as ing. that she was a cold, hard wo- the family seamstress! man, while those heartless words i But what was she to receive in which she had overheard—"Oh, return for all this I what a fright ! Can I ever bear to • have her around ?" had cut, her Filen Mason, the girl +who had sensitive nature to the quick. just been dismissed, had been paid It is true she had heard Donald four dollars a week, and allowed Lancaster use almost the same ex-. every other Thursday and Sunday cession regarding herpersonal ape' afternoon out. But nothing had pression and while le she had suffe-' been said to Esther about wages no less acutely in having him or privileges, and sho was still in criticize her looks, yet his remark the dark upon those points, while bad been tempered by a thorough her hint that she wanted to attend appreciation of her character, school ndetI had been very cleverly while Mrs. Cushman's look and Sho did not rebel against regular 'tones had expressed only disgust duties; indeed, she had so long and intolerance. y After a week spent in solitary been accustomed to improve ever grieving over her bereavement, moment that it hal almost become d f 1 0 • rk. But Mrs. Cushman began to awake to recon natnro or ►er wu fear. With trembling fingers, she tore it open, devoured its contents with one sweeping glance; then, with a piercing shriek, fainted away among the cushions of her car- riage. CHAPTER VII. Tho cable message which had so crustiest and unnerved Mrs. John Cushman upon her return from the station conveyed the startling in- telligence that her husband had died very suddenly at Rouen, while on his way to Paris. A business friend chanced to be with him, fortunately. He it, was Will, scut the message. and stated •that lie would attend to all neces- eary details in eonuection with the sad event, and have the body ern- balined and forwarded with all pe.ssiblo despatch to New York. Of course, this dreadful news threw the whole household into confusion and the wildest grief, and thug 1:sther1s introduction to her new home was attended with much that was exceedingly sorrow- ful and depressing. M rs. (*ultimo was prostrated and confined to her bed for a week, leasing the management of her home to her servants, and the chil- dren to their own devices for pass- ing the dreary time away. Esther wondered if sho were wort to be free from the shadows of 'ickne's and death; they seemed to pursue her relentlessly wherever she went. But she pitied the for - 1,•,;, condition of the children. and, t „•lore. exerted herself to try to L, igliten throe dreary days for them; at least. for the two younger ones -1'ra.uk and Daisy. Madge, the eldest. held hcr=clf r Wisely aloof from her ; from the moment of her entrance into the house she had - assumed a lofty, supercilious manner toward her that had been eery galling to the t•eesiti+e girl. She had been pet - t, •1 and indulged to the last de- gree, an<i had reached that age of yoitug ladsh,.,el that apes the airs and dignity- of felts-. \1tl,vugh Nhe ala+ two or three :, shorter than Esther. the lot- te1 seemed like at, aw1'tard child bo o:d,1 her, for Madge's dresses w1 ere lung. sial made in the ex - ti eine of fashion: she sported a gr. at deal of t oetly )ewlery. wore her hair in a "Troche knot. and felt her iulportwicc accordingly. t)ur Western orphan. ou the con- trary, wore her wealth of midnight Glair in a 1fl8 ' t0 braid between her shoulders. and her clothes to the tips of her hoots. and these 1,e•re ;o platin and simple that they e •i Icd a smile And look of di'<lain fo n► ite flap;?iss Miss ('ushman unwary- Either• caccd, interests looked after, and the fu- Mrs. Cushman had manifested to- ture of herself and her children' ward her froth the first, and also mapped out and entered upon. Ac the idea of being "roped in," to The news received recentl • from cordingly sho canto forth from her use a slang expression, as a tom- y seclusion, and resumed the custu- ►lion servant, where she had expect - has Petersburg, that a hunger strike mar • place in her household. ed to rank as one of the family. ]cos broken out amongst the politi- y cal prisoners confined in the terrible Almost her first act was to dis— miss the girl who for several years present," she mused, as she sewed had been a seamstress in the fain- busily no. "I, nt least, have a sly, and during tho last two had comfortable shelter, plenty to eat, also acted as nurse to Daisy, while and what clothes I have will last sho informed Esther that she mist take her place. But in doing so she assumed the philantropic role. "You understand, I suppose, that make a good little girl of her, of I ine the sufferers collectively ab - !your father appointed 31r. Cush- take the right. course; and, as I staining from all food as a protest, man as your guardian until you like to sew, I shall get along very should become of age," she re- marked,inters b•,ar i nmrkcd, during her first u►tc r i with her, after resuming her house- hold duties. "Yes—I suppose the arrangement would be so regarded,'' Esther thoughtfully replied, although s,te did not exactly relish the woman's attitude. "Then, of course, since my lltts- baaul is not til ing, his duties, in that respect, will devolve upon ate, and I will do the best I can for you," the woman languidly con- tinued. in a magnanimous tone. "I do not know w hat his intentions were with reference to you, but since it will bo necessary for aro tc curtail my expenses, I trust you will have no objection to snaking •yourself useful, as you have no source of income." Esther colored a painful crimson at thus being reminded of her pov- erty, but she answered in a respect- ful tone: "('ertainly not. Mrs. Cushman, 1 shall be very glad if I can be a help to you in any way. 1 suppose, though. that I am to go to school again shortly." •'Il'm : how far advanced are you V' inquired Mrs. Cushman evasively. ••1 had just entered the second year of the high school when mam- ma was taken ill." "Oh. then you have a fairly good education already," the lady ob• served. in a satisfied tone. "It is so late in the season, I think it would hardly be advisable for sou to go to school, now. and the re- gular year dons not begin until next October. Meantime. I think I will let you have the care of Daisy. Bs that i mean that you will attend 'to dressing her in the morning ; look after her at meal time in the nursery ; take her for her daily air- ing, when she cdee• not drive with me. and put her to bed at night. Can you sew nicely 'Yea. I have made nearly- all of my own clothes. with mamma's help for three years,- returned poor. +++.+++++++++++♦++++++ tis through agriculture Wo should ► Products ` the !arm LIRBYr S EVAPORATED MILK Contains double the Nutriment and None of the Injurious Bacteria so often found in So- called Fresh or Raw Milk. The use of Libby's Insures Pure, Rich, Wholesome, Healthful Milk that is Superior in Flavor and Economical in Cost. Llbby's Evaporated Milk is the Purest, Freshest, High - grade Milk Obtained from Se- lected Carefully F e d Cows. It is pasteurized and then Evaporated, (the water taken out) filled into Bright, New Tins, Sterilized and Seal- ed Air Tight until You Need It. Try LIBBY'S and till your blends how good ii is. Libby, McNeill & Libby CHICAGO nine it would be more proper if you ac 'rersed me as Miss Madge." Again Esther's midnight eyes flashed with indignant lire. But she wisely resterained the hot words that involuntarily sprang to her lips, and composedly buttered an- other piece of bread for Daisy. (To be continued.) WHAT HUNGER STRIKES ARE. Prisoners Abstain I'roin Food Un- til at the Point of Death. Schlusselburg Fortress, serves to call attention to what is, perhaps, the most remarkable social mani- festation of this or any other age. some• time yet; so 1 will try to bo Y Imagine, if you can, a harsh prison patient outsl it is time to begin to governor., given to inflicting upon of school again. Daisy loves the convicts merciless floggings fund thing already, and I .believe- I can fortunes unmentionable entirely on rnehis own responsibility. Then ima - well if—I am not crowded too even to the point of starving thein - selves to death. That is the hunger strike, as it is practised in Russia Having arrived cat this philoso- to -day amongst those prisoners who phical conclusion, she gradually be• are known as "puliticals" or "in - came more cheerful, and worked tellectuais.,, hteadily until Daisy was sent to Usually, it achieves its object. call her to lunch ; then theywent Not infrequently, too, the prison down to the nursery together in governor against w hum it is direct - the most friendly manner. cd loses his life as n consequence, While the;: were eating. Madgo being assassinated by friends of the strolled into the room, and. seat- strikers outside. iug herself by a window, watehcd After this fashion died General the two curiously. Mezcntzeff, whose "execution" was '•\\'ell," she observed. after list- underta,.en by a young artillery ening for a while to isthe is in officer, Kra+tchinsky, who afler- structiens to Daisy regarding her wards resided many years in Eng - eating and her table manners gen- land, and became known in the poli- tical and literary world of London under the name of Sergius Step- niak. Not infrequently the hunger strik- ers are women. Indeed, it was they "That is not strange, it it 1'' sho who originated the ides, the very finally inquired. , first hunger strike on record being '•\shy. yes; i think it is—rather.' undertaken by the women convicts said Madge, with a short laugh; "it confined in the Kara political could hardly be expedtcd that a prison. as n protest against the girl, brought up in poverty as you have been. should bo versed in social etiquette." Again Esther flushed. and then her great black eyes began to blaze. She was cutting n piece of steak for Daisy. and she finished her work before she !nude any reply. Then she quietly observed: "Y(t0 forget, Madge. that your father and my mother +were reared beneath the same roof ; that my grandmother taught Mr. Cushman. as well a• my mother, the courtes- ies of life." it was Madge's turn to flush now, and an angry red (hushed over cheek. neck and brow. She knew it was true. although she had not stopped to consider the Seined 700 years as a ►naximum fact before having her Iling at Es- length of life; 423 seam were the they. and. for a moment. she had allotted span of the silver fir; the no ready retort to her telling oh- larch Used 175 sears; the red beech, servation. _:45: the a(pe•n. .110: the birch, 200; -Well.- she finally snapped. "1 the ash. 170: the elder, 113; the do not care to be twitted about things that happened two genera- tion ago; and i do not wish you to he so familiar with me hereafter. orally, "you've been we., taught how to behave at table." Esther looked around nt her, astonished, and flushed vividly at her observation. flogging to death of one of their number. Madam Sigida. For sixteen days none of them tasted food. They were then at the point of death. and the gover- nor, at his wits' end, was compelled to resign. as. obviously, it would not hese clone for him to have al- lowed scores of women, some of whom belonged to the highest famil- ies in Itnssin, to perish of inani- tion before his eyes. w-:xl.RAL AGE OF T111•:I-:S inquiry as to the general ago of trete being put to an authority of the ferrstry service at Washington, it was said that the pine tree at - ♦ I atturd an opportunity fur the conal ♦ ' to apply his knowlcctge of ar►tu- SCIENTIFIC FARMING. Agriculture is a science. It is a broad and complex subject on which touches vitally the life of each couununity and the life of the nation. The road to success of the farmer lies, recently spoke Prof. W. If. Brench of Michigan Agricultur- ed college, through education and intelligence. Ignorance is as costly to the farmer as to any other bus- iness man. In order to meet the needs of our rapidly increasing population and conserve the properties of the soil and the interests of the consumer, there must be an ideal diffusion of agriculture. \\'e can reach the great body of our people only through the public schools. The great purpose of educators is to better the work of the school, of the student, that is, his present life and the life which he is to live after he leaves school. It is the desire of every school patron that his child shell receive a real usable education. Agriculture is a part, and an im- portant part, of the great field of education. The chief work in the introduction of agriculture in the public schools is to change the attitude of our young men and women to farm labor and to form life or to create ideals of farm labor and farm life. All labor with- out an ideal is drudgery, and this is the reason why so many farmers look upon their occupation as burdensome and unremunerative. That school is best which responds most quickly and most effectively to the needs of its patrons. It would seem that the rural school, with its agricultural environment would be the ideal place to teach agriculture but there are special difficulties in the way as follows: The short life of the teacher, one teacher for all children, irregular attendance, meagre equipment and conservative constituency. The rural schools are with us and must be utilized to the best advantage. It is our labor to vitalize and arouse them. The teacher, how- ever, is the real--oblem. It is not so much a question of what is taught but how and by whom. The small school has its advantage in simplicity of organization, of directness of presentation. Each subject should be taught in terms of the environment of the school that elm. 130. The heart of the Hak begins to rot at about the age of 300 years. Of the holly• it is said that there is a specimen 410 years Your position is so different from lay for weeks at death's door Meta•, geography, language and even history and cotes. ‘n o cau buitd an ad.utiun to the rural schoolhouse and in the route thus provided we may place a bench and tools, the plough and cuaivator, and other similar agricultural tows; we can place there also a stove and kitchen utensils, thus affording an opportunity to teach the knout - mental priaclples of household work and home -waking. 'Tins room will servo also as a place for exhi- bitions from the school garden and hone garden and the tietd. In other words, such a room will assist in matting the entire school a working shop where the pupil can express himself physically, intellectually and industrially. The work in agriculture must not be presented so as to impose an- other task, but a part of the exist- ing order. ft's great purpose must bo to create a rational attitude to a proper ideal of the farm. It is the spirit and not the letter that we desire. It must be taught from the viewpoint of the child, and not from the viewpoint of sonic grown up farmer. From the first grade to the tifth we may present what is usually called nature study, its purpose being to put the child into sympathy with his environment. • In this work we must present natural objects, trees, dowers, shrubs, etc., as related to the means of living of the people and house- hold affairs, in other words, the human activities of the community as far as natural conditions affect them. From the fifth grade and upwards we may present what may bo termed agriculture, that is a study of the soils, the roads, fences and buildings. Special trips may be made after school and observation of the conditions on the farms of the district made, reports and com- putations on prices and values on stock, farm property, farm machin- ery, etc., made. All of this gives an opportunity to apply the so-called schoolroom to the activities of human life and in doing these things we shall vitalize the work of the school and shed a new light upon the pages of the text -book and really enter into the life of the people. s Postage -stamps in England use up 1,000,000 gallons of gum per annum. Savage Warrior—"I have come to inform you that the cannibal king says he will eat your wife in a few minutes." Mr. Henpeck — "Well, there's ono consolation—she's sure t( disagree with him. She always did with me." The Ncw DAIMLER THE PRINCIPAL CLAIMS For this Marvellous New Motor aro : fIilence in Operation Flexibility Economy In Construction and Operation Absence of Small Parts Write for full particulars and i!l.,stratcti lists from C. H. STAINTON, 73 Nest Adelaide Street, Toronto, Canada, The Daimler Motor Co., (19°4) Ltd' COVENTRY, ENOLAND. PRESENTS FOR WA1T1' :t 110. DF' .I'It t•IS 1'111 tit LEN .tLl; .t\1)It.t. Antidotes .tgain.t Sea -Sickness, and Typhoid Fever - - Etu- bar,-a.sing Lifts. On Queen Alexandra's last birth- day sho was the recipient`,' curi- ous present, which took forte of a box of sprats sent (y tb Alde- burgh spratters. The lid of the box was painted with the borough arms, bearing an inscription to the effect that the fishermen hoped. Her Majesty would accept their tribute of respect. CURES FOR SEASICKNESS. When the King wa Prince of Wales, suffering from typhoid fever, he was the recipient of a hop -pillow, which the donor de- clared would bring •:o►nplete re- storation to the Royal patient. The Czar, when he was suffering a scar or two ago from the same complaint received a bottle of Jordan water, which was delivered at his palace by one of his devoted subjects who had made a special pilgrimage to Palesti►ie for it. When the Prince and Princess of Wales started ou their tour to visit the outskirts of the British Em- pire they received scores and scores of antidotes against sea -sickness. One firm of chemists senttheir Royal Highnesses a !huge box con- taining a sample of hundreds of po- tions and powders, some of which• they declared would render them. immune frons attacks of mal -dee Hoer. A WINDFALL FOR WILLIAM. When the German Emperor was at the height of his popularity he had many admirers who frequently showed their affection for hits in queer ways. On one occasion,. while His Majesty was witnessing the annual review of his army on a very chilly day, a sentry was asked by a spectator to deliver an envelope to the Emperor. It was found to contain a bank -note for: 100 marks. The donor begged the Emperor to purchase with the money some suits of warns under• clothing, as His Majesty +fell not at warmly clad as he should be. Wit linin 1I. also derives a good income from a German steamship lino, which was presented to his fathet as a legacy from the founder of the line. GIFTS OF WILD ANIMALS LS Some of the presents received are. rather embarrassing. Fret—p' they take the form of wild animalss-- -- :\ menagerie proprietor sent three - fine elephants to the German Em- peror some years ago. His Majes- ty, not wishing to hurt the feelings of his loyal subject, accepted the offer and handed them over to the Zoological Gardens, Berlin. A 'huge Polar bear once arrived at tho !loyal Palace at St. Petersburg,--� much to the astonishment of the of- .. �� ficials, addressed as a birthday gift to the "little Father." The Czar- ina took a fancy to the apleancud beast with its shaggy white coat, and the bear was housed in an out- building of the Winter Palace. Perhaps the most notable gift to Royalty of recent times is the beau- tiful little Sunbeam Island which lies in the Godo Sound, on the west t coastof Norway. . It was pre- sented by Miss Musgrove only last year to the young Crown Prince Olaf of Norway. --London Tit -Bits. HON EST 31.tXI31S 01' FORGBit. Van Vlissinn 'fey Yung 111111getrio Sollt eeedo. Four maxims as a guide to young men entering business are given by Peter Van Vlissingen, she former real estate operator wit, .' forgeries, • amounting to :31,500,00 :end tvn•cr- ing a period of twenty ^ars, were unfolded last week. V: : Vlissingen is serving a sentence i . Joliet pri• son, but is in t wag., trying to straighten out his books for hist creditors. The maxims arc : "Be honest in malt things. "Do not permit your conscience to become calloused. "Be economical and never risk other people's money no matter how certain success may seem. "'Once you commit n wrong make restitution immediately, for dela] means ruin, maybe death.•, Van Vlissingen said sadly that once he was known as "Honest Pete." His first forgery was fol $2,500. A clerk discovers absconded with all the Then Van Vlissingen had to again, and he kept nt it unti fall, when he was exposed. + A LAST HOME OF THE BISON. Recent exploration of the .\tha- basca-Mackenzie region shows that it contains many valuable fur -bear- ing animals. nod it appears also tO he the home of the Inst wild rem- nant 0 fthe American hisen family. Thr herds o1 bison are not !turner- . -. and they are being rapidly ex• •,•rroinnted by wolves. The ('ann- ,lian i n:csk-o'. also inhrhit s this r• ,inn. and in the spring, when the isit ers and springs tseape from tlei frust, great Ifo, ks of biol.. inc'it'I lug most of the migrate; v gar ••- birch of America, serer: 1:,ither to breed. Hen •