Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1900 — EVA’S EASTER. [ARTICLE]

EVA’S EASTER.

TVO ELLIE, didn’t yon leave that thirJtv I teentJl problem on your slate T’ asked Florence Vinton excitedly a* she joined the girls on the playgrounds “Yes,” answered Nellie, “why?" “Because when I went into the school room just now, Eva Moore put something Into your desk which I know was your slate; I just know she has copied your work and will take the honor again this week; she is a mean little sneak, anyway, and doesn’t deserve it! If I were you, I should just tell Miss Fenton.*’ “O, Florence! you must be mistaken; I cannot think Eva would do such a thing,” answered Nellie. “Nellie Blake, do you think 1 would have said she did it, if I had nor seen her?” angrily retorted Florence; “besides you Sever could see a fault in that little ragtnuffin,” and she turned scornfully away. Florence had neglected her lessons and disobeyed her mother by leaving them unlearned, and going down to the parlor for a game with Cousin Ralph; couaequently she came to school all out of sorts, and now she was very willing to blame Eva, who, she felt sure, would take the honor again. Miss Fenton’s rich and eccentric old ancle, Prof. Bradley, who had retired from educational work, and who often visited his niece's school, had offered a Ive-dollar gold piece to the pupil who should receive the greatest number of “weekly honor cards.” Eva and Florence had kept equal until the week before, when Eva had come out ahead. • Florence Vinton, who was a dark-eyed, robust little beauty, was the daughter es a rich merchant, and had every comfort she could deaire, but she was ambitions and worked just as hard for the tempting gold piece as though it had been a rare gift. Eva Moore, who was the apposite of her rival, was si delicate girl with large, dreamy blue eyes and flaxen curls. She lived with her grandfather, who scantily supported himself and Eva by mending shoes, lie worked bard and planned'every way to keep his little orphan granddaughter in school that she might get an education, and be able to support herself when he could no longer support her. Florence's wrath knew no bounds when the honor card was again handed to Eva. “I think your card would better be called dishonor! Anyone might get a prise if she copied other people’s work." eneeringly exclaimed Florence, as she hurried past Eva on her way Eva begged tor an explanation; but the •ngry girl feigned not to hear, and hurried on. Poor Eva, above all things she could not bear to be thought dishonest, and she burst Into tears. “Why. Eva, what Is the mafterT” asked Nellie Blake, coming up to her.*" Between her soba Eva told her how Florence had accused her of copying another’s work, and begged her to tell her wha| she meant. Nellie reluctantly told her. and assured her that she. knew Florence was mistaken. d- p ’

i Eva then told her how her grandfather had had to work, and she had only dry biscuit for dinner, and could not bear to eat it with the other girls, who always had nice dinner, but had hid it in her desk till they were all out, and was just eating it when Florence came in. Suspicious hearts are always ready to grasp whatever points a guilty finger at their foes. Florence had not waited to notice that Eva sat at her own desk, which was next to Nellie’s. Poor little Eva! Long abstinence from wholesome food, and hard work—for she sat up late at night to get her lessons—and this shock to her weak nerves had proved too much for her; she could scarcely walk alone. Nellie put her strong arm protectingly around her, and accompanied her to her grandfather’s door; then kissing her, and promising to prove her Innocence to Florence, she bade her good night. Mrs. Vinton was standing behind the lace drapery which screened the parlor window and fell In folds around the bronze flower pot which held a large, creamy tinted Easter lily. Her soft, jeweled hand was raising a drooping blossom when Florence raa up the walk and entered the hall. “Florence, my dear,” called the gentle mother. Florence slowly obeyed the summons with flushed face, and eyes blazing with anger. “Daughter, I wish yon would give some of your lilies to little Eva Moore; she looked so wistfully at them this morning. Will she pass this way to-night?" “I don’t know, mamma; I don’t want to give them to her if she does," answered Florence. Then, dropping on the sofa and bursting into tears, she poured out a torrent of angry words against her rival. Mrs. Vinton, seating herself beside her daughter, waited until the passionate tit of weeping was over; then she said sadly: “I hope you have not said anything that would hurt your little friend’s feelings.” “She isn’t my friend, mamma. Nbe doesn’t deserve to have any friends.” “Hush, my child! you are angry, and do not consider what you are saying. Remember, ’wherein thou judgeat another, thou condcmneat thyself.’ 1 think Eva Is a very gw ret little girl and hope you hare been mistaken in thinking her dishonest. I feel very sorry for the poor child. She has burdens which are much too heavy for her to bear. 1 fear she ia denied many of the common comforts of life. Should you win the prise, you would only rejoice because you had won a victory, not because you really prized the gift; while she, poor child, may never have possessed such a gift" “O, mamma! I never thought of it in that way. I am sorry I treated her as 1 did.” How bitterly did Florence condemn herself for her cruel treatment of her Innocent friend when the next Monday morning Nellie greeted her with: “Florence, you were mistaken In thinking that Eva copied my work. She told me that her dinner was not so niee as the other girls have, and she had hidden it in her desk till we were all out, that she anight eat it alone." “O, Nellie! I’m so sorry! Do you think she can ever forgive me?” "Girls, did you hear Eva Moore ia very

sick with brain fever?” asked ilesslß Merton as she joined the two girls. “The doctor thinks she will die. She has been delirious since Friday night.” O! what a long, anxious week that was to Florence, who, out of school hounk was almost constantly with her sick friend. It was Easter morning when Eva again woke to consciousness. The first object that met her bewildered gaze was that lovely Easter lily. Florence bending over her whispered: “O, Eva, forgive me!” When school closed the two rivals had each received the same number of honor cards, consequently each received a bright gold piece. To Florence was given the honor of carrying the prize to her sick friend. Florence was never happier than when she placed in Eva’s little, thin, white hand three bright gold pieces, Evb’b prize, with her own, and the one Unde Ned had given her for Christmas.—Uhio Farmer.