Ester Ried

s of discordant tongues, and the screeching of engines, and the ringing of bells, and the intolerable din of a merciless gong, Ester pushed and elbowed her way

o adjoining towns, after school books, or music, or to attend a concert, or for pure fun; but, though Ester had spent her eighteen years of life in a town which had long been an "Express Station," yet want of time, or of money, or of inclination to take the bits of journeys which alone were within her reach, had kept her at home. Now she glanced at herself, at her faultlessly neat and ladylike traveling suit. She could get a full view of it in an opposite mirror, and it was becoming, from the dainty vail which fluttered over her hat, to the shining tip of her walking boots; and she gave a complacent little sigh, as she said to herself: "I don't see but I look as much like a traveler as any of them. I'm sure I don't feel in the least confused. I'm glad I'm not as ridiculously dressed as that pert-looking girl in brown. I should call it in very ba

sparkled with jewels; yet she honestly thought that her bitter denunciation of fashion and folly in this form was outward evidence of a mind elevated

wise peaceful home, almost wearing out the long-suffering patience of her weary mother, rendered the house intolerable to Sadie, and actually boxed Julia's ears; and all because she saw with her own commo

it of lace and ribbon, as she smoothed them and patted them, and told them they were going to New York. Julia hemmed pocket handkerchiefs, and pricked her poor little fingers unmercifully and uncomplainingly. Alfred ran of errands with remarkable promptness, but confessed to Julia privately that it was because he was in such a hurry to have Ester gone, so he could see how it would seem for everybody to be good natured. Little Minie got in everybody's way as much as such a tiny creature could

d-humored impatience, only the night before her departure. "Now that you have reached the summit of your hopes, you seem more uncomfortable about

. Mother has a great many hard days of toil, which Ester has given, to remember her by." Oh, the patient, tender, forgiving mother! Ester, being asleep to her own faults, never once thought of the sharp, fretful, half disgusted way in which much of her work had been

g orders, that is, sitting in the corner where she had been placed by Mr. Newton-being still outwardly, but there was in her heart a perfect storm of vexation. "This comes of mother's absurd fussiness

stled in, red with haste and heat, and stood penitently before her. "I hadn't t

be endured, Miss Ester; and it isn't as bad as it might be, either. We've only to wait an hour and a quarter. I've s

missing the next train," Ester answered very shortl

certainly be on time. Then he went off, looking immensely relieved; for Mr. Newton frankly confessed to himself that he did not know how to take care of a lady. "If she were a parcel of goods now that one could get stored or checked, and knew that she would co

tive quiet. The wearer of the condemned brown silk and blue ribbons was still there, and awoke Ester's vexation still further by seeming utterly unable to keep herself quiet; she flutter

, notwithstanding the fact that she was h

going to

t there by this time; but the gentleman who is supposed to be taking c

ran around the corner to get some chocolate drops, and a little matter detained me a few moments; and when I

just as much sense as I should suppose you to have-risk the

her a few moments, was joining the search after a twenty-five-cent bill which the ruthless wind had snatched from the hand of a barefooted, bareheaded, and almost forlorn little girl, who cried as violently as though her last hope in life had been blown away with it; nor how,

om his box, he proceeded to tack a piece of paper to the wall. Ester, from where she sat, could see that the paper was small, and that something was printed on it in close, fine type. It didn't look in the least like a handbill, or indeed like a notice of any sort. He

ed up on the wall, and waiting for some human voice to give it utterance! A tract in a railroad depot! How queer! how singular! how almost improper! Why? Oh, Ester didn't know; it was so unusual. Yes; but then that didn't make it improper. No; but-then, she-it-Well, it was fanatical. Oh yes, that was it. She knew it was improper in some way. It was strange that that very convenient word should have escaped her for a little. This talk Ester held hurriedly with her conscience. It was asleep, you know; but just then it nestled as in a dream, and gave her a little prick; but that industrious, i

no other answer than a shrug of the shoulder and an impatient tapping of her he

r a minute; then their owner's clear voice suddenly broke the silenc

"That I would," she answered, heartily, "dreadful well. I ain't heard nothing good, 'pears to me, since I started; and I'v

to where the tract hung; and a strange stillness settled over the listeners a

N QUE

ellow-pilgrim? Did you ask him if he would be? Have you been careful to recommend the religion of Jesus Christ by your words, by your acts, by your looks, this day? If danger comes to you, have you this day asked Christ to be your helper? If death comes to you this ni

not recall the opportunity. This day, with all its mistakes, and blots, and mars, you can never live over again. It must go up to the judgment just as it is. Have you begged t

then moved with very quiet tread across the room and took the vacant seat near Ester. As the reader came ba

nnie. Have you been fi

st

e answered, with a voice in wh

re I thank you a great deal. They're kind of startling questions like; enou

eemed to be addressed. "I wonder, if we were each obliged to write truthful ans

e old woman spoke with an emphatic shake of her

et how much more ashamed we often seem

to Ester, and spoke in a

r by my side a

dfully out of her sphere; but the questions following each other in such quick succession, were so very solemn, and personal, and searc

er in the vineyard," he said, earnestly. "These are t

eously offered his hand to assist her into the cars for the New York train thundered in at last, and Mr. Newton presented himself; and they rushed and jostled each other out of the depot and into the train. And the little tract hung q