Ought we to care or, Esther's opportunities

Chapter I

“Oh, dear ! Aunt Esther is coming here Monday.”

“What a bore ! I wish she would stay at home.”

“Arthur, is that the way to speak about your aunt and my sister ?”

“Well, Frank, you know we are all fond of Esther; but I must say she rather wearies me, she is so busy and so energetic.”

The Selbys were lingering at the breakfast table, chatting pleasantly, when the mail was brought in, and an item in Miss Annie’s letter caused the above exclamations.

The family group consisted of Annie, a girl of about seventeen ; her brother Arthur, some two years older ; the father, Mr. Frank Selby, and the mother, a rather faded and languid, but refined-looking woman.

A few hours later, as the mother and daughter were sitting together in their pleasant morning room, the former said : “I wish Arthur wouldn’t speak so about his aunt. His father thinks she is perfect, and she was very generous to him at the time their father died.”

“I think she is lovely, but Arthur feels cross because she stopped sending him pocket money Christmas and birthdays, saying she could not give money to be spent in gambling. He says he never gambled, only when the fellows played cards and it was getting rather dull, they sometimes put down small silver to make it more interesting.”

“But, Annie, when you read that she was coming to make a long visit, you exclaimed ‘Oh, dear P ”

“That was because our whist club meets here Wednesday, and I happened to remember that she is down on cards and wine.”

“Why, Annie! where did you get that phrase ‘down on* ? I have heard you use it several times lately.”

“Sure enough, where did I get it ? I remember now j doe Green used it several times when he called yesterday. He was joking Arthur about being ‘down in the mouth/ and asked him if he was ‘down on his luck the night before, and told him the ‘Governor would be down on him if he lost so many dimes very often/ I don’t know what he meant, but Arthur started up and said to Joe, ‘It’s time we started if we are going/ ”

“But,” exclaimed her mother, “who is Joe Green, and where did your brother get acquainted with him ?”

He met him at Dan Blank’s. He has called here sevor Esther's opportunities.

eral times, and two or three times I have happened to be in the room. He is very amusing; he is so bright and witty.”

“Dan Blank’s !” exclaimed her mother. “I thought I told him when the Blanks came to town not to cultivate Dan’s acquaintance, for I had heard that he was fast.”

“I don’t think he could help it very well,” said Annie, apologetically. “They belong to the same club, and, you know, his father is very rich and they live in such style : almost everyone does visit there. I know his father is in the liquor business in Boston; but Joe Green says, ‘If old Blank did sell awful bad liquors, he knew enough to bring mighty good ones home,’ and young Blank was ‘no end of generous with pa’s wines.’ That was the reason the club met there oftener than it did anywhere else.”

“Oh, dear!” sighed the weak mother, “I am afraid Arthur will go to ruin. I wish his father had more time to see to him ; he must forbid his going with those fast young men.”

Ah ! why did not that mother draw that careless but affectionate boy to her side and kindly reason with him ! Why did she not so wrap him round with mother love that he could not go far astray ! Why did she not hold him in the right path with her prayers and faith ! The reason is plain: she was only a nominal Christian; she had a languid body and weak will, and the Holy Spirit did not dwell in her, making her judgment clear, energizing her will, and filling her heart with unselfish love.

I have given you a glimpse of the characters of three of the family, and now I will introduce you to its head. But in order to do this I must commence with his father.

Mr. James Selby was a successful Boston merchant, who married, rather late in life, a beautiful and intelligent woman, and, having amassed a large fortune, when his son Frank was about twelve years of age and his daughter an infant, he purchased a beautiful estate in a flourishing town near Boston, and lived there the rest of his life. When his son was twenty-one he established him in a good business in the same town. The business prospered, its success being caused largely by Frank's strict attention to it. In fact, each year he became more and more absorbed in it, and, after he married and had children, he was so eager to make money for his family that he could not take time, as his wife hinted, to watch over the morals of his only son. He is not a Christian. His father’s and mother’s prayers are not yet answered, but in the greater light and trust of Heaven they know that they will be. Must he be aroused to a sense of his responsibility by some sharp trial ! God grant that it may bring him to the foot of the cross !

Who is Aunt Esther?

The baby girl before mentioned.

Fifteen years she lived happily with her parents in or Esther's opportunities.

their beautiful home. Fifteen years she had her mother’s judicious training, loving care, and Christian instruction and example, until she grew close and closer to that mother’s heart — so close that it seemed as though even death could not break the bond. And can we not say it did not, for, having satisfied her mother’s heart by a sincere dedication of herself to Christ after that mother left this world, she remembered and obeyed her instructions: loving her God, trusting her Savior, walking joyfully in her footsteps, along the heavenward way, her eye fixed on the bright goal, “A Christian’s home in glory,” where her mother waited for her.

Ten years more she devoted to her father. After the death of his wife he aged rapidly, and yet lived ten years in what seemed to be a slow decline. He required constant attention, and she lovingly gave it, with a patience for his fretful days such as only one who loved him so well could have given; showing a wonderful fertility of invention in amusing his desponding days; and in his comfortable ones sympathizing with him in his pursuits; conversing with him, reading and discussing books with him, thereby gaining large stores of knowledge, useful information, and knowledge of his experiences, especially Christian experiences, for he had been for many years a whole-souled, open-handed, lovinghearted Christian. With his last words he blessed her, saying she had filled his ten years of suffering with brightness by her loving care.

Her father’s will, stripped of the usual technicalities, was something as follows: After mentioning several keepsakes for each of his children, grandchildren and others, also a generous sum which he had invested for each of his grandchildren, to be paid to them at a certain age, it went on to say, that having expended a large sum of money in establishing his son in business, and as that business bade fair to be lucrative, he gave all his property, real and personal, to his daughter, with the exception of the home estate, which he gave to his son. He gave also to him the furniture of house and stables, with the one condition, that the suite of furnished rooms then occupied by his daughter should be reserved for her use as long as she chose.

At the close of the reading of the will, no one being present but her brother’s family, the lawyer, and herself, she said earnestly : “I had not noticed that our father’s mind failed at all the last of his life ; indeed, I thought it seemed particularly clear during the last year; but I do not think he would have made such a will five years ago.”

Then, turning to the lawyer, she said : "I wish that, as soon as possible, you would make an estimate of the property left to me, for I intend to have it equally divided between my brother and myself.”

“But,” said her brother, starting up, “you forget that I have already had so much, and that I have my business to support me, while you have none.”

or Esther's opportunities.

“You have a family to support, while I have none,” she answered with a smile. “You will let me have my own way,” she said, going to him, placing her hand on his arm and looking up pleadingly at him.

His only answer was to put his arm around and draw her fondly to his side, for he dearly loved this only sister, and showed that he did — when he had time.

Chapter II

Soon after her father’s death, Esther received a letter from her mother’s sister in Vermont, begging her to come to her for a long visit, reminding her of the unpleasantness of the bustle and stir unavoidable in the moving in of her brother’s family, and saying she longed for a sight of her dear sister’s child.

So, taking a long look at her pleasant rooms, where she had arranged her household treasures, and a loving farewell of the many mementos of her dear mother and father, which the latter had given her at different times before his death, she started for the green mountains of Vermont.

She found her aunt, who was something of an invalid, in her usual health and overjoyed to greet her.

The aunt lived by herself in a pleasant house, with capable servants. The next house was the residence of her married daughter.

Esther’s health was somewhat broken in consequence of her unremitting attentions to her father and close or Esther's opportunities.

confinement to the house during the last months of his life. But the invigorating mountain air soon restored her energies and elasticity, and she rambled through the beautiful scenes within a short walk from her aunt’s home, admiring the scenery and drinking in the “wine of the hills” with ever increasing delight.

She found her aunt to be a very congenial companion. She had read and thought a great deal and had a large circle of intelligent and educated friends. She had large means and a large heart, and, feeling herself to be but a steward of God’s bounty, she gave liberally to His poor.

But she did not give money only; having plenty of time, she spent a large part of it in thoughtful care for them. Knowing that so many of the poor had so little time to make garments, even if they had the cloth, she often fashioned neat and appropriate garments out of old or new material for them. She did not, as some do, go to the chests in the attic and bring out a half-worn silk, a soiled cashmere, or delicate muslin, and give it to a washwoman, one who worked hard all day and every day, and had no time, even if she had the ability to remodel it, thereby teaching her to be untidy in dress, and tempting her to wear shabby finery.

By means of her various friends (and she made use of her friends in this service, and by that means often caused them to be interested in the poor) she generally knew of some invalid who was happier for some slight employment, or some lonely woman with a small income, to whose few comforts a dollar earned once in awhile brought welcome additions. So it was her custom, when a dress or cloak was past wear, to send it to one of these to be ripped nicely. Then she had it washed, if necessary, or cleaned and pressed, when it was ready to be made over by itself, to use in combination with another, or to trim some garment for some woman or child, that would make them look decent or even tasteful (for why should not the poor have pretty things) for church or school.

She often employed needy seamstresses to assist in the making, paying them liberally, thus benefiting many.

As it was her belief that the best way to help the needy was to aid them in helping themselves, she used her influence with her business friends to procure employment for husbands, fathers, or brothers out of work, and with her lady friends for the women who could work.

The common clothes that she gave for workdays were always made of new, strong material.

Perhaps I need not say that I have given such a particular account of some of her modes of giving as a hint to other givers ; but there has been so much harm done by careless giving that I cannot refrain. Many a young working girl has learned to be untidy and vain by having cast-off garments of rich material and stylish make given to her.

or Esther's opportunities.

There is also another objection to giving a lady’s cast-off dress, cloak or bonnet, which is more selfish, but of which I should think every woman of refinement would think. A lady’s dress should be, and I think, when chosen by herself, always is, like herself. It is an exponent of her taste, modesty, love of beauty, originality, or unobtrusiveness; and it must be mortifying to see a creation of her mind worn by a loud-voiced girl on the streets, or to have a friend say, "I saw a woman, half intoxicated, dragging through the mud that lavender dress that you wore two years ago, the one I thought such a lovely shade. There was hardly a place on it where you could see the original color, it was so dirty; but I knew the cut as soon as I saw it. You know, I told you it was just like you — so original and pretty.”

As Esther was young and active, and delighted in out-door exercise, she took great pleasure in helping her aunt, being her messenger and almoner. She found many opportunities of aiding her needy brothers and sisters by money, by sympathy and encouragement in temporal affairs, and, what gave her great joy, to help advance the spiritual kingdom of her Lord.

She has garnered a few sheaves in that field, but most of her work has been planting the seed : her faith assures her that it shall spring up and bear an abundant harvest.

She taught a class in the Sunday School, and in all ways tried to be an efficient helper to the pastor and superintendent. She sang in the choir, for she thought it a privilege to dedicate the fine voice that God had given her to His service.

So month after month, and year after year passed on, in sweet companionship, and active work for the Master, with only short visits occasionally to her brother and other friends, until five more years had flown, for whenever she spoke of returning, her aunt urged her to stay, declaring that she needed her the most. Then that dear friend’s health failing rapidly, she needed no urging to stay longer, for she saw that her presence and loving ministrations were an unspeakable comfort to her.

Are some loving spirits sent to earth in bodily form for the purpose of ministering to the suffering ones ?

And now that dear friend has gone home.

How large the family circle in Heaven grows year by year !

How many, though realizing that she has gained immeasurably by the change, yet sadly mourn their own loss ! How many weeping, show, as they did at the death of Dorcas of old, the garments that her hands had made !

And now Esther is thirty-two years of age and a lovely woman, much more so than she was at twenty. She is beautiful with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. Her quiet self-possession is charming. An earnest spirit sits enthroned upon her brow, but her face often sparkles with animation or dimples with smiles.

or Esther's opportunities.

She is not married ; some say the reason is, her ideal, a manly man, a Christ-like Christian, has not yet offered her his heart.

Do you say it is too late ; now she will be an old maid ? If so, it shall be well. Her life shall be rounded, beautiful and happy, a blessing to herself and others and “Heaven to crown it all” : for is she not a princess, “heir of God and joint heir with Christ”?

But perhaps her loving Father means that she shall not miss that crown of a woman’s earthly life, a good husband. Perhaps she is being trained, by reading, by thought, by communion with noble minds, by various experiences, even by trials and afflictions, to be a mate for one who in his turn is having somewhat of masculine coarseness refined away, his sympathies broadened and deepened, his heart softened and made capable of a pure, unselfish love, so that, in the near future, there shall be such a perfect and harmonious union formed as is rarely seen in this life.

Chapter III

Esther had bidden good-bye to the town where she had lived seven years, had exchanged tearful farewells with her numerous friends, and was seated in the cars on her way to her brother’s house, which was to be her home for awhile.

From the car window she looked with admiring eyes on the swiftly-moving river, gleaming in the sunshine, and the green velvet carpet of the fertile valleys so beautifully and lavishly embroidered with many colored flowers by God’s hand. But at last her ear caught the sound of a pleading voice, and, looking in the direction from which it came, she saw, on the other side of the aisle, a poorlydressed woman and a boy about four years of age.

The boy was saying, “I am so hungry ; please get me something to eat.”

The lady (for evidently she was a lady, as she had the air of cultivation and refinement which is unmistakable, no matter what the garb is) flushed slightly as her eyes met Esther’s, and, drawing the boy more closely to her

OR ESTHER'S OPPORTUNITIES.

side, said a few words to him in a low tone, which quieted him, but he looked disappointed.

The boy’s expressed wish for something to eat reminded Esther that her cousin had kindly put a lunch in her bag just before she started, saying, “The cars stop such a short time for refreshments, it is much nicer to take a lunch.”

Opening her bag, she spoke to the lady, begging that she would allow her little boy to eat some of her luncheon, for she had so much, remarking, “It makes children so hungry to travel.”

Having passed him a couple of sandwiches and some cookies, which he received with unmistakable delight, she busied herself in her book.

Soon after a gentleman entered the car, and came towards her, looking to the right and left, evidently in search of some one whom he expected to meet on that train. As he saw her he raised his hat, paused, smiled slightly, bowed, and passed on out of the car.

Esther smiled too, in an amused way, and thought : “It would have been rather awkward for him to speak to me ; I suppose he does not know my name. I am sure I am ignorant of his, but yet I feel somewhat acquainted with him. How well I remember that Wednesday night lecture and the incident afterwards.

“The Sabbath before Aunt was more unwell than usual and I would not leave her to go to church, so one of my young cousins came in on his way home, to tell me what notices had been given for evening meetings for the week. Among others he said, ‘Our pastor said that a college friend of his would be with him for a day or two and would lecture in the church Wednesday night, but/ the lad added, ‘I can’t remember his name/

“I went to the lecture. The text was, Am I my brother’s keeper?’ I called it the 'Ought I to care lecture.’

"The first part of it was a sort of vision. He said : T see on a modern housetop, in a populous town, a Christian man and woman. Beside them stands a strong, bright angel, in his hand a telescope, by his side a telephone.

" ‘The angel hands the telescope to the man and says, "What do you see ?”

" ‘The man answers, "I see a liquor saloon down town ; the windows are brilliantly lighted, and” — with a start — "it doesn’t seem possible, but a young man who has been in my employ six months is just going in. He came from the country, well recommended to me, and I know he has been very industrious and faithful since he has been with me, for I have watched him. I am sorry, for if he is in the habit of going there, he will not be good for much bye and bye.”

" ‘ "What are you going to do about it ?”

" ‘ "I don’t see as I can do much ; it is not my affair, is or Esther's opportunities.

it ? I cannot look after all the men in my employ and see where they spend their evenings.”

“ ‘Pointing to the telephone, the angel says, “Speak to him” — and, wonderful! I can hear the questions and answers.

“ ‘ “George, what are you going in there for ?”

“ ‘ “To see the fun and hear the jokes. I don’t drink much ; I don’t care for it.”

“ ‘ “Would your mother like to have you go there ?”

“ ‘ “I would not have my mother know it for the world.”

“ ‘ “Then if she should hear of it, the fun and jokes would not pay you when you saw her grief. Why will you do it?”

“ ‘ “I am so lonesome. All the young men who board where I do go out every evening. The first few weeks after I came to town, I walked around a short time each evening, and looked at the buildings and shop windows, but those are an old story now; besides, I am too tired after a hard day’s work to walk the streets all the evening, and if I stay at home I have no one but my landlady, and she is not very good company, for she talks all the time about her troubles and trials.”

“ ‘ “Do you like to read ?”

“ ‘ “ Ever so much ! but I have read the few books I have, over and over again, and I cannot afford to buy more.”

“ 'The angel says, “Ought you to care?”

“ ‘ “Yes ! and I will. I will tell him to-morrow that I have a pretty good library at home. It is always warmed and lighted, and he is welcome to come and read the books when he chooses, and some of them I will loan to him. If he comes, I will take pains to go into the library sometimes and have a short talk with him and ask him to join the Sunday School. I have thought 1 would hire a pew for those of my employees who would like to go to my church. I will do so this week, so that I can offer him a seat there, if he has no other church home.”

“ ‘The lady now takes the glass.

“ ‘ “I see,” she says, “a small room in a narrow street; beside a poor fire sits an old lady; on the stove a tiny kettle has just begun to sing; near her a round table; on it I see one plate, cup, knife and fork, a bowl containing a very little sugar, and one cracker on another plate. She looks with a smile at the table.

“‘ “‘Rather a small supper/ she says aloud — being much alone, I suppose she has got in the habit of talking to herself — ‘but then I am not a large eater. A cup of tea would be a comfort, but they say hot water slightly sweetened is healthful ; at least it will warm me/

“ ‘ “She shivers a little, for her blood is thin, and the shawl on her shoulders, too, is thin.

“ ‘ “Now her face saddens a little and she says, ‘I have or Esther's opportunities.

not even a cracker for breakfast. I never got so low before, but doctor’s bill and medicines last month, and liniment for my rheumatism this month, has used up all my last payment, and there is no pension due until next week. My neighbor Mrs. Murray, when she ran in this morning before she went to her day’s work — for she comes in every morning to see if I want something cooked, she is such a kind woman — said, when I told her I had not much to cook and should not have any money to get more until next week, that she was going to wash at Mrs. Clark’s house, and she would ask for something for me. She often gives Mrs. Murray nice pieces for her - self or her poor neighbors. Perhaps she forgot to ask, for she did not know how little I had to eat.’

“ ‘ “Now she starts and a glad light illumines her face. ‘Why,’ she exclaims, ‘I had forgotten something myself ! forgotten that I am the daughter of a King who holds the hearts of all men in his hand.’

“ ‘ “Now she folds her hands reverently, and, looking up trustfully, she prays, ‘My King and Father, please send me a better supper and some breakfast.’ ”

“‘Without waiting for the question, the Christian woman exclaimed, “I ought to care, and I do !”

“‘Now standing with downcast eyes, she says: “Mrs. Murray did tell me about this woman this morning, but I was in haste to go out, so I asked her if it would do to-morrow, for I do not allow my cook to send food out of the house. Mrs. Murray replied that she thought likely she had enough for a day or two. Now, I will send her to-night some of that nice cold meat, some of the beautiful white biscuits Jane knows so well how to make, a cup custard, and she shall have a glass of jelly, too, some tea, and milk of course, and some eggs for breakfast, and a nice warm shawl that I know of. Come to think of it, I will take it to her myself and say to her, ‘Sister, the King, our Father, sent me.’ ”

“ ‘Eagerly her husband takes the glass. He is getting waked up.

“ ‘He says, “I see that young man who is bookkeeper next door to my place of business. He is an intelligent, gentlemanly young fellow. I often step in to have a chat with him. He had just finished his college course, and was intending to study a profession, when his father died, bankrupt, and he had to find work to earn his bread. An uncle of his gives his mother and invalid sister a home, but cannot give them much beside ; so this boy gives part of his wages each month to them, and tries to save something so that he can some time finish his education. In the meantime he studies evenings. That is what he is doing now in his poorly-furnished room. Now he pushes back his book and sighs, and, wonderful glass ! I can read his thoughts. ‘I believe I am too tired to study ; it is too early to go to bed; I cannot afford to go to the opera. Two of the fellows are playing cards in the next room, or Esther's opportunities.

but I promised Mother I would not learn, and I do not know what to do with myself. If I was only acquainted with one or two nice families, where I could call and see the ladies. Some of the clerks have introduced me to their sisters, but they did not suit me ; they did not seem to me to be exactly ladies, and for my mother’s sake, if for no other reason, I will not lower myself by associating with those who are not. When I called the other evening at Mr. Clark’s house to give him a message from my employer, as I waited in the library for him to come down, a lady opened the door and looked in. Seeing a stranger, she bowed and withdrew. She was about the age of my mother and looked so sweet and good that I longed to speak to her. I think the truth is, I am hungering and thirsting for my mother.’ And the great boy is actually wiping his eyes.”

“ ‘Musingly the Christian says : “Why is it that I never thought to ask him to visit us ? I will ask him to tea to-morrow, and, come to think, I have four tickets for that lecture in the evening, and we can invite him to go with us, and I will ask him to go to church with us some time. Perhaps we can help him to learn to keep himself ‘unspotted from the world’ for Christ’s sake.” ’ ”