SOME RESULTS.
"I believe I am going to realize some of the dreams I used to have,
after all," Flora said to herself, as she laid her head upon her pillow
that night.
She was right. The first step had been taken by her in the path of
becoming an earnest worker, and to influence those about her as she had
planned she would like to do, although not in such a way as this, nor in
such surroundings. Her cherished dream of being instrumental in leading
others into a higher and better life was now, she began to realize,
leading her into the lines of duty in her own home, and among her own
people. She could not wish for more.
She would not be like so many others, who in their desire to do great
things, neglect the opportunities near at hand, and who, in longing to
lead the heathen to a higher plane of life, forget those at home, who
possibly for want of a word or act, have slipped, stumbled, and fallen
on life's pathway.
Flora was growing, and with an earnest prayer to the Christ for
guidance, strength, and tact, she cheerfully assumed more duties in the
home, and greater responsibility. Her bright, sunny disposition, her
pleasant face, her extreme willingness to respond to requests, gradually
won a place for her in the hearts of those in her home.
The class in Sunday-school was assumed with a feeling of great
apprehension. It was composed of five girls between the ages of ten and
twelve. At first sight of their youthful teacher, these girls had been
inclined to be displeased, but when they grew to know the sunny, sweet
good-nature, born of the great desire to do them good, and which shone
out of the earnest eyes, they loved her dearly. The teaching of this
class was fraught with great good, both to the teacher and scholars, and
this meeting with the eager, bright girls was soon eagerly looked
forward to by Flora from week to week.
"How things have improved at Mr. Hazeley's!" soon grew to be a common
remark among the neighbors.
"Yes, since Flora came home, it has become very different from what it
formerly was," would be the spirit, if not the words of the reply.
Flora overheard a similar remark one day, and it gave her a feeling of
great joy to know the change was becoming apparent. Her resolution was
strengthened to sustain this newly made reputation.
It must not be supposed that she always had an easy time. This was not
so, for as she often said to Ruth, "When mother and Harry are not in a
good humor, things do become tangled."
However, to do the family justice, they were beginning to see and to
more fully appreciate the changes made in their home since Flora, who
had left them a small maiden, had returned with her thoughtful ways and
mature manner. They forgot sometimes that she was but sixteen, and would
fancy she was older than she really was. In fact, almost imperceptibly,
she assumed all responsibility, and they deferred to her judgment in
many things. Best of all, however, they began to love her.
Her younger brother Alec seemed to have entirely surrendered to her
gentle, loving rule, and was ever willing to listen to her advice. He
was always ready to help her by running errands, chopping wood, drawing
water, and performing a dozen other little tasks quite new to him, for
he had never aided his mother in any way. In fact she had never asked
her boys to assist her, or to save her extra steps or work, forgetting
it ought to be required from them.
Mrs. Hazeley also had changed under the magic wand of Flora's sunny
influence and determination to win the love of all. She had become at
least a willing agent to the general change taking place in her home,
and which recommended itself to her because her responsibilities were
lightened and carried by other shoulders.
The house itself was transformed. Even cynical little Jem was becoming
satisfied with it. It still contained the same furniture, but there was
an air of comfort and home life about it never there before, but
introduced by the magic of Flora's presence.
Lottie's sweet potato added its share to the general improvement which
was going on. The long thread-like roots looked very white in the jar of
water in which they were growing, and the graceful tendrils and
light-green leaves were quite refreshing to the eyes. Flora had trained
the vine about the window on small cords, and already it had nearly
covered the lower part with its delicate branches. Flora would have felt
lonely without it to care for; especially after being accustomed to have
plants in profusion around her at her old home. Then too, it carried
her back to the happy days at Aunt Bertha's, bringing a feeling of joy
that she had been permitted to live there so long, and to be trained in
such a gentle, firm, loving manner. Frequently she mentally contrasted
her care-free life there, and her life of responsibility now, and she
determined, with the help that is from above, she would not sink to her
surroundings, but would elevate them to her level. Bravely, patiently,
hopefully did she go forward with this end in view.
She was really surprised to find how fond she had grown of her brothers,
and they of her. She could think of her mother very differently now, and
she in turn began to show signs of an awakening affection for her
daughter.
As to Ruth, she was ever the same, a quiet little home body, whose hands
were always too full to allow her to come to Flora, but whose demure
little face never failed to smile a welcome to her friend, and whose
wise brain could turn over Flora's tangles and straighten them.
The two girls loved each other dearly; and no safer, truer friend and
guide could Flora have found than Ruth Rudd, who, although no older than
she herself, was very mature in thought, manner, and speech. Her face
however, was childlike and innocent, reflecting the pure soul within.
Flora was fortunate indeed in having her for a friend and confidante.
Harry Hazeley was a manly fellow with fine qualities. He had been
allowed to do as he pleased, and had not been greatly benefited by this
freedom. No restraining hand or guiding voice had been held out to him,
or to cheer him on his way. Not being evil minded, he had taken but few
wrong steps, and now his attention had been attracted to higher and
better things.
As I have said, Harry had good qualities; one of which was a kind
disposition, and although it was not always apparent to his every-day
associates, was brought into play whenever he met any one who seemed in
need of assistance.
One morning, as he was walking through the market on his way to school,
his attention was attracted by an old man. One of his feet was swathed
in bandages, and he was hobbling painfully back and forth, from his
wagon to the stall, where he was trying to arrange a quantity of
vegetables and some flowering plants which formed his stock in trade.
Harry had a quarter of an hour to spare, and he immediately offered to
help the old man, who was only too glad to accept the proffered
assistance, and who introduced himself, between the journeys from stall
to wagon, as "Major Joe Benson, a gardener on a small scale."
Major Joe was an old ex-soldier, who had been wounded, and later
imprisoned. The title "Major" was only a nominal one, and not indicative
of any rank. His name, as he informed Harry, was Joseph Major Benson,
Major being his mother's maiden name. He preferred to transpose this and
call himself Major Joseph Benson, shortened for convenience to "Major
Joe."
"It sounded sort of big, you know," he said, drawing himself up and
looking dignified, until reminded by a sharp twinge in his foot that
"rheumatiz" and dignity did not agree.
Major Joe was very talkative, and would not cease his persuasions until
Harry had promised to drive out to his home with him some day, and see
his nice little farm and Mrs. Benson, and he added:
"She will be delighted to see you, because you possess such a kind
heart, and because you helped me. You must come."
"Yes, I will," returned Harry, "but I must be off to school now.
Good-bye." And away he went, mentally pronouncing the major "a jolly old
chap."
The visit was made, and strange though it seemed, a fast friendship
sprang up between the two, and the visits became quite frequent. Harry
had taken Alec with him several times, and he too had greatly enjoyed
the trip. Major Joe could tell any number of quaint tales and
reminiscences of interest to the brothers. Mrs. Benson, who was more
active than her husband, was always desirous for Harry and Alec to
remain to tea. Her heart had been reached by the kindness of Harry to
her "Major," as she lovingly called him, and she could not do enough for
them.
Harry had passed his old friend's stall a number of times since Flora's
return, and had of course told him about his sister. The major had a
strong desire to see this wonderful girl, as he deemed her to be, from
the glowing descriptions that came to him. Finally he insisted, and Mrs.
Benson sent in a kind invitation that the three, Harry, Flora, and Alec
must come home with him to spend the afternoon and take tea.
He chose a beautiful day in early summer for the visit, and Flora was
anticipating it with no small degree of pleasure, for it would be the
first real holiday she had had since coming home. The thought that the
boys cared enough about her to plan a trip for her was a very pleasant
one. Her mother seemed as much pleased with the idea as the rest, and
had insisted upon her going, so Flora felt warranted in thoroughly
enjoying her new experience. Mrs. Hazeley was daily becoming more
energetic, and seemed really arousing to the fact that she had a place
to fill in her home.
Major Joe was to call for his three young friends on his way home from
market. He had promised to be on hand by noon, and as punctuality was an
economizer of time, in the old gentleman's opinion, it was barely twelve
o'clock when he drew up with a great attempt at flourishing before the
Hazeleys' door.
[Illustration: Hazeley Family. Page 67.]