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[Illustration: "How can I ever go!" cries Betty
(_See page 1_]
BETTY'S BATTLES
_AN EVERYDAY STORY_
BY S. L. M.
_Author of "Jabez the Unlucky"_
PREFACE BY MRS. BRAMWELL BOOTH
[Illustration]
_Illustrated by Gertrude M. Bradley_
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PREFACE
I have derived real pleasure from the reading of "Betty's Battles,"
because I am sure if we can only get it into the hands of other
"Bettys," that they will be inspired and helped to take up arms in their
own cause, and fight, as Betty did, for the love and peace and
orderliness of their own dear homes.
I think a fact is revealed in this story which is not actually
transcribed in black and white. It is that the Grandmother--through
staying with whom Betty had been so much blessed and helped--bore the
same surname as Betty's father. For if she had brought up Betty's
mother, I am quite sure there never could have been so much difficulty
in the home as was the case when Betty returned from her holiday!
This little book will, I believe, help our Young People to realise their
responsibility towards their own homes and their fathers and mothers.
Nothing is more grievous at the present time in many countries where
civilisation is most advanced, than the decay of all that which is
precious and beautiful in home life. There are many causes which have
contributed to this, to which I cannot allude here; but there is one
remedy which by the blessing of God cannot fail. It is that our young
women should be enlightened and trained to acknowledge and to carry
their responsibilities for that work which God has committed to women.
Undoubtedly, it is God's arrangement that women should beautify and
adorn the home. A home is an absolute necessity to her; and only by the
retirement and protection of a good home, can women ever be fitted to
train and mould the nation's youth. As a wise, far-seeing writer has
said: "It is not too much to say that the prosperity or adversity of a
nation rests in the hands of its women. They are the mothers of the men;
they make and mould the characters of their sons, and the centre of
their influence should be, as Nature intended it to be, the home. Home
is the pivot round which the wheel of a country's highest statesmanship
should revolve; the preservation of home, its interests, its duties and
principles, should be the aim of every good citizen.... A happy home is
the best and surest safeguard against all evil; and where home is not
happy, there the Devil may freely enter and find his hands full. With
women, and women only, this happiness in the home must find its
foundation."
I believe in the successful mission of this little book, and wish it
good speed.
Florence E. Booth
_November 1907_
CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE
I. "GOOD-BYE, GRANNIE" 1
II. HOME AGAIN 7
III. THE BATTLES BEGIN 19
IV. BETTY'S BIRTHDAY 31
V. REAL TROUBLE 48
VI. FOR FATHER'S SAKE 59
VII. DAY BY DAY 71
VIII. THE CAPTAIN 83
IX. A PLACE FOR EVERY ONE 95
X. A QUARREL 107
XI. FATHER AT HOME 123
XII. LUCY 129
XIII. COMRADES 140
XIV. BETTY'S BIRTHDAY ONCE MORE 147
BETTY'S BATTLES
CHAPTER I
"GOOD-BYE, GRANNIE"
"Oh, Grannie, how sweet it all is here! How can I ever go!" cries Betty.
Betty's bag stands by the gate. Betty herself roams restlessly about the
little garden, while Betty's Grannie shades her gentle old eyes from the
morning sunshine, and peers down the road.
Betty's bag is stout and bulgy; stuffed full of Grannie's home-made
goodies, including a big plum-cake, and pots of delicious jam.
Betty herself is not stout at all; indeed, she is rather thin. She came
to Grannie's country home, five weeks ago, to grow strong again after a
bad illness; but though the moorland breezes have brought colour back to
her cheeks, and strength to her long limbs, they have given no plumpness
to either.
Betty's Grannie--well, she _is_ Grannie, a true Army Grannie, with a
heart large enough to take in everybody's troubles, and a spirit wise
enough to find a cure for most of them.
"The carrier's cart is a little later than usual," remarks Grannie,
still peering down the road; "but don't worry, you've plenty of time to
do the ten miles to the station; and Bob the carrier will see you safe
into the express. Of course, your father will meet you when the train
arrives, so you've nothing to trouble about, dear."
"Nothing to trouble about!" Betty turns round quickly. "Oh, Grannie,
it's leaving _you_ that troubles me so dreadfully--how can I go--how
_can_ I, when I'm only just beginning to understand?"
During these five weeks Betty has grown to love her dear good Grannie as
she never loved anyone before, for, week by week, day by day, Grannie
has been bringing her nearer and nearer to God.
"Last night, dear child, you gave your heart into the Lord's keeping,"
says Grannie softly, laying a loving hand on the girl's shoulder, "and
He is with those who trust Him always, wherever they may go."
"Yes, I know, Grannie; and while I'm with you it seems so easy to do
right--and though you are so wise and good, you never get cross with me
when I make mistakes, or answer too sharply--but, Oh, it is so
different--so very different at home! Whatever shall I do without you?"
And Betty flings her arms round the old woman's neck, and clings to her
as though she would never let her go.
"Your home is God's gift to you, Betty," says Grannie, gravely.
"My home? Grannie, it's _horrid_ at home sometimes! The rooms are so
stuffy, and dark, and untidy, and I hate untidy rooms! The children are
always quarrelling, and they shout and stamp until my head aches and
aches, and mother never seems to care. If only it were pretty and clean
and fresh like this place--if only mother were like you!"
But Grannie's face grows graver still.
"Hush, hush, Betty! Indeed, you must not allow yourself to run on in
this way. Remember, you have given yourself to God now, and you must do
the work He puts into your hands bravely and well.
"Of course, it is easier to be cheerful and good when there is nothing
to try us. Of course, it is easier to carry a light burden than a heavy
one. Your father is poor, and there are many little ones. Your mother
has struggled through long years of weary work and anxiety. It is your
part to be their help and comfort, Betty."
"I will try, indeed, I will; and I'll try to remember all you've told
me, all the dear beautiful talks we've had together, and--and last
night, Gran."
"That's my own darling!"
"Yes, I'm really going to be good now, and patient, and unselfish, and
I'll help mother, and teach the children, and make our home as sweet as
your home is. But, Oh, dear Grannie, if you could only see our home--it
makes me so cross, for nobody even tries to help, and they are all so
careless, and snap one up so."
Betty stops short, there is a queer little twinkle in Grannie's eye that
is almost like a question.
"Oh, yes, I know. _I_ am snappy sometimes; but they are all so unjust.
When I try to put things straight a bit, Bob is sure to say I've lost
some of his books; and, Grannie, it isn't 'interfering' is it to tell
people of a thing when you know it's wrong?"
"It may be 'interfering' even to put things straight, dear, unless you
are very careful to let love do the seeing, and speaking, and doing.
"Courage, Betty! You were very weak and listless when you came five
weeks ago; and your heart was heavy and sad. Now you are my own strong
Betty again. And the Lord has come to dwell in your heart and take its
sadness away.
"Let Him reign in your heart, Betty; give Him the whole of it. In His
strength you will learn to check the 'snappy' words when they rise to
your lips; to conquer the discontented thoughts and careless habits. You
will learn to be happy and bright, and to make all those around you
happy too."
But Betty thinks, "Clearly Grannie doesn't know how horrid things are at
home sometimes; if mother would only let me manage altogether it
wouldn't be half so difficult."
"The carrier's cart, my child!"
Betty lifts her head from Grannie's shoulder and hastily wipes her eyes.
The cart stops; the bulgy bag, the paper parcel, and big bunch of
sweet-smelling, old-fashioned flowers are lifted in. Betty turns to
Grannie for the final kiss.
"Remember, dear, the little crosses of daily life, borne bravely and
cheerfully for Jesus' sake, will make you a true Soldier, and win a
crown of glory by and by," whispers Grannie, as she presses her
grandchild in her kind arms.
Betty nods, and then turns her head away very quickly; she dare not
trust herself to speak.
The cart moves away. Yes, now, indeed, her holiday is over!
The blue sky, the golden gorse, the fresh, sweet air of the moors, they
are still around her, but they belong to her no more.
Through a mist of tears she looks back at the little cottage where she
has been so happy; Grannie still stands by the gate--round that turn in
the road beyond is the village, and the little Salvation Army Hall,
where Grannie goes every Sunday.
It was at the close of the Meeting last night that she gave her heart to
God. Then afterwards, in her dear little bedroom, with her head buried
in Grannie's lap, she felt so strong, so sure--and now?
"Oh, dear; Oh, dear," she sobs, "it is all so different at home!"