Title:  Dew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 9, March 1, 1914

Author:  Various

Release Date:  March 29, 2005 [EBook #15494]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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DEW DROPS

Vol. 37.  No. 9.  Weekly.

DAVID C. COOK PUBLISHING CO., ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

George E. Cook, editor.

March 1, 1914.

How Lilian Helped Her Brother

By Julia H. Johnston

“May we go, mamma?  Oh, do say yes.  Please say yes.”

Lilian and her brother Earl were invited to a children’s lawn party, and, as they were not different from most other children, they were very anxious to attend.

“Lilian may go, but I am afraid to trust Earl,” said mamma.  “There will certainly be ice cream and berries, cake and lemonade, and you know what the doctor said, Earl.  You think you are well, but you are not strong after your illness and you are not to eat or drink anything ice-cold for some time to come.”

“But I needn’t eat things because they are there,” said Earl, “and I promise you, mamma, that I won’t.”

“I’m sure he won’t.”  Lilian added.  “I don’t care to go unless Earl can, and I’ll promise for him, too, that he’ll be good.”

“That means that you will be his security,” said mamma, smiling.  “You will be a surety for him, as they call it, and give your own pledge that Earl will do his duty.  Well, then, if you both promise, I will let you go.  You must learn to do right, even if there is temptation to do wrong.”

So the loving brother and sister, who wished to go together, as brothers and sisters should, went merrily off at the appointed time, and enjoyed themselves with their playmates upon the lovely lawn.

As they went in together, Lilian said, “Now, remember, Earl, that when we have things to eat, you must not take ice cream and lemonade.”

“I’ll remember,” said Earl, and then, as it was a large party, the two were soon separated.  Lilian trusted her brother so fully that she did not think it needful to speak to him again, and when refreshments were served, she did not think of looking for him.  As it happened, they were far apart.

Earl was very warm.  His mother had told him to be careful about playing too hard, but when interested in a game, the boy did not realize how fast and far he ran.  When the tempting ice cream, with berries, cake and lemonade were passed, he allowed himself to be helped with the rest, thinking only how hot he was and how good the cold things would taste.  He had eaten half his cream and half emptied his glass before he really thought of his promise.  Then he stopped suddenly, feeling sorry and distressed.