The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-04-07
Miseelansous.
CHARITY AT HOME AND ABROAD.
BY MARY GRACE HALPINE.

little fellow, opening the door oil Mrs Lane s
Kitchen.
"Just see here" he added, pointing to a
large rent on the knee Of his trousers, "me
and Win. Brown were playing tag, and l
tell down and tore this! !"
"why don't you run home and get your
mother to mend it. johnny said Mrs Lane
Us she did her best to bring together the sew
cred parts.
40, cause mother amt to home. She's
gone to the society Tor Clothing Destitute
Children ~
destitute children" calculated Mrs.
Lane, as she surveyed her nephew from head
to foot. III you don't come under that
class. than never child did Why, you are
all rags and tatters "
~ know it, aunt" responded the boy
moodily; but il amt my fault. Mother
avs she ain't no time to mend my clothes,
and, il she did, they'd be just as bad tho
next day: so what's the use? Father said
last night that looked like little hcathen,
and he almost wished was. for then moth
or would think was worth looking alter
little"
"EIave you had any supper. Johnny?"
| mo, suIu tuc Sto'HS ~ 'o"S'bS
look at the generous piece of pumpkin'pie
that his aunt was catting; smother left
some cold yituals on the table for father and
me"
"well." interrupted the good woman,
placing the pie upon plate, and adding to
Il couple Of doughnuts she WAS frying, and
slice OF cheese. "you just take this, and
mind that you doa't leave "a bit OF it,"
Johnny lost no time in obeying his aunt's
peremptory but by no means unpleasant in
junction. and the contents OF the plate rap.
idly disappeared before his energetic assault.
al wish mother stayed at home just AS you
do, aunt" he said. as he opened the door.
casting lingering look back upon the cheer
ful. cozy.looking kitchen.
81 declare !" exclaimed Mrs. Lane, rs tax.
ing up the rolling pin. she resumed her la
bors, ''if it isn't shame for Nancy to neg
lect that boy So! He's 80 ragged and dirty
that am actually ashamed Of him, and his
mother an active member OF half.a-dozen
charitable societies As for brother John,
he's clean discouraged, and | don't much
wonder at it, don't believe he comes home
to q warm supper once a week It's my be-
lief that it's u woman's business first to look
after the comfort of her own family, then. If
she has any time TO do for others, well and
good. Charity ought to 6eyin at home, il it
don't stay there -
There's Aunt Nancy now. just coming
into the gate" said her daughter Betsey, AS
looking up from the apples she was pairing,
she chanced to glance out of tine window.
Indignant rs she was. it was not in good
1 - I.. 4, ,nl-
ly greeting to her sister-in.law, who was ev'
identity to full Of her own concerns to have
noticed any lack of cordiality, had there
been any.
"How dye do. sister Lane. How dye do.
Betsey." she said. seating herself in the FIRST
chair she came to. as il quite exhausted
though her keen black eyes looked as bright
and sharp as ever always cooking, do
declare! All. how it makes my heart ache to
see you spending so much precious time in
caring for this poor perishing body"
"Folks can't live without eating" respon-
dcd Mrs Lane little tartly, as this remark
called to mind what she considered to be her
sister in laws renissness in the cares Of her
family. "Leastways, haven't found out
any other way Of living"
"You always did make nice doughnuts,
Malinda, said Mrs. Sh,w, very composedly
helping herself to one.
''These are light as a honey. comb" she
added. rs she broke it open and proceeded to
to dispose Of it with evident satisfaction 81
don't know when have made any kind OF
pastry. Professor Spare, who lectured herr
last winter. says that they are very unhealthy,
entirely destroying what he called the diges
tive apparatus.
Eyes, I know" returned Mrs Lane, dry
| ly. "Hustand invited him home to tea ono
day. and couldn't perceive that he had any
particular objections to my cakes and pies.
Indeed, | remember thinking that, ii that
was his ordinary way OF eating. l shouldn't
like to be the one to cook for him. And. let
folks say what they may, never will think
that plain light pastry, eaten moderately,
ever hurt anybody. always let my chill.
dren have it. and they arc as hearty and rosy
"a set of boys and girls rs you can find any
where as | am sure they wouldn't he IL
they were ted on cold. halEcooked vituals.
given to them in any way, and just when it
happened!" -ra.-
at isn't always the rosiest and freshest
children that are the healthicst," said Mrs
Shaw. helping herself to another doughnut.
I"Now think Of it. am certain that can
see a pimple on Betsey's nose-t sure proof
of over eating; and John Thomas isn't nigh
50 strong as my Johnny, who isn't more than
a year or so the oldest. But guess Ill do
my errand, and be going. called to tell
YOU that we are going TO have fair Tor the
benefit of the oppressed Poles. lm on the
Committee of Arrangements and really
hope sister Lane. that you'll take right hold
and do everything in your power to forward
this noble and praiseworthy object"
"No, thank YOU, y returned her sister-ln-
law. "I think can end objects OF charity
nearer home than Poland" .r.r
But there IS q society, Of which you arc u
member, that think should like to j,in,"
she resumed. after u moments thought;
.'the one for clothing and providing for des'
tim,e, neglected children" .-..
Mrs. Shaw's coun,cnance frightened.
awe shall be delightsd!" she exclaimed.
"Thc initiation-fee Is only two dollars. to-
pcther with weekly payment of eight ccnts.
"I believe paid the initiation.fee about
wear ago, when il was ffst organized. did
that checrfully, though what then consid-
erei 70 he duties nearer hume prevented my
doing more. Twill pay il over again. how
ever, only must have the privilege OF bring
ing a destitute child with ine. l often see a
little boy roaming about the streets, whose
iorlOrn and neglected appearance fills my
heart with pity" ;,
| "Certuiniv that Is what We expect and