The Richmond palladium., 1865-08-03

of boys and girls as you can find any
where. as l am sure they wouldn't be if
they were fed on cold, half cooked
victuals given to them any way, and just
when it happened.
1T isn't always the rosiest and fresh
est children that are the healthiest.' said
Mrs Shaw, helping herself to another
doughnut Now, l think of it, l am
( certain that can see pimple on Bet
/ seys nose a sure proof of over eating.
and your John Thomas is not nigh SO
strong as my johnny, who is not more
than a year or so the oldest. But l
guess I'll do my errand and be going L
J called to say that we are going TO have a
/ fair for the benefit of oppressed Poles l
am on the Committee of Arrangements,
I 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, returned her sister in
| law, 4 think can find objects of chari-
ty nearer home than Poland. But there
I is q society of which You are member,
that think | would like to join she
resumed, after moments thought; the
one for clothing and providing for desti-
tute and neglected children
We shall he delghted,' she exclaimed
The initiation fee is only two dollars
together with the weekly payment OF
eight cents.
/ believe / paid the initiation fee about
a year ago, when it was first organized.
| did it cheerfully, though what l then
considered to be nearer home prevented
my doing more. 1 will pay it oyer again
ttsl.rn
of bringing a destitute child with me. l
often see little boy roaming about the
streets, whose forlorn AMI neglected APP
pearance fills my heart with pity.
Certainly. that is what we expect and
desire every member to do as she has an
opportunity We have number of lit
tie jackets and pants on haEd. and there
win be some among them that will hit him.
Our next meeting is justa week from
to day, remember, at Squire Mayos.
There was Il merry twinkle in Mrs
Lanes eyes that night as she superin-
teudcd preparations for supper, which
ever and anon deepened into smile
But though the children were anxious to
know what mother was smiling about,
she kept her own counsel.
The next "Wednesday afternoon, a
Mayo's parlor with busy fingers and still
more busy tongues.
There is Mrs. Lane coming up the
walk. exclaimed Mrs. MAYO, who was
seated bv the window. just see what a
wretched looking hoy she is leading by
the hand. II can't be one of her boys,
for l know they are all models of neat
ness
Mrs Shaw was too busy distributing
work to even glance out of the window.
Il forgot to tell YOU ladies, she said,
that my sister in law joins our society
this afternoon. The boy with her. no
doubt, is the one she spoke to me about
the other day as fit subject for our
charity / take considerable credit to
myself she added. complacently. for
persuading her to this step. Sister Lane
is such home body-so wrapped up in
herself and family
Mrs Lane is a kind hearted woman
replied an old lady who was knitting in
one corner of the room. 'and does great
deal of good in a quiet way
Bv this time Mrs. Lane was in the
room
Good afternoon ladies' she said, glanc-
ing around with pleasant smile. You
see, sister Shaw, that l kept my word
and did not come alone she added, as
that individual fixed her eyes in undis-
guised astonishment upon the boy, whose
reluctant hand she held
Il found this poor lad she continued,
lin an alleyway playing marbles with
number of profaue and vicious boys, who
were uttering words that | shudder to
think of. The black eve he has got in
a fight with one of them. in which it ap-
pears he had the worst of it. He is very
dirty and ragged as YOU see. But l of
fer no apology for bringing him TO you
in this condition, as your society was
formed for the benefit of such, and trust
that under Your kindly care he will soon
present a different appearance
Twice did Mrs. Shaw essay to inter
rupt the speaker but anger and shame
choked her utterance When she had
concluded she sprang to her feet
Matilda Lane. she calculated. do you
pretend to say that YOU don't know that
is my boy !:
Your boy :, exclaimed Mrs. Lane,
starting with well dissembled amaze
ment. is it possible: Now that l look
at him closer. it does look like Johnny
, But who would have thought IL: leave
; it to Won she added. addressing the 9th
er ladies. If the mistake was not very
natural one, or if ever 4 child, apparent
7 IT, stood more in need OF your friendly
Offices?
This assertion could not be denied by
any present certainly not hy Mrs. Shaw.
who was completely silencei. though
she was looking unutterable things.
Not long after. she could have been
seen, with poor Johnny in tow, taking
4 round about way in the direction OF
home. for. unlike her sister in law, who
escorted him thither, she went by the
darkest aud least frequented streets.
This sharp but much needed lesson,
had most happy result. and was evil
dent not only 10y Johnny's improved APP
pearance. but by the increased comfort
of the whole family. Mrs. Shaw learned
what. it is 70 be feared. too many forget
that no object however praiseworthy-
can excuse the wife and mother in neg.
lect Of home duties, that there lies her
truest happiness. so there are found the