The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-07-21

ed in the neighborhood. There was
much distress amidst the poor laboters
wives and families, and some ladies with
time on their hands set up sewing
club, to make few clothes for the
nearly naked children The farmers
wives had joined in, Mrs. Thompson
among others they met at stated inter.
walls, taking the different houses in ro-
tation dining at home at twelve, as.
sembling at one o'clock, aud working
steadily for several hours. 1t was sur.
prising how much work got done how
many little pettieoats and frOcks were
made in the afternoons. In less than
month it would be Mrs. Thompson
turn to receive the company-for the
first timc-aod she naturally began to
consider ways and means For they
met for an entertainment as well as for
sewing; tea in the afternoon, u grand
meal later when the stitching was over.
What was Mrs. Thompson to do p
Their stock Of plates aud dishes con.
sisted of u few odds and ends of cracked
delf that had once been kind of mul.
berry color. She had long wanted some
new white ware; she wanted it more
than ever now. Grover, the keeper of
the village crockcry shop, had lovely
set for sale, white with delicate sprig
OF conyolguli aud fuchsias, look ing every
bit as good as real china Mrs. Thomp.
sou had set her heart on the set. and
that morning had broached the subject
to her husband
What's the matter with the old
ones 7" asked he.
Look at them" she answered.
"They are frightfully old and shabby"
" dare say the food will taste as
well off them as off Growers set of white
ware "
" But there's not half enough. We
have as good as none left"
Mother had some best china. Where
is it,"
"Thats nearly all gone We couldn't
put the two on the table together"
"ny not 7"
Oh, Robert' Look at this. 1t is
the shabbiest old lot ever seen"
"'Twas good enough for mother"
Mrs. Robert Thompson disdained to
comment.
You'd not have thought of this but
for the sewing circle having to come
here. If they cant come and eat from
such dishes as we've got, they are well
come to stay away"
There were tears in Mrs. Thompson's
eyes. But she crowded them brayely
back. He took his hat to 90 out to his
moving,
"We really want the things, Robert.
Those at Growers are very cheap. /
can get all | want for mere triHe do
give me the money"
Grover'll have to keep 'em for us
I've got no money to waste on fine
china" returned the farmer. "By the
way"-looking back from the door
"Jones and Lee are coming to give me
helping hand. | want to get the
south meadow down to-day, if can
It's famous heavy crop; so | shall
bring them in to dinner. Oh, and the
Hubbard's want six pounds of butter
tonight; don't forget to have it ready"
With these words, Mr.. Robert
Thompson had marched off, leaving his
wife to her long, weary days work,
darkened and made distasteful by dis.
appointment She was both grieved
and angry. 1t was little thing per.
haps, but it is the little things of this
life that delight or annoy.
Existence seemed very bare end home
ly to Jane Thompson that summer day.
With her love of case, beauty, and
symmetry, how rude, and coarse, and
hard looked all her surroundings. 1t
was only one long, monotonous round
Of homely toll, unrelieved by any sf tho
little sweetnesses and graces that might
make even toll pleasant. She did not
often think of it, but she remembered
that day with the faiutest little air of
regret that she might have been far
differently situated; and as she looked
up to the pretty little French cottage
on the hill, embowered in !. perfect for.
est OF blossoming vines, caught the cool
CLEAN OF an urn and fountain, some.
thing like sigh trembled on her lips.
Squire Burnham's wife does not have
to beg for paltry bit of money to set
out her table decently," she thought re-
belliously.
What business had she to marry
Robert Thompson she asked herself,
l
her slender wrists beating away at the
| butter for the Hnhhards For En- tha