The Lincoln County herald., 1871-08-03

UOTHERS CURTAINS.

"What arc you doing IL thss ssoraer,
Josie?' sai6 AOnie Cray, for coming in
tn eall hoe sister out to roll hoop, she
found hcS sitting in the corner Of her
mothers room, with her bright face rest.
ing on two little brown hands, very quiet
and thoughtful.
u want to earn some money" said the
little gisl, "and done know how"
Earn money, for what p
81 want to earn enough to buy cur
taias for mothers window"
20 Josie | A girl eight years old to
earn money enough for that What put
that into your head?"
"Mother did herself. She wants them
90 much. Aud whoa I asked her why
she didn't buy them, she said, Because,
have SO many little mouths to feed,
and so many little bodies to keep warm
and comfortable. We've enough for
that, thank God. but VIC have nothing to
spare for fancies, and tho curtains are
only a fancy Of minc. And felt SO
sorry, Annie, cause mother did look as
If she'd like her fancy very much. But
since yesterday I've felt worse than ever
about it; for when the telegram came to
say that Aunt Clara was SO sick, and
mother must come to her, and she was
getting ready in such hurry. saw her
open that box which shuts with spring,
and take some money out Of it; and she
said to father, allow fortunate it is that
have this money, now that you are 20
hard pressed. have been putting away
. dime every week to see whether could
spare it to buy some muslin curtains for
our room. There is dollar here, and it
will lust take mo out to Clara's and back
again felt so bad, Annie, that great
big lump came into my throat, and my
eyes ull came wet. 1t was such disap-
pointment for dear mother, and she just
tried to look as if it wasn't a bit.
Wouldn't it be lovely if we could earn
money enough to buy somc?"
ooh yes, lovely" SAID Annie, "but then
VIC couldn't, you know
"How hard would you be willing to
work for it?' asked q voice from the
other side of the room. Would you
give up your whole Saturday."
Josio spraug up and ran to the
speaker, who sat busiy making up an
embroidered chair.
"Oh, Id do anything" she said
eagerly, land give up this Friday after
noon too."
swell that chair must be finished on
Mond,y, and it is to be made over before
this new cover is nrt IN 81"
Josie skipped into the next room, her
uuclcs shop, Che was cabinet maker,)
and came skipping back again.
NJ see it, Aunt Lotte," said she, all
on tiptoe with expectation.
"That chair must DO picked over be,
fore tomorrow night. was going to
send for boy to do it, because shall
not have timo. 1t will be long, tire
somo days work; but if you choose to
DO it, will give you dollar"
"And that will buy the curtains, for l
saw some with beautiful big scollops on
the edge, marked one dollar, in the win
dow and mother was with me, and she
said that they were pretty coarse muslin,
hut they'd do very nicely for plain peo-
pies windows. OAunt Lottic Dearie,
good Aunt Lottie -. And Josie squeezed
and hugged the "dearis good Aunt
Lottie" until she had to cry for mercy
1T will be very hard work, Josie, )"
she said, as soon as she was released
"Aro you sure you will no. get uis
couraged ?"
"And SO horrid, too" said Annie,
turning up her little nose with look Of
infinite disgust. "You'll DO all dirty,
and as hairy as anything wouldn't do
it, Josie. Mother will save up money
enough, by-and BY"
"But then she have to wait go long.
III do it, Auntic. Don't send for the
boy"
AS soon as breakfast was over she
asked for her work and Aunt Lottic
first pinning her all up iu great calico
apron Of her own, and knotting . hand
kerchief over her brown curls. brought
out the irst basket aud set it before her
All the forenoon tho busy little finger
Sabored diligently, pulling to shreds th'
matted Eaiv. lower grew the heap in