The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-01-17
everyday people, just on par with their

Nellie had been making cheap, snowy
dress for some young woman down town.
The color was very brilliant blue with
a peculiar odor. Before she had finish
cd it her hands began to itch and turn
red, and show every symptom of erysipe-
las. In a week or ten days the doctor
decided that it was poison from the ma
terial and a very severe case. A month
or six weeks would be the shortest pc
riod of its duration.
had been In to see them every few
days, taken them books, jellies, winter
fruits and did what could toward COM
forting them. They were poor people
with no special claim to sympathy. The
girls were not beautiful nor particularly
refined, SO the neighborhood interest
soon died away.
| We had been wondering if it would
not be possible to make them ''dona-
tion party" They must certainly be in
great need. Emma's three or four dol
lars week was not much to take care
of family of five and cover the inciden-
tails necessary to sickness. Nellie's hands
were beginning to mend, and Mr.. Aus
ten could go about on crutches.
Gertrude called the donation one of
my wild schemes and thought it would
not answer.
Il don't see why it isn't as good or
praiseworthy as giving a minister do
nation-party," I said, stoutly.
But, you see, very few would care
to go. 1t would be wanting in the So
cial element"
That is not to say it must be want
ing in the charitable element, ~ replied.
And maybe they might not like it.
If we were poor and unfortunate"
II think we should be very grateful
for delicately- managed gift. do not
see the great difference between it and
Mrs. Carlyle's wooden wedding. She
was not affronted because Mr.. Giles
sent hor @ harral nf -four"
But that was so funny, and JUST III
his line"
"She did not disdain any of her gifts. :"
But it was the occasion that lent it
grace"
81 don't see why some one cannot
lend this occasion a grace. 1t would
be splendid neighborly charity, say
what you will"
Laura, you are very obtuse upon
some points," and Gertrude shook out
her bronze-brown curles. Still, if you
do accomplish any thing I'll add a maid
ems mite-a dollar"
THANK you" returned.
Mamma approved Of nay plan. Thus
armed, | went to call on Miss Colby,
an ''Old maid, =" truly, for she was nearly
sixty. She kept house herself in the
small part of her brothers. house, and
had the cunningest nest you ever saw.
Everybody liked her. She could play
all the old-fashioned dancing music,
painted some in oils, made wonderful
picture scrap-bookS and all kinds of
fancy work, and was invaluable at fairs.
"A splendid thing! !" she said, after
listening to my plan. THE Austens
don't complaint like them for that;
but I doubt if they know where they
will get their meals from tomorrow.
Now I'll take right hold of it, for I know
some people that you couldn't ask Mon
ey and provisions. And when will the
visit come off ?"
Gould we not have it Saturday even
ing?"
II think so-the sooner the better.
Wen ask all we can to give, but we
!. will only invite those to go with whom
, the Austens would feel at homer"
We made out our list. After fortify-
ing myself with some lunch, l set out
= down town first. I called on some
!, friends, business gentlemen, who dare
, say were tired of hearing my stories
about poor woman, an orphan, the
} church debt, or a new carpet. If ]
. were rich woman l would not beg, but
give. Then visited some benevolent
ladies; our groceryman, who promised
something; our butcher; and even per-
: suaded Mr.. Giles to contribute quar-.
ter of flour.
: had fifteen dollars in money and a
? number Of articles promised. Miss Col
5 by had twelve.
The next day made my Roselle calls.
/ asked six people to come; two de,
| clined, three accepted, and one said
family that she would if she could
Then I asked several for gifts. Some
r thought 1.-THE Austens always seemed
Y to get along very well, F." others expressed
a great deal of sympathy, "but they
| had so many calls"
= Then l dropped i'll at Mrs. Mason s.
: Mr.. Mason was lawyer, a very nice
i grave, gentlemanly sort of person. She
. was some ten years younger than heI
3 husband, quite stylish, and very cordial
: They kept horse and light two-seat
i wagon, besides her pony pheton, two
servants; and their house and grounds
: though not at all extravagant, were
. prettily kept. An invalid sister lived
3 with her, but there were no children.
. my dear Miss Shermanr' and Mrs
i, Mason swept into the room in an elegant
: cashmere wrapper trimmed with bands
S Of silk, bronze slippers daintily rosetted
t coral jewelry, linen Valenciennes lact
!, collar and cuffs, and thread lace barb,