The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-02-26
The Tables Turned.

Girls, am just dying for some fan,
cried Grace Thatcher, as she entered
the bGudoir Of friend Lily Atherton
and found several of her acquaint
ances already there.
I've been to balls and theatres, and
sleigh rides without number, and In
tired to death with them all. Dc
somebody find me something else tC
do"
Certainly" responded Lily, "hert
is this seam for you to sew up, hand.
ing her, as she spoke, a garment o.
course unbleached cotton. We are
all busy working for the - Mission
and l am very glad You came just III
time to help us"
Help, I help, What, TO sew that
coarse thingy Lily, are you crazy
| never touched such thing in my
life y and the petted beauty drew
back as if really afraid of the harm.
less cloth.
Then it's high time you did," per.
sisted Lily. Here are needles and
thread, and thimble, in this basket
SO be a good girl, and go to work"
"Well, if / must, ] must" sighed
Grace, who, on glancing about, per-
ceived that all the others had similar
work. But do you really think il
charity to give such awful stuff to
ANYBODY p she inquired, very seri.
ously, after few moments silence,
during which she had selected and
threated her needle ut seems 10
me it would be a perfect torment to
wear such garments. Something like
the hair shirts the monks wear as o
penancc.
"Ah, Oracle" said Lily, you have
not seen the poor creatures TO whom
these articles are given, or you would
realize that warm, serviceable clothes
are what they need. Won't you 60
with me some day to visit them p
"Go. indeed ~ cried her friend, with
a shudder. IN give you some mon-
ev for them, if you like, but | always
dislike so much TO see poor people. F"
II shall be very glad of your dona-
ton. Oracle, but really wish you
would 60 with me. You would be
interested, am sure, and have such
abundant means TO do good"
well, III see about it, if it will
oblige you,'' answered Grace care
lessly, and there was a short pause,
during which the needles few brisk
". 1t was broken by Oracle, the IT.
repressible, who hastily sprang up,
overturning work and the basket, ex-
claiming, live found, girls y
What, your needle :" asked one
II should think you might have lost
twenty with such spring as that. !.
NO, not the needle, but the plan
for some fun"
What is it, Tell" cried several
voices: and the work was suddenly
abandoned by all but Lily, as they
crowded around Grace
"In the first place" she began sol
emnlY. but with dancing eyes, you
know it is Leap Year"
"Yes, yes" in chorus from the
rest
And in that Leap Year we dam
sells have certain rights and privileges
denied us at other times. Now, !
propose that We each select some gen.
tleman Of our acquaintance, and write
him a note, making formal offer of
our heart and hand, but we will not
sign it."
t.Tben how shall we get an an
?" inquired one.
1--WE viii appoint some place of
meeting, if they feel inclined to ac-
cept and then we will watch to see
what they will do"
Surely, Oracle" said Lily grave
ly. "you would not do such an un-
maidenly thing"
"Why would | not do it =? and WHY
is it unmaidenly ?" demanded Grace.
"Of course | would not sign my
name to such document but, merely
to write it, and have the fun of see
ing the gentlemen go poklng off to
keep their appointments, and no one
there to meet them, is no harm. Do
ven think it is, girls? 2" she added,
turning to the grouo.
They, however, though not quite
so decided in their opinions rs Lily,
preferred not to join in the sport i
"they were afraid. might be found
out," etc, ete-all but Belle Morton,
a gay, fun loving girl, who had been
with Grace in all her shool-girl
scrapes.
"I'm ready, Grace" she said, Il
never will desert Mr.. Micawber in
other words, I'll help you, as usual,
in that or anything else, for the sake
of frolic."
Come home with me, them" cried
Grace, "and we will work out the
details Of the plot alone, so as not to
shock this Puritanical company
Goodbye, girls, she continued, gaily.
Goodbye, Lily of the valley. I'll
come and sew again when l want
another inspiration" And she de-
parted with Belle, unmindful of Lily's
entreaties not to carry out her pro-
ject.
Seated in Grace'slibrary, the friends