The Van Buren press., 1875-06-15
Mrs. Gavett's s Box.

There is not a kinder hearted, more
benevolent woman in Detroit than Mrs
Gavett Last year she was on the com
mlttce to canvass for aid for the grass
hopper sufferers, and this year she in
tends to send them large box Of her
own getting up She had Gavett bring
up box, the other day, and when it had
been placed in the shanty, she put on a
calico Dire SIS, tied on q check apron and
rambled around the house to pick up cn
ough articles TO ill the box, and have IL
sent Off next day. Her greatest anxiety
was the fear that the box was too small
for one half the things she wanted to
send.
Opening closet door, she took down
an old coat, one that her husband threw
away, two years ago.
'I'll send that for one thing, she mus
ed, as she held it up. Il don't know,
thoush-that's pretty good coat. Put
patch on that elbow, AMI Thomas can
wear it half the summer
She placed it on the chair and took
down one OF her old dresses.
'I'll make some farmers wife glad with
this she said as she shook out the folds
and held it up. Let's see Why,
there isn't hole IL. either :leeye-skrt
all right-waist almost as good as new.
/ believe l can sell that dress second
hand, for enough to buy me q bracelet
The dress was laid beside the coat, and
she hauled out Gavett's boots. The heel
Of one was run over and there was a
hole in the toe of the other,
They'll do for some to plow in she
soliloquized, as she took them over to the
light Some farmer--ah! Why, these
are good boots. | believe | could get
them fixed up for so cents, so that Them
as could wear them half the winter |
don't believe in throwing anything away,
even if we are well off,
The boots were set aside and she took
down bundle of chidrens clothing
'Ah! | can send these and make little
hearts glad = she whispered as she united
the bundle The children have outgrown
them, and they will be a prize to some
Kansas-- Sakes alive but cheese
garments are almost as good as the day
they were made up! believe can sell
them to the washerwoman for at least 81,
and as soon as ! get ~ more can buy
me new braid
She tied the bundle up and stuck her
head into the closet and brought out an
other dress.
"A hole in each elbow-skirt torn half
off, she mused as she turned it over. I'll
send this anyhow. Some mother can
take il and get enough cloth out Of the
skirt to make her little girl bran new.
Here, what was ! thinking Off Why,
this is exactly the stuff ] want for the
blue stripe in the new rag carpet. lfId
known this dress was in the house, I'd
have cut it up, last week
She unlocked another closet, peeIed in
and hauled out Gavett's old overcoat-
one worn out and stained and kicked
around for year.
That will do splendidlyp she said, as
she held it up. 1t isn't very nice, but
some farmer can wear it to chop in. All
hold on! want that lining to make q
cushion for my rocking chair, and Jen.
ME will want these buttons for her string
and the rest of the coat'll make a beauti.
ful rug to lay in front of the lounge I'd
like to send it, bat probably it wouldn't
be appreciated, orprobably some one else
will send better one
She rummaged around for full hour,
and when she got through the chamber,
her floors were piled high with 'duds.
Those she meant to keep were placed on
the right-those she meant to send away
cd the left. On the left was q wall bask
ct, made Of hoop skirt wire, She hasn't
sent the box yet but she means to. She
knows that all should contribute to the
relief of the suffering and distressed -
Detroit free Press.