The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-14

While the little soft hands were
passing over the troubled brow, the
lady said, "Polly, think your family
are the happiest poor people, ever
met"
80, Mrs. Ball, we're not poor PEG.
pie. 'cried Polly, with {. queer laugh.
''There are three poor families in our
house, but we are rich-almost. We
were rich once, and had half a house,
though we're not so rich now, since
father lost his arm-but as mother
can do up laces so beautifully, we're
pretty rich still! We do lots OF things
to help the poor folks in the house,
and other poor folks too! -
"What can you do for them -
asked the lady.
80, we save Mrs. Cranes coal by
letting her steep her tea in our kitch-
en-days that she can keep warm by
sitting in the sun-and we take care
of Mrs. Barnes baby, whenever she
gets days work, and mother always
makes broth enough OH Wednesdays to
share with some one that's poor.''
"WhO do you call poor folks,
Polly :" asked the lady.
Polly had no definition ready, but
after thinking for a moment she re-
piled, "Poor folks are folks who don't
have everything they want"
"Then you do have every thing you
want :" asked Mrs. Ball.
eyes, ma am,' replied Polly, inno-
Gently. eve all have Sunday clothes,
beside our common ones and we have
good things to eat-mother bakes all
our bread and pies, herself-and we
have a real kitchen to work and
eat in-without bed in it like poor
folks and we buy a whole ton of
coal at once, instead of lots of bush.
els -
And 50 little Polly prattled on in a
low, pleasant voice, till the lady really
felt better, and said so. ''I'll tell you
what another real good thing to drive
the rest of it off-air and sunlight
mother never shuts up for head
ache said the little nurse.
Here Polly looked at the bronze clock,
and said. cts time now for the badly
to wake up, and l shall have to go as
soon as I let in a little of my sun and
air; but I'll come in any time when
you have the headache and cure you
again.
''Thank you, my good little girl, you
have almost cured me now,' said Mrs.
Ball. SIN my closet you will find a
arge paper bag full of oranges, take
them home and share them with the
poor folks in your house,
The rich little girl ran home in glee
to divide the treasure with the less
fortunate.
The poor lady lay alone to reflect on
the lesson she had left behind her.
She had lost twenty thousand dollars,
but she had thirty thousand dollars
left; and instead of being thankful for
that, she was beWailing her fate as
if she were next to pauper! She would
still have all the comforts, although a
few less of the luxuries, Of life; and
as she remembered now, no one but
herself would suffer by the change, for
she had never helped "the poor folks
in the house, nor out of it, as Polly s
mother was doing.
''Poor folks" she said to herself,
are folks who haven't everything they
want. Haven't that twenty thousand
and can never have it again. But
can learn to be happy on less, and tc
share even what | have with others. >
| A ray OF ''Polly's SUM- peeped in
and a breath of her pure air was watt
ed toward her, and she rose saying
because have lost some of my for
tune, need not therefore throw away
my health, the best Of all my bless
ings.''