Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-02-01

| put on that OLD SklrC ana 60 out and
weed that row of Strawberries
Wedding was not a favorite employ.
ment. Davie came presently, and they
began to play ''tag'' around the beds
until Aunt Patty spied it out, and sent
Davie to look for eggs.
II don't believe you have found half
Of them," she said when she came in.
''Come in and set the table," Mar-
tina, she called presently. Snow, to.
morrow afternoon you will have to
finish that row. You have been a bad,
indolent girl to-day"
1t was so with the most of Martha
Parker's days. And yet the neigh.
bors, and generally Miss Lewis,
thought her pretty good little girl.
"But no one can ever suit Aunt Pat
ty," the child said to Grandma Fields;
''it's always something. Oh, wish
you lived here and kept house," and
Martha kissed the wrinkled hand.
II am sure don't know what to do
with those children - Aunt Patty said
as she sat sewing with grandma.
They do not improve one bit. think
they grow wOrse.'
The sweet eyes rested on the fretted
face. Now Miss Patty Parker was not
| an unhandsome woman; indeed, in
girlhood she had been very pretty.
''lsn't thy balance little out Of gear
Patty 2"
My balance g calculated the as
tonished lady.
Eyes. Is thee careful always to
give good weight? Like begets like,
| you know
II can't imagine what you mean"
Swell, thee mustn't be offended, but
I am afraid thee weighs little too
close. Thee seldom gives the children
any credit for good measure. and the
little over makes a wonderful differ.
ence in the feelings If Others
"But you don't mean-and it does
injure children to be praising them
continually" was the rather jerky re-
joinder.
"Has thee tried it,"
Miss Parker sat silent.
"Thee must not feel hurt, Patty,
but think thee means to be just wo-
man, and an ounce Of feeling, or kind
ly regard, or appreciation, just as
much belongs to its rightful owner as
a pound of butter. Thee sets a bad ex.
ample in giving the children short
weight, for they pay back in kind
Miss Patty considered grimly.
Wasn't grandma right! She never did
let the customer scale go quite down
in these daily household matters.
II suppose my temper is a little
spoiled. Nathan and the children are
very trying. BIT want to do right,
| and if Won think--.''
"A just balance,' said the sweet old
voice. ''Give what you would like to
get.''
"Ah Aunt Patty:" cried her niece,
lying in from school breathless and
excited, "the whole menagerie is going
to pass ut the cross roads just at four.
Can't Davie and go, just for this once!
There's the most splendid chariots,
and great elephant, and--.'
Davie brought up the chorus and
promised to be such a good boy all
day tomorrow. And Martha would
sew four blocks of patchwork the next
day.
s'There, children, don't be so noisy,
Davie, will you promise to mind Sis
ter! and Martha, will you keep hold of
his hand, and not let him so into any
danger!'
1t wys wonderful that she did not
say:
know cannot trust you.
The children promised and ran off
delighted, and it was full supper time
when they reached home again, their
faces attesting their enjoyment.
snow I'll run and hunt up the
- ooiA n0H-;O &C no had
finished his meal.
''Ihad to 60 out to the barn and I
did it," said his aunt.
"Oh, Aunt Patty, how good you
we're Well Ill bring in the chips and
kindlings," and he came Juggling a
great basketful, though generally this
was one of the boys hardships.
"What nice lot - said Aunt Patty.
David stared, ':Isn't there some
thing else? Don't you wont pitcher
of water -
"George brought one.''
So Davie sat on the doorstep with
his father and told him all about the
'nagerie and it was quite dark when
Aunt Patty called him to go to bed.
Martha hurried around the next
morning, and found time to sew one
black of patchwork. And she was in
such gay good humor all day that Miss
Lewis asked her if she was bewitched.
II think must be, for Aunt Patty
praised me this morning. was her re-
ply.
1t really was quite wonderful what a
change came over the Parker house.
hold. The children were not angels,
and they often forgot in the midst of
their best intentions, but there was
more generous allowance made for
them, a good weight thrown into the
balance. For sometimes the kindly
impulse, the ready will, is as much
as tn deed itself. And she found that
the generous measure reacted upon
herself. The pleasant temper of her
earlier years came back.
One morning Aunt Patty found
beautiful handkerchief-case lying over
her plate at the breakfast.table. TIE
sides were Gilt bristol board, with her
initials handsomely worked in green,
and around the edge a puff Of green
ribbon. And inside were two pretty
ha1dkerchiefs and some neatly.hem-
med ruff1ing for neck and wrists. The
donors rameS were attached. George
had given the material, Martha had
done the work, and her father had
purchased its contents.
Aunt Patty was so surprised that at
first she could hardly speak, and her
first impulse was to call it a piece OF
foolishness then she bent over and
kissed the little girl.
"Oh, Aunt Patty, Pm so glad you
like tive all are! Oracle Conover
made one just like it for her mother,
and thought, we all thought
'That my birthday deserved a re
membranCe? Thank you all. hope
1 shall grow little better
"But you have grown just Splendid
interrupted Martha. ''Somehow, you
make me think of grandma Fields, only
she is Quaker and an old Lady,
"There, don't hatter me any more.
The coffee will get cold. I have been
using her balance lately-it gives bet