The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-11-23
MRS. GAYS PRESCRIPTION,
By LOUISA II. ALCOTT.

store and school, leaving Mrs. Bennett
70 collect her wits and draw a long
breath after the usual morning furry.
he poor little woman looked as if
she needed rest, but was not likely to
get 1t; for the room was in a chaotic
state, the breakfast table presented the
appearance Of having been devastated
By swarm Of Iocusts, the baby began
20 fret, little Polly set up her usual
whine Of g want sumpin to do" and 8
pile of work doomed in the corner wait
ing to be done,
don't see how | shall ever get
through it all, sighed the respondent
matron a. she hastily drank a cup OF
tea, while two great tears rolled down
her cheeks, and she looked from one
puny child 70 the other, and felt the
WEAKNESS Of her own tired soul and BODY
more oppressive than ever.
A good cry vas pending when
there came brisk ring at the front door.
step in the hall, and a large rosy
woman came bustling in, aging in a
CHEEKY voice as she sat a fower-pot
down upon the table, " Good morning
Nice day, isn't it, Came in early on
business and brought you one Of my
Lady Washingtons, you are so fond of
lowers
Oh, its lovelyl How kind you are.
DO sit down If you can find chair; we
are all behind hand to-day, for I was up
half the night with poor baby, and
haven't energy enough to 90 to work
yet, answered Mrs Bennett with sud
den smile that changed her whole face,
while baby stopped fretting to stare at
the rosy clusters, and Polly found en-
ployment in exploring the pockets of
the newcomer as if she knew the way
there.
Let me put the pot on your stand
first, girlsare 70 careless, and | am proud
of this. 1t will be an ornament to your
Parlor for week, and opening the door,
Mrs. Gay carried the plant to a sunny
bay-Window, where many others were
blooming beautifully.
Mrs. Bennett and the children follow
Ell to talk and admire, while the servant
leisurely cleared the table.
Now give me that baby and put
yourself In that easy chair and tell me
Gil about your worries, said Mrs GAY,
I'D the brisk commanding way which few
people could resist.
I'm sure | don't know where to be
gin, sighed Mrs. Bennett dropping into
the comfortable seat, while baby chang
Ct bearers with great c0mpOsure.
met your husband and he said the
doctor had ordered you and these chicks
of to Florida for the winter. John said
he didn't know how he should manage it,
but tie meant to try"
Isn't il dreadf1I2 He can't leave
MS business TO 90 with me, and we shall
have to 20 to Aunt Miranda to come and
see him and the boys while I'm gone,
and the boys can't bear her strict, old
fashioned ways, and | have got to 20
that long journey all alone and stay
among strangers, and these heaps of fall
work 70 10 first, AMI it viii cost an i'm
mense sum to send US, and | don't know
what i to become Of me"
Here Mrs. Bennett stopped for breath,
and Mrs. Gay asked briskly, " What Is
the matter with you and these children -
Well, baby Is having a hard time
with his teeth, and Is croupy. Polly
doesn't get over scarlet fever well, and
I'm used up; no strength or appetite,
pain in my side and low spirits. An en-
tire change of scene, milder climate and
less work for me is what we want, the
doctor says John i very anxious about
IL. and | feel regularly discouraged"
I'll spend the day and cheer you up
bit. You just rest and get ready for a
new start tomorrow; it's a saving of
time to stop short now and then, and see
what to begin next. Bring me the most
pressing job OF work; | can sew and see
to this little rascal at the same time"
- she spoke off went Mrs. Gays bon
net, and by the time her hostess had re-
turned with the overlooking work. basket,
the energetic lady had put a match to
the ready-laid fire on the hearth, rolled
up 4 couch, table and easy chair, planted
baby on the rug with bunch Of KEYS to
play with, and sat blooming and smiling
To herself a. if work, worry and Novem-
Der weather were not in existence.
Tots frocks and Polly's aprons are
the things | ana most hurried about !:
they need - many, and I do ike my
children to look well among stranger"
began Mrs. Bennett, unr0lling wards
upon yards Of rutfiing TOR the white frocks
and pinafores, with q glance of despair
at the sewing machine, whose click had
grown detestabIe to her ear.
Make them plain If you are in q
hurry. children don need trimming up.
they are prettlest ia simple clothes.
can finish Oft that batch of aprons be-
lore dinner. ii you viii put that rutfiing
away. Come, now do, it viii be a load
pit your mind, and Polly won't know
the difference
| always do trim them, and every one
does, began Mrs. Bennett, who was
welded to her idols.
When was in London | saw a
dukes children dressed in plain brown
linen pInafores, AID | thought I'd never
seen such splendid babies. Try il. and if
people make remarks, bring in the Eng
llsh aristocracy, and it will be all right
There was twinkle in Mrs GAYS eve
that made her friend ashamed to ARGUE
% she laughed and gave ~ the point
acknowledging with q sigh that it was !
relief.
Ii i this mania for trimming every
thing that i wearing out 20 MANY
women. Necessary sewing i enough
then drop y0nr needle and read. rest,
walk or play with the children. and see
how much you have lost heretofore with
This everlasting stitching. You'd soon
Get over that pain in your side if YOU let
The machine stand idle while YOU went
cut for and hour every dav."
Perhaps | should, but | can't leave
the children, Biddy is 80 careless.
Take them out with you. Roll baby
III an down that nice, dry sidewalk
and let Polly run before, and you'd be a
different set of people in month"
Do YOU really think 80
II Not only that hut if vor'I obapr-a