The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-05-04
After responding to Jessie's appeal for aid
IN the collection of underwriting material we


boxes, rolls of mating and impertinent tabl
corners to uneasy pillows.
When Jessie rolled up her sleeves next morn
ing and plunged her pretty hands into tn
scrubbing pail, felt it my duty to remon
stratc; but she sicnced me in her usual sum
mary manner:
Cousin Patty, you know as well as | d,
that you and Mary can't make this house de
cent by Sunday without my help and there
', no use in talking"
There was, then, no sound heard but rul
rub, scrub scrub, and spatter spatter, until jim
mics dubious face appeared outside the win
dow whose casing jessie was attacking.
Heres the note answered Miss Jessie, and
I've message for Miss Patty; but s'pose
dussnt come IN"
"No, don't come H." said, poking out my
improviscd turban. What is wantcd:"
Miss Edwards got n telegram that Nellic's
sick and will you take her place in temper
ance rooms today? Goes off on next train
Jerking out his words and lodging a cataract
of soapsuds as Mary's pail fell from the win.
dow of the spare chamber above u.s.
''Gracious no can't. What ever shall do,
JESSIE" But Jessie was reading her note
with such woebegone expression that for
got my own dilemma for the moment
why what ailsyou child? Worried about
Nclle?"
Frank says Nellies sickness is not danger,
Gus, promised to ride with HIM and Lizzie
Brown this afternoon, but when | saw the stua
ton here | sent an excuse. Now he writes
such provoking note Says that he was 90
ing to take us to Fern Hollow, where I've been
just crazy to 90, but that Bessie Cosgro will
probably enjoy it as well as | would"
well she can't" | said consoingly, "for
her mother must 90 to those temperance rooms
instead of me- and they can't both leave at
once you know | penciled note to that
effect, with which Jimmie was dispatched, and
the rubbing went on as before, with the excep-
ton of increased vigor on Jcsses part
Jessie" / said after some thinking, give
set my heart on new curtains for the west
chamber. As it is to crafty my own pride,
and have the money, we need not mention it
to your father. shall just have time to get
them and put them up on Monday morning
Jimmie can help, you know"
81 suppose | can't help your doing as you
please with your own money, but you must
know that should feel more comfortable i'll
you didn't, Cousin Patty mean in this par
tIcular instance"
! Seeing that she was still brooding over her
disappointment, | postponed an argument with
her, and two hours Of silent work brought her
to the casing of the last door, while | was be-
ginning the baseboards. She was Just com.
iortably settled on the ladder when the violent
opening of the door leading INTO the hall sent
her-laddcr, pail and all-tlying down upon
the window slshcs stacked in the corner, while
Mary's voice cried out Historically:
Sure thin, ma'am, I've done it agin, ma'am -
Il should rather think you had | answered
tartly, helping Jessie to her feet, and drawing
the ladder corner from the broken windows |
"What spook or hobgoblin sent you down |
upon us in that wild fashion ?"
80 no. ma'am! twas Msther Tom, ma'am,
and his shirt front that's always done so beau
tiul, maam But how could help the front
blind comm off, ma'am an the pail jist below, |
ma'am? An him so polite Il takln' off his |
drlppin' hat an thankln' me, ma'am. An the
missagc he left intirely, maamY"
What message, you hcarbrcakY'
Sure, ma'am, his RECEPTION bein' so warm
outside, ma'am, he'd Just take the inside for
granted AN his compliments ma'am"
Mary" | said, with desperate calmncss,
that is the second pail today. Get out of my
sight and help Jimmie beat those carpets in
the back yard, YOU"
But Mary did not wait for character, and |
turned to Jessie, who was shaking Mechanically |
ON the lower round of the ladder, beginning to |
feel symptoms of an earthquake myself
"Oh, if it were anybody but Tom it wouldn't
be so fffunny. O, the shock to his artistic
soul, Cousin Patty"
While we were still INDUCING our world for.
getting hillary We were startled by light
hand turning the door knob ana a gently sur.
priscd face pecring around the ladder
." rang the bell several times, Jessie dear.
and took the liberty Of walking towards the
laughter"
Esther looked very pale when we at last
found her a place To sit down; for walking
few blocks is still a great accomplishment tor
her. realized then how damp and chill the
house was, and was vcNcd that in my hurry
had neglected the paror fire. Esther would
not let me rebuild it, saying that she mast be
at home in time for dinner Remembering
The cold luncheon awaiting us | did not urge
her to remain, though my heart misgavc me
when ! saw how slowly She went down the
steps at the conclusion of her business. That |
business was the procuring of Jcssic's name at
The head OF her list of drawing pupils: for she
thought herself equal TO a few private lessons