Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-11-15

an immense sum to send us, and
don't know what is to become of me.
Here Mrs. Bennett stopped for
breath, and Mrs. Gay asked hriskly,
"What is the matter with you ana
these children?'
"Well, baby is having 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 III my side and low spirits. An
entire change Of scene, milder climate
and less work for me is what we want,
the doctor says. John is very anxious
about us, and feel regularly discour-
aged"
"Tll spend the day and cheer you
up bit. You just rest and get ready
for Il new start tomorrow; it's Il 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 Mt the same
time"
AS she spoke off went Mrs. Gays
bonnet, and by the time her hostess had
returned with the Overlooking work
basket, the energetic lady had put \
match to the readv-laid fire on the
hearth, rolled up a couch, table and
easy chair, planted baby on the rug with
a bunch Of keys to play with, and sat
blooming and smiling to herself, as if
work, worry and November weather
were not in existence.
"Tots frocls and Polly's aprons are
the things | am most hurried about;
they need so many, and do like my
children to look well among strangers,
began Mrs. Bennett, unrolling yards
upon yards of rutlling for the white
frocks and pinafcres, with u glance Of
despair at tie sewing machine, whose
click had grown detcstable to her ear.
Make them plain # you are in Y
hurry; children don't need trimming
up, they are prettiest in simple clothes.
| can finish off that batch of aprons be
fore dinner ifyou will put that ruilling
away. Come, now do, it will be load
Off your mind, and Polly won't know the
difference"
81 always do trim them, and every
one does" began Mrs. Bennett. who was
wcddedto her idols.
"When | was in London | saw a
Dukes children dressed i'll PLAN brown
linen pinafores, and thought I'd never
seen such splendid babies. Try it, and
if people make remarks, bring in the
English aristocracy, and il will be all
right"
There was Il twinkle i'll Mrs Gays
eye that made her friend ashamed tt
argue, so she laughed and gave up the
point, acknowledging with sigh that il
was relief.
''It is this mania for trimming every
thing that is wearing out SO many
women. Necessary sewing is enough,
then drop your 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 III your side il
you'd let the machine stand idle while
you went out for an hour every day"
Perhaps | should, but | can't leave
the children, Biddy is 50 careless.
"Take them out with you. Roll baby
up and down that nice, dry sidewalk
and let Polly run before, and you'd be a
different set Of people in n month"
"Do you really think so?"
"Not only that, bnt if you'd change
your way of living, | don't believe
you need to think of going to Florida
at all ;"
"Why, Mary Cay, what do you
mean?" demanded Mrs. Bennett, sit
ting erect upon the couch i'll her sur
prise at this unexpected remark.
81 have often wanted 10 say this be
fore, and now / will though You may
think I'm an interfering woman if you
do, never mind, if can only save you
further worry and expense and suffer
ing, won't mind if you are offended
for time In the first place, you must
move" and Mrs. Gay gave such a de
cided nod that the other lady could
only calculate; "Why? where
when?
because you want more sun and
space; into this room because you vii
find both, and to-day because I'm here
to help you"
Mrs. Bennett gave little gasp and
looked about her in dismay at the bare
idea Of living in her cherished best
parlor.
"But the back room does very well,
she protested. " 1t is warm and small
and handy to the kitchen, and we al
ways live there"
"No, my dear, it does not do very
well, for those very reasons. II is toe
warm and small and near the kitchen
to make it fit place to live in, especial
ly for little children. Why don't you
put your plants there If it is such a
nice placer asked Mrs. Gay, bent on
making clean sweep Of her friend's
delusions and prejudices.
"Why, they need more sun and Air
and room, SO keep them in here. "
N Ir....i..l ....I ..n... l....;.-. .,lanI -,