The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-11-14
$ETHE THREE MERRY OLD MAIDS"
A Thanksgiving Tale.

III was S1nall, moanlV-Iufn1Sl6Q
room, in the fifth story of third-rate
boarding house in New York city
fireless, cherries and very small where
three young girls, wrapped in shawls,
sat by the high, narrow window. The
youngest broke the silence by saying:
"Grace, want new dress, and shall
have just $1.63 to buy it with when my
weekly wash-bill is paid"
Indeed, Kathie; you can afford an
imported suit then, J. suppose?"
Doubtless" was the reply to the
cynical remark; and Nell needs one
just as bad as !"
See here" said the third girl-Nell,
by courtesy-as she took from her
pocket thin, worn portemonnaie, and,
Unclasping it, shook the contents into
her lap; " one quarter, 3 cents and pen
MES is the extent of my assets"
"The quarter is bad," said Grace, as
she gave it an emphatic twirl on the lit
tie stand by the bed.
bad! oh, Grace, what comforter
Imported suits and bad quarter-al-
most the half of all [ havep and tears
really came to the girls eyes.
Such a fuss about quarter!"
mockingly interrupted Grace, "when
the munificent sum of IS awaits you at
the cashiers desk next Monday"
Yes; and So of that is for board, 60
cents for car fare, which leaves me with
-$1.40-to pay the washwoman's bill,
buy my MONDAY lunches. ETC."
Z" Girls, we can't live in this way.
Cannot something be done?" Kathie
spoke in despairing way.
Nothing, Kathie. I lay awake half
last night-no new thing-endeavoring
to financier way out of this dilemma.
Ny visions of heaven are place where
dollars and cents are unknown, while [
rthink the abode of superlative torment
must be paved with them, which poor
sinners labor unsuccessfully through all
eternity to pick up"
"Nell, don't" Kathie's voice was
tremulOus.
There, dear, I WON'T" and her sis
ter's arms were twined around her.
Grace can afford to be cynical, for she
has IS week, with an occasional lift
from her father"
And, like prodigal, she spends five
for board-the privilege of occupying
room larger than closet, with a fire in
it, though at present it is untenable, as
her roommate has it filled with bevy
of choice spirits who are reading aloud
frS-n Mrs. Flemings last work"
" Is there no help?" Kathie's ques-
ton broke the momentary silence which
had fallen upon the group.
~ No, Kathie, we must make the best
of it," Nells voice was firm, with ring
OF sternness in it. we must make the
best of it. Poor little Kathie, papa's
petT And the tone took on tenderer
strain, as she stroked her sisters hair
Il don't mind for myself, but for
you, little Kathie. There is only
one way in which we could do
better. If it was possible for
us to rent room, we could live for
about two-thirds of what we are now
paying, and live better; but furnished
room would cost too much, and we
can't by any means furnish one our
selves"
Would you do your own cooking?"
inquired Grace; there is scant econo-
my in taking meals out"
Yes, certainly"
But that would be tiresome."
We could fare better and live cheap
Ar. Cooked meats are comparatively in
expensive, and though I do not admire
bakers bread, we have to eat it here;
vegetables we could cook, and always
have some little luxury for Sunday pre-
pared on Saturday eve."
ooh, Nell, if we could!" and Kathie
clasped her hands as she looked be-
seechingly upward.
"Kathie's longings are always pray
RS" calculated Grace. cit is sheer
nonsense; we work hard enough now"
Grace, we work to earn money; but
I would work as eagerly to save, and
have better food, clothing and warmth
for Kathie."
Only a little more than week from
THANKSGIVING, sighed Kathie, "and