The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-05-07
MRS. wILKIN's DUTY.

She ALWAYS tried to do il, but like
the kitcben work of poor housekeep-
ers. it was never done up. Tim in
sisted that there was more than be-
Ionged TO ore family.
Aunt 'Liz'oeth took in good deal
for other folks; and once be slyly
chsiked a sign upon the front door,
"DnIy Done Her" But then Tim
bad arrived al that peculiar age when
boy has no rights, aud is needed 10
run erraods. aud it is probable tha.
daty-his aunt's, not bis own-iu-
terfered with bis eomf.rt. even more
than that of older people
10 truth, Mrs. Wilkins duty was
not q Convenient article 10 have
about house.
II was bristling, aggressive Of
fair. always sprinsing up unexpected
iy, Ike one Of the dogs 50 uaac ount
ably petted 10 some households for
their sole virtue of being always 10
the way Moving forward, one runs
against he creature, and it growls
moving backward one steps npoD its
tsil aud Is suHris II lies upon the
back piazza TO be carefully stepped
over in the day line and disastr0uslv
stun bled over at night; and haunts
the front steps TO bark al every visi-
tor coming in, aud howl at every
member Of the family going out
Mrs WiIkin kept no dog. but her
duty shifted an opportunity aud
pouBeed out of ber hiding place when
there came timid lit'le knock at the
diniOg-room door ia the early morn
ing. aud lis answering revealed a
-mall. quiet faced. brown robed 6F
ure-face aud dress both past The
freshness cf their youth-carryiog q
basket
Good morning, Mrs. WiIkin."
Come 10 ?n questioned Mrs vii
kin, with only bali an invitation 10
ber voice
TIE acceptance was half Que
likewise.
The little brown figure stepped 10
c.resii ". and poised herself on the
outer edge OF chair nearest the
door.
Il called to see if you didn't want
TO buy some knitted articles. or TO
engage some work OF that sort,n
sae began, ia gentle, deprecating
voice
"WelI, / DON'T" interposed Mrs |
Wilkin, positively II do all such |
work myseif" Z"
Il didn't know. Many ladies
haven't time, and l am glad to do
it.n
Il suppose so, but / consider it my |
duty TO do all | can myself and set
other folks the example, whether they |
follow it or not." said Mrs Wilkia,
with a. slight gesture like empiying
her hands of all responsibility 1T
was goin' to give out work st all it
would be some hard jobs that il
would be help to be rid of, not the
pick and choice little easy jobs that
cali rest aud not work, but then
sin't as particular as some, and so |
do all kinds myself"
A faint flush crossed the visitors
thin face. She was not quite sure
hat she had been called indolent and
advised to go to work and earn an
honest living; the words only bad "a
uncomfortable sound; so her lips
'ept their timid, gentle smile, though
hey tremblsd little.
She held first one hand, in its thin
,otton glove, and then the other, to
he fire; moved uneasily, glsnced
Town at her feet with dim thought
hat if they had always chosen the
Imoothest path it had yet been rough
'neugh TO wear out her shoes much
aster than she could replace them,
md then she rose to 60
Wasn't you rather hard on her,
Liz beth ?n asked Mr.. Wilkin, with q
'egretful glance toward .he door as it
.losed-
Mrs. Wikin returned to her seat
It the breakfast table aud surveyed
hin over the shining coffee pot.
Hard on her! | only told her
rhst l do, aad if tha, prieks her con-
'cience and makes her uncomfortable
rs not my fault. Bot you needn't
worry; she just ssid Good morning
ls sweet as ever. She's one of the
weak kind that can't be stirred up,
Ind haven't spnnk ems ugb to say I,
heir souls are their own | weader
what such folks are good for they II
lever do the world sny good, that's
Iure. They bsven't courage to help
lpt down any evil If il was right un-
er their noses; they'd only stand
I'D emile. The very sight of one OF
kn pgoyokes me. | consider il ny i
sty to speak cat when ] see things (
9ng wrong
i.But then every 6oGy amt alike, 1
'lz'beth," interposed Mr.. Wilkin.
NEEDN'T tell me that it's plain
esush," snapped Mrs. Wilkin-
'.<ss look at this peighborhood-