Daily globe., 1879-01-19
MRS. GAYS PRESCRIPTION.

MRS. GAYS PRESCRIPTION.
Bang, lang, went the front door,as Mr..
Bennett and the boys hurried of to store
and school, leaving Mrs. Bennett to col
lect her wits and draw long breath af-
ter the usual morning furry.
The poor little woman looked as if she
needed rest, but was not likely to get it;
for the room was in a chaotic state, the
breakfast table presented the appearance
OF having been devastated by swarm of
locusts, the baby began to fret, little
Polly set up her usual whine of II want
sumpin to do" and a pile of work loomed
in the corner waiting to be done.
81 don't see how | shall ever get
through it ALL" sighed the Respondent
matron as she hastily drank cup of tea
while two great tears rolled down her
cheeks, as she looked from one puny
child to the other, and felt the WEAKNESS
of her own tired soul and body more op-
pressive than ever.
"a good cry was pending when there
came nrisk ring at the front door. a
step in the hall, and a large rosy woman
came bustling in, saying IN CHEEKY voice
as she sat a flower POT down upon the ia.
BILE. GOOD morning Nice day, isn't it?
Came in early on business and brought
you one of my Lady Washington's, YOU
are so fond Of flowers"
ooh; it's lovely! How kind you are.
DO sit down if you can find chair; we
are all behind hand to-day, for was up
halt the night with poor baby, and have
not energy enough to go to work yet, >
answered Mrs. Bennett with sudden
smile that changed her whole face, while
baby stopped iretting to stare at the
rosy clusters, and Polly found employ
ment in exploring the pocket of the new
conner as it she knew the way there.
"Let me put the pot onyour stand first
girls are so careless and I am proud o1
this. twill be an ornament 70 your par.
lor 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 followed
to talk and admire, while the servant
leisurely cleared the table.
*sNow give me that baby, put yourseli
in the easy chair and tell me all about
your Worries" said Mrs. Cav, in the
brisk, commanding way which few peo
pie could resist.
"l'm sure don't know where to be.
GIN sighed Mrs. Bennett, dropping into
the comfortable seat, while baby changed
bearers with great composure.
II met your husband and he said the
doctor had ordered you and these chicks
off to Florida for the winter. John saiG
ne didn't know how he should manage it
but he meant to try"
'lsn't it dreadful2 He can't leave his
business to go with me, and we shall
have to get Aunt Miranda to come anC
see to him and the boys while I'm gone
and the boys can't bear her strict, old
fashioned ways, and I have got to go tha'
long journey all alone and stay among
strangers, and these heaps of fall work
to do first. aud it will cost an immense
sum to send us, and don't know what is
to become of me-"
Here Mrs. Bennett stopped Tor breath
and Mrs. Gay asked briskly, "What is the
matter with you and these children?"
"Well, baby is having hard time with
his teeth and is croupy. Folly doesn'
get over scarlet fever we'll, and I'm usec
up; no strength Or appetite, pain in 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 I fee
regularly discouraged"
"Ill spend the DAY and cheer you up
bit. You just rest and get ready for {
new start Tomorrow; it's saving of time
to stop short now and then and see what
to begin next. Bring me the most press
ing job of work; cansew and sre to this
tile rascal at the same time.'
As she spoke off went Mrs. Gays bon.
net, and by the time her hostess had re.
turned with the overfowing work basket
the energetic lady had put match to the
ready laid fire on the hearth, rolled up {
couch, table and easy chair, planted baby
on the rug with a bunch of keys to play
with. and sat blooming and smiling tc
herself, as if work, worry and November
weather were not in existence.
''Tot's frocks and Pollly's aprons are
the things am most hurried about; they
need so many, and do like my children
t. look nice among strangers" began
Mrs. Bennett, unrolling yards upon wards
of ruff1ing, for the white frocks and
pinafores, with glance of despair at the
sewing machine, whose click had grown
detestable to her ear.
snake them plain if you are in a hur.
ry; children don't need trimming up;
they are prettiest in simple clothes. ]
can finish off that batch of aprons before
dinner, If you will put that rufling away
Come now do, it Will be load off your
mind, and Polly won't know the differ
ence."
II always do trina them, and every one
does," began Mrs. Bennett, who was wed
ded to her idols.
"When / was in London I saw a duke (
children dressed in plain brown liner
pinafores, and I thought had never seer
such splendid babies. Try it, and il
people make remarks bring in the En-.
glish aristocracy, and it will be all
right"
There was a twinkle in Mrs. Gays eve
that made her friend ashamed to argue
so she laughed and gave up the point
acknowledging with sigh that it was a
relief.
cit IS this mania for trimming every
thing that is wearing out so many wo-
men. Necessary sewing over, 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
in your side if 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 so careless"
"Take them out with you. Roll baby
up and down that nice dry sidewalk and