The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-05-15
THROUGH A NEEDLES EYE.

IHGU1 pA1 N
"THE Busy Workers ~ was sewing
society composed of the prettiest and
incest girls in Newbury. There were
spitefuI people, especially some young
women who sighed in vain to find
their way into the exclusive cir
Gle, who declared that the
busy working was all in the name
of the society, and that its real object
lurked in that clause of the constitu-
ton which permitted gentlemen to
come in the evening, when the busy
workers devoted themselves to dane
ing, flirting and good time gener-
ally. But these accusations were pal
pably unfair. The young ladies assem-
bled as early as five O'Clock, their rules
being very strict in that respect, and
for au honr or more they sewed away
industriously upon all sorts of plain gar
ments, such as they never would have
thought of making for themselves.
Then there was beautiful little con-
tribution-box Ornamented with illuminat-
ed texts by the skillful hands of one of
their number; and into this many dol
lars of their pocket-money found its
way The box was held by the treasur-
er, May Martin, the prettiest and most
bewitching of their number, who law
ished her brightest smiles as she pre-
scented it to the gentlemen who crowd
ed around her in the evening. Newbury
was college town, SO there were plen-
ty of gentlemen to come, many of them
rich fellows, too; and thanks to Miss
Martins destinations the Home Mis-
sionary Society had received quite a
pretty little sum, which would otherwise
have been spent for society suppers and
cigars.
May Martin was talking about it one
evening as a group of girls sat together,
their work laid aside, awaiting the ar
rival of the gentlemen.
"Isn't Eric too lovelyP" she said.
"He put q twenty-dollar bill in the box
last week.
There were several echoes: "Wasn't
it too sweet of him?"
"I'll tell you how he came to do it,
she went on. 'fHe was going to get
himself one of those lovely little Shroud
and Coffin pins, with pearls and black
enamel, but decided to have a plain one
instead and give me the extra money!
Stroud and Coffin was the most
deadly exclusive Of all senior societies,
and no attainments in scholarship or
even in athletics would have conferred
upon Eric McRae such distinction in
the eyes of the girls as did his mem
bership therein.
"Nonsense, cried Lou Tyler, who
was said by the girls to be very smart
and to have great deal of character
"Eric McRae has loads of money, just
loads, and if he wanted one of those
pins he would have it fast enough.
wouldn't have one if l was he; they
are ghastly looking things"
"Don't you like themP'' May ex-
claimed. q I think they are perfectly
fascinating"
arthur Huntington puts in good
deal of money, too, doesn't heP' re-
marked Lou Tyler. "Does he tell you
what awful self-denial it costs himP''
sob, Huntington is my principal in,
come" said May lightly, though her
color rose a little; "but he's not weak
mortal like poor Eric; he would be en-
tirely above Boosting of any thing"
A little smile ran around the circle,
for it was an open secret that Arthur
Huntington was dead in love" with
May Martin.
"Eric's not coming tonight" said
somebody suddenly.
The girls all turned upon her with a
scream of CONSERVATION. "Not COM
ing? Why, what's the matter?''
81 don't know; he only said he
couldn't possibly come. thought ii
was probably some Coffin matter, as
he was rather mysterious about it."
just then the door-bell rang, and
there was a general futter as two long
ulsters passed up the stairs.
&c It's that horrid little Mounce,''
cried one of the girls who was peepine
through the crack at the door-hinge,
"and the inseparable Thompson was
with him. Now, May, you're in for it. y
Mr.. Mounce was one of Miss Martins
hopeless adorers.
"Eric has come to my relief like 9
perfect angel" replied May, "and
promised to take him away whenever
have endured him as long as is my
duty"
The bell now rang again and again
as the parlors filled with gentlemen and
the circle of girls dispersed among them
May Martin alone remaining seated in 8
low chair by the table. May was the
only one of the girls who did not lay
aside her work before the arrival of the
gentlemen.
Nays work was always something
brilliant and attractive. She did no
know how to do plain sewing, SO shC
had some bright fancy work which was
sold when completed to some admirins
friend at some admirable price for the
benefit of the missionaries.
Little Mounce went straight for hel