The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1880-02-07
From Sunday Afternoon
MRS. WILKINS DUTY.

She always tired to do it, she said,
but like the kitchen work of poor house
keepers it was never done up. Tim iu-
sisted that there was more than belonged
to one family. Aunt Lizabeth took In
good deal for other folks" and once he
slyly chalked n sign upon the front door:
"Duty Done Here" But then Tim had
arrived at that peculiar age when a boy
has no rights and Is needed to run on
errands, and it is probable that duty
his aunt's not his owu-interfered with
his comfort even more than Of older peo-
pie.
In truth Mrs Wilkins duty was not
convenient article to have about the
house. 1t was a bustling, aggressive
affair, always sprnglng up unexpectedly,
like one Of the dogs 80 unaccOuntably
petted IN some households for their sole
virtue Of being always III the way. Nov
ing forward, one runs against the creature
and it growls; moving backward, one
steps upon its tail and it snarls 1t lies
upon the back piazza to be carefully
stepped over IN the day and dlsastrously
stumbled over at night; and haunts the
front steps to bark at every member of
the family going out.
Mrs Wilkin kept no dog, but her duty
shifted an opportunity and bounced out
of its hiding-place, when there came a
timid little knock at the dining-room
door III the early morning, and its an
swcring revealed small, quiet-faced,
brown-robed figure, face and dress both
past the freshness of youth, carrying
basket.
Good morning, Mrs. Wilkin
"Come in?" questioned Mrs Wilkin,
with only half an invitation IN her voice.
The acceptance was only half one
likewise.
The little brown woman stepped in
certainly, and poised herself on the outer
edge OF chair nearest the door
= [ called to see If You didn't want to
buy some knitted articles or to engage
some work Of that sort, she began in a
depreclting voice.
sWel. don't" iuterposed Mrs.
WilNn, very positively. [ do all such
work myself
q didn't know. Many ladies' haven't
time, aud I'm glad to do it. "
u suppose so, but [ consider it my
duty To 10 al | can myself and set other
folks the example, whether they follow
it or not, said Mrs Wilkin, with a
slight gesture like emptying her hands
Of responsibility. Ii | was going to
give ont work at all it would be some
hard Jobs it would be a help to be rid of.
not the pick and choice, little, easy
things that ! call rest and not work; but
then | amt 50 particular as some, and so
| do all kinds myself.
4 faint flush crossed the visitors thin
face. She was not quite sure she had
been called INDECENT and advised to 60 to
work and earn IN honest living; the
words only had au uncomfortable sound;
20 the lips kept their timid, gentle smile,
though they trembled little She held
first one hand III lis thin cotton glove,
and then the other to the ire; moved I'M
easily, glanced down at her feet with
dim thought that if they had always
chosen the smoothest path i had been
rough enough TO wear ont her shoes fast
er then she could replace them: and then
she arose TO 10 go.
Wasn't Won rather hard on her,
LIZ beth" asked Mr. Willlin, with Il
regretful glance toward the door as it
closed
Mrs Wilkin returned IL her seat ct
the breakfast table anu sarveved him
over tho coffee-pot
Hard on her? ] only told her what
to do, md il that pricks her conscience
and makes her uncomfortable, it's not
my fault But YOU needn't worry; she
lust SAID god morning as sweet as ever.
one one NJ the weak kind that can't be
stirred np and have not spunk enough to
Ny tAeif souls are their own. | wonder
what such folks are good for? They'll
never nak. the world any better that's
sure They haven't courage enough to
neIp down any evil If It was right under
their noses; they'd only stand and smile.
Inc very sight Of EN- provokes me. |
consider Il my duty % speak out when !
see Things gong 50 wrong.
But then everybody am t alike Liz
beth, mterposed Mr. wilkins :
Needn't tel me that it's plain
enough, snapped Mrs Wilkin. Just
look at this neighboorhood-
orderly place two years ago: and now
there Is mill started and all sorts of
yagabonds brought here To work in If.
If Ia had nay way they wouldn't have
come; and now they are here somebody
ought TO keep sharp watch on EN-.
But that the trouble: there's SO many
mild, easy folks that want to sit still an
do the knitting work Of life that there's
precious few left to take care Of the good
Of society
4 don't see as the mill folks have
done any mischief yet, Liz'beth. -
OF course Won don't see, and nobody
else sees; but | know there's something
gong OF when the lower part of the mill
that old empty store room back there,
i can't be seen from the streets light
Ell up two O three nights every week, .
SAID Mrs. Wllkin, triuInphantly. we
watched the twinkllng through the slut