Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-02-05

VIII uOI pass tue OLnef noe!
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 in
sisted that there was more than belonget
to one family. "Aunt Elizabeth took il
good deal for other folks;" and once b.
slyly cbalked q sign upon the front door
"Duty Done Here" But then Tim ha<
arrived at that peculiar age when q DO,
has no rights and is needed to run OF
brands, and it is probable that duty
his aunt's not his own-interfered will
his comfort even more than of older PEG
pie.
In truth Mrs. Wilkins duty was not ,
convenient article to have about thu
house. 1t was bustling, aggressive
affair, always springing up unexpectedly
like one of the dogs so unaccountably
petted in some households for their sole
virtue Of being always in the way. Nov.
ing forward, one runs against the creature
and it growls; moving backward, one
steps upon its tail and it snarls. It lies
upon the back piazza to be carefully
stepped over in the day and dsastrously
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 pounced out
of its hiding-place, when there came q
timid little knock at the dining-room
door in the early morning, and its an
swering revealed small, quiet-faced,
brown-robel figure, face and dress both
past the freshness of youth, carrying a
basket.
"Good morning, Mrs. Wilkin.''
"Come in?" questioned Mrs. Wilkin,
with only half an invitation in her voice.
The acceptance was only a half one
likewise.
The little brown woman stepped in
certainly, and poised herself on the outer
edge Of chair nearest the door.
II called to see if you didn't want tc
buy some knitted articles or to engage
some work Of that Sort she began in @
doprec ating voice.
swell, 1 DON'T" interposed Mrs.
Wilkin, very positively. I do all such
work myself -
q didn't know. Many ladies haven't
time, and I'm glad to do it.
II suppose SO, but I consider it my
duty to do all I can myself and set other
folks the example, whether they follow
it OF not" said Mrs. Wilkin, with q
slight gesture like emptying her hands
OF responsibility. eff I was going to
give out work ut all it would be some
hard jobs it would be q help to be rid of,
not the pick and choice, little, easy
things that call rest and not work; but
then I amt SO particular as some, and 80
1 do all kinds myself"
A faint flush crossed the visitors thin
face. She was not quite sure she had
been called indolent and advised to 20 to
work and earn an honest living; the
words onH had an uncomfortable sound;
so the less kept their timid, gentle smile,
though they trembled little. She held
first one hand in its thin cotton glove,
and then the other to the fire; moved un-
easily, glanced down at her feet with q
dim thought that if they had always
chosen the smoothest path it had been
rough enough to wear out her shoes fast
Ell then she could replace them; and then
she arose to to go.
"Wasn't you rather hard on her.
Liz beth ?" asked Mr.. Wilkin. with q
regretful glance toward the door as it
closed.
Mrs. Wilkin returned to her seat at
the breakfast table and surveyed him
over the cofee-pot.
Hard on her? I only told her what
to do, and if that pricks her conscience
and makes her uncomfortable, it's not
my fault. But you needn't worry; she
just said good morning as sweet as ever.
She's one Of the weak kind that can't be
stirred up and have not spunk enough to
say their souls are their own. I wonder
what such folks are good for? They'll
never make the world any better that g
sure. They haven't courage enough to
help down any evil if it was right under
their noses; they'd only stand and smile.
The very sight of 'em provokes me. I
consider it my duty to speak out when
see things going SO wrong"
But then everybody amt alike. Liz
beth, interposed Mr.. Wilkins
"Needn't tell me that it's plain
enough" snapped Mrs. Wilkin. i" Just
look at this Observation-Disclosures
orderly place two years ago; and now
there is mill started and all sorts Of
vagabonds brought here to work in it.
IF I'd had my way they wouldn't have
come; and now they are here somebody
ought to keep sharp watch on EN-.
But that's 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,""
81 don't see as the mill folks have
done any mischief yet, 'Liz'beth I"
"Of course you don't see, and nobody
else sees; but know there's something
going on when the lower part of the mill
that old empty store room back there,
it can't be seen from the Streets light.
ed up two or three nights every week, y
said Mrs. Wilkin, triumphantly: "I've
watched the twinkling through the shut.
tiers, tight as they're shut, and seen folks
sippin' through the door, too. It's time
it was looked after, and III do nv duty,
if nobody else does. There may be q
gang of thieves or counterfeiters starting
for all we know" ~. ~.z .5s..... :
A suppressed giggle made Tim sud
denly cough and put down his coffee cup.
"Timothy, exclaimed his aunt severe
~, "f you don't drink coffee without
dom it 90 fast that you choke yourself,
you'll have to go without it. IN do my
best to bring you up right, whatever
comes of it.
Bring up Tim in the way he should go
was one Of Mrs. wilkins strong points.
he was the son d her neoa end nliuds