The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-05-13
meanOr on the street, she was more subject TO

meanOr on the street, she was more subject to
ups and downs than Flo n
1--WE needn't be cross and ugly" answered
Flo, carefully measuring out her share OF
milk from the tiny pitcher. 81 hope the lamp
won't smoke again tonight. How nice II
would be to have new burner"
short bobbing figure, IN an immense rub
Der cloak, with an umbrella in one hand and
q yellow quart bowl IN the other, pressed q
beaming face against the glass upper half Of
the door.
miss Mellavine!" said Flo, joyfully, and
sprang up to admit her.
Their nextdoor neighbor, Miss Mary Lavi
ma Murray (who had given herself the name
of Mellavine when a little child was wha
Flo and Nette called "a walking sunshine
factory" Many time had her kindly deeds
helped TO tide them over a threatened collapse
in the cOmmisary department, and her gifts
were as deliCately bestowed as they were time
| ly. A simple unlearned woman, with hear
of gold.
you dear things! do hope you haven't
finished your tea, for | SAID to myself this
boiled dinner Is 80 savory this afternoon (you
know my habit of two meals day In winter
my dears), those girls must lave taste. Don't
get chair-I mustn't SIT down."
She did, however, and smiled on them be
nevolently, while pretending not to see JUS,
how acceptable was her generous, nelghborly
offer.
"Such day, to be sure. It's mercy my
good spirits don't depend on the weather
How did you get home from the MILL Nettie,
child"
"Oh, I'm used to all sorts of days, you
know, Miss Mellavine. That o'clock whistle
haunts me in my dreams, but hope for some
IA hattnr Iav-I hn1,ava Nh at ia the
current phrase these days And what have
you done to pass away the tlme"
"Oh, odds and ends, my dear-odds and
ends. A little mending and my housework-
q letter to my sister Celinda's son, because it's
his birthday, off among strangers, dear boy
and bit of flannel sewing for one OF poor
Bridget Maloney's ragged tribe. I'm 30 glad
you like the things. Some folks amt any
hand for boiled dinners, but must say like
them. You get so much IN small compass.
You may cut me off two yards of that twelve
cent ruching, Flo, my dear. Now | really
must go-never mind about the bowl this
time. Caleb Stone Is very sick again-taken
worse suddenly, they say-and Mirandy wants
me TO come over tonight. He's dreadful
tidgetty, and wants to see me about something
particular she says. Mirandays no hand to
do for sick folks, you know, though she's not
w UAonAc, hCSCi utCu w ~
And the short, auburn Curls, slightly silvered,
on each side Of the round, smiling face, nod,
ded good will and goodnight rs she dlssp-
peared ID the cavernOus depths Of the rubber
cloak and stepped out into the rain.
"Caleb Stone very sick If he should die
we may have to hurry up the payments to the
lawyers or somebody" said Flo, rather appre,
hensively, getting her dsh.pan ready.
81 shant worry over that" answered Ncttie,
blithely, as she tied on large apron, prepare
tory to dish-wiping. She had recovered her
elasticity since the welcome advent of the
parsnips, etc.
at there's an out-and-out angel on the face
Of this selfish earth It's Miss Mellavine. What
a difference good meal makes In ones moral
barometer. | was cross before supper, Flo,
DEAR" SAID she, penltently giving her sister q
little dab of kiss on the lett ear. "If any
one has right to be cross it's you, shut up
here all day-with no exercise but to do err
rands in the evenings when Pm at home to
tend the store. You're twice rs good and pa.
tient as your unsanctifed sister Nettie."
Enough of Miss Mellavines benefactiOn re-
manned 10 give flavor to the breakfast, and
Nettie went to her work with a light heart in
the dark of the wintry morning. Her duty in
the factory was packing and labelling stock
hngs. About the miuule OF the aIterhOOn ncr
quick eye detected something wrong in q pile
of stockings that had just been brought to her
for boxing.
"How's this, Richard ?" said she to the mes
senger, "there must be mistake. MIR. Barker
has given yous the wrong KIND These stock
ings are part cotton, and my labels say super
fine all WOOL"
The boy gave knowing wink. 81 guess
| it's all right Barker knowed what he was
about. NUNS the word. Miss Nette, If you
and want to keep our places"
| With sparkling eyes and scarlet checks Net
tie carried the box of stockings into an inner
room where sat Mr. Barker, the overseer OF her
department, a heavy, ilabby man, with pale
eyes, pale HAIR and hanging under lip, and
with hun one or two clerks.
"Thcse are not the right stockings tor my
labels, Mr. Barker. They are half cotton"
Mr. Barker fumbled the stockings with his
thick fingers, looked at the labels and then at
her with berry smile.
My dear young lady, you surprise me.
The stockings are all right Your Legitimate
business is simply to put on the labels which
we provide"
Higher mounted the color in Netties cheeks
Her voice trembed, but her courage did not
taltcr.
"Thcn must decline to do It, Mr.. Barker"
"IIo, ho indeed" said the beery Barker with
sudden energy. Here, Simpson" to one of
the dapper clerks just passing through the
room; "be kind enough to step to Mr.. Wig
gins desk and ask HIM to settle accounts with
this exceedingly conscientious young woman
and provide her with ticket of leave" and
Barker turned abrutly on his heel
| Nettle's nerve and indignation carried her
through the next few moments, and soon the
factory door closed behind her.
81 know I've done right, and shall find
something to do. hope Flo won't be very
much overcome"
| Her sister looked up surprised ut her early
return On hearing the story she gave a halt
hysterical laugh
you match my experience, Nettie. That
drummer for the Worcester firm was here. Dc
you notice anything stranger
Nettle looked around the room, and beheld
show cases and rope.lines nearly emptied.