The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-21
One Stitch at a Time.

One Stitch at a Time.
Aunt Mary sat with her knitting in
her hands. Her needles were large and
white, and her worsteds were gay and
brilliant. Soft blues, pinks, green's, and
yellows were blent in the long strip she
was knitting until it looked like rich
ribbon. Little Lucy watched it with
delighted eyes
=" 1t is Just like my Roman SASH" she
said. Oh, Aunt Mary, I wish I were
old enough to make an afghan like that.
How long have you been knitting yours?'
Let me think" said Aunt Mary,
pausing a moment and closing her eyes
to rest them. Il began this sola-quilt
for your papa the day little Ted was
born. How long ago is that?"
" A long time, said Lucy. "Why,
Ted is eight months old, and has three
teeth, and you haven't got it done yet. l
should think you would be tired of the
sight of it"
1 supposed, little girl, it would take
me about year." Aunt Mary placidly
answered, and have not been in a bit
of a hurry. 1 knew that if I took one
stitch at a time and kept on, after awhile
| would finish my work if my life was
spared. But you are sitting there with
idle hands. Would you not like to begin
a little afghan for your doll?'
:" would love to-" answered Lucy.
" will begin this afternoon, if mother
will let me-
She ran to ask her mothers permission.
Presently back she came bringing little
work box and very rueful face.
Mamma says she is afraid I will do
with the afghan just as have done with
these things, which she wants me to show
you. She wants me to finish these before
l begin anything new. Aunt Mary,
won't you ask her to let me burn these
wretched old rag tags and bob-tail up ?
Please do. Mamma does whatever you
advise"
The kind old face wore a look of
mingled amusement and pity as the
lady surveyed the little girls unfinished
attempts at plain and fancy needle-woIk.
There was dolls dress nearly done; a
tidy for sister Hates chair, with " K A.
7. " finished and half the fringe travelled
out; there was pair of mits for Ted,
with one thumb remaining to be knit
there was a bead purse set up there was
bookmarker with Holy BIZ" worked
upon it in embroidery silk and there
was pocket-handkerChief, with wreath
stamped in one corner ready for mark
ing. Besides these, there were three
pairs of kid gloves needing to be re-
paired
A months work, Aunt Mary, said
Lucy, with deep sigh.
Yes, my pet but only one stitch at
a time, and they will all be off your
hands and out of your way in a little
while. Why, darling, since l have seen
this box and found out what a seamstress
you are, l have given up my thoughts of
a dolls afghan for you and now we will
make bargain. If you set to work at
once, without any delay, and every day
do little on some one of these articles,
you will soon have an empty box, instead
Of full one to reproach you. Then
will present you with plenty of worsted
to make sofa-quilt like mine, and you
may begin a real one-full size.
1t will take iorever.and ever to finish
it,"
Not forever and ever. dislike
your schoolgirl habit Of exaggeration,
dear 1t violates the truth. 1t will |
probably take you, with your studies and
your various duties, about two years, but
it will be splendid discipline for you.
One stitch at time, and the work will
look out for itself"
Last month I saw Lucy's beautiful |
quilt at fair, and every one
who examined it gladly gave dollar to-
ward making it a present to the dear wife |
IF the pastor The money amounted to
fifty dollars, and was sent to India to
educate young girl in one Of the caste
schools, And Lucy will be the stronger
md better her life through for having
earned the lesson practically that one
stitch at a time, faithfully taken, amounts
n the end to a thing worth the having
lone Mrs. W. r. Songstey m Youths
World.