Smyrna times., 1882-02-01
Mrs. Deans Lesson.

mloI O0du A6oOUuG
Mrs. Dean sat alone in her little kitchen.
She never used her parlor. There was
the extravaganza of an extra fire to be
eopsidered-the fact that the best rag
carpet, woven by her own sllillful hands,
must not be worn out too Tecklessl y-the
dread possibility of supshine fading out
these chair coYers. Mrs. Dean was an
economist. She believed in making every
thing last as long as it possibly gould.
And so she made the Kitchen her head
quarters, and sat there knitting, with her
feet comfortably on the stone hearth, the
saucepan Of apples bubbling softly away
at the back, and the sound of her hus-
bands axe ringing from tho back shed as
he cut and split the kindling wood, piled
up there in well seasoned logs.
She was little, wrinkle-faced woman
of so, with stiff ribbon bows to her cap,
hair that seemed dried up instead of sil-
vered, and keen blue eyes that twinkled
rs if they had discovered the secret Of
perpetual motion. To save money was
her chief end and aim i'll life. The very
mttens she was knitting were to be sold
at the village store in exchange for tea,
sugar, spices and all necessary groceries
A penny saved is as good as a penny
earned" was the golden rule by which
she shaped her life.
i'm glad 7 took that money out of the
savings bank, yesterday" said Mrs. Dean
to herself, as the bright needless cliQked
merrily away. "People say it isn't quite
safe. But then, again, there's the danger
of burglars though, to be sure, no burg
lar" she added, with o eomplaoent in
ward chuckle, would ever think of look
! ing in the folds of the old Clinkerville
! Clarion newspaper in the wall pocket on
the wall. It's the bureau drawers and
the trunks and the lock-up chests that
! they ain for, A fifty dollar bill ! clean,
crisp, new fifty dollar bill And all saw
| ings, too, out Of the house money"
Just then there sounded q kn6Gk Al the
door, and in came old DR.. Bridgman, rubi-
cund with the touch of the December
wind, and muflled up in the furs of the
wild animals which, from time to time,
lie himself had shot.
Good day, Mrs. Dean, good day y
said he. $40, thank YOU J can't sit
down. I'm deal too busy for that. A4t
| heard yesterday that you took fifty dol
lars out of the savings bank !"
YES" said Mrs. Dean, her face invol-
UNFAIRLY hardening, 81 did"
1--WE are taking up subscription to
get little Dick Bodley cart and donkey
so that he can 90 around peddling tin
ware" said the doctor. It's pretty hard
for anyone afflicted as he is to get along
and if you can help us little
but | can't! interpOsed Mrs. Dean
breathlessly. The money was an in
vestment. ] don't propose to cut it VI
into little bits"
"It's deed of charity, Mrs. Dean" said
the good old man, ''to help lame Dick
Bodley."
81 dare say" said Mrs. Dean, little
irritably; "but never pretended to be {
charitable character"
The old doctor went away, and the
next visitor was Helen Hurt, rosy CIR
of is.
"Excuse me for ipterrupting you, Mrs
Dean, she said, Hbut Harry johnson was
at the bank yesterday, and he tells me
that you drew out your money"
"Was all creation there?" thought Mrs
Dean.
But she said nothing; only knit away
until her needles seemed to glance anC
glitter like points of fire.
81 am trying to get boarding place al
Mrs. Swipess.' added Helen, coloring
!'se as to be near the district school, where
| am to TEACH this winter, But Mrs
Swipes requires payment in advance ID
the MONTH and, unfortunately, we have
used up all our slender means in provld
ing my outfit. A teacher, you know
must be dressed decently to command the
respect of her pupils. But if you woulc
kindly let me have $10"-
81 never lend" said Mrs. Dean, Gurtly
II will be sure to pay it when receiv'
nav first quarters salary" pleaded Helm
| A. I IrunWu Of else to O(
to-"
"It's altogether against my principles,
said Mrs. Dean, with her face as hard al
if it had been carved out Af hickory;
Helen Hurst cTept out, feeling hAmila
ted apd disappointed beyond all expires
sion.
Mrs. Dean chuckled at her own shrewd
ness but she hardly had time TO stir VI
the apples in the saucepan, before Mrs
Graham entered with q little leatheTsC
memorandum book and pencil.
81 am looking for charitable people
Mrs. Dean" said the Squire's wife, with
laugh, -. o,,
place." said Mrs. Dean, fiigidly.
"Poor Patrick O'Hara was killed yes
terday, in the machinery of the rolling
mill, said Mrs. Graham, ignoring he
neighbors response. ne mas IslI VIII
, and eight children totally destitute:
"And whose fault is thatW said Mrs
Dean.
"Will you not contribute something
y toward relieving their destitute eondi
2 ton 7n urged Mrs. Graham, opening th
book and holding the pencil ready for use
aCertainly not, q said Mrs, Dean, sly
, no money to spare"
But was told"-
40, yes-about the money that wa
drawn out of the savings bankW SAT-