The Republican journal., 1882-09-14

hear from May, and would get the money
50 that she could buy May some shoes,
but neither money nor letter came.
The cobbler patched up the ragged
shoes as we'll as he could; and now Mrs.
Peck found to her dismay that her own
boots had given out from the Waterbury
trip, and she, too, had to stay at home
from church on Sunday because they
were not fit to wear.
After ten days delay, letter came
from Charlemont a gay, bright letter,
ending with, "There's a teachers con-
yention in Ludlow tthe next town to
Dennis) on the 9th, and | will bling the
five dollars | borrowed OF you when |
come through
This was the second Of May. 1t was
the 22d of April the money had been lent
May. Eggs were now drug at the
store. The doctor never would let her
run in debt, and she and Mary were all
but shoeless.
In the meantime Mary had sad tohcr-
stlt-seeing pretty cambriC She wanted
in Il CharlemOmt shop-''If buy it,
can't send Della her money till next
month, but it's only five dollars. She
will not want it before 20 to Ludlow"
She did not think that Della had been
too poor to pay for her own car ticket to
Waterbury, or that she had retrained
from buying her shoes there as she meant
to at first, saying that She would get
them at home at the store, because Mr..
Clark had been SO civil and kind to her
always.
Mays Old shoes soon gave out past
patching. The slight cold she had taken
from wearing moccasins hung about her,
owing to the damp and cold spring
winds. There came on q heavy shower
one day while she was in school, and
running ont at recess Der shoes were wet
through for the patched soes and crack
ed upper feathers soaked easily She sat
all the rest Of the morning with wet feet,
and went home very h0arse.
Mrs Peek undrcssed her, and looked
for some chlorate OF potash in the office.
1t was all gone. The doctor had filled
his bottle that morning with the last.
She did not like 70 leave May alone
to 70 to the store where Small assort-
nent Of drugs We're kept, and even if she
would have left her. her own Old shoes
were unfit to wear, il still rained so hard.
She bound some salt pork on tie
childs throat, and steamed it with
camphor, but the child grow worse ana
before the doctor came home at mid
night, she was in high fever, Wet
feet had eXasperated the cold she had
before, and by the next morning she
was in the grip ot pneumonia, and
very Ill indeed
The doctor Scolded about her shoes
but Mrs. Peek could not complain 10
him Of his sister. She cried il little and
wis silent.
May grew worse There was many
little allevations to be had. II her moth
cr could have paid for them The child
pined for oranges. There were plenty
ut the store. hnt no money to buy them
with. Her gruel was sWcetcned With
maple su raf, and She hated it. She
cried for coffee and there was none.
only five dollars. But how poor Mrs.
Peek wanted it, After long struggle,
little May began to get better. Her
fever subsidized she needed tonics
II wish We could get little wine for
her" said the doctor. looking NiStfulh
at his wife
He knew she had money from the sale
of her eggs. but what could She have
done with it
Mrs Peck grew Desperate She could
not see her darling 50 weak and white
with any patience.
Suddenly she bethought herself Of the
calico dress she had bought. Perhaps
Mr.. Clark would take it, for it had never
been untolded. But how could she get
to The store
Luckily the doctor had an hour 10
spare after tea that day, 50 while he staid
with May She put on his shoes and went
down with her bundle. Mr. Clark was
glad to buy the dress.
eth Just suit my wife, Mis- Peck, |
know. Its a dreadful chore, she Says,
to make her own gownds, and this is
sort of tasty, amt it, comm from the
city Well, well, it's amazing how they
can make 'em SO cheap"
Mrs. Peck did not stay to hear any
more. She went to an old maiden lady
who chad the name" Of making currant
wine as good as any imported article.
and bought a bottle of her at an eXor-
bitant price. but as Miss Davis said:
Sits seven years DID, and think Of
them worms, | han't made d drop for
two years back and it's dreadful heal
ing. | don't want to part with none ont
a mite; but seem it's you"
And Mrs. Peek again cut short dis
course, hurrying home with her precious
bottle, thinking no more Of her calico
dresS Wheh she saw the doctors tired
lace ll9nt up ana llttIc color lllcker IN
Mays lace altef the llrst leaspoonlulS
ilau beeh CAUTIOUSLY administered.
by the llme AUNT May stopped at
l,ennlS on her way 70 LUDLOW, May was
aole to SIT up against the pillows; ana
Aunt Nay was shocked I" Sc now pale
ana weak Shc was:
ou precious niue morseI \ she sad
mo" qua you ever get such cold tt
begln with
"My shoes was all worn to pieces
aunty. Mower couldn't get me any new
ones"
stu Mary dld not thlnk why II was
that "moVVer, could not get them,
lhougn the weak, pathetlc voice brought
tears to her eyes. She had on her cam
Orlc dress, the dress that meant so much