The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-03-03

clothes, whoever he may be. A half |
starved theological student, perhaps.
training for the Polynesian Islands, or
perhaps newspaper reporter, or pale
clerk under the dazzling skylights of
some dry goods palace. At all events,
he's worse off than I am for he can't
mend his own clothes and I can"
And the smiles dimpled around Honora
haywood little rosebud of mouth as
she sat down to darn holes, sew on tapes
and insert patches.
Hell never know who did it, said
Honora to. herself, "but dare say he'll
be thankful; and if one can get chance
to do little good in this world one
ought not to grudge ones time and
trouble"
And as Honora stitched away she
mused sadly whether or not she ought to
accept position which had offered itself
as assistant matron in an orphan asylum,
who're the work would be almost unen-
durable, and the pay next TO nothing,
with no Sundays or holidays. and
ladies' committee, consisting of three
starched old maids, to sit" on her the
first Friday of every month.
81 almost think I'd rather starve, said
Honora. "But, dear me, starving is
serious business, when one comes to con-
slider it face to face.''
Sally Mulvey came back putting and
blowing like human whale in about. two
hours.
''Mother says she sent the wrong
basket" said she hreathlessly.
ST thought it very probably, Sally"
said Miss haywood.
t.And mothers compliments, added
Sally, "and she can't undertake your
things no longer, Miss Haywood, cause
she does cash business, and there amt
nothing been paid on your account since
last June.
Honora felt her face turning scarlet
II am very sorry, Sally. Tell your
mother I will settle my bill as soon as
possibly can.
Sally fiounced out of the room red and
indignant, like an overcharged thunder
cloud, and poor little Honora, drop
ping her head into her hands, burst into
tears.
pretty girl, that, very pretty" said
Mr.. Rroderick, the old bachelor, to his
landlady.
do you mean-"
ST mean the young lsdv boarder of
yours that I see on the stairs now and
then" said Mr.. Broderick. 'sNice figure
big, soft eyes, like gazelle. Didn't
some one tell me that she was a music
| teacher"
That's her profession" said Mrs.
| Pennypacker "But there amt many
pupils as want tuition, and, poor little
dear, she has but hard time OF it.
"Humphr' grunted Mr.. Broderiek.
ssWhat fools women are to have regu-
lar profession. If ! had daughter
l would bring her up a self-supporting
| institution
And Mr.. Broderick disappeared into
his room in the midst whereof stood a
girl with Tapping slippers,a a portentuous
shawl and bonnet, which had originally
been manufactured for a woman about
twice her size.
WHO are your demanded Mr.. Brod-
erick.
Please, sir, I'm Sally-the washer
woman's Sally" was the response.
"ADd what do you want here?" said
Mr.. Broderick.
please, sir, I've come to bring your
things" said she, chattering off her les
son like parrot. ''And please, sir, her
'umble duty, and she 'opes they'll suit,
|
and Tuesday, as starch wouldn't stick
and she 'opes you'll excuse all mistakes,
as they shall be done better next time,
sir, please, sir,
sWho mended emp demanded Mr..
Broderick, whose hawk eye had already
caught sight of the dainty needlework
upon his garments.
"Nobody mended EN- said Sally.
ssAnd mother she says it's easy to see as
the new gent is bachelor on account of
the holes in his heels and toes and the
strings off his dickeys.'
II can tell you who mended 'em" said
Mrs. Pennypacker. "for I see her at il,
the pretty Miss Maywood And says
she, 4 don't know whose they are, Mrs.
Pennypacker, but, says she, they need
| mending and kind action never comes
amiss.' No more 1t does, sir, Lord bless
herr
'.Humph!' said Mr.. lRroderick, "she's
| right-no more it does. And she's a
regular scientist at the needle, is Miss
haywood. Just look at that patch, Mrs.
| Pennypacker! 'Elucid's geometry
couldn't produce straighter line or
truer angles. See the toe of that stock
ing! It's like piece of Gobelin tapes
try. That's the way like to see things
doner
And Mr.. Broderick never rested until
he had been introduced to Honora May
wood, and he thanked her with equal for
mality for the good offices she had IN.
willingly rendered him.
It was golden October evening that
Honora came down into the kitchen,
where Mrs. Pennypacker was baking pie
for her eccentric boarder, with the crusts
made of the best Alderney butter instead
of lard.
ooh, deari oh, dearf' said Mrs. Penny
4 packer, what thing it is to be an old
bachelor
"He won't be a bachelor much
longer" said Honora, laughing and col
oring, as she laid her cheek on the good
landlady's shoulder.
'tWhat do you mean?" aske Mrs.
Penpypacker.
she asked me to marry him." said
Honora, ''after only two weeks acquain-
tance. He says that a girl who can
mend stockings as / do, needs no other
test. And he says Le loves me; and
and"
.tWell?'
ST almost think I love him!" whis.
pered Miss haywood.
And so the problem of Honora's soli-
tary life was solved. all through the
magic influence of Needle and Thread. =