The Baltimore County union., 1883-05-19
cottage tidy and cooking their plain

cross to him, for that only makes him
stay away more" And she gave the
pillow she was stirring up a savage
poke to relieve her feelings.
al know, too" she went on, paus.
ing with the other pillow in her hand,
"thai when he's there with the boys it's
awful hard never to spend cent when
the others do. II looks mean, and
Jack hates being mean )" and she flung
the pillow into its place with such spirit
that il went over on the floor.
"What are you banging about so for ?"
asked her mother from the next room.
"Oh, nothing. Iwasthinking, moth.
cr," she answered. And she went on
a thinking.
"What would be best, would be TO
have some other place just as pleasant,
and warm, and free as .Mason's-some
good place" Alice sighed a, this
thought.
alt can't be here at home, because
il takes so much money TO have il warm
and light; and besides, his friends
wouldn't feel free To come, and il would
be lonely for him."
"Alicc, what are you mu,tcring
about 7" called Mrs. Rawson.
"No,hing, mother; I'm only making
plan"
"If could get books and papers, I"
she went on, closing the door and
starting for the kitchen, "bu, Jack was
too tired to read much"
suddenly new thought struck her,
and she stood in the middle Of the
kitchen like a statue.
81 wondeT--l do wonder, why 4
place couldn't be fixed-a room some.
wlerc. believe people would Lelp il
they only though, how good il would
be for boys! That would be splendid !"
AHd she looked anything bu, statue
now, for she fairly jumped up and down
with delight at the thought.
al don't suppose | can do much
alone" she said later, As the plan grew
more into shape "but its for Jack, and
tha,'ll help me talk 10 people, I'm sure,
and at least ! can try"
She did try. Without troubling her
mother with her plans-for she knew
she would be worried and think Of a
dozen objections to tin her delicate
state OF health. Alice hurried through
with her work, put on her things, and
went 10 call first on Mr.. Smith, grocer.
She happened to know that At the back
Of Mr.. Smiths store was a room open
ing on side street, which he had for
merly rented for cobbIer's shop, bu;
which was now empty.
Alice's heart nutiered wildly a mo.
men;, when she stood before the grocer
in his private Office, where she was sen,
when she asked Of the clerk an interview
with Mr.. Smith.
"You are Rawson's daughter, be-
lieve," was Mr.. Smiths greeting.
ayes" said Alice, al am Alice Raw.
son, and you'n think 7 am crazy. I'm
afraid. when tell my crrand," she
went on, tremblingly. "But o Mr..
Smith il you remember my father be.
forc-befoTc"-
al do, child" said the grocer, kindly,
supposing she had come TO ask for help.
"rhen you'll not wonder" she went
on bravely, "that am going to try
every way to save my brother" ;"
ais your brother in danger3" asked
Mr.. Smith. "And what can do?"
ale is in danger" said Alice. earn.
estly, "of doing just as father did, and
so are lots OF other boys, and what you
can do is to let me have Johnson's old
shop, free Of rem, for little while. tC
try an experimental can get help.
she added warmly.
"But what will YOU do1 don't under
stand" said Mr.. Smith.
"What will do? Oh, I'll Try ic
make a place as pleasant as Mascn's
saloon, tha, shan't cost anything. and
I'll try to get every boy and young man
to 20 there and no, to Mason's II
they could have nice warm place o
their own, Mr.. Smith, don't You ,hinl
they would go thcrc1" she asked anx
iously.
al dom, know hu, they would
said the grocer; "but il an experiment,
I don't see where you'll get things {,
put in. your fire, or anything to MAKE
il rival Mason's. However, I'm bus,
now, and can't talk more. and As yo'
arc in earnest and the cause is good
III let you have the room To try th'
plan"
"Oh, thank youi" cried Alice.
"licrc's the key" taking iha, articl
down from nail. "Say no NOR
child, I couldn't rent il this wintc
anyway" as she tried To speak.
Alice walked ont with her prcciou
key, feeling as if the whole thing wa
done. But il was far from that.
Her next visit-shc had CAREFUL,
planned them all out-was to maj
who sold wood for in that villag
wood was the only fuel.
This man, Mr.. Williams, had sol
who was somewhat dissipatcd /; there
fore he was ready to listen patiently l.
Alicc's pleading, and to help in an
really practical plan. lie listened in
tcrcstcdly and promised to give cor,
Of cut wood to begin with, and il
proved success, to give enough to ru
the fire place there was no Stove--a
the evenings Of that winter.
Next, Alice went TO the finest hous
in the village, where lived Mrs. Burn:
a wealthy lady whose son was wild an
gave her anxiety.
"Shc must pity mother and me,
thought Alice, as she walked up ih
broad walk TO the house, "and I'm sur
she'll help"
She did. She was surprised at Alice
bravery, but warmly approved Of he
plan. "You'll want books and papers.
She said, "and you must have hot co
fee always ready"
al hadn't dared think Of so much,
. | LII Als..