McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1883-11-01
PILLS FIFTY CENTS.
BY JENNIE l.. WARREN.

BY JENNIE L. WARREN.
[DENHAM-Martha against Richard B.
or cruelty.
Many there were who, if they saw the
names at all under the head of ssDi.
vorces'' in their Chicago daily, had nc
time to give to thoughts Of ruined
homes, dead hopes, and broken hearts
The world becomes used to the daily
record of misery.
Several months after the above names
found their place in the papers, Richard
B. Denham's divorced wife, with her
three boys, boarded the cars bound fol-
thrifty Michigan town located on the
Michigan Central railroad. The oldest
boy, Phil, was 10 year-old blue-eyed,
brOwn-haired, honest-faced, sturdily-
built lad, old for his years, and showing
thought for his mother in caring for his
5-year-old-brothers, Larry and Willy.
Through many weary day the only
comfort Pills mother has found was in
his CHEEKY ''Never mind, mother, wait
until am bigger, and then you shan t
have such times as these.''
The town in Michigan was chosen as
their home because Mrs. Denham knew
that the minister who had married her
was located there, and she hoped that
through his influence she might more
readily gain means of support for her
self and family. She would never 90
back to her girlhood home in the east
and to those she loved best, she told
herself Never!
She had brought some furniture with
her, and she had little money
enough to rent a small cottage, where
she opened select school, She was
woman of good education, and through
the influence of the kind minister
good many children were sent to her
school, SO that the first year, by exer-
cising strict economy, they lived COM
fortably.
The next year was less bright. The
minister, whose influence had been so
helpful to her, went to Minnesota;
many of the children she had taught.
the year before entered the public
school, and she was not successful in
securing new pupils. At last she was
forced to abandon the little school, and
every other attempt at making a living
falling her, she resorted to the weary
plan of going from house to house with
her basket of silver polishes, washing
fluid, stove backing, sponges, and
toothpicks, leaving Phil at home to
take care of the twins.
One July morning, basket in hand,
she rang the bell at a spacious brick
house. The door was opened by
young and pretty blonde woman, at
tired in the daintiest of morning gowns.
"Oh, Mrs. Denham,'' she said with
evident disappointment, 81 thought it
was Cousin Ruth, whom was expect
ing"
Mrs. Denham hesitated an instant,
but the pretty blonde did not say
"come in," so she told her errand
standing on the porch.
ssI can't trade this morning, thank
you," said the little woman, carelessly
glancing at the articles in the basket.
''But went to speak to you about your
two youngest boys. They were in my
Sunday-school class. have not seen
them there lately.'
ssNo," and Mrs. Denham's sallow
face flushed. "They have no clothes
fit to wear to Sunday-school; as soon as
can earn the money to get them some
they shall go. You can't trade this
s.No, thank yeu," airily, "but 1 do
hope you will get your boys back to
Sunday-school. Children of their age
should be in Sunday-school. Good
The door was shut.
"What luck, mother?' Phil asked
that night.
She answered by laying sixty-five
cents on the table.
eff tramp should come tonight l
believe l would feed him. she said.
ssIt has almost seemed as though l
were tramp to-day"
ssNever mind, MOTHER" Phil said, in
his old, CHEEKY way.
ssI don't suppose folks can always
buy. You must stay with the boys a
few days, and we will see what can be
DONE"
To the amusement of the boys Q
tramp appeared as they were seated at
the table eating hot griddle-cakes and
and, true TO her word, Mrs. |
Denham baked cakes for him until the
batter was all gone. l /
The next day Phil was 80 fortunate as
to secure a job piling "edgings'' at the
mill-yard. Some fine thanksgiving was
sent in for Mrs Denham to do, and the
world looked much brighter to the little
family.