The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-09-26
THE NOME CO.OPERATIYE SOCIETY.

AE IAOME COsUI EhA LIVE OUClEl1s
'Tm sick of it," said Kate, dashing a
handful of hair-pins upon the table, and
letting big brown braid go tumbling
down her back.
$50 am IL said Beth.
$50 alb Ip' said Mamie, who was
suffering with a dreadful cold.
what is it, girlsP' said /, turning
my book face down on my lap.
'.It's the suppers," said Beth.
cts the everlasting gossip" said
Kate.
'It's so differed from hobe," said
Mamie, to whom clearinghouse life
was new experience.
''It's all three, and much more,n was
what l Rnted to say, but being the
Oldest of the four, it seemed my duty
to make the best of things; so | said,
quite cheerfully; II didn't see anything
unusual about the supper tonight"
"Ihat's the trouble" groaned Beth.
''It was altogether too usual. | am SO
tired of bread and butter and apple
sauce and dry cake that feel like
crashing my teeth at the sight of them.
l should like piece of toast or bowl
of bread and milk occasionally, with
out being made to feel that had dis
arranged the whole internal economy
of the house,"
'EThe suppers are bad enough" said
Kate, "but they are nothing to the Cos
sip. I'm tired of hearing it whispered
round that Mr.. johnson and his wife
had a quarrel in their room last night, )
or that Miss Robinson has worn three
new dresses this month, or that Mr..
Jewett came in ever so late the other
night, and it sounded as though he fell
upstairs. Babr and Kate looked as
scornful as a round face with a dimple
in it would allow.
al could stad everything else" said
Mamie, eff it was odly hobe-like. Oh!
il l could odly sit dowd in clead
kitched, with by feet in the stove owed,
and see braided mat in frod of the
stove with dice cat cd it, should be
perfegly habby."
Veal laughed at this idea of bliss,
but after the laugh there was sudden
silence, for each one of us recalled such
n kitchen, and the Presence that had
made it home-like.
We were not sisters, or even kin to
each other, but meeting as strangers in
city clearinghouse, strong friend
ship had grown up between us, start
ing, think, in the fact that we were
each orphaned and had our living to
earn, and strengthened by many con
genial tastes. We were doing our daily
duties in rather brave, cheerful way,
usually with few complaints, but to-
night we were under cloud. Outside,
q November rain was lashing the win
dows, and inside, the stove smoked.
1t was payday at the mandatory
where Kate was book. keeper, and that
was always hard day for her; Beth
had worried two of her dullest pupils
through theif music lesson; and / had
had time in school that afternoon with
awretch of q boy, and was at my wits
end what to do with him on the NOR
rDw; and Mamie was more than hall
aick-so we sat there quite still fol-
awhile. Finally Beth said: II suppose
we might make these rooms look a lit.
tie pleasanter We each have a few
pictures and knick-knacks.
"Do you suppose | would hang nv
few pictures against this awful paper?''
said Kate. Besides, what would be
the use? just as we got everything
nicely fixed some man would want the
room, and we should be invited to go
up higher. I've boarded in this
house two years, and in that time I've
advanced from the first floor back to
the third floor front, and two moves
more will take me out on the roof"
t'We blight go subwhere else" said
Mamie.
"Oh, you poor little innocensp'
laughed Beth. you'd 'change the
place ana keep the pain. They're all
about aike.n
AT this Mamie lifted such a woe
BECOME face that felt something must
be done.
I"Grls!" said /, in my most impressive
School-room manner.
But here there was an interruntion.
for Mamie left the rocking-chair and
rushed toward the bed.
''Oh, Nannie." cried Kate, "don't
muss the bed; it's hard enough any,
way" But she spoke too late, for un.
der the combined influence of home.
SICKNESS and influenza, Mamie had
flung herself on the bed in forlorn
little heap and was lifting up her voice
in q hoarSe cry.
'This was simply dreadful.
Beth and purred over and cuddled
her, and Kate slipped downstairs and
coaXed the cross kitchen-girl into max.
Ing a bowl of sage tea, and by the time
she was back with it the invalid was
sPmewhat comforted.
&When quiet was restored I smoke
again. "Girlsl let's go to housekeep.
ing" Mamie stopped the bowl half.
Wey to her lips, Beth sat upright on the
trunk, and Kate dropped the stick Of
wood in her hand back into the box.
Where's the furniture COMING
GomP" said she.
-HWho' Il pay the billsP" said Mamie.
-s:'Who'n do the workp" said Beth.
WHO was born south of Mason and
DNon's line.
S'We'H all do it." said I, answering
the last question first; land as for the
furnishing, that needn't cost so very
much; and about the bills--Kate. how
much do we all pay weekp'
~Four times five is twenty, and two
dollars for washing, makes twenty.
two" said Kate, with bookkeeping
promptness.
.ys'Why," said Beth, beginning to be
eager lots of families live on less than
That, and pay for everything out of it.
clothes and doctors bills and avery.
thing"
Wen, we talked till midnight, and
the more we talked the more feasible
the scheme seemed, and it was decided
that we should commence tenement
hunting the very next morning; and
sitter Beth and | had gone TO our own