The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-04-16
MATTE Van WYeK'S STORY.
BY HErTIE ,. POTTER.

The fire burned low in the little home
Of the Van Wycks; nothing was heard
but the ticking of the clock and the
purring of the old gray cat. The night
was frosty without, the tall pine trees
cast their long shadows across the snow
everything seemed tranquil to Matte
Van Wyck as she looked out of the
window, then going back to the stove,
stirred the scanty fire.
The Van Wycks were very well-to-
do few years back, Mr.. Van Wyck
having had quite a property left him
but being an easy-going man and not
having the ability to make money, his
property gradually slipped through his
hands; and after selling his farm and
paying his debts, left him but little.
He decided to go West, and finally
drifted up into Northern town, buying
aiittle home which took nearly all he
had. He worked hard in the pineries
and kept his family supplied from day
to day; but from severe exposure, con-
tracted q hard cold and died, leaving
his wife and four children to the mer-
-cies of northern winter.
The oldest child. Matte, was bright,
energetic little girl of Is. She was at
tending school, but would have to give
1t up for while at least, and stay at
home to help her mother, who by TAX
ing In sewing had kept the wolf from
the door ever since her fathers death
Matte had sat up later than usual to
do her sums, and now, with her chin
resting on her hands, sat looking in
tently into the fire, wondering what
she could do to help along. The prob
lem was hard one for slender girl,
and she gave it up for the night, and,
locking up the house, took her light
and trotted off to bed.
The next day was Sunday. After
the frugal breakfast, the dishes were
washed and the house put to rights
Mrs. Van Wyck go+ the children ready
for Sunday-school, combed their hair,
made them look as neatly as possible,
all except Johnnie, who was "a sturdy
little fellow with black eyes and red
cheeks. He had played hard and
stubbed out his boots, so he would have
to stay at home for while till Provi-
dence or Santa Claus sent him some
new ones. He made up quite lip, and
q big tear rolled down his cheek as he
looked out of the window after his sis
tiers; but "he must dry his eyes and be
a good little boy" his mother said, "for
some day he would be man, and take
care of them all"
johnnie caught the idea at once,
climbed down from the window and
busted himself helping his mother by
bringing in wood, and in various ways
an1 xyoa va,.y bon,v The ,1ox, caI
quietly and pleasantly; the children
.came home each with fresh new book.
In the evening, as they were seated
aronnd the table reading, Matte broke
the silence by saying:
Mother, l wish 1 could write a
stery. When we were at the
library to-day l heard Lusie Foster
telling Gertie Manning that she had an
aunt in Boston who wrote stories and
made lots of money. Now if I could
only do something ike that how nice it
would be-"
@You might try, Matte" her mother
replied; eve never know what we can
do till we've tried"
IF / only knew what to write about. +"
Write about your home, brother and
sisters" Mrs. Van Wyck suggested
Matte was quite imbued with the
idea. and went and got paper and pen
ell. If she could only make some
money, all herself, buy some new boots
for Johnnie, ONE mittens for Amy
and Christmas would soon be here, and
how nice it would be to surprise them
all.
She sat down and began. 1t was not
40 al h,,f ha En.Nt I.I.cxo,t1x, "A
1T All the spare time she had, her
mother being busy at the machine from
early morning till late at night.
The close of the term was near at
hand, and in three weeks-the holidays.
Matte looked pretty sober; she told
her mother she had written about her
home, but she thought the story need
ed brighter side, and was afraid she
would have to give it up. Her mother
told her she had good beginning and
not to worry any way, as she was 9
great help TO her. and as soon as she
could, would send her to school again
Mzttie took hor books and trudged Il
school with heavy heart. She hac
PLANNED so many little surprises viii
the money she would get, that to fai
with her story was bitter disappofnt
mcnt; but she studied hard and hat
her lessons. One day she noticed M
unusual excitement among some of hei
.scheeImates, and overheard one littl,
girl saying TO another that Graci,
Thornton was going to give a birthday
party the next evening"" Matte though
no moro about it, till on her way bonn,
bright thought struck her; she