The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-10-08
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE.
BY HELEN FORREST

It was no luxurious repast of butter
ed toast, fragrant Oolong, honey and
preserves; no comfortable repast of
cold fowl, tongue, ported meats and
biscuit hot from the oven!
When Saba Thorn called it "tea,' -
she merely used a conventionalism. 1t
was only a scanty meal of bakers
bread, with pot of cheap butter, little
smoked beef, which had been brought
from the corner grocer's in q brown
paper cover, and some milk and water,
blue and tasteless; for Saba and her
two cousins found it necessary to
economize very strictly indeed.
Saba worked for an upholsterer. All
day long she stitched pillow ticks and
tufted mattresses in dark little room,
where there was a prevailing smell of
rancid geese-feathers.
Her cousin Helen stood behind the
counter of milliner's shop on the Bow
cry; and little Kate-the youngest of
the three was ''packer" in a fancy
store. and could do up more neat paper
parcels in given time than you would
believe possible.
They were all three pallid and color
less, like plants that had grown in a
cellar. They all three had a certain
languor of manner, and spoke in low,
suppressed voices.
They lived together in this one room
with a little alcove running out of it,
because it was the cheapest mode Of
ings, dubbed togeather, could be laid
out to better advantage than if expend.
ed singly. Moreover, to these poor,
homeless girls there was home feel
ing in being together.
II don't feel hungry" said Helen,
with a grimace.
II am so tired of bread and butterv'
sighed little Kate. "Oh, if could only
have some of the stewed grapes that
mother used to make!''
"Oh, that reminds me-" said Saba.
taking letter off the mantle. 1--we
heard from old Mrs. Pin'kney. She
wants us to buy fashion:lbl bonnet
for her-garnet velvet, with long
plume eff we can get it for q dollar
and half; and to look out for bargain
in crimson merino for Louisa James
winter fr0ck. She wants the verV best
quality, and she can't go higher than
81 cents yard. And she wishes tn
| know if we are acquainted with any,
body in the business who will dye over
her pea green silk skirt at halt price. -
Helen shrugged her shoulders.
'She must think that we have plenty
of time to execute her commissions, -
said she.
"Merino for 81 cents a yard!" cried
little Kate. ''And a hat of velvet for a
dollar and half. Does the woman ex-
pect impossibilities?''
but that isn't ALL" said Saba.
Uncle John is very poor. She thinks
his relations ought to look after him. -
"Uncle joint said Kate.
"Poor!'' echoed Helen.
"But what has become of all his
money! said little Kate, intently
knitting her brows.
''lm sure don't Know said Saba.
| Mrs. Pinkney doesn't 20 into parti.
culars. All the rest of the letter is
about the sewing-society, and the
chicken cholera, which has carried of
so many of her fowls.''
HE must have been persuaded into
investing in some of those dreadful
mining stocks!'' said little Kate. a.
'But, girls, said Saba, "what are
we to dop''
Precisely what he has always done
for us, said Helen-''let him alone. -
mo, no, Helen!' pleaded little Kate.
Don't talk so. Remember, he is the
only uncle we have got. He was our
mothers brother - ~.. ri
"And what has ever done for usp''
retorted Helen bitterly. "a:
"That don't signify reasoned Saba,
He is old and feeble: He needs our
care. That is enough
''Gaba is right" urged little Kate.
"Uncle John must not be left to die
alone.'' -.... 81.
"But what can we do?'' said Helen.
1--WE can't bring him heren''
NO. said Saba. lit would break
his heart to take him away from the
pine forests. We must 20 to him. -
''And all starve together" said Hell
en-. II don't see that that would be
much of an improvement on the pres
ent state of things
'.Listen!'' said Saba, lifting an au-
lucrative foretinger. From q trifling
seniority in years, and a some
what greater experience in the world
of work, Saba had become quite an or
acle in the trio. 1--WE been consider.
ing it. l can do the homework fol
Uncle John.''
"Yes,'' said Helen.
'.Of course said little Kate. ..'And
If he hasn't been obliged to sell the COW
we can perhaps, have real creamy milk,
and now and then q little cottage
cheese. Oh, wouldn't that be splen.
didp''
..Helen could make bonnets for the
farmers wlves,'' suggested Saba.
1.-The women out there know what q
pretty bonnet is as well as any one,
only they can get It,
bravo" cried Helen, clapping hel
hands. do think / have rather q
genius for the business!''
..And little Kate could go out to plain
sewing by the day, among the neigh.
bors, or help around in soap-making
or preserving times. There are good
many who would pay 50 cents . day
and board for good, intelligent help.
y And that ID q deal more than she earns
here. >
Little Kate looked rather sober.
II have my doubts about that plan