The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-11-19

"A Attlo tnlnly-QfeSSeQ Glrl stood In
the hall. She was strang1ing q sob in
her apron, and at the 81 ht of Jenny
seemed half inclined to run away.
20, please, Miss Forde," she falter-
ed, would you lend mother lump of
coal? She's got one of her bad head
aches-and the fires went oat-and
it's so cold-and Alice and me don't
know what to do" Another sob
rounded the sentence like a period.
Hard-hearted as it sounds, Jenny's
first impulse was to refuse. She did
not know these neighbors of hers, and
"Once begin; you never know when it
will STOP" crossed her mind.
Another look at the sweet, wan
face of the child changed her determi-
nation.
Eyes, she said; "come in, and I'll
lend you bit. Have you brought
something to carry it mp
20, please, I'll take it in my hand.
Such mite of hand.
THAT won't do at ALL" cried Jenny.
MY coal is all fine; there are no large
pieces. Here, I'll take my scuttle and
throw some on your fire. You're Mrs.
Denis girl, I think?"
"Yesm.'
So downstairs they went. and the
little guide opened the door of a bare
room, and revealed Mrs. Denis lying
on the bed under a huddled heap of
clothes, and still smaller child site
ting, with tear-glazed cheeks, beside
the almost extinguished fire. Tim
room felt alarming1y chill, and whed
.IAnnv on0ko fhoYo r0v>1v
the figure on the bed looked so white
loud thump for fear.
Hastily mending the lire, she ran up
stairs, filling saucepan with hot water
from her own kettle, and hurrying
back, began to battle the head of the
sick woman. To her great relief, Mrs.
Denis presently opened her eyes, and
feebly uttered: 20, that feels good!"
I'm glad it does. Here, III dip
the cloth into the hot water again for
you
us 1t you, Miss Forde? It's mighty
kindly you are.'
20, it's nothing in business
like way. Don't talk. Keep quite
still, and your head IL be better soon. =
1T begins to be better Already
whispered Mrs. Denis, after a few
minutes stiffness. my headaches
always 60 off quick at the end. But
you are standing all this while. Nanny,
bring a chair, Nanny"
ut don't hurt rue bit to stand -
declared Jenny; I'm used to it.
Sometimes when I am cutting out
work 1 keep on my feet for half a day
at time, and never mind it,
"Ah, it must be good to have plenty
of work. sighed Mrs. Denis. 1--WE
seen people going up stairs with their
bundles, and l have envied you, per-
haps, only it was something to be glad
for that there was some one had all
she could do, even if hadn't
The patient sweetness of this speech
touched Jenny. She could not speak
quite steadily as she asked: ''Have you
no work at all?''
"Next to none. l did a petticoat
for Mrs. Mailory-that's in the base
ment, you know-and tried some of
those slop overalls from Riggs. But
it's hard man he is, and only four
teen cents pair; and what's that for
days work? I'd take anything,
though. almost, that I could get, for
l want it sore for the children's sake"
''Now you must not talk-you really
mustn't said Jenny alarmed at the
flush which had arisen in the pale
cheeks. ''Do try to 20 to sleep. I'll
look to the children's supper. Don't
worry yourself about anything, and
tomorrow, when you're better, we'll
talk about work, and see what can be
done.'
All her warm little heart was alive
now.
what selfish thing l ann she
meditated, when, after making the
children comfortable for the night. she
went back to her own fire and work.
II almost refused that poor baby the
coal. Jennie Forde, I'm afraid you'r re
no better than Pharisee. You've got
into habit of passing by on the other
side-looking out for number one, and
letting other people take care of them
selves. You may call it minding your
own business as loud as you like; say
you're pig And her philanthropy
broadening under this self-rebuke, i
bright thought Just then came to her.
''Why not?'' she said. ''Mrs. Mer-
edith's turkey is big enough, I'm sure.
It's burning shame that should have
so much and they nothing. I'll ask
'e1n all up to dinner, and give them
one nice Thanksgiving. as sure as my
name is Jenny Forde.'
It was like fairy dream to the Denis
children when next day Jenny came
down stairs with her invitatation. And
what dinner it turned out to be!
What additionally delicious turkey!
what lovely cranberry! what pie! All!
no one can thoroughly enjoy such a
meal, save those to whom dinners do
not come every day. 1t is impossible.
During the long evening Jenny
learned the history of her new friends.
1t was common story of widowhood
and poverty, with one brighter feature
"a sailor brother who had been $50
kind"
''Poor Jim! if l only could know
where he is to-day!' 81 he'd Mrs. Den
is. ''It's fifteen months since he
sailed, and never a word all that time,
Miss Forde. He left all his back wages
for us-the blessed boy that he is. It's
his hearts blood he'd give me and the
children if he could. And it's we'll off
we'd be at this moment if it wasn't for
that sorrow of savings bank, which
went and broke with all in it. He
doesn't suspect the straits we're in and
it's am glad for he'd fret sorely, Jim
would. His ship is a China trader,
Miss Forde. Second mate he sailed
this time, and he's half promised the
first mates place if he goes again.
His employers think the world of him.
And why not? for there's no one like
jim"
"How good turkey is!' said Nanny,
who was drying the time-honored
wishbone before the fire. ''It's quite
done, Miss Forde, think. May I wish
it now?''
"Yes. Take hold of one end and
I'll take the other. Now we must
each wish. I wish your Uncle jim
would come home quick, and safe and
sound.''
"Why, that's my wish tool" screamed
little Nanny, as the bone cracked and
! flow asnndor