Connecticut western news., 1885-06-17

self and then girl alone, others in twos and threes. Mrs. Christian all the time remaining near the door and receiving as hostess would her guests till about forty were present, when the influx suddenly ceased, and but two or three came later. When she turned away from the door she found her visitors looking expectant, and scarcely knew what step next to take, for though she had some experience in mission schools and reformatories, here were neither children nor criminals. Love and en- thusiasm taught her tact, and she went forward"'into the midst of them" like a mighty teacher of old, and said, in a voice clear and cordial, 'I am very glad to see each and every one of you, and I hope this Is the first of series of meet ings in this hall that will aid us to be- come well acquainted and perhaps teach us all something. I am going to open mending school, and if you will each bring your weeks mending to this hall, I will show you how to do it in the best manner and help you to do 1t. It will not cost you anything except for needles and thread"
 "I know how to mend my clo'es we'll enough" growled sulky young woman behind her.
 "Thenyou are just the person want, :" said Mrs. Christian, tarning around promptly. "For if as many come as I hope, you see shall need help in teach ing; SO may I Idepend on you2'
 The young woman muttered an awk- ward Maybe" and two or three gig gled.
 ''Did yer mane ye'd darn our stock in's fer us ?" said slim and small per- son. ~ Es
 "Yes, if you can not learn to do 1t your self," said the lady. #.
 "Shame on yer, Katy O'Neil P said several voices.
 "Not at all," said Mrs. Christian. "I will show you, Katy, next Saturday night"
 ''Td be glad to get dress cut" re- marked another.
 "That may come later, but first we will do all the mending."
 ''Saturday nights we goes to dances, |" volunteered young girl with banged hair and long brass earrings.
 'This hall will be as warm and pleas ant as the dance hail." answered Mrs. Christian, with smile at the speaker.
 '.I guess ain't going to work all day and sew all night. I'd rather take walk, or go to the theater."
 ''It will soon be too cold to take evening walks" said the undiscouraged teacher, "and you will find it agreeable to be in warm room with pleasant company. If there is anybody here who peeds a stitch taken tonight, it would make good beginning" she added. 'I brought needles and thread with me-"
 A girl standing near had been swing ing her bonnet by it's ribbons while listening and gazing, and one had broken loose. This she held up shyly, urged thereto by her companions with visible pushes and audible whispers, "You, Lizzie P and "Go ahead, why don't you ?" and dozen crowded round while Mrs. Christian seated her in Q good light, selected thread and needle, and uttered aphorisms familiar to those whose youth blossomed in the days when hand-sewing was necessity.
 'Thread the end that comes of the spool first. Thread has right and wrong way, like everything else. A short thread and long needle. To put the needle in slowly and draw it through quickly makes easy, durable, and beautiful sewing"
 A smothered laugh was heard, and another girl showed torn lining in her sacque, and was promptly seized by Mrs. Christian. The contagion spread; a pinned ruffle was sewed up, hole in somebody's pocket mended, ragged cuff neatly repaired, and conversation spread among the workers, while laughter now and then indicated good. humor. Some, however, looked lonely and sat aloof. and it was to reach these that Mrs. Christian said, after while: "I think little music would be pleasant before we separate. will sing to you first, and then perhaps you will sing with me-" The wind blew and the frost stung of-doors, but she struck few chords on the organ and sang song ful of the hum of bees, the rustic of leaves and the twitter of birds. Then tht plaintive notes of that song of songs Sweet Home," trembled in the air and after this, teacher and pupils parted Mrs. Christian took pains to speak tt each separately, inviting them to com, again and bring work next time, anG went home herself with light in hel eyes and glow in her heart.
 She perceived there would be room for more than one teacher, and invited several young ladies to join her. On was Miss Freeman, the daughter of tha potentate the president of the college for this was university town as well a mill town, and mighty were presiden and professors, and much revered by al save the youth in their charge. Mrs Lloyd, sister to Miss Freeman, and he friend Miss Slowcome, also volunteers with much zeal and genuine desire t to be useful.
 As the hour for the next session of tn l mending school approached, Mrs. Chris ' tian hoped Cher girls," as she calle : them to herself, would choose to com l to her rather than walk the streets-th l streets of city full of peril and pitfalls 7 wilder than forest, more dangerou l khaY, O 1uioksond Shn mad n0k hay