Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-01-21
The HONE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY,

the HOME COOPERATIVE SOCIETY,
BY HESTER STUART.
I'm sick of it," said Kate, dashing 9
handful Of hair'pin upon the table, and
letlug big brown braid go tumbine
down her back.
$50 am l." said Beth.
$50 40 II" said Mamie who was suffer
ing with dreadful cold.
"Whst is it, girls?" said I turning
my book face down in my lap.
Its the suppers," said Beth.
Its the everlasting gossip" said
Kate.
"lt's so differed from hobe," said
Mamie, to whom boarding house life
was new experience.
Its all three, and much more" was
what l wanted to say, but being the
Oldest of the four, it seemed my duty to
make the best of things; so I said quite
oheerfuily, Il didn't see anything I'M
usual about the supper tonight"
That's the trouble" groaned Beth.
1T was altogether too usual. am so
tired OF bread and butter and apple
sauce and dry cake that I feel like
guashlng my teeth at the sight of them.
l should like slice of toast or bowl of
bread and milk occasionally, without
being made to feel that had disar-
ranged the whole internal economy of
the house."
"Tbe suppers are bad enough" said
Kate, "but they are nothing to the gos-
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 80 late the other
night, and it sounded as though he fell
UPSTAIRS BAIL" and Kate looked as
in it would allow.
Il could stand everything else," said
Mamie, IF it was odly hobe-ike. Oh!
if could odly sit down in clead
kitohed, with my feet in the stove owed,
ad see braided mat in frod of the
stove with dice cat on it, I should be
perfegly habby."
We all laughed at this idea of bliss,
but after the laugh there was sudden
silence, for each one of us recalled such
q kitchen, and the presence that had
made it home like.
We were not sisters, or even kin to
each other, but meeting ~ strangers in
q CITY boarding house, q strong friend
ship had grown up between us, starting,
think, in the fact that we were each
orphaned and had our living to earn,
and strengthened by many oongenial
tastes. We were doing our daily duties
in rather brave, cheerful way, usually
with few complaints, but tonight we
were under cloud. Outside, Novem-
Der rain was lsshing the windows, and
inside, the stove smoked.
1t was payday at the mandatory
where Kate was bookeeper, and that
was always q hard day for her; Beth
had worried two of her dullest pupils
through their music lessons; and had
had time that afternoon with wretch
OF boy, and was at my wits end to
know what to do with him on the NOR
row; and Mamie was more than half
siok-so We sat there quite still for
awhile. Finally Beth spoke: II sup
pose We might make these rooms look q
little pleassnter. We each have few
pictures and ok-knacks."
do you suppose Id hang my 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 70 up
higher. I've boarded in this hous., 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"
ave blight 60 subwhere else," said
Mamie.
"Oh you poor little inuocentl" laughed
Beth. You'd change the place and
keep the PAIN They're all about
alike"
At this Mamie lifted such q woe-be-
gone face that felt something must be
done.
"Girls!" said I. in my most impressive
sohool.room manner.
But here there was an interruptinr,
for Mamie left the rocking chair and
rushed toward the bed.
"Oh. Nannie!" caied Kate" don't muss
the bed it's hard enough anyway But
she spoke too late, for under the COM
bined influence of inconsistencies and
ipauepzs, Mamie had flung herself on
the bed in forlorn little heap, and was
lifting up her voice in 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 bowl Of sage tea, and by the time
she was back with it the invalid was
somewhat comforted. -.
When quiet was restored, I spoke
again.
"Girls! let's go to housekeeping"
Mamie stopped the bowl halfway to
her lips, Beth sat upright on the trunk.
and Kate dropped the stick of wood in
her baud and back into the box.
"Where's the furniture coming from ?"
said she.
who'll pay the bills2" said Mamie.
who'll do the work :" said Beth, who
was born south of Mason and Dixon's
line.
"We'll oil do it," said I, answering
the last question first; and @ for the
furnishing, that needn't cost 90 very
much; and about tho bills-Kate, how
much do We oil pay . weekl''' y~-~sx-.,.-r
-Four times dve Ii twenty, md two
dollars for washing, makes tventy tsso,"