Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-07-09
MATTE VAN WYCK'S STORY.

The fire burned low in the little
home of the Van Wyck's; 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
ard paying his debts, left him but
little. He decided to go West, and
finally drifted up into. Northern
town, buying little home which took
nearly all he had. He had worked
hard in the pineries and kept his family
supplied from day to day; but from
severe exposure. contracted hard
cold and died, leaving his wife and
four children to the mercies of north
ern winter.
The oldest child, Matte, was a
bright. energetic little girl of Is. She
was attending school, but would have
to give it up for while at least, and
stay at home to help her mother. who
by taking 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 how, with
her chin resting on her hands, sat
looking intently into the fire, won
dering what she could do to help
along. The problem was a 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 got 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 a while till
Providence or Santa Clause sent him
some new ones. He made up quite a
lip, and big tear rolled down his
cheek as he looked out of the window
after his sisters; but ''he must to dry
his eyes and be good little boy,"
his mother said, '''for some day he
would be a man, and take care of
them all.
Johnnie caught the idea at once,
climbed down from the window and
buisied himself helping his mother
by bringing in wood, and in various
ways; and was very happy. The day
passed quietly and plea sanity; the
children came home each with fresh
new book.
In the evening, as they were seated
around the table reading, Matte broke
the silence by saying:
"Mother, wish / could write sto-
ry. When we were at the library
to-day heard Lusie Foster telling
Gertie Manning that she had an aunt
in Boston who wrote stories and made
lots of money. Now if / could only
do something like that how nice it
would be-"
"You might try, Matte" her mo.
Their replied; 1--WE never know what
we can do till we've tried"
IF l only knew what TO write
about
"WIite about your home, brother
and sisters" Mrs. Van Wick suggest
ed.
Matte was quite imbued with the
idea, and went and got paper and pen
Gil. If she could only make some
money, all herself, buy some new boots
4 for. 10 t,,ift for Inns N Il
| Christmas would soon be here, and
how nice it would be to surprise them
all.
She sat down and began. 1t was
not an easy task, but she kept dilgent-
ly at it 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 al
hand. and in three weeks--the Holt
days. Matte looked pretty sober; she
told her mother she had written about
her home, but she thought the story
needed brighter side, and was afraid
she would have to give it up. HeI
mother told her she had good begin
ning, and not to worry any way, as
she was great help to her, and as
soon as she could, would send her tC
school again. Matte took her books
and trudged to school with heavy
heart. She had planned SO many
little surprises with the money she
would get, that to fail with her story
was bitter disappointment; but she
studied hard and had her lessons. One
day she noticed an unusual excitement
among some of her schoolmates, anC
overheard one little girl saying to an
other "that Oracle Thornton was goins
to give birthday party the next eve
ming" Matte thought no more abou
thought struck her; she walked NOR,
briskly and rushed into the house, ex
claiming, "Oh, mother! Oracle Thorn
ton is going to give party tomorrow
evening, and il / could only CO." He
mother looked at her IN amazement
and said: why, Matte, don't be
lieve you want to GO. Oracle Thorn
ton belongs TO certain little set
who are wealthy and dress nicely lik
herself" .'But / don't mean to g
that way. l would like to 60 an,
help them some way, help pass re
freshments, something like that. Nc
Their, / want to see their elegant house
and then can put it in my story, I
brighten it up. Don't you think yo
can help meP" pleaded Matte.
. Col. Thornton was wealthy banke
: then, had fine residence and grounds
Mrs. Van Wyck had taken some sew
ing to do for them, and this Is hoy
Matte thought perhaps, her mothe
might intercede for her.
: The next morning after she ma