The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-01-24
THE HOME COOPERATIVE SOCIETY.
BY HESTER STUART.

"Pm sick of it," said Kate, dashing a
handful of hair pins upon the table, and
letting big brown braid go tumbling
down her back.
$50 am /" said Beth.
$50 ab l." said Mamie who was suffer
ing with dreadful cold.
What is it, girls?" said I turning
my book face down in my lap.
It's the suppers," said Beth.
Its the everlasting gossip" said
Kate.
Its SO differed from hobe," said
Mamie, to whom boarding house life
was new experience.
It's all three, and much more" was
what [ wanted to say, but being the
Oldest of the four, it seemed my duty to
make the best OF things; so | said quite
cheerfully, 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 1 feel like
gnashing my teeth at the sight of them
| should like a slice of toast or bowl of
bread and milk occasionally, without
being made to feel that l had disar-
ranged the whole internal economy of
the house"
"The suppers are bad enough" said
Kate, but they are nothing to the gos-
sip. I'm tired of hearing 1T whispered
round that Mr.. johnson and his wife
had quarrel in their room last night,
or that Miss Robinson has worn three
pew dresses this month"; or that Mr.
Jewett came IN ever so late the other
night, and it sounded as though he fell
UPSTAIRS Rahp and Kate looked as
scornful as round face with a dlmple
in it would allow.
II could stand everything else" said
Mamie, If 1t was odly hobe-ike. Obi
if | could odly sit down in clead
kitched, with my feet in the stove owed,
ad see a braided mat in frod of the
stove with dice cat on it, I should be
perfegly habby."
We ali laughed at this idea of bliss,
but after the laugh there was a sudden
silence, for each one of US recalled such
a kitchen, and the presence that had
made it home like.
We Were not sisters, or even kin to
each other, but meeting as strangers in
city boarding house, stIohg friend
ship had grown up between us, starting,
/ thluk, III the fact that we were each
orphaned and had our living to earn,
aud strengthened by many congenial
tastes. We we're doing our daily duties
III rather brave, cheerful way, usually
with few complaints, but tonight we
4 al. 4, ~
Der rain was flashing the windows, and
inside, the stove smoked.
1t was payday at the manufactorv
where Kate was bookeeper, and that
was always 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 a boy, and was at my wits end to
know what to do with him on the NOR,
row; and Mamie was more than half
sick-so We sat there quite still for
awhile. Finally Beth spoke: II sup
pose we might make these rooms look q
little pleasanter. We each have few
pictures and knick- kuacks."
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 tue ROOM
and we should be invited to go up
higher. I've boarded in this house two
years, and i'll 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
We blight so subwhere else," said
Mamie.
"Oh you poor little iunocentl' laughed
Beth. You'd change the place and
keep the pain They're all about
alike"
At this Mamie lifted such woe be.
gone face that felt something must be
done.
Girls! y said I, in my most impressive
school-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
blned influence of homesickness and
influenza, 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 L purred over and cuddled
her, and Kate slipped down. stairs 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 10
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 bills?" said Mamie
Who'll do the work ?" said Beth. who
was born south of Mason and Dixon's
line.
We'll all do it, said +. answering
the last question first; "and as for the
furnishing, that needn't cost so very
much; and about the bills-Kate, now
much do We all pay a week?"
-Four times five is twenty, ard two
dollars for washing, makes twenty two"