Connecticut western news., 1885-06-17
A MENDING SCHOOL.

"'We belong, in truth, to a mighty and most splendid procession, building cities and founding empires on the way, but remaining forever the same joyful and unwearied pilgrims toward that un- known end which we believe to be the perfection of manhood and womanhood. Time for tears, indeed, we have, and in extinguishable pity for the weak and the waste of human kind I do not ob- serve" remarked Mrs. Christian, ''that this author has an inextinguishable de- sire to help the weak and the waste, to wipe his eyes and set to work for them. am tired of this eloquent bewailing. I want something done."
 "Less talk and more cider, suggested her brother. Do not read any more; you are getting hoarse."
 ''And also irritated," she admitted, and rising, put aside her book, then went to the invalid, laid sofa quilt across his feet, and lightly kissed his forehead. "While I am visiting you, Cyril" she said, 'I want to be doing something besides living in this great house and being waited upon like a princess"
 ''Pining for paupersp ? What branch of beneficenoe do you especially long for now?"
 "Well, l know you will laugh-to-day as I came through the avenue, walked before me two mill girls. One had her bonnet-strings pinned, not sewed on, and the other had long rip in her sleeve. l have thought of them and their associ- ates ever since; is is all they can do to earn their clothes without trying to make or mend them-they scarcely know how to do either. At first I thought should like to visit them and do their weekly mending, but that would be false kindness; far better to lead them to form habits of neatness. Did you ever hear of mending school ?"
 'No." s #s--
 ''Nor I. But why shouldn't one be as useful and successful as a cooking school or drawing school, or 8 school fol languages ?"
 "Give it up. But I hope you don't intend to invite the Great Unwashed here ?"
 "No. Cyril" she answered, gently not explaining, but knowing well that the class she wished to reach would no visit her brothers elegant home as ob. jects of charity. '.I have thought ol hiring 8 room in one of the poorer quarters of the city, and inviting as many as will to spend the evening with me there. You do not need me, as you retire so early, and I promise you I will not be less faithful in my services day. times"
 "You're good fellow, Helen, " said the young man, "and suppose ough not to object if you ache to be doing everybody's business besides your own But I'll see your room and go you ont better. I own building about blocl from here, and in it is small hall; tw, or three nights in the week it is let fo dances and one thing and another, bu the other evenings you may have it ren free" e
 "Oh, Cyril, how kind F she answered gratefully. '1 will make you first as sistant of the darning class as reward, and both laughed heartily.
 The next day an advertisement sp peared in daily paper thus:
 ''Wanted, one hundred working girl to form mending school. No fee re quired, but each pupil requested to brin two cents as nucleus for 8 fund wit which to purchase thread and needles.
 The name of the hall followed, an the evening on which 1t would b opened.
 It.was raw, chilly night when Mir Christian first entered the hall, whic was steam heated and gas-lighted. an though unpretending in other respects really looked cheerful and pleasant 4 one end was small platform which. '.hel cabinet organ, used by societies whic frequented the place. Mrs. Christia saw with pleasure that 1t was ur locked, and then spied an anterool which she decided would do excellent to deposit outer garments in, and ther upon hung her own bonnet and sha, on some hooks, of which there was g abundant supply. She had scarcel doneso when footsteps sounded on tt stairs leading to the hall, and she wake toward them to receive the newcomer She could not be otherwise than hant some and stately, for so had nature ei dowed her; but she was also blesse with winning smile and sweet voic and the group of five young women tn appeared, huddling together in en barrassment, thawed from somewh sulky and silent demeanor, and r sponded with some degree of courtel