The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-03-05

neighbors," added Saba "Or help
around in soap-making and preserving
times. There are a good many who
would pay fifty cents day and board
for good, intelligent help. And that
a deal more than she earns here"
Little Kate looked rather sober.
81 have my doubts about that plan
working" said she. "But 1 couldn't
stay here, away from you. If you all
so, why, so will l."
"Then," went on Saba, "rve laid up
six dollars toward a winter cloak. Un-
Gle John wants it more than l do. I'll
keep it for him."
"Therc is my ten dollars in the saw
inys-bank," added Helen. 81 did
want pair of thick boots and a warm
winter shawl. But if Uncle John is
really in need"
81 haven't saved any money" said
little Kate, sorrowfully. "IIow could
I,with my wages of two dollars week? ?
But will do all that l can to help
"You are dear, generous girls, both
of you," said Saba. at may be alittle
hard, just at first, but it is clearly our
duty to go to Uncle John. And l will
write and tell him so this very night"
"Do," Said Helen. "I'll borrow Miss
Clitch's ink-bottle, and there are pen
and two sheets of paper in the wash
stand drawer. I can buy postage
stamp at the druggists on the corner" ;"
Wouldn't postal card be cheap
err" said wise little Kate.
But Saba shook her head.
"Would you put Uncle Johns pow
ertyl on a postal-card, for all tie world
to readY" said she.
And little Kate answered, some
what abashed:
81 didn't think of that. l only
thorght Of eccnomizing a cent. 1
wonder if the time will ever come
when we don't have to think of saw
ing?'
And little Kate put on her bonnet
and tripped around to the druggists
where enc particular clerk put him.
self out to wait upon her.
"She has got face like a daisy"
said the druggists clerk. "If ever I
marry, I should like wife like that!
No, she's not much of a customer of
ours, but have seen her at church
meetings, and walk home with her
sometimes of an evening. She lives
in Timm's tenement-house with her
sister and cousin, and works in Gra-
! cey's store. That's all 1 know about
her. But she always makes one think
of wild-hower."
Uncle John Jaycox was sitting by
his fireside when his niece's letter
came. The fire Of birch logs blazed
gloriously up the chimney; a pair of
fat, home-lun candles glittered on the
table. In all the room there was an
evidence of gripping poverty.
EYES," said Uncle John to a tall
young man who sat opposite, 81 guess
III have you here to run the farm for
me, Israel Penfeld. It's gettin' too
much for me to manage alone. But as
for some woman to keep house for me,
now that Anastasa Grixon has been
fool enough to marry old Simpson
Eh? what?-a letter? I'm obleeged
to you, Mrs. Pinkney! Stop and take a
warm while 1 read it, and I'll git you
a basket of gillifower apples to carry
home afterward. They're Jest spilin'
to be eaten, them gillillowers is"
But as he perused his letter, a curl
Gus expression stole over his rugged
features.
"Sakes alive!" said he, stamping one
foot on the floor. "What in creation
does all this mean? guess We'll have
enough housekeepers, Israel. Here's
my three nieces from New York a.
comm to live with me. because Mrs.
Pinkney here has writ 'em that I've
lost my property. And they're goin'
to take care of me- Well, swami"
81 didn't write no sichp whined
Mrs. Pininey, with rather an alarmed
air. 81 only said you was dreadful
poor in health. l meant the lumbago
and rheumatic. II didn't say nothin'
about money!
"Well, no matter what you said, nor
what you didn't say" declared Uncle
John, crumpling up the letter in his
hand and staring at the fire. "The
gals think I'm poor. and they're comm
here to support me. and make home
, for me in my old age-bless their
heartsl don't know why they should
do it." he added, with a conscience.
, stricken face. 81 never did nothin'
for them. And Kate and Helen are
my sister James darters, and Saba is
Hepsy's only child. And they're
workin' for livin,' and I've got
more'n | know what to do with. tt
a shame, now amt it, that things is Sc
, | uneypnlv divided 2''