Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-03-13

lJVlN.
~ es," said Helen.
/ "Of course said little Kate "And
II he hasn't been obliged to sell the
COW, We can perhaps have real creamy
Milk and now and then a little cot.
'age-ehees Oh, wouldn't that be
splendid?o
Helen could make bonnets for the
farmers wives, suggested Saba. THE
women out there know what a pretty
bonnet is as well as any one, only
they can't get it"
"BrayoT' criel Helen, clapping her
hands. Il do think | have rather a
genius for the businessr
And little Kate could 90 ont to
plain sewing by the day, among the
lnelghbors,' added Saba. "Or help
iaround in soap-making and preserving
Umes. There are good many who
would pay fifty cents a day and board
LOT 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 l couldn't
stay here, away from you. If you all
/ go, why, 50 will l."
Then went on Saba, 1--WE laid up
lsx dollars toward a winter cloak. Tn
Gle John wants it more than l do. I'll
keep it for HIM"
"There is my ten dollars in the saw
ings-bank," added Helen. 81 djd
want a pair of thick boots and warm
winter shawl. But if Uncle John is
really in need -
81 haven't saved any money" said
little Kate, sorrowfully. "How could
Lwith my wages of two dollars week {?
But will do all that can to help"
"You are dear. generous girls, both
Of you said Saba. 1T may be little
hard, just at first, but it is clearly our
duty to go to Uncle John. And will
write and tell him so this very night"
DO, said Helen. "I'll borrow Miss
Glitchs ink-bottle, and there are pen
and two sheets of paper in the wash
stand drawer. l can buy postage
stamp at the druggists on the corner. 3"
Wouldn't postal card be cheap
err? said wise little Kate.
But Saba shook her head.
.,ASwould You put Uncle Johns pow
- an q nostaI-card. for alli the world
TO readY" said she.
And little Kate ans wered, some
what abashed;
81 didn't think of that. only
thought of economizing a cent. [
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 one particular clerk put him.
self OUT to wait upon her.
"She has got a face like a daisy. )"
said the druggists clerk. "If ever l
marry, ! should like a wife like that
No, she's not much of customer of
ours, but | have seen her at church
meetings, and | walk home with her
sometimes of en- evening. She lives
IN Timm's tenement-house with her
sister and cousin, and works in Gra-
eeys store. That's all | know about
her, But she always makes one think
of wild-hower."
Uncle John Jaycox was sitting by
his liresde when his niece's letter
came. The fire of birch logs blazed
glorlously up the chimney a pair of
lat, home-lun candles glittered on the
table. In all the room there was an
evidence of gripping poverty.
y es, said Uncle John to tall
young man who sat opposite, 81 guess
III have you here to run the farm for
me- Israel Penfield. It's gettin' too
n'uch Tor me to manage alone. But as
ior some woman to keep house for me.
no" that Anastasia Grixon has been
fool enough to marry old Simpson
In what?-a letter? I'm obleeged
10 you, Mrs. Pinkney, Stop and take
warm while l read it, and I'll git yos
a basket Of gillifower apples to carry
nome afterward They're jest spilin'
TO be eaten, them gillihowers is"
But as he perused his letter. a curl
Gus expression stole over his rugged
features.
o"AeS awe! SAID he, stamping one
loot on the floor. "lYhat in creation
aoes all this mean? l guess we'll have
enough housekeepers, Israel. Here's
@y three nieces from New York a.
comm to live with me, because Mrs.
Ilhkney here has writ 'em that I've
iost my property. And they're goin,
70 take care of me. Well, l swanP'
4 didn't write no sichr whined
MIS- Pinlney, with rather an alarmed
dr. 81 only said you was dreadful
poor IN health. I meant the lumbago
aaa rheumatic. 81 didn't say nothin'
about money!
Nell' no matter what you said, nor
9nat you didn't say" declared Uncle
9onn' crumpling up the letter in his
uand and staring at the fire. "The
gas think I'm poor. and they're comm
4e'e 10 support me. and make a home
vi me in my old age-bless their
s'artsl don't know why they should
4 h. 4