Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-03
ALA BLESSED HOURS"
What Two Economical Girls Did With just
Seventeen Cents and a half, Leaving Hal
Cent to Spare.


We had wanted so much to furnish
the paTlOr this fall, Bessie and |. But
when poor, Overworked papa, who super
intended two Sunday schools and drudged
in a bank-when dear papa went to Canada,
we knew it was not to be thought Of.
But Bessie, who took Blessed Hours,
with its charming 'Home Department, y
our dear, Sunny-iaced Bessie was not bit
discouraged.
do YOU see that" she said, drawing me
to the front window one day, and pointing
with an air of delightful mystery to the
ash barrel.
But WHAT began, in bewilderment.
''Wait and seer said Bessie, sparkingly.
When | came into the parlOr next morn
ing stood transtiXed and gazed ccStati-
cally.
The ash barrel stood IN the middle of the
room. Had it not been for the aroma OF
decayed vegetables, with which it filled the
air, | should hardly have recognized 1t. a
piece of brightly-fgured cretonne covered
its top; and green paper cambria descend
ing to the floor, with charming finish of
brow n paper, gayly ruttled and pinked on
the edge, competed the most striking and
picturesque centre table in the world.
Bessie stood near, enjoying my astonish-
ment and admiration.
what will we do with the asheS?'
said, wonderingly.
Leave them in the range" said Bessie,
brightly.
After that, the work of furnishing the
narlor went on iOyOuSly. With Blessed
Hours always before us, and with our own
busy brains and deft fingers, 1t was a
sweetly absorbing pastime.
An old cheese-clOth pOlouaiSe of BcSSle'S
did nicely for curtains. The places where
the tucks had been let down were conSplcu-
Gus, to be sure; but one hardly thought OF
that-the effect OF papa's Old red suPenders,
which loOped them back, was so daintiIy
pretty.
Dear Bessie planned another surprise for
me.
Look she said, covering my eyes and
leading me to corner OF the parlor.
1t was occupied by our next nelShbor's
chicken-coop standing on three empty
spools, the whole neatly stained wlthpoEe-
berry juice.
"A what-notr cried in rapture.
Il brought in after dark said Bessie
gayly.
A costly tempting easy-chair was made
from two soap-boxes, piled up and stuck
together with haudOline, and covered with
a blithe piece of calico. A scallOped paper,
which had come on top OF cake, made q
lovely tidy.
Dear old Aunt Nabby stopped i'll on her
way to precious home meeting Just as we
finished it.
''What girls they aren' she said, her
peaceful of face lighting up as our parlor
burst upon her.
''Try our easy chair, Aunt Nabby, said
Bessie, pressing her into it.
| suppose it was because the bandOline
was not thick enough that the upper soap
box came off just then.
Don't let this discourage yOu, dears, y
said Aunt Nabby, with gentle gayety, as
we helped her from the room.
A pretty and capacious catch-all was
made from one BeSsie'S OverShOeS, taste
fully vanished and fastened to the wall
with tack which we first carefully polish
ed. When it il was not in use as q catch
all, she wore it as usual. This, together
with a CHEEKY bent-pin receiver, an old
tomato-can hung up with delicious bit of
pink Irvine, frightened our wall, once so
bare, and gave the finishing touch to our
dear, cosy, delightfully."- hOmesCme little
parlor.
"And all for seventeen cents and half!'
we said, sObbing on each Others necks with
half-incredulous joy.