The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-12-24

A oona and jim had their teeth
when | took them. You know |
lost one when 1t was teethln
pears to me like / can never be
satisfied about it. Pm so afeerd |
nussed it wrong" Her big blue
eyes filed with tears, and the
CHEEKY face grew momentarily
overcast.
$50 you've adopted SIX Children
l exclaimed.
eyes. But" regretfully, "JO
says we can't take no more, tor
these is as many as We can support
aud take proper care OF. You see,
the girls is all weakly and tender
like. Adella aud Altoona is gittin'
bigger and can help right smart.
They dropped corn aud picked cot
ton some this year, but we never
let 'em go out till the dew's off the
grass, aud Jo sends 'em an hour by
sun, 50 they can all have u good
play. Bat it's time we wos going;
father'll be tired waiting tor u.s."
She gathered up her brood, and,
proud as Queen Victoria ever could
have been of her royal family,
marched down town.
Mrs. Grow der looked at me, |
looked at Mrs. Crowder.
"Was there ever before such a
pair of amiable lunatics ~ Mrs.
/ gasped. Mrs. Crowder emphati-
cally replied, "Neyerp
PART Ill.
The more reflected on the Jones'
stock OF benevolence, and my lack
of it, the more aghast | felt. A
great desire to give a visable sign
of sympathy in their work grew
apace IN my mind. The thought of
Christmas-box required to me,
Tor it was now nearly Advent sea-
son again. | spoke of it to Mrs.
Crowder, and she fell right into
full sympathy; Captain Crowder
encouraged US by calling it an "in.
spiralion. He promised to sec
that it reached them in good time
This was difficulty smOothed, for
the Joneses lived III an outof-the.
way country corner. Thomas stuck
to his farmer opinion that it was ga
rood idea" | went to work to
make new dresses for the girls.
Mrs. Crowder undertook suit for
10, aud another tor Jim. She look
ed up some outgrown garments be-
longing to her children, neat but
comfortable. The little Crowders
caught the Jones infection, and the
little boys gathered up trains of
cars, balls, tin horses, and other
things, from their own pile OF toys,
for Jo aud jim, and one put in a
hageoIet, especially for 10. My
uiece, Elise Moore, and Etta Grow
der selected from their stores,
building block, picture-books, and
dolls which they dressed for the
girls. Captain Crowder put in
some spelling and reading books
| | had some odd yards of long cloth
by me, which 1 could spare.
Whilst Mrs. Crowder and | were
busy putting things in a box, our
good neighbor, Mrs. GoOdo, came
| in for a sociable morning. AS soon
as she learned our design she was
much interested.
"I1l go home. l must make a
little contribution tOO," she said.
Presently a servant brought over
little mug for each girl, two china
mugs, for 10, jr., and Jim, aud d
towel pinned up, and marked fol
Mrs. Jones.
"Now," said /, ''if we only had
something for 10, sr., the box would
be complete. | wonder If he
smokes! We could send him a
pipe and a pound of tobacco If be
does.h
"Smoke, indeed p said Mrs.
Crowder. "NO man wasting his
substance on the filthy weed could
afford to adopt half a.dOzen chill
dren ~
al know what you can give him,
mother,n said Eta CrOwder.
There is fathers china cup; he
never uses it. Some one gave iton
the Sunday school tree, several
years ago."
"Just the thing; get it."
"Uncle has given me two cups
said Elise Moore; 'spll put one in
for Mrs. Jones'"
So the box was made up, aud
was handed over to Captain Grow.
der. aWe are sending of ouI
Christmas now, Mrs. Orowder,N
said, laughingly.
"a good part Of it. l hope il
won't turn their heads.D
uI'm not atraid,' l answered
"You know that they are cranks
already. / hope this won't recover
them.p
Christmas fell on Friday. Th'
Monday morning after, Mrs. Grow
der sent a message Tor me to com.
right away to her house. When
got there, found Mrs. Jones and
three OF the children.
al can't say thankee TO you, MRS,
Norton,1 she said, as she squeezed
nv hand. tears running over hef
red cheeks. al don't know how.
iovaa ,lrecklv. twas you and Mrs.
Crowder. come up today to Cap
taiu Orowder's Office to nnd out.
n cooled round and wouldn't give
n,e no satisfaction, 50 I iist come up
!. 80 CrnNder. and pinned il