The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-04-07
A GOOD IDEA.

ISiEJ anu a. <Ahstis
"How is your mother to-day, RuthieP"
Ruthie raised rather disconnected
face to meet the very CHEEKY one of
their next-door neighbor.
"Oh, she's great deal better, thank
you, Mrs. Bright She's been helping
round a good deal this morning, for
we've sent Nora away. She's gone to
lie down. but she'll be glad to see you,
known"
Don't disturb her, dear. Tn sorry
she had to give up Nora so soon, but
glad she got such good little
daughter to help her."
'Well, don't know" said Ruthie,
rather dolefully. 'If l was bigger l
suppose might be some good, but I'm
so little"
"a willing mind helps out small
hands wonderfully, little grille"
''May be so, but I've been wishing l
could have lived in fairy times, Mrs.
Bright"
why, dearest?"
ooh! just think how nice it would be
to have one come in all smiling and
with shining dress and long curling
hair. and give one wave of her golden
wand and have this kitchen all cleaned
up before you had time to turn
round"
Ruthie laughed as she spoke, and
Mrs Bright laughed with her.
But it seems to me-" said Mrs.
Bright, THAT the people in those times
must have been rather lazy set
Don't you think yourself, now, that it
is great deal better to stir around
with bright face and light heart
and quiak little hand and set things
right in just the way God meant us to
do--hey, dearie?"
"Well, / suppose you are right, Mrs.
Bright" said Ruthie, with an answer
ing smile. 'But it's day after day, and
do get so tired of plodding over the
same things. It's dishes and kettles
and pans. and pans and kettles and
dishes.
''It's the spirit you put into the do
ing that will make it pleasant, dear.
Try to look upon the kettles and pans
as so many humble stepping-stones to
raise you into the atmosphere of low
ing service. 1t is in the little things OF
life that the Master has given most OF
us the power to do for Him. So go on,
dear. You can do far better than have
fairy to come and do for you. You
can be fairy yourself-a real house
hold fairy, and work wonders if you
try. Goodbye"
The CHEEKY face disappeared, leav,
ing its reflection on Ruthie's as she
looked about her. The little conceit
sxactly suited her fancy.
Il believe that's good idea," she
said to herself. lam going to try how
many wonders I can work before din
ner time. 1t will surely be a wonder
TO get this kitchen clean. I've a good
mind to go at it thoroughly, not to &c
itsjust half way. 1t always feels mis-.
cradle to do things by halves, I think.
But where shall l begin?'
She soon found place to begin, and
was striving with all her might to work
real transformation in the disorderly
room. Nora had done the scrubbing
and other heavy work before going
away, but there was plenty still to be
done in the large room which served
for both stting-room and kitchen.
Ruthie paused in dismay as last of al
she opened corner cupboard.
at hasn't been touched for weeks
she said, land father and Ned have
tucked away every thing into it. "
For moment she felt tempted tc
give it hasty touch or two and leave
it for moro leisurely day
mo, WON'T" she said, firmly
s'Fairies never sighted their work, a
least any that have ever read of. Tn
going to get to the farthest corner
But there's baby!'
She softly stole into her mother
room and brought out the curly-hairec
darling, who seemed little inclined
TO be fretful after his sleep. But sh,
petted and coaxed him until with ;
crust in his hand he was quite conten
to be tied into his chair and watch he
as she went into the farthest corner.
"Ohl here's your jumping-jack, ba
by" And he crowed with delight a
she brought out the long buried treas
ure. "And here is Ned's skate-ke,
that he IS been moaning about for week
and always had to borrow of the othe
boys. And oh, oh, if here isn't m,
story book that l only half rea'
through. How did it get in here,
wonder! Well-there's nothing lik
giving things a good going over one
in awhile. How long I've been hunting
for that!
Now, baby, if you'll only be good
little while longer, I'll try to make som
biscuits for dinner, know exactly nov
mother does them"
Whether it was the jumping-jack o
the brightness in Ruthless face, no on
knows, for he never told, but baby be