The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-09-11
what she was GOOD Tor.

going to stay at home and finish my
book" Hal had laughed, and this made
Alice feel very dignified, so she walked
into tho front parlor, Where. curled up
In large chair she spou became ab-
Ssorbed In her story.
Mrs. Weeks and Aunt Kate, sitting
In th9 back parlor, never dreamed OF
this, so they talked together very con.
hLeriially, as mammas and aunties
usually talk when they consider them
eelves quite alone. 1t was not until
Alice stopped to turn a leaf that she
sloticed what they were saying. Then
She Heard Aunt Kate say:
81 wish you would let me take Jenny
home with me. Twill take the entire
care Of her clothing for the summer. y
''If you will take Alice instead Of
Jenny, I will willingly consent re-
piled Mrs. Weeks. with q Sigh Alice
distinctly heard.
Aunt Kate Lesitated.
"Alice is a dear little GIRL" con.
tinued mamma, but she Is very wild,
Jenny is a help to me. I hardly know
what should do without her.''
swell. replied Aunt Kate. not en-
Enthusiastically, ST will take Alice"
Alice left her chair very quietly, but
before she reached tile hall she heard
mamma say:
..'she will give you trouble, fear;
her mending Is quite an item In my
weeks work. She is very careless"
Alice could hardly control her sobs
until she reached her room.
"How could mamma say such things
Z about me2 Nobody cares for me.
Mamma wants to send me away, and
IA, ,tso Oh yA,,t r el,n
go with Aunt Katel"
Alice's tears flowed freely for q
time, but soon her sensible little head
conquered, and she felt that mamma
was right. She remembered the new
q .ess she tore at school the cloak, apron
and stockings that had been mended
only yesterday, and she now knew why
poor mamma sighed. She would go
with Aunt Kate, but she would not
be trouble.
''Is won't tell mamma now that I
heard what she said; I'll wait until L
come home. but I'll never, never be u
trouble to her again." declared peni-
tent Alice, as she wiped away her
tears.
When Aunt Katie asked her If she
would go home with her and be hor
little girle for tho summer, Alice gavo
Il ready consent.
you don't seem a bit glad,'' said
Hal.
you can't look into my heart" she
said, but her pleasure was lessened by
the thought that she was not her aunt's
choice.
Soon after her arrival at her aunt's
house, Alice one day asked:
'Will you teach me how to mend
and darn, Aunt Kate?"
''Mend and darnl Why, yes, child"
replied her aunt.
II want TO learn to do all kinds Of
Notwithstanding, boys' clothes
white aprons and everything
IA very sensible idea. What has
put 1T into your little head, my dear?"
asked Aunt Kate, in great surprise.
Then Alice told her Of the conversa-
tion she had overheard.
81 didn't mean to listen, auntie. I
went out very soon, but think I shall
not make you 80 much trouble as
mamma thought,' said Alice. tear
fully.
Aunt Katie kissed her and called her
a dear child, assuring her that she
would not have liked Jenny better,
and Alice was comforted.
The lessons in mendlng began i'm
mediately. IT was very tiresolne at
first, but Alice soon felt pride in join
Ing together suits cut in cotton or
wool for purposes Of practice, and if by
chance a rent was made In dress or
apron Alice noted the fact with appar-
ent satisfaction.
She enjoyed her Summer. and when
she went home her aunt said:
II am sorry 10 loose you, my darling;
you have been real comfort to me. -
Alice felt sure she. mad not been &.
trouble.
Mamma thought her little girl
greatly improved by her visit. The
children were wild with delight in her
return, ana Alice was in danger OF
drifting into her old, thoughtless,
careless habits.
Mamma" said Hal one morning,
"I've torn my jacket on nail in the
barn, seel''
The jacket held up for inspection
displayed a rent that drew from
mamma sigh, as She said:
put it on the sowing machine. Hal {;
! Will mend it this evening""
Here was Alice's opportunity. TAX
ing the jacket she went to her own
iUoill, Wlloie, Will Glo uOOr SaI6ly
locked, she began her task. Her little
wolk basket, presented by Aunt Kate
and stocked for any emergency, was
there, and Alice patiently matched the
Jagged edges, fastening them with tiny
stitches, sponging and pressing the
rough seam as Aunt Kate had taught
her, until she felt almost satisfied with
her work.
"L'm glad it isn't his very best one,"
said Alice, critically.
When mamma brought the Jacket to
the sltting-rOom that evening, Alice
for q moment almost regretted her
work.
"Why, where is the rent, IIalpn she
asked. 81, find none.''
Hal took the jacket. but was not
more successful than his mother. Mrs.
Weeks iiualIy discovered the neat
mending and with much surprise in
quired who had anticipated her work.
"IL's Alice's work. cried IIa..
''Lcok at her, mammal
Alice hid her face IN her mothers
lap.
Aunt Kate taught me; wanted to
surprise you," She explained.
"You hayo surprised u.s." replied
her mother, and the praise bestowed
upon her work more than satisfied wild