Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-01-11

you till you were old enough to take
care of yourself
Il don't think that's a very nice
story at ali. nurse" Alice said, dis
oontentedly. at does not tell bit
what it's Ike to be poor
Nurse went to the window and
looked out. The snow had ceased fall
ing. and the sun was trying TO smile
through the gray clouds Men were
busy sweeping the streets and door
steps. and after a good long look
nurse thought it was fine enough to
venture out for few minutes
Nurse told Miss Alice top ut on her
thick boots; and then she ran down to
the library, where MI. Ellaeonae. little
Alice's papa. was busy reading, and
told him all the child had said to her:
Wants to be poor, does she? Well,
it's strange fancy for a child, but
take her with you. BY all means l
know can trust you" And so nurse
and Alice went for a walk that sunny,
snowy afternoon.
Very soon they left the square where
Mi: Ellacome lived, and turned up a
street, and then entered cour: Al the
| farther end
This is not a pretty place to be
poor in. nurse" Alice whispered. ut 5
SO dark and grimy.''
Most places where poor people
live are dark and grimy, DEAR" nurse
said, sadly. But come on, and see
Mrs HILL
Must we 90 up those stairs with
out any carpet?'' Alice asked, Won
derin gly. And. see, the windows
are broken. and the floors have holes,
and il so cold! Oh, nurse, I'm SC
frightened! Come home! Come home! ]
don't like this.''
In a few minutes, dearie. want
TO show You what being poor really
means; then you will see howyou like
it"
Alice followed her nurse up the dis
NAL stairs to the very top. and they
| entered q room that seemed almost
dark and very coli. Round the fire.
place sat three little children. all cry
ing, and near the window sat a pale,
| tired-looking woman broidering 8
muslin pinafore. She could scarcely
see, and her hands could hardly holl
! the needle-they were SO cold; still
there would be no food or fire till the
work was taken home and paid for.
oh, nurse, Tn so sorry,' she said,
rising. Il did not think you wanted
the pinafores SO soon. I've worked &:
hard as possible.''
TOO hard, Tn afraid" nurse said,
pleasantly. I'm not at all in haste
but Miss Alice wanted walk. and
thought I would lst step round and
see how you are getting o:'-"
Work is scarce. and times arr
bad Mrs. Hill sad, YEARLY; but
have the children, so suppose lou gat
not to complain
Il see You have two of the piana
fores done, so l may as we'll take then
with me, and pay You for them now
it may be little help. Mary
1T will save US from starvation
NURSE Mrs. Hill cried. bursting int
tears. MY poor little babies have no
had . morsel Of food to-dav.''
Then I'll so and get them some
this very moment Come, Miss
Alice
| The child was sobbing quietly: The
gaunt little children. with their eager.
hungry faces, frightened her. and witt
the true instinct Of childish uns elfsh-
ness she longed to ask them to 60 home
with her to her warm nursery:
Had they no breakfast, nursie?'
she asked. when they got outside.
NO. darling; and very likely no tea
last nj ght.''
is that what being poor means
nurse?''
Yes, ny child, that is true, real
poverty"
Then don't like it. l think its
dreadful! Papa often says ought to b.
generous little girl, because I'll b.
rich one day, and when am I viii
not allow any one in the world to b
poor. 1t is so cold, and miserable ant
unhappy.
Yes, my pet; and if every rich littl
girl only would remember that sh
G uld make some poor little girl happ,
ever so easily, just By little self-de
NAL, think how much more pleasan
the world would be for every one'
tn never wish to be poor again
=, | nursie; and when papa gives me SOM
silver moneys I'll not spend them o.
toys Or taffee, but send them to III
poor little children we saw to-day"
'That's right, Miss Alice. and when
ever you want to be poor and hay
your own way think of Mrs Hills lit
tie girls in Dark Court, and see how
you like it.'-H Brooke Darts. Il
Little Folks
According TO an intelligent writer
our ways Of manifesting politenes
! hava ,F