Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-01-04
WHICH WAS RIGHT2
Two Ways of Putting Old Things
to Use.

Two Ways of Putting Old Things
to Use.
When Mrs. Arden, after an absence
of ten years, found herself again in the
town in which her girlhood had been
passed, she experienced a delight so
keen as to be almost pain. Family
cares had kept her in her own home,
many miles distant, and year after year
had rolled by, and she had not been
able to pay that visit to her sister
Esther for which Esther was ALWAYS
entreating in her letters.
But she was in the old home 1T last,
and, though the place had changed
greatly since she had left it as bride,
Tom and Esther, her brother and sister,
were unchangcd-in manner, at least.
though both had married. TOMS we'd
ding having taken place only two years
previous.
''You are to stay with me for your
whole visit. Lizzic-understand that"
Esther said, as. Tom having gone. she
showed her sister to the, well-ordercd
guest-chamber of her trim, coy house.
''YOu won't want to stay with Grace,
for you don't know her. and would find
it dull enough with Tom away nearly
all the time. You know he can afford
to keep only one clerk, and so he almost
lives at the store.'
Il hope will like Grace" said Mrs.
Arden. 'You have never said much
about her in your letters.''
"N-no.' answered Mrs. Fame, hesi-
tatingly. Il don't say that approve
of her altogether. Still, we get on we'll
enough
But IN what way do you disapprove
of her?''
"'Well, I think she ought to help Tom
more than she does. But we can't talk
it over now. Wait till tomorrow. and
I'll tell you all about it, and know
you'll feel just as do"
So the subject was dropped for the
present, and not referred to until the
following morning, when, having made
tour of inspection over the house. the
sisters were comfortably seated in the
cosy sitting-room, each with piece of
work. Mrs. Arden, having been fur
nished by Esther with yarn, was cro-
cheting an edge for a flannel skirt, and
Mrs. Fame was ripping up an old coat.
''What a pretty girl TOMS wife is!'
said Mrs. Arden, breaking long
silence. land Tom seems so proud of
her! Did you notice last night how at
tentively he listened whenever she
spoke?''
Eyes; he is very fond of her." an
swtred Mrs. Fame, III reluctant tone.
Il wish, for his sake, she were not so
extravaganza.
"You said yesterday you would tell
me in what you disapproved of her,
Esther. Does she run Tom into debit"
mo; no. / don't mean that she is
extravagant in the ways she spends his
money; but she doesn't know how to
save. She gives away so much that
might be put to good use in her own
home, and she calls it charity.''
'And charity should begin at home,
certainly" said Mrs. Arden.
Eyes; but she refuses to be convinced
that she is wrong. Now, in telling you
about her. can't explain myself bet
ter than by taking up my own case,
egotistical as it may appear. You
know when married Mr.. Fame he was
in very narrow circumstances, and !
made up my mind to make the most OF
every thing, learned how to turn all
sorts of old things to account, and
have not left off doing it now that our
circumstances have improved. Every
rug in this house, except the large one
in the parlor, is made of old clothes
past respectable wearing. | have cut,
braided and sewed them myself, and it
was often very hard work. That
worsted stool your feet are resting on
was hood wore three winters ago.
1t was perfectly good, not moth hole
in it, Tut old-fashioned, so, as Grace
gave me q new one for Christmas
present, used this to cover little
salt-boxp 1t is pretty, isn'titp DO you
see the cushions on that rocker in the
eorncrP They were made Of ar
old xlpaca dress which was ir
fajr condition, but hardly wortl
making over. There was enough t.
make cushions for both the back anc
go ~ tho rocker and lined then