The Savannah tribune. [volume] (Savannah [Ga.]) 1876-1960, 1888-03-10

walter C1llSO nlm OlA Odlduliby.
This time an evil genius prompted him
to carry tray out on the veranda.
Upon it was large pitcher of coffee,
aud little pitcher filled with cream.
Hearing. the jingle of crockery behind
her, Winnie nervously started. Mr.
Cruncher started in his turn, struck his
long foot against o board which had
been warped by sun and rain and in a
moment the scarlet cloak was ruined.
Your dress is not hurt, said John
Burt, as he snatched the dripping gar
ment from her. TIN not sorry it's this
thing, instead of that pretty white
shawl I've seen you wear"
at will cost fifteen dollars to replace
it., said Mrs. Holden the next morning,
when Winnie had made her confession,
and they had como to the question OF
replacing the red cloak. 81 really
don't know how to ask your father for
the money, and VIC must not wait"
'Wad ye believe it, mump said
Nora, putting her curly head in at the
door, 'NIr. Pettigrew's big grocory's
shut up an It's failed they're sayin, he
has, and ruined entirely"
''Dear mer' exclaimed Mrs Holden,
almost with satisfaction. "Its just
what I've been expecting this long
while"
''The baby's sick, and Mrs. Pettigrew
asked me yesterday to let Ann Eliza
Markham know that she wants
months sewing DONE" said Winnie
thoughtfully. 81 believe I'll go over
there directly, and have this done
with"
Mrs. Pettigrew was sobbing and wcari-
ly rocking fretful baby, while Carrie
was trying to mend small stocking. 81
don't want you to pay cent" said Mrs.
Pettigrcw TREMENDOUSLY, when she had
heard Winnies story II can't see how
it was your fault.
'It was all my fault; the fault of my
careless disposition, and my weakness
for borrowed fnery. hate myself for
Winnie was going to say "borrow
ing" but she closed her sentence ner-
vously by adding --'for being so fool
ish."
at isn't foolish to love pretty
things" quavered the tired woman.
'It's few enough my children will have
now. ! don't want Ann Eliza now /
don't want anything" and she bent
over the cradle sobbing, till the baby,
finding he could not make her smile by
clutching at her with his tiny fist,
puckered up his lips and roared too.
'Tf you do not want to take the
price Of the cloak, / am going to come
and sew for you,' said Winnie reso-
lutely. "You shall not lose by me- l can
sew as we'll as Miss Markham, and
mamma will advise about the cutting
out. "
cpd feel paid for tho cloak twice
over if you'll teach me to sew" said
Carrie, lifting her head. II want to
learn to do things"
'G'u teach you all I can, " said Win.
ME, bending down and kissing her.
For four long weeks, the peasantest
part of the summer, Winnie went daily
to Mrs. Pcttigrew's sitting-room, and
made new out Of old, and stores of
undergarments for the little Pettigrews.
But what can be told was not the
best part of the work she did The
sense of disaster and failure that
clOuded the house gave place to helpful
activity The children woke up to
the pleasure there is in warm water
and soap, and things in their places,
and Wiunie's success in making every
scrap of cloth useful inspired even the
cook to be saving Of -four and fuel
Mr.. Pettigrew's creditors made a com
promise with him to 60 into business
again. But even when their prosperity
returned, the Pettigrcw family never
went back to all their old ways. They
borrowed, but what Mr.
Holden called "Winnies missionary
month" had wrought great change.
Winnie is Mrs. DR.. Burt now, but she
never borrows. She s very kind and
consilerate, aud once lent her hand