Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-01-18
PINS AND NEEDLES"

Pins and Needles, that was what the
iueverent youth of the town dubbed them.
There was n comical fitness in the name
Both were SO thin that you wondered as
you gaZed; neither was ever guilty of
dOnning crinOline or hustle, and both, con-
sequently, tapered down to the feet in a
way strongly suggestive Of coming to q
point. But Pins wore a black poke bon
net, which, being very full, gave her q
little top or head, while Needles blue-eyed
Needles, was smaller in the head than
elsewhere, even, and that clear, sharp eye
Of hers that looked up at you demanded
imperatively to be threaded right away.
Pins had been married twice and had
had a cataract which had been relieved by
the efforts of the church Likewise, her
last husband had been run over by a train
thus furnishing her the sum of $500,
four hundred of which had been kindly
appropriated by the relative who had aided
her in getting it from the railroad COM
pany. Hers had been an eventful life
But Needles had never had an adventure
She had lived with Pins always through
all her troubles, and being the weaker
physically, as she was the stronger men
tally, of the two, had been taken care Of
by her younger sister, who loved and cher
ished her tenderly. The two supported
themselves by making button-hOles in Il
cataract or shirts that poured into their
little room every Wednesday and out
again the following Tuesday.
Fifty cents dozen for finishing of EN-
of Amt much when you come to look at it. &"
said Pins, "for there's eleven button-holes
and six buttons and the gussets to every
shirt, but it's better'n nothing" and they
got along.
So thin, so worn, so patient, so cheer
ful and accomplishing! So the twain
lived on through long years like two
beams of pale, wintry sunshine, or like
two withered, shrunken apples on a bare
Dough.
1t was one day in Lent, and Pins, who
had been to the weekly service was COM
ing down the church hill slowly, when two
women just ahead of her stopped abruptly
.at the sign board.
Look at that" said one, and she read
st out: Sealed proposals will be received
by the selectmeu of the town of W for
the keeping of the town poor for the wear
beginning May l, lSS-. All proposals
viii be opened at the Town-house, Mon
day, April Is. and the contract awarded to
the lowest bidder, amt that a shame?"
IF women ever do vote in this town
that's one of the things they'll change,
anyhow. Who's got EN- this YEAR,"
Mrs. Bruno, and guess she'll put in the
lowest bid"
The Lord have mercy on EN-, then"
The two moved on as they spoke, and
Pins, who had paused involuntarily be
hind them and heard all they said, moved
on, too But her poor old heart was beat
ing so fast and loud that she could
scarcrly breathe, though she pulled the
old green veil she wore down over her face.
as though the mild spring air was all too
sharp for her. Under the great old elm
trees, that make that lovely walk for
which W is so famous, she went,
looking out across the binding April sun
shine, seeing nothing, thinking only of
that cruel notice. For Needles was sick
and had been ailing for year now, and
the money was almost gone, and unless
the Lord in his mercy interfered and took
her home they must both go on the town
and be sold with the rest of the town pau
pers The poor old heart beat faster and
the thin old hands trembled as she hurried
on. She had wasted time to-day going up
to the Lent service; she would not do II
again. and now she must hurry home and
work on those shirts. Perhaps she might
even finish them and do a little tape weav-
ing for Mrs. Curtis to earn few more cents
She came into the little room when,
Needles lay on her cot, and Needles looked
mp at her. What's the matter, sister
You look so white and peaked"
Nothing, sister, nothing" But she sa
down as she spoke and caught up he
sewing.
There now" said Needle, you ain
took of your hat nor shawl, an there VOL
be settIn right TO work at that ere sewing
What is it sister,"
Pins old lips trembled and she burst int
tears.
Come here, Prissy.
She went over and sat down by Needles
bed.
Now tell me what it is. Why, sister
YOU brighten me looking so.
Pins hesitated q moment, and the,
she spoke, though it was hard for the oil
dips to utter a word.
~It's the farming Of the town poor, sister