Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-26
HOW SHE KEPT BUSY.
Ifrs. Eoffman'e Cooking and Sew
ing Classes

his wife, and his morning paper, Its going
to be splendid weather. What shall you dc
to-dayi"
ooh, Idon't know" said the wife with g
pronounced tinge of ennui in her tone,
''tbe same thing / did yesterday and the
day before, l suppose; visit little, shop a
little, and for the rsst a great deal of moth
ing. envy you, Tom, having an Office to
go TO, and some real hard work to do"
Mr.. Hoffman laid down his paper, and
looked at his handsome wife pityingly.
There were no children in this household,
and the fact that there were none was a
matter of keen regret to both husband and
wife. Mr.. Hoffman was an enthusiastic
business man, was making money rapidly,
and felt every day the zest of success.
Yet he was by no means a selfish fellow,
and would cheerfully have given up some
of his precious hours to society, if his wife
had cared for society. But she did not.
She was a quiet earnest-minded woman,
devoted 10 her church and all its interests,
and utterly Indifferent to the pursuits of
fashionable life. She belonged to a great
NUN Der of charitable societies, gave large
ly and, whenever there was an opportu-
nifty, worked industriously for their vari-
GUS causes. But all these were indirect,
the lady's craving for some absorbing oc-
cupation.
Her husband looked at her pityingly.
"Arabella," he said, ''you may turn your
house into an orphan asylum, If it will make
you any happier"
Mrs. Hoffman jumped up from the head
of the table, and went round to give her
husband an inpulsive little hug and kiss
III don't want to do any thing, Tom, that
would break up our home life,'' she said,
"but often wish I could put our nice big
house to some more active use"
Mr.. Hoffman submitted gracefully to
having his hair rumpled and his coffee
spilled. "All right" he said. IF you keep
your orphans out of our coy evenings, and
put them at a different table, won't say a
word"
Mrs. Hoffman got into her shining car
rage that morning with q light heart; not
that she really wanted to have an orphan
asylum in the house, but this was her hus-
bands carte blanche for any scheme she
might have, and there was one that she
had long had at heart. She opened it up
that very day, in way quite unexpected to
herself.
She was turning over some summer silks
at Parsons, feeling but a half interest in
whether pin stripes or small checks would
please her best, when she CHANGED to look
up at the face of the girl waiting upon her.
''Miss Sophy, you look pale today she
said, kindly. Are you not welll'
Tears rushed to the girls eyes, which, in
a scared way, she tried to hide, NOM"
she said, with a trembling voice, al feel so
bad to-day that can hardly stand up; but
1t will may be pass off presently"
A.:
please; not enoughi o, no matter, the
other will do just as well; I'll be back in a
minute
Mrs. Hoffman turned away to look for
the proprietor of the store. "Mr Par
sons,n she said, latter buying all need, l
now want to hire something"
my whole stock is at your disposal"
said the polite merchant. bowling to one of
his best customers.
Il want to take Miss Sophy away with
me for a half day, and L want it charged to
my account, not to hers"
If Miss Sophy wants a holiday" began
her employer, in a not particularly cordial
tone.
But this Is business proposal insist
ed Mrs. Hoffman, tapping the desk inn
patiently with her fan; Miss Sophy knows
nothing of what l want with her, and IL
you can not agree to my terms, L shall say
nothing more about it."
Mr.. Parsons hesitated just long enough
to spy Miss Sophy, deity measuring off
the shimmerng lengths of silk, and an
swered, smoothly: Il shall be most happy
TO oblige you, Mrs. Hoffman"
Miss Sophy could hardly realize her own
identity, sitting in the softly-lned carriage,
bowling along the bright streets, tasting
the sweet May air.
~ don't know how TO thank you, ma am,"
she faltered; Il don't know exactly what's
the matter, but it seems to me l get weak
err every day; and I'm obliged to keep up
you know, have nothing TO fall back ON
with feeble little attempt at joke.
'Mss Sophy," said her friend, drought
you away TO talk over plan have set my
heart on. and which want your help about.
You must know that | am one of the most
Industrious planners in the world; il is my
calling in life. But generally find it very
hard to get people to agree to my plans at
first, and so don't want you to give me an
answer for several days; give my idea time
to soak in a little, and it will stand better
chance. But first let me ask about your
chum, Julia. How is she getting along?"
A sad look crossed the girls face. LAS
>
on well Mrs. Hoffman; but she is losing
her health, just like the rest of US store
girls. She is stronger than l am, but she
has only been in the store two wears. while
I've been in four. The life is unhealthy. I
think; even those who stick at it a long
time do it through a heap of pain and mis-
cry But DO not mean to spoil nv ride
by complaining. l beg your pardon, ma'am.n
'Never mind about my pardon" said the
lady. lightly; ''turn your attention to NV
plan. ] want You and julia to try going
week about TO the store; giving me the off
week for a job that III tell you about pres
entity
The girl gave start of surprise at this
proposal.
Il see you are just ready TO fly out with
disoouragements,' like Luclarion Grapp,"
SAID the lady, smiling; 'I'n give you leave
10 make two objections
''Mr. Parsons would never agree to IT.
began Sophy.
Number one; now, only one more, re-
member"
Mrs Hoffman, we couldn't afford it."
Number two Now, listen to my an
swers; am quite sure / could get Mr.. Par
sons TO agree to 1t, because, you see. ne
would really only lose one girl After I
take away half of you and half of Julia, tina,
sun leaves him one whole, trained girl, and
ne could easily supply the place of the
other"
MISS sopey shook her head douotfully.
he might De willing to do it, she said,
"but hardly think sou
well you may leave that question to
me- Now. for the other; what js Your sal.
aEyw