Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-03-06
HOW SHE KEPT BUSY.
Mrs Hofman's Cooking and Sew
ing Glasses.

"This is a fine day, Arabella," said Mr..
Hoffman, trying TO divide his attention inn
partially between his second cup of coffee,
his wife, and his morning paper, sits going
to be splendid weather What shall you do
to-dayi"
ooh, don't know" said the wife with a
pronounced tinge of ennui in her tone,
''the same thing ] did yesterday and the
day before, suppose visit a little, shop
little, and for the rest 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
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 TO her church and all its interests,
and utterly Indifferent to the pursuits Of
fashionable life She belonged to a great
number 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,
impersonal interests, and did not satisfy
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
h,,e "A hfop nd lr;a
81 don't want to do any thing, Tom, that
would break up our home life" she said,
''but often wish 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 different table, 1 won't say a
word
Mrs. Hoffman got into her shining car
mage that morning with 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
ut 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 to-day" she
said, kindly. "Are you not welll"
Tears rushed to the girls eyes, which, in
a scared way, she tried to hide. "No'm,"
she said, with trembling voice, 81 feel so
bad to-day that can hardly stand up; but
it will may be pass off presently"
"Cut me off sixteen yards OF this piece,
please; not enoughl o, no matter, the
other will do just as well; I'll be back in
minute"
Mrs. Hoffman turned away to look for
the proprietor of the store. 81 Mr.. Par
sons" she said, after buying all need,
now want TO hire something"
"My whole stock is at your disposal"
said the polite merchant, bowling to one Of
his best customers.
81 want TO take Miss Sophy away with
me for half day, and l want it charged to
my account, not to hers"
"If Miss Sophy wants holiday" began
her employer, in not particularly cordial
tone
"But this IS business proposal" insist
cd Mrs. Hoffman, tapping the desk i'm
patiently with her fan; ''Miss Sophy knows
nothing of what l want with her, and IL
you can not agree to my terms, shall say
nothing more about it,"
Mr. Parsons hesitated just long enough
to spy Miss Sophy, deity measuring of
the shimmerlng lengths Of silk, and an
swered, smoothly: ~ shall be most happy
10 oblge you, Mrs. Hoffman"
Miss Sophy could hardly realize her own
identity, sitting in the softly-hned carriage,
bowling along the bright streets, tasting
the sweet May air.
81 don't know how to thank you, ma'am,"
she faltered; III don't know exactly what's
the matter, but it seems TO me l get weak
er every day; and I'm obliged to keep up,
you know, have nothing to fall back on"
with feeble little attempt at joke.
, "Miss Sophy," said her friend, drought
YOU away to talk over plan have set my
heart on, and which 1 want your help about.
You must know that l am one of the most
industrious planners in the world; it 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 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. "As
far as her work is concerned, she's getting
on we'll. 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 years, while
I've been in four. The life is unhealthy, ]
think; even those who stick at it lone
time do il through heap Of pain and mis-
cry But do not mean to spoil my ride
by complaining beg your pardon, ma am. >
"Never mind about my pardon" said the
lady, lightly; "turn your attention to M
plan. / want you and Julia to try goinl
week about to the store; giving me the of
week for job that III tell you about pres
emily"
The girl gave a start of surprise at thi
proposal.
al see you are just ready to fly out wit
acknowledgements like Luclarion Grapp,
said the lady, smiling; "Pn give you leay
to make two objections"
'sMr. Parsons would never agree to 1t,
began Sophy.
SNumber one; now, only one more, RI
member"
s,Mrs. Holman, we couldn't afford it."
0Number two Now, listen TO my al
syvers; am quite sure could get Mr.. Pa
sons TO agree to 1t, because, you see, B
would really only lose one girl. After
take away half Of you and half Of Julia, Thu
atili leaves him one whole, trained girl, an
be could easily supply the place OF Il
other.n
Miss Sophy shook her head doubtfult
ssHe might be willing TO do it," she sal
s'but hardly think So"
ssWen, you may leave that question
me- Now, for the other; what is your ss
aryf'
g Seven dollars week"
How much board do you paym
"Three and a half
80 at the end of four weeks you ha'
fourteen dollars, not counting your boar
inst what you would get by doing half Il
work. II you had no board TO pay. Iwal
x-ou and Julia 70 come aud live ut my hous
win charge you tho same board, three al
a half week, and pay you the same salai
for your on week, so that your two week
work for me would cover your four week
board. and your two weeks at the sto