Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-01-12
PINS AND NEEDLESS

"Pins and Needles, that was what the
irreverent youth of the town dubbed them.
There was 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 o
point. But Pins wore black poke bon
net. which, being very full. gave her a
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 Mt you demanded
imperatively to be threaded right away.
Pins had been married twice and had
had q cataract which had been relieved by
the efforts of the church. Likewise, her
last husband had been run over by 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, rs 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 o
cataract of shirts that poured into their
little room every Wednesday and out
again the following Tuesday.
Fifty cents a dozen for finishing of 'em
off amt much when you come to look Mt 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
full and accomplishing! So the twain
lived on through long years like two
beams of pale, wintry sunshine, or like
two withered, shrunken apples on bare
bough.
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
It out: Sealed proposals will be received
by the selectmeu of the town of W for
;she keeping Of the town poor for the year
beginning May /, Iss-. An proposals
will be opened at the Town house, Mon
day, April Is, and the contract awarded to
the lowest bidder, amt that shame?"
IF women ever do vote in this town
that's one Of the things they'll change,
anyhow. Who's got 'em this year?"
Mrs. Bruno, and guess she'n put in the
Lowest bid"
the Lord have mercy on 'em, them"
The two moved on as they spoke, and
Pins, who had paused Involuntary 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,
rs though the mild spring air was all too
sharp for her. Undet 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
tho Lord in his mercy sinterfered and took
her home they must both 60 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 1t
again, and now she must hurry home and
work on those shirts. Perhaps she might
even finish them and do q little tape weav-
ing for Mrs. Curtis to earn few more cents.
She came into the little room where
Nee0les lay On nof cOt, Hna NecufoS iOoAcu
up Mt her. whats the matter, sister,
You look so white and peaked.
Nothing, sister, nothing" But she sat
down as she spoke and caught mp her
sewirg.
There now" said Needle, you amt
took of your hat nor shawl, an there You
be settin right to work at that ere sewing.
What is it sister,
Pins old lips trembled and she burst into
tears.
.Come here. Prissy.
She went over and sat down b Needles
bed.
Nov tell me what Il =. Why, sister,
you brighten me looking So
Pins hesitated no4ent, and then
che spoke, though Il Ms hard tor the old
1ips to utter word.
s1t's To farming ofsaa 49, poor. sistsr.