Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-01-04
PINS AND NEEDLES.

Pins and Needles, =" that was what the
1lreverent youth of the town dubbed them.
There was a comical fitness in the name.
Both were SO thin that you wondered as
you gaged; neither was ever guilty of
donning crinoline or buste and both con-
seuuently: tapered down to the feet in
way strongly suggestive of coming to a
point But Pins wore a black poke bon
net. which, being very full. gave her a
little toy 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
inperasively to be threaded right away.
Pins had been married twice and had
had cataract which had been relieved by
the efforts of the church Likewise. her
last husband had been ,un over by train
thus furnishing her the sum of $500,
fouE hundred of which had been kindly
appropriated by the relative who had aided
her III getting it from the railroad COM
panN. 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 i'll a
cataract Of shirts that poured into their
little room every Wednesday and out
again the following Tuesday.
Fifty cents a dozen for finishing of EN-
off Amt much when you come to look at it, :"
and six buttons and the gussets to every
shirt. sat it's bettef'n nothing" and they
got along.
SO thin. SO worn, SO patient. SO cheer
full and accomplishing! So the twain
lived or through long years like two
beams OF pale, wintry sunshine. or like
two withered, shrunken apples on bare
bougn
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
ii out: Sealed proposals will be received
by the selectmen of the town of w fol-
the keeping Of the town poor for the yeal
beginning May l, 1ss-. All proposals
will 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,"
AIRS. Bruno, and guess she'll put i'll the
lowest bid"
The Lord have mercy on en-, then"
The two moved on as they spoke, ana
Pins. who had paused involuntarily be-
hir4d them and heard all they said, moved
,ou. too But her poor old heart was beat.
Ing so fast and loud that she coulc
searcriy breathe, though she pulled the
old green veil she wore down over her face
a though the mild spring air was all toe
sharp for her. Under the great old elm
trees, that make that lovely walk TO
which W is so famous, she went
looking out across the binding April sun
shine. seeing nothing, thinking only O.
that cruel notice For Needles was sicl
and had been ailing for u year now, ant
the money was almost gone, aud unless
the Lord in his mercy interfered and tool
her home they must both go on the towr
and be sold with the rest Of the town pau
pers. The poor old heart beat faster ant
the thin old hands trembed as she hurried
on. She had wasted time to-day going IL,
to the Lent service; she would not do i
again, and now she must hurry home ant
"osk on those shirts. Perhaps she nigh
e,en finish them and do little tape weay.
iGs, for Mrs Curtis to earn few more cents
Sac came into the little room wher
Needles lay on her cot, and Needles locke,
up n her. Whats the matter, sister
1oa look so white and peaked"
Nothing, sister, nothing" But she sa
down Us she spoke and caught up he
sewing.
There now said Needle, "you ain
took eff your hat no. shawl, an there yo
hc settin right to work at that ere sewing
What is it sister,"
Pins old lips tremhled and she burst int
lie rs.
Come here, Prissy."
She vent over AID sat down by Needles
bed.
Now tell me what it is. Why, sister
yon fsighSeu me looking SO"
Pins he.it;tel q moment, and the
She spoke. though it was hard for the oil,
lips to ute. word.
It's .I,s farming Of the town poor, sister