Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-11-29

daily drudgery were loading her with
ch ms.
Mabel ran up the narrow flight of
stairs that led TO the attic. Prudence
slept up there. IL was clean and COM
Portable. no doubt. but-that Old shake
down on the floor. the broken WISH
stand. the cracked basin, the absence
OF single pretty ornament, struck
suddenly on Mabers awakened heart.
1t was so bare. so repulsively plain. so
much. now that our fourteen-year-0ld
grille thought OF il like Prue's own
life why, / couldn't bear it," she
thought penitentiy.
Mother" she said, little later.
sitting on a hassock at Mrs. Hillyer's
feet, "has our Prue nobody belonging
10 her in the world ?"
$50 far rs | know. my dear, she has
no one except a sister, who is help
less cripple in "a house for incurables
in Boston. Prue's father was killed in
railroad accident when Prue and this
other girl were mere babies, and Eu-
nice. the sister, was injured at the
same time. The mother had died when
Eunice was born. Prue has had IL sad
history. The contrast between her
lot aud yours ought TO make you thank
full, Mabel !"
ats easy enough for me to feel
thankful, mamma, but it must be fear
fully hard for Prue," said the child,
looking up earnestly.
Now don't go To putting silly no.
lions into Prue's head" exclaimed Mrs.
very we'll off, not an object OF pity.
h.. fol t,NtA tt.h
your father picked her out ut the
Asylum for her bright eyes. red checks
and merry little round face. She's been
trained to become II useful woman"
But somehow Mabel felt dissatisfied.
] he other side Of Thanksgiving, Prue's
side of the holiday-cast shadow
across her bright anticipations. She
began to wonder if there were nothing
she could do 10 help matters TO "A better
footing. The golden head almost
ached With planning, and before sun
set IL had arrived at a conclusion. III
the other girls would help her out.
Mabel knew what she would attempt.
Now If the boys would lend hand as
well,
There was n train into Boston which
left their station at four o'clock L. Nj.
Prue. with n basket packed as full as it
would hold with goodies, should take
that train on thanksgiving, spend the
rest of the day with Eunice, and be at
home again in the evening by ten
o'clock. TO let her do this, and give
hera share of Thanksgiving for herself,
the Hillyer and the Loomis girls, half
IA dozen cousins all told. would have
TO take hold" and clear away the great
Thanksgiving dinner. More than that.
they would have to get the Thanksgiv-
ing tea.
Mrs. Hillyer listened quietly, while
Mabel, unfolded this plan OF opera
ton. she said: You know that Prue
expects no such outing, dear, and that
the girls are not anticipating an after
noon in the kitchen"
"All the nicer for Prue TO have a
surprise. then, mamma. and the girls
will make Il frolic OF it. Most likely
Ben and Johnny will help us. and Dan
will drive Prue TO the station and
bring her back in the evening. 1t
rests with you, dear, TO say yes"
Yes. then, you persevering child.
But remember, il you awaken Prue's
hopes. you must not disappoint her.
That would be n cruelty"
True sympathy is always contagious,
and person who is in real earnest
imparts TO others something OF the
sacred fire. Mabel flew about from
cousin TO cousin. enlisting the whole
cousinhood. Secretly, Prue's measure
was taken, aud when Thanksgiving
day came. y new plaid suit, jacket
skirt, and hat with jaunty bow and
feather. were ready to equip her for
her little trip Eunice had boon writ
ten to. lest the surprise should be too
much for her. and everything was in
train. The girls watched Prue's mop
ing face as one watches cloudy sky,
knowing that sun5urst IS behind the
clouds.
prudence is n master-hand at turn
ing off work" said more than one
matron, rs the girls ready hand, quick
foot, aud willing strength, helped
along in the last preparations for the
Thanksgiving spread. But, strange
to say. several of the aunts and the
two grandmothers, opposed the young
girls in their idea of relieving Prue
themselves.
Let us do it." they pleaded with
the unselfishness OF middle age, the
readiness born OF experience. How
ever. the girls were firm. 1t was to be
as Mable said, part Of their Thanks
giving frolic.
TO have seen Prue's astonished face!
TO have overcome her reluctance!
To have been surprised at the girlsh
prettiness which lowered out when
the chocolate calico and blue gingham
apron were exchanged for the soft,
plaid cashmere! To have followed, il
one could, the bound girl on her little
journey. been present when the sisters
met heard Eunice's happy laugh, and
observed the new light in Prue's dark
eyes would have convinced anybody.
however sceptical. that Mabel did a
lovely thing when she found silver
lining for the other side of Thanks
giving-the other side that somebody
always has TO take. Margaret +.
Sangster, in Sunshine.
-----~-os--
Comfort for the Patient.
Are you feeling better this mora
ing, Uncle Henry?" "Yes, dear"
/