Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-09-07
HOW SHE KEPT BUSY.
Mrs. Hoffman's Cooking and Sew.
ing Glasses.

"This Is fine day, Arabella," said Mr.
Hoffman, trying to divide his attention i'm
partially between his second cup Of coffee
his wife, and his morning paper, 'it's goins
TO be splendid weather. What shall you d.
to-dayi"
"Oh, don't know" said the wife with q
pronounced tinge Of ennui in her tone
"the same thing l did yesterday and the
day before, suppose; visit little, shop q
little, and for the rest great deal of moth
ing. envy you, Tom having an Office tc
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 q
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 great
number of charitable societies, gave large
| ly and, whenever there was an opportu-
| nifty, worked industriously for their var-
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
husband an impulsive little hug and kiss.
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 cozy evenings, and
put them at different table, won't say
word" ..-'.a-..
Mrs. Hoffman got into her shining car
rage 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. ~sg.
at Parsons, feeling but half interest in
whether pin stripes or small checks would
please her best, when she chanccd 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 well"
Tears rushed to the girls eyes, which, in
a scared way, she tried to hide. "No'm,"
she said, with trembling voice, az 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 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" she said, latter buying all need,
now want to hire something"
my whole stock is ut your disposal"
said the polite merchant, bowing TO one of
his best customers.
~ want TO take Miss Sophy away with
me for half day, and want it charged to
my account, not TO hers"
"lf Miss Sophy wants a holiday" began
her employer, in u not particularly cordial
tone
"But this Is n business proposal" insist
cd Mrs. Hoffman, tapping the desk i'm
patiently with her fan; "Mss Sophy knows
nothing of what want with her, and if
you can not agree TO my terms, l shall say
nothing more about IT,"
Mr.. Parsons hesitated just long enough
10 spy Miss Sophy, deftly measuring off
the shimmering lengths of silk, and an
swered, smoothly; ~ shall be most happy
TO oblige you, Mrs. Hoffman"
Miss Sophy could hardly realize her own
identity, sitting in the softly lined carriage,
bowling along the bright streets, tasting
the sweet May air
~ don't know how TO thank you, ma'am,"
she faltered; II don't know exactly what's |
the matter, but IL seems 10 me | get weak
or every day; and I'm obliged TO keep up,
you know, have nothing 10 fall back on"
with feeble little attempt at joke.
"Miss Sophy," said her friend, drought |
you away TO talk over a plan have set my
heart on, aud 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 10 get people to agree 10 my plans at
first, and so don't want you 10 give me an /
answer for several days; give my idea time /
To soak in a little, and IL will stand better I
chance. But first let me ask about your ,
chum, Julia How is she getting alongy"
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 1
has only been In the store two years, while /
I've been in four, The life is unhealthy, .
think; even those who stick at il long
time do II through heap Of pain and mis-.
cry, But do not mean 10 spoil my ride
by complaining, beg your pardon, ma 'am."
"Never mind about my pardon,n said the
lady, lightly; 'turn your affection TO my
plan. want you and julia t1 try going
week about 10 the store; giving mo tho of
week for job that IN tell YOU about pres
entity"
The girl gave a start Of surprise at this
proposal
II sea you are jus, ready 10 'tiy out with
like Luclarlon Grapp"
said the lady, smiling; "rn give you leave
Ia make two objections"
MIR Parsons would never agree TO IT."
began Sophy.
Number one; now, only one more, re-
member,"