Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-11-21

but the dress you have ON, Miss At
wood? It. - -
''Was selected for service, completed
Fanny. ''Of course I'll put on one of your
| aprons.
When George Henderson returned from
his errand, he heard some one singing
| cheerily In the kitchen. He stepped in
and saw his niece ironing away as deity
as If she had spent the best part of her life
at it. She made such pretty picture that
he stood still and looked at her.
'How do you do, uncle?n twinkle of
merrlment IN her brown eyes; then she
went and kissed him, standing ON tip-toe
to do so.
I'm glad you've come, Fanny" he
said with heartiness. Il suppose Matte
station? But, why are you ironing
Where is MATTER"
''She is lying down uncle. She fell and
sprained her ankle. =
Mr.. Henderson stepped into the sitting
room, look of concern on his face.
why dear, how did this happen?" he
kindly asked
''Oh, how does anything happen?' she
replied little querously Through my
own awkwardness, no doubt, l almost
tainted the pain was so great.
Does it pain you now, dear?"
81 am glad to say that it doesn't. -
I'll battle it with sugar of lead water. >
he said. There ism t anything BETTER
Fanny has already done that, replied
the wife. 1T was her own suggestion. =
ooh, calculated Mr.. Henderson, with
increasing appreciation of his niece.
And she insists upon ironing. A pref
ty mess she'll make of it,
well, maybe not, Mr.. Henderson said
In quiet tone. Il watched her little
while. Matte, you are good ironer, but
she is your equal.
''Oh, nonsense, George!' exclaimed his
wife. Reared in the city, as she has
''Didn t necessarily make her lazy, sill
ly, noyel-reading imbecile." interrupted
her husband. Perhaps we haven't been
just to Fanny. I think she is a solid,
energetic, capable sort of a girl, and it is
lucky that she came.
We'll, | hope it may prove so, doubt
ingly rejoined the wife. George, there's
the butter!"
III churn that he said. well get
along. Just you keep your mind at ease
You will get about much sooner if you
do
Fanny Atwood prepared dinner now
and then slipping into the sitting-room to
wet the bandage, and to chat in her CHEEKY
way with her patient.
On the third day Mrs. Henderson was
able to hobble to the kitchen, where she
found in everything most excellent order.
''Look at my current jelly" Fanny
proudly said, as she held up one of the
glass jars to the light. 1t was translucent
and bright as ruby tinted wine.
ut is very nice, > Mrs. Henderson said.
How much sugar did you take?"
Pound for pound, = replied Fanny. Il
WASH t extravagant, was p
You were wise, her aunt said with a
smile
She opened the door leading into the Gel
lar.
Fanny, did you whitewash the stair
way?" she asked In surprise.
Eyes, aunty. 1t needed it. | knew you
meant to do it, for I saw you had slaked
the lime. Ism t it nicely done?"
Very nicely Mrs. Henderson said.
But it WASH t right that you should do it,
Surely your hands -''
Look at them, Fanny said, laughing.
''They are as white and soft as any lady 5.
l put gloves on-and then | have a sort of
without pitching into it all over. have
knack, as mother calls it. If it was right
for you to whitewash the celar-way, it was
right for me to whitewash it. | came here
to help you and spare you: to ride the
horses, to go to the mill with Uncle George,
and to make myself useful and-welcome
If you are not going to let me work, or
have any fun, why, I'll go right back to
New York
She spoke with voluble earnestness, her
gestures rapid, her dimples dancing
Mrs. Matte Henderson sat down in a
chair and cried
'Why, aunt, what is the matter?" ask
ed Fanny, her brown eyes widening. Il
hope I didn' t say anything to --"
mo, my dear, you didn't, . replied Mrs.
Henderson, in a broken voice Il am
crying because [ am ashamed of myself
because | have been so unkind to you in
thoughts. [ supposed that you would an
noy me, and hinder me; that you would
be helpless, selfish, fault-fnding; that you
But you think more kindly of me now,
do you not?" interrupted Fanny, her
hands moving caressingly over her aunt's
hair
Most certainly l do" replied Mrs.
Henderson, explosively. THAT is why I
confess my injustice why want to make
amends..why :"
Don't mind it, aunty," said the sweet,
forgiving, sympathetic voice. Il don't
censure you, and it's all right now. There
may be-and, in fact, there are-listless,
frivolous, helpless girls in New York City
and in other cities-but | am not one of
them. If | was, am afraid would de-
spise myself.
Il am glad you have come Fanny, and
I will be sorry when you go, Mrs. Hen
derson said, and she meant it. my
prejudices misled me, and | have been
taught lesson. Hereafter III not be so
hasty in estimating people, especially be-
fore | have met them"
Owls Are Better Than Cats.
The barn owl, when she has young,
brings to her nest a mouse about every
twelve minutes, and, as she is actively EN-