St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-02-15

'Dear me! I worked ana fused half 1
day over that" said Mrs. Drake, look.
ing rHefully 1t tho expanse Of snarled.
up puifA Il couldn't make head or tail
OF how that bought pattern meant 'em
to 60"
RIP them out Katie" said Alice,
and I can drape it for you in few mo
Dents, il you'll let me-" - H.
'Now, did you ever!" exclaimed Mrs
Drske. -, under Alice's deft fingers, q
few graceful loopings took the place Of
the puffa. Then with directions for q
little pressing, she said goodbye, amid
. shower Of admiring thanks from moth.
er and daughter.
Alice took her way to the house oi
young Mrs. Garde, who was one of her
COED friends.
AYES, Alice, I'll take the book. I'd
take dozen hooks If they would show
me any way to mako things . little
smother around my areside. My hands
are ESQ tied with these two chill
dren that have no time to see to things
In the kitchen; and II I had. I don't be-
lieve things would he much better.
We'er living the forlorncst kind of .
life.. Frank is half sick most OF the
time. and I'm beginning to think it's
the wretched cooking. How can . man
live on poor bread all the time and be
we'll? It's sour one week, and heavy
the next; and that's about all the variety
We have" -..
TOO bad.' said Alice. II wish with
all my heart l could get you . good
GIRL"
'You can't I've searched the entire
country. Mother has sent two or three
out from the city, but they always get
hOmesick and 60 hack. I see nothing
but 70 resign ourselves to the prospect
Of being hopeless dyspeptics. 1t makes
me feel 30 good-for-nothing, too. You
will never make such failure when
you come to the real duties Of life."
Don't talk So" said Alice, shaking
her head. "Why, Twas just making up
my mind that am good for nothing. I
can do plenty OF things, but they're not
the kind that can make my living by,
unless 60 regularly and hire out and
don't want to do that 80 long q have
. good home.''
''Of course not. It seems . pity"
said Mrs. Garde. with . sigh, ''that
just such abilities IS yours couldn't b
fitted in somehow to places where they
are needed"
'Oh. don't put book at me" " said tho
mistress Of the next house st which
Alice called.
why. Mrs. Warner, what is the mat
ter?" asked Alice in concern, as that
lady, after placing . chair for her, sat
down and burst into tears.
'Oh, its my eyes troubling mo again.
Your book would do me no good unless
you came and read IL to me. And books
are not the worst part Of it. although
it's hard enough not to be able to read.
But look At that mending- basket, piled
mp with two weeks mending. try to
do little bit at time, but it hurts my
eyes 80 1 can't 60 on, and the doctor
says they will never get we'll unless
give them perfect rest Why, she said,
half laughing, Il had to pin the chill
dren's clothes on this morning where
the buttons were or"
''Never mind tho pins, hut do take
caro- Of your eyes," said Alice. '.It il
real trouble. and l am 50 sorry for you.
Let me read you one of these stories
Or. perhaps, you would rather did some
of this mending. DO let me help you .
little. It wouldn't take me very long to
do that whole pile" s--
'tOf course, It wouldn't you are 50
quick and handy. How fortunate you
Pre, Alice-eyes and strength, and SO
bright and smart. You can do any thing
you want to do. Yes, you may do it if
II you'll let me pay you for it. And you
don't know what blessed help 1t will he.
No, you shsn't touch them unless you'll
agree to it,
1T is just the kind Of work you can't
get any body to do" continued Mrs.
Warner. Alice laughingly CONSENTED.
Ind settled herself At work. II sent for
Sarah Crandall, the other day, to come
Ind do up odds and ends for me-that's
What must get somebody to do for
swhile now. And she sent word that
he'd come in three weeks. She's al
ways engaged ahead. What is the rea-
,on, wonder, that you can't find folks
% do the little useful things just whe n
vou need them most?"
Alice walked home with ssome new
deas in her brain. -....s A.. r..
II haven't made up my hook club.
nut / wonder II haven't done better
han that believe it's just as they
~, there's enough 10 do Of what can
10 il it only could he fitted in. I'm
.oing to try IL can At myself in some
lOw." ..
A week later she said:
s.Mother, I'm going to work"
Il suppose So. You're always At
york."
"But mean I'm going to earn my own
living.
Not away from homer"
swell, partly" t--
''Alice, you can't Haven't I often |
aid you shouldn't 60 away rs long Is
here is home for your
Don't be frightened, mother" said
Alice, laughing. my goings won't be
erious. I'm going two days in the
seek TO Mrs. Garde's to bake and to