Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-09-13

'chuck full of stories"
Miss Beck had grown thinner and
homelier than ever. The doctor had ex-
hausted ALI her skill over this refrac-
tory patient, who obstinately persisted
in being sick. While busy with her
school duties, Miss Beck often averred
she felt middling we'll, but nights and
mornings she was at full liberty to
nurse all her chronic ailments, and doc
tors could do her no good.
Pearl Davenport had written two
charming books, and Herewith earned
herself home. Nelly West had be-
come famous as an artist all through
the State, and her pictures were in de-
mand. Florence Benson, the origin
ator of the club, had been practicing
law to good advantage in neighboring
city, and was now home for her vaca-
ton.
A merry party they were, in spite of
Miss Beck and her gloomy forebodings
They had just arisen from bountifully
spread table, when Squire Bonner came
in and handed his wife letter
''Deary mer said the old lady, in
plying accen is, after reading the first
page; IF that poor, dear Hetty Sands
hasn't got on the war-path again. It's
only my way of saying that Hetty's
goin' to break up and travel, my dears,"
she continued, addressing the society.
sits sort of protegy of mine, is Hetty,"
she added, looking over her spectacles.
1.-THE poor thing has moved twelve
times in as many years, always trying to
run away from that cough of hers Now
she wants to try Missouri, where she
started from, and ! s'pose Glenn Sands
III bring her on. He's always humored
her. No sooner does she say go than
he up stakes and goes. If she told him
to take her to Heaven, it's my opinion
he'd jest try his best to do it. But bless
met she added, after another inspec-
ton of the written page, 80 much
movin' makes people kind O. shiftless,
too, an there's eight children, all girls,
but the boys; there's two of them, l be-
lieve."
Eight childrenp cried the club, sim
ultaneously.
eyes, and every blessed one of them
as handsome as picter, too, like their
mother" said Mrs. Bonner.
They're poor, of course" said Miss
Beck, after swallowing a powder sup
posed to aid digestion.
Poor as a pipe without bowl" said
Mother Bonner. How can they help
it? Some of their furniture has to be
sold every time they move, and they
are coming here with the barest neces-
stiles, she writes-two beds, a stove. a
kitchentable and three trunks. Now.
as to the trunks, they can't hold sofys
and chairs in them, you knew, so
s'pose I've got to help them. Well, I'm
thankful | can. There's some old fur
inter in the cabin that don't do me any
good, but bless me, eight children!
and sick woman, and a father that's
had all the sperit took out of him,
movin' about so much! They'll want
constable lookin' after, that's fact"
Il should think she'd rather STAY
there and die" said Miss Beck. I'm
sure | should; l often do, any wav,
when l think how sick and useless |
am"
her wise head at her, half savagely.
You have done better work, perhaps
than any of US, in teaching the young |
idea how to shoot. How can you tell !
"frut-h is s''"" '-rssy br- uiI'o- consequence
For all you know, you may be training
the to-be President of the United !
States"
Il hope he'll remember it." said Miss
Beck, grimly, land be grateful
why, of course he will, and make |
you pOstmistress of the town, perhaps, |
who knows?" laughed the doctor
1t was just one month from that time
that little wild-rose-covered, quaint,
coy cottage on the outskirts of the
thriving Western town was riotous
with blooming little maids, and noisy
with sweet laughing voices. At the
windows, the doors, among the flower
ing vines that ran of their own sweet
will up to the swallows nests in the
the children swarmed.
Gracious goodnessr' cried Miss Beck.
when they all marched into the school
room, the twin boys coming last, one
pleasant morning; and then she was
kissing their rosy cheeks and untying
scarfs and hats and sun-bonnets. Nor
could the woman keep her eyes off of
them. The lovely, laughing faces fas-
clDated her. She forgot her medicine;
her aches and pains disappeared as by
magic.
II never saw so m lch beauty in all
my life" she said afterwards to DR..
Nor ] so much misery" said the doc
tor. 1--WE been round there, and find
the mother in the last stages of con-
sumption. Missouri won't save her;
she will never move again. And then
they are so destitute, though too proud
to confess it Our club will have to
take hold and help"
They did 50. Mother Bonner sent
furniture and food. Miss West hunted
up few pictures and hung them on the
walls. Then she gave
all her attention to the sick woman,
and studied out picture that eventual
ly brought her more fame than any one
she had ever PAINE before.
The poor mother faded and faded, till.
one sweet June morning she kissed her
children one by one, then her husband
and died.
The club paid the expenses Of the
funeral.
year had gone by. Tho rose-bushes
ran riot all over the quaint lit
tie cottage again, as did the children
through its old-faskioned rooms and
over its blooming grounds.