St. Paul daily globe., 1890-12-25
Il was Dots name for Il.

cupboard was the humble suite of
rooms in q tenement house on Wheeler
street which the Kents called home.
When the key was turned in the door
when opened into the Hat, and Mrs.
Kent. with Dot and Ted, stood for the
FIRST time within the walls that was to
critically, said: "Why, mamma. it's all
n, bigger than good sized cup
board.o
Ted laughed an approval of Dots
notion, and 1.-The cupboard" it was ever
after to the two children.
CRY fl..tS at best are not apt to be very
spacious, and when you take those with
II limit bounded by Washington and
fremont, Dover and Boylston streets,
why. it must be confessed that they arc
but tie larger than the rooms IN toy
house.
But even small rooms have their COM
penSatlonS, and Mrs. Kent easily found
hers.
sour little furniture won't look lost
here" she said to Dot. "as il would in
Iarser rooms, and it won't take much
coal to beat the whole place" And
that is great consideration. as every
boty who is at all wise in housekeep-
ing matters very well knows.
Probably the rooms looked smaller
than they really were to the eyes of the
three occupants. used as they were 10
the big rooms of the old-fashioned Yer
mont farmhouse. and "all out of doors"
besides. as Dot used to sigh 10 herself
in some of her fits of inconsistencies.
here were times at first when she
almost stiiled in the small rooms of the
shut-in house, and she longed-Ohi how
she longed-for one sniff of the pines
and for one run over the Putney mead
oWS.
But Dot was brave little gill, and
sensible one as well. and she Knew that
every complaint OF hers would add 10
her mothers burden. She knew that
it was Tor her sake and Ted's that her
mother had given up the comfortable
home on the banks of the beautiful
Connecticut; the home to which she
had been carried bride; the dear home
into which the two children had been
lovingly welcomed: the sa,idened home
from which the dear father had brtn
carried to the little graveyard OH the
hill; the beloved home that would be
home always, no matter where the
chance abiding place might be.
The country town did not offer the
advantages i'll the way of eduration that
the city aid, and Mrs. Kent knew that
the best and safest legacy she could
give her boy and girl would be a good
education. The Kents and the OrmSbyS
both had been always people who be-
in
Kent had the traditions of both families
to keep up. So the farm was sold, and
the family came to Boston, and went to
live in the fiat in Wheeler street. The
money for the sale of the farm was not
enough to support them, SO Mrs. Kent
sewed for one of the large firms, who
allowed her to take her work home.
while Dot and Ted studied with all
their might.
"It was the best way to help mamma
said wise Dot: 1.-THE better scholars we
are the happier She is
Dot was in the Winthrop school, that
good old Boston school that in its day
has turned out SO many capable women,
and that fact rec0nciled Dot a good deal
to Wheeler street and 1.-THE cupboard.
Out of school she helped her mother
about the house, for she had knack al
housekeeping and liked it; besides. she
was one of the most enthusiastic pupils
In the cooking class at the TennySOh
street school kitchen. She never fUrgOt
what she learned, and habits of ecOI-
Omy were as carefully taught as the
actual work of cooking. Dots achieve
rnentS were financial. as well as culi-
nary, successes. Her mother got quite
III the habit OF depending upon her. and
would sit at her machine and stitch
away busily, while Dot, with her blue
eyes shining and her bright cheeks
agloW with color, would fly about the
rooms in true hUuseWltely fashion. sing
ing like bird as she fitted about.
But there came day when the whirr
Of the machine stopped. and the sweet
voice was hushed as well. The mother
was very i'll; she had Oyerworked, and
the pain in her side, of which she used
to complain little, and then laugh
about as Dots face grew anxious, was
So intense that she could hardly breathe
without grOan. For days she suffered
terribly. Then Dots glad face grew
sad; the rosy lips dropped. and the blue
| eyes grew heavy. But she must not
let the mother see how badly she felt,
| as it might worry her and make her
worse. SO brave little Dot tried very
| hard to took cheerful, and took all the
burdens upon her slight shoulders; she
was nurse and houSemaid, and school
went on without her, and she dropped
| out of her beloved cooking class.
led was her great comfort. He adored
| Dot and would do anything for her. SO
| helped in his bOyiSh way about the
| house, and stayed at home from school
| tU run ezra nds or TO go for the doctor in
| case of sudden need.
Wheeler street hearts were large even
| if the flats were not. and Dot found that
| ueIghburIy klndDesse5 were just as
| freely offered III the city tenements as
| in the country cottages and farmhouSes.
Many were the offers of help that came
| To her, many were the hands that were
held out to her. 1t was sad time for
| the residents of 'the cupboard" the
| saddest they had ever known.
| But the day came at last when the
! disease was mastered. and hope and joy
| canle back to the little home. The
mother grew stronger, but the shallow
| came again when the doctor told her
| she must not sew again for several
| months.
But what can l do2'' she asked,
| anXiuuSly.
Get well," was the doctors reply.
land then do what you like"
But iii the meantiint"-and the eyes
icohON W iotiuiig ~ thC phy oiCidils
Never mind tEe meantime" inter-
| rupted Dot, 'i'll take care of that"
"Yes, trust Dot to take care of that"
said the doctor. "GOUd-by; I'll run in
| in few days: just let DO; take care of
things;" and off he went, wondering
what the child meant to DO. but trust
ing her to carry out her plans. for he
had come 10 respect the character of
the little maid, as lie had watched her
| curing her mothers illners.
| Dot turned again to her mother as the
| doctor went out.
| Don't worry" she said, "l'll take
| care of things"
''Yes. but it's the money l worry
about. Pve been idle long time, and
| can't spend all our money"
| "Pll take care of that" repeated Dot.
| "You?p said her mother, wunderinglv,
| ayes, Ted and l."
"But you can't, child: you're Just
| crazy; what ever could you do?"
| ''Oh! there are things enou. h to do"
| answered Dot cheerfully, land Ted and